I've always liked the single stage snowblowers because they will clean right down to the pavement because of the rubber auger. Being propelled by the auger, allows them to go as fast as you're willing to walk. Now the gas vs electric debate. The Toro electric, is certainly not as loud as the gas blower. There is the operational maintenance items for gas, oil, spark plugs, etc. On the electric side, you just have to charge the batteries.
You sold me with the Ariens. I have a two stage and my back problems is just to much work. I’m tired after doing mine with neighbors house. I really love the portability of this Ariens.
Those are two of the best on the market. Can’t go wrong with either one. It’s just your preference gas or battery. Running both 7 years down the road, the gas model will be the better choice cost wise due to battery replacement. The main enemy on the cordless is time. Great video I might add! As always.
Thank you for the video. Been looking at purchasing the Arines to do snow removal when I'm not working this winter. Yours is the only video I've seen besides the one Arines did.
I love my 2 stroke single toro. Awesome power that’s eats up the snow. Light enough to lift onto my cargo carrier to haul around the neighborhood and runs all day with just a few bucks worth of 50:1 fuel.
I just bought the Ego cordless. 57 volts works great. I did my entire place front and back sidewalks, street sidewalk and 2 car driveway with 2 foot drifts in some places on a single charge.
They've really made advancements with the battery ones, but for the cost of the batteries and charging them and the struggling down by the road a bit more, I still am going with the pro 21. I will say compared to any electric of the past that thing is pretty impressive. As much as my brain is telling me to get a 28" 2 stage, I just don't need it. Drive way will hold 6 cars, no sidewalk and a walkway to front door. I'm in Michigan and have been known to get a foot, but I can always do it twice during the storm. But on fresh show I think that Ariens can handle it.
I watched your other comparison with the Snow Joe vs this Toro, and now I saw this one, and I like I said before, and still think the Toro for my purposes will be more than enough, and it seems to work darn near as well as the gas job, plus I don't want to fool around with gasoline, or prepping the engine for not being used for 8 to 9 months and then only be used 2, 3, maybe 4 times? Plus my driveway is maybe half as long as yours, but I do have sidewalks along the street side, but the total area is less area than your driveway is. I have a feeling from your video that I would have to do my driveway and probably 3 of my neighbor's driveways to equal your driveway. Nah, the battery job will be fine for me. Thanks again for doing this video, great job.
Until it stops working past warranty and you can't figure out why it's not working. At least with gas you can generally figure out why its not running.
I actually have more training with motor controllers than gas engines so I'm almost the opposite of you. First, look at the obvious - belt, pulleys, bearings, something stuck in the impeller, is the key inserted, is the bail and cable working. Second, you can check the battery with the charger - Toro's chargers tell you if the battery is full, if it's charging and if there is an battery problem (error) So all that's left is the motor controller and the brushless motor. Your local Toro dealer has trained technicians who can plug those pieces in and diagnose what's wrong.
@@PaulSikkema I changed my mind about getting a battery-powered snow blower because I was almost in the process of buying one when I found out that the replacement battery was a huge expense at $550!! There are 2 of those batteries, they cost around $275 each, and according to the Toro dealer, the average life of the battery is just 3 to 5 years. Heck, the darn snowblower was $850, darn near the price of the replacement batteries. So I went with a Ariens gas job, once a year is $60, but since I know how to do that with lawnmowers, I can do it myself for the cost of oil and carb spray cleaner.
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One thing I rarely see mentioned is the battery, if you don't have something to use the battery on off-season then you will likely see the battery degrade or fail within a couple years and you are looking at $150 bucks or more to replace it. I think you still get the best bang for the buck out of gas powered snow blowers, that may change in the future but for now the gas powered are better in the long run for most people.
Many people who have a small driveway and buy a cordless electric snow blower also have a smaller yard so a snow blower like the Toro 60 volt is a great choice. Why? Because the same battery also fits one of the best mowers on the market - the 60 volt Toro Recycler Personal Pace walk behind mower. It also fits all the other yard tools you need like a string trimmer, leaf blower, chain saw and hedge trimmer. Check the entire line here: Toro Power Clear with two 7.5 AH battery/Charger included: homedepot.sjv.io/dvARk See the rest of the Flex Force Line here: homedepot.sjv.io/7V7bQ
Good video as always Paul. Very surprised the electric did as well as it did against a commercial gas blower. Still a significant difference at the end of the driveway and that Ariens costs quite a bit less as well. But it appears electrics have finally reached the point where they are a viable alternative.
I'll stick with a gas-powered. My old Toro 2-stroke purchased in 1991 is still getting the job done up in Minnesota. As the engine has aged I've had to adjust the engine speed up a little- by bending a tab on the carburetor so that it runs a bit faster. I also mix the oil a little richer these days than what is specified in the manual- for that extra little bit of lubrication, but other that that just regular common sense maintenance has kept that little 3-horse Tecumseh humming. Of course I've had to replace the paddles, scraper bar, and belt a few times over the years, but that would also be the case with an electric blower of similar design. If it had been a battery-powered blower I wonder how many times I would have needed to replace the battery packs over 21 years, and how much that would have cost me?
Nice video. I had a bad experience in the past with a toro single stage gas snow blower. every time I needed to use it, it would not start. so for that reason I like the battery operated ones better. also I can bring the machine indoors if I would like because it does not use gas. also no yearly tune ups. The Ego with metal blades is pretty good. it can go through hard icy snow.
@@PaulSikkema SNT2114 I am thinking of getting this one because I heard it can go through plowed snow but I am not 100 percent sure if it can. www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-21IN-SS-SNOWBLOWER-KIT-MTL-AUGER/1003130718
@@PaulSikkema Yes Ive been looking at the reviews Toro is great and the 60 volt power clear has a steel blade and can go through icy hard snow 💪and the price is good. I saw the reviews on the Toro cordless shovel too its a great machine. they both use the same battery. I will get both Toro Machines. Thanks. Toro it is.👍 Thank you for the video and recommendation for the Toro brand.👍
Paul , open up the 60v Toro, want to see what type of auger belt system and pulleys if they made of steel . Just picked up a used Ariens professional 21 with 1 hr of use , also have the 250cc craftsman snow shredder - is ok appart from the auger belt drive belt too thin and keeps breaking + Main auger pulley is plastic compared to Ariens which is Steel
Great video! Thanks for you time and effort to make it! I'm actually trying to decide on which gas single stage to buy. I have a small brand new concrete drive way. It's about 1/2 the size of you driveway. I'm in Southern Ontario Canada. Only light to moderate snow each winter. I'd had Big Ariens 2 stage blowers when I had a huge, long driveway, but I dont need it now for smaller house/driveway. I have had Honda lawnmowers, etc, and they have always been stellar too. Good, local dealers for each. Should I go for the Ariens pro 21, or a Honda HS720. ? Help me decide! lol.
Ariens seems to make one of the best snow blowers out there. I've had a Toro two stage for eighteen years and it's starting to show it's age. My BIL has an Ariens he got the same year and his is still running like new. I do better maintenance and his is still stronger. I'm thinking of switching to an EGO 2 stage battery blower this year. The problem here on Long Island is that we might get a total of five inches of snow or 50 - 60 inches. In 95-96 we had 90 inches. And of course there's no way to tell how much we're going to get. It could be two inches or it might be two feet of "partly cloudy."
And a lot of the snow you do get is very wet and heavy. I actually recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 over the EGO for where you live. The Ariens will handle ANY snow you get and last many, many years longer than the EGO.
Hi Paul. Thank you so much for all of your content. Your knowledge is educating me and guiding me on making a decision this winter. I am in the market for a single-stage but my property is not smooth as we have interlocking pavers and live far north where heaving is a problem. Given the challenges with scraper bars, would the Ariens (floating) be the better choice? All of my local shops recommend the Toros (721 or 821) for my application. Perhaps adding skid shoes to either of these models would help? Thanks in advance.
The Toro 721 and 821 Pro models also have the floating scraper like the Ariens Pro. They are all good choices for uneven hard surfaces. I like the Ariens Pro because it is the easiest to get in and out of a vehicle, it has the floating scraper and it throws snow very well. The Toros are wildly popular with the commercial crowd and since most Toro/Ariens shops sell more of them it's normal for them to promote the Toro over the Ariens. Single stage snowblowers are designed to clear down to the pavement. Models with the floating scraper bar will help a lot so they don't catch as often on the rough parts of your driveway or patio. Adding skid shoes raise the scraper off the pavement so they won't clear all the snow and won't clean off driven on or walked on snow.
Hi Paul, We just had a big storm here in the northeast. I got a total close to 18 in. of very wet snow that came in two parts about 9 in Sunday night and10 in Monday night (all one storm) I found the chute of my Toro 60 volt snow blower was clogging quite a bit I was thinking of spraying the chute with vegetable oil like Pam but I'm concern that the chute, being plastic, might be damaged, by using vegetable oil on it
No and I probably won't. The Toro only uses one battery so you can clear a lot more if you own two batteries. I like how well it throws and I also like the other products that Toro offers that use the same battery.
Trying to decide between gas and corded, we don't have a flat driveway we don't have a gravel either it's halfway in between but it's 350ft. Would love to go electric and not have to deal with maintenance and I don't mind an extra long cord that's gonna be more useful during the summer anyway.
I need more information from you to really help (like where you live) but a corded will not work for you. The little corded snowblowers draw 12-15 amps so you can only use an extension cord no longer than 100 feet. You will burn up the snowblower if you use a longer cord. 50 with a 16 ga cord, 75 feet with a 14 ga and 100 feet with a 12 ga.
@@PaulSikkema having lived in the upstate New York Syracuse area I know my way around snow and yet my family has never had a snowblower and always hand shoveled. We now live in the panhandle of West Virginia. we have a 350 foot driveway that's paved and disintegrating in spots that needs to get redone hopefully summer. and just got probably close to a foot. This time it was sort of fluffy last time I think it was fluffy with a layer of ice on top And the time before that crunchy. It usually snows and the next day we shovel it then the next day it's all melted so I'm thinking that we maybe get enough snow to shovel twice. I know my way around electricity and was thinking of all the alternative uses for a nice long rugged 12 awg cord like last year when I had to run 250 feet and only had Romax(absolutely not recommended) for an event. Curious I calculated out the voltage drop to be about 15V. On the other hand I have a lawnmower that I have to work on yet again and really can't stand lawnmower maintenance knowing that I'm gonna have to tear it down and probably adjust the points again, did it stop running because of the carburetor or was it the oil and gas mixture that might've gotten used by somebody else? One things for sure if we got a snowblower I would be the only one using it so it's a good chance it would run when needed but thinking of it sitting in the garage for 11 months..... To get used once maybe twice or with our luck never. I'm liking single stage because it would clean off really well but from what I understand the two stage does better with stone driveways which would be good for both of the patches and my neighbors if I so probably cleaned there's. Hopefully that's enough information thanks for the reply.
Single stage snowthrowers DON'T work on gravel. You'll need a 2-stage for gravel. I don't have any other suggestions for you as far as to what snowblower to get for 350 feet of "just a few inches"
Half a dozen of one, six of another, the cordless wins this one mainly due to ease of use, no gas, no fumes, no carburator, no maintenance, and way less noise. I'm going with the cordless!
Paul, both machines did well. They did equally, I feel, on the main part of the driveway, but the Ariens was faster. On the snowplow drift, the Ariens did noticeably better. Both clean down very well Which 2 stage machine do you own? And do you plan on getting an 821 Toro to compare? It has more CC's than the Ariens at 252cc's.
What I own is not always the best choice for you. I test snow blowers so I currently have seven two-stage machines. A Troy-Bilt 2410, Troy-Bilt 2860, Toro 928 OAE, Ariens Pro 28 RapidTrak, Troy-Bilt 3090 XP, Husqvarna ST430T and a Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34. For my property, I grab the Toro 928 or the Ariens RapidTrak the most often. But there are actually a lot of good snow blowers on the market. I suggest going over to my website and taking a look: movingsnow.com/2019/twenty-best-snow-blowers-fall-2019/ I won't get the Toro Power Clear 821 this year. It's a completely new design and I usually give a new model like this a year to get the bugs out.
Have had the 831 qze for 2 seasons, very disappointed, dont buy them! I use it commercial, the plastic wheels get gummed up with snow, its terrible, the chute freezes all the time when it get below freezing outside and I've tried every spray on the market, the scraper hits every crack in the pavement and sidewalks, just plain heavy to maneuver, the only think good on this machine is the awesome power but what good is that with all that's poorly designed on it, the 721 the same way, have had Toro single stages for year and loved them but with the new design and crappy new features what the hell are they good for? Its very frustrating when you pay almost 1000 dollars for a new machine like I did, im seriously thinking about the Ariens professional ss21 model, what do you think Paul on me switching to one that's got the power of the Toro 721 or 821? Am I on the right track, just want something quick easy to use and doesn't clog up even in wet snow, your advice is appreciated as alway.
While you are deciding to get the Ariens I suggest switching the scraper bar on your Toro's back to the previous models. The scraper rides over cracks better than the new one. Toro makes both residential and commercial single-stage models. The Commercial ones have a C in the model number - 721 RC. The design is simpler and the paddles are a lot thicker.
Good Video. I would really like to see someone try a single stage TORO 721 against the TORO BATTERY POWER. They are about the same price ( actually gas is cheaper). I doubt the electric would keep up.
The battery version will not need any maintenance other than the scraper bar for 10 years. Add up the gas, spark plugs and other maintenance a gas motor requires for 10 years and add that into the price of the gas version. Then the Toro 60 volt is actually less money. No it isn't quite a powerful as gas but the less cost of maintenance, how quiet it is and how easy it is to start and use is it's best selling feature.
@@PaulSikkema But if you need a battery before your 10 years are up, you are shelling out up to $350 for a single 7.5aH battery. That costs more than gas, oil and plugs for 10 years. But for those who are not willing to do their own minimal maintenance then yes, battery is the way to go for light snows.
The point you are missing is that the battery can be used year-round. It just doesn't replace the gas, maintenance, and oil for this snowthrower but all of your hand-held and walk-behind lawn & snow equipment. You can replace your gas-powered: Snow shovel Single stage snowthrower 2-stage snowthrower String trimmer Leaf Blower Push lawn mower Recycler lawn mower Super recycler Commercial Walk-behind mower Chainsaw Hedge trimmer And more to come. (I'd love to see a battery TimeMaster)
@@PaulSikkema Now you are assuming that the user owns hundreds/thousands of dollars worth of similar platform Toro 60 volt equipment and if the batteries are being used year round (a few batteries for many tools) I wonder if they would still last 10 years? (I hope so since I just bought my first Toro 60V battery product, a model 21466 mower!) So far so good but I wish they left the personal pace handle the way it was (linear actuation) as opposed to the new curved motion. Now a battery Timemaster...that would take a heck of an electric motor to run. I even replaced the 190cc engine on my 2012 with Kohler CV224 to get more torque to effectively mulch 30" wide swaths of thick KBG and TTTF. But as technology gets better, who knows??!!!
No, I'm assuming that you will like the Toro battery enough that you will switch over your gas equipment as it fails. (Over the last three years I've picked up a leaf blower, string trimmer, power snow shovel, personal pace walk-behind and soon the 2-stage snowblower) I have four leaf blowers but use the Toro 60 volt ALL the time. Toro is using better cells in their battery so I expect them to last at least 1000 cycles. (charge/discharge) Toro already has an 8 HP equivalent power unit on the new 826e 2-stage snowthrower...beside brushless motors have a lot more torque than gas.
Paul, Based on your video of the snowblower and the longevity of the Toro batteries I purchased a Toro battery lawn mower with battery and charger. I'll wait on the snow blower. Also will the 60 volt battery changer work on any toro battery regardless of the amperage. The lawn mower I bought is a 6 amp but they also have a 2.5 and a 7.5 if I have remembered correctly. Thanks for the helpful video.
How heavy is the Ariens Path pro? I need units I can lift easy into my SUV. Obviously the Toro is most likely super light. Right now I can lift my 98cc toro in super easy, like 20lbs.. From my understanding, Ariens also made the unit easy to lift and transport. Also made it easy to work on maintenance.
Most of todays single stage snowthrowers weigh around 60 lbs. (4-stroke engines and more metal than the little Toro's) The Commercial Ariens Pro in this video is unique. You just back the snow thrower up to the opening, reach down and grab the top of the auger housing and slide it into your SUV. The handles act like rails so you are lifting a lot less. The Residential Path Pro has to be lifted into the SUV like your Toro so you'll have to lift the whole 60 lbs.
The Snapper, Simplicity, Briggs & Stratton is one of the lowest rated Amercian made snow throwers on the market. The only thing it has going for it are the metal teeth that are supposed to chew up frozen snow. If I'm going to do a comparison video it will be with another top-rated snow thrower like the Toro 721 series or Honda 620 series.
@@PaulSikkema I got one with a Blown Engine Original Owner started with no OIL :ua-cam.com/video/Cb5zMXtBy6M/v-deo.html Part 2 : ua-cam.com/video/FVdCmsmj0zE/v-deo.html Part 3 : ua-cam.com/video/FVdCmsmj0zE/v-deo.html Part 4 :ua-cam.com/video/-1lndf-o_Mo/v-deo.html
@@PaulSikkema : Paul i Had to Rebuild it a 2nd Time !!! 1st Time only Ran for 45 mins then started to SMOKE : Needed New Block , Piston , Rings , Rod and Crank. now 2019 in 2nd Season Works AMAZING !!!
Does the battery Toro’s paddle auger make contact on driveway like a regular single stage? Last time I used a single stage I believe the auger paddles made contact helping you move the machine along if I remember correctly.
Great video. Any idea of the approx. weight of the Toro Cordless. I own a plowing business and I have a large gas machine that has to be taken off the truck with a ramp and I;m looking for a lighter weight machine. Thanks, Joe
With the battery out about 25 lbs. BUT WAIT! Toro just introduced a 721 electric Power Clear. Rubber paddles that will touch the ground and two battery slots. My guess that will be 45 lbs without batteries. They also introduced larger 10 AH 60 volt batteries and a new commercial line of batteries that can handle really cold weather and fast charging. The commercial and residential 60 volt batteries are interchangeable for all the 60 volt toro equipment
Hi Paul, I'm debating a single stage gas vs the Toro 60 volt and have found your site and videos so helpful. I understand a single stage gas likely will be able to remove driven on snow and the Toro 60 volt won't. I have 3 drivers and my driveway is often driven on before I can get fresh snow cleaned off. Given the Toro 60 volt's scraper, I'm thinking it may perform poorly if it's being pushed over hardened snow caused by the tire tracks - so not only will it not remove the tire-packed snow tracks but the lumpy, raised tracks will prevent the scraper from making full contact with the surface, leaving even more snow behind. Is my thinking on the mark?
Hi Paul, I would like to see the Ariens Pro put up against the Toro Power Clear 821 R-C Pro I think The Toro would surpass the Ariens in Performance and hold its own in the strength department.
Yes, the 252 cc engine will have more power and more weight. They are both commercial machines and the operators will be pushing them around for hours at a time. Is the extra power worth the extra weight to push? We'll have to see. Toro and Ariens are always working to "surpass" each other. This Ariens was the first with the open engine design and now Toro has realized that's also what their buyers want... That said, did you see the end of the video where I put the Ariens in the van - you can't do that with the Toro - yet....
The Toro cordless looks like it held its own but you can definitely see that there is a difference between the two, especially out at the end of your driveway with the plow driven snow, the gas powered looked like it had no problems cutting right through it where the Toro struggled a bit yet it still did a pretty good job. Overall, I'm sold on the Toro and will purchase one soon and it will be my first snow blower that I owned and on bigger snow falls, I will go out multiple times anyway to cut down on having to do it all at once. It wasn't a big snow fall but, did battery lose a lot of power on that plow driven snow? One quick question, is Toro trying to develop a self propelled battery powered snow blower? I know Snow Joe has a two stage self propelled but the reviews are all over the place with that one but, I know that Toro has a self propelled single stage gas powered one and maybe that could be better when it comes to a battery powered one.
@@PaulSikkema I'm wondering if they'll do a real two stage machine with twin 100V batteries. That could make around 7.5 HP, which is quite reasonable for a good 28".
Another excellent comparison. The Toro is might impressive here, knowing how heavy that snow is. Q: What might you recommend for a reclaimed asphalt drive? Open to gas or Cordless.
Is the reclaimed asphalt packed down and smooth like a cement driveway? Or is it loose - like gravel? If it's loose a single stage snow blower will not work. You need a 2-stage.
@@PaulSikkema It's packed-down tight, but not smooth. Right now it's frozen solid and after a few plows it's smoother than normal. This made me think maybe the Toro 60-V or your Snow Joe 100-V cordless recommendations just might work. I do have an incline of 10-12 degrees, but I'm willing to push a bit if it means I have a machine that will start every single time. Thanks again, Paul.
Toro Battery only struggles at end of driveway .. Ariens Gas ⛽ does not ... Both are excellent... Toro is great if you don't mind that little extra effort at end of driveway .. otherwise it's equal to Ariens on driveway pass
Yes, It's a basic snowthrower good for small driveway that don't get a lot of snow. I think it's made for Lowes by the same company that makes the EGO. My only concern is now that Lowes has EGO will they keep the Kobalt line.
Did you ever try the ST111 husky? A local has one for sale for $100 and i was considering buying it for my deck and patio. I can’t lug my big 2 stage up the steps
Yes, It's the smallest snowthrower Husqvarna built. It has about a 3 HP motor. Good for decks and patios very small driveways that get 4-6 inches of snow. It won't handle a snow plow drift very well. It only throws snow 5-10 feet.
Thanks for the comparison. Do you think the Toro cordless would have trouble (or even chip/damage) an interlock driveway with its low-riding metal blades? Seems that cordless might work better on asphalt or concrete rather than interlock.
If your interlocks are installed so they are smooth it will work very well. If you have a bunch sticking up they will catch on the scraper bar under the back of the auger. If your pavers are very uneven the Ariens Pro 21 and Toro 821 Pro have floating scraper bars so they ride over cracks the best.
The residential Path Pro series has electric start. Lights on a single stage are very rare. The only ones I know are Toro electric and the gas SnowMaster
Good lithium-ion batteries like this one are designed to lose about 10% a month until they get down to 50%. About 50% charge is the safe amount when storing them long-term. Don't store fully discharged Lithium-ion in freezing temperatures. It will ruin the battery. If you store them in freezing temperatures charged it's best to bring them up to room temperature before you use them. That way you get the most power out of the battery. You can leave these batteries on Toro's charger and not hurt the batteries.
Is there any gas or electric snow thrower that can throw snow at different distance? I don't want to throw snow to the neighbor's property, you know. [Yes, it can be done by changing throw direction (to forward-right or forward-left depending on the path), but near the start spot can't be done that way if there isn't space/gap back from the start spot to throw into, right?]
The top of the chute sets how far the snowblower throws the snow. When you tilt the top - called the deflector- down it puts the snow closer to the snow thrower. When you raise it all the way up it throws far. If you need to throw the snow directly besides you angle the chute so it throws slightly in front and to the side and then move the deflector so it's all the way down.
@@PaulSikkema I see... Thank you very much for your comprehensive answer. ... That's the way to control the distance and the direction of throwing snow... cleaver, or simple yet good solution indeed. As I saw your other video, I decided to buy a much stronger cordless (60v and up), or gas snow thrower. A gas thrower is much cheaper than cordless counterpart, I believe, but the problem to me is when it needs repair or tuning. I have only a small passenger car and a gas thrower can't be put it in... I don't have anyone who has a pickup track to carry it to a machine shop... So I have to buy a more expensive cordless (which is supposed to be trouble-free, at least no need to take it to repair shop)...
If you haven't bought one yet take a look at the new Toro Power Clear 60 volt www.toro.com/en/product/39921 The batteries can be used all year long in mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, etc. I have some of these batteries that are 5 years old and have had NO issues with them. I have a review of it here: ua-cam.com/video/QHbiSrPrBP8/v-deo.html
The Toro Power Clear 721 E is the most popular single stage snowthrower on the market. It's a great value for a homeowner. The Ariens Pro is a commercial machine. The metal is the same gauge as their Pro 2-stage snow blowers, the handles are stronger than most 2-stage snow blowers and the paddles are much heavier-duty than the paddles on the 721E. There's even an hourmeter! I'm going to get a walk-around video of all the features that make it so good out in the next week.
@@PaulSikkema I believe I could add to this conversation. My father and I HAD the 721 series. Myself, the 721 RC with HD paddles and nicer handle and my Dad, the 721 R. The 721 has a 212 cc engine that can cut through anything up to 10 inches pretty easily. I wouldn't do the end of driveway stuff if it gets that high. The HD paddles on the RC can be put on any 721. I've had mine 4 years and still look like new. My Dad just traded his 721 for an 821 last month. Man, what a machine! 252cc engine, electric start and quick shoot. Haven't got to see it in snow yet. Should be a BEAST. I'm waiting to see if I really want to trade mine in mine based on how his does. We have really enjoyed these blowers so far and can recommend them. With care, I believe they can last 20 plus years easily.
@@Robsbrd99 thanks! Ya I have been debating between between the single stage gas power clears such as the 721 and 821, powerclear snowmaster, and the new e21 v60 battery operated snow blower.
The gas single state is similar to a self-propelled walk-behind - maybe a little easier and faster. The cordless electric is more like a non-self propelled push mower. You have to push the snowblower through the snow.
Do you recommend Snow Joe 21”, 48 volt? I am older lady(🙈) with 2 car drive, sidewalk & deck. It’s $299 now at Home Depot Snow-Joe-21-in-48-Volt-Single-Stage-Cordless-Electric-Snow-Blower-Kit-with-2-x-4-0-Ah-Batteries-Plus-Charger-24V-X2-SB21/314293962
No. It's a whimpy snowblower. The batteries only give you about 20 minutes of run-time, takes hours to charge the batteries and only throws snow bout 15 feet. It may clear 2 inches of snow from your driveway on one charge but anything more than that and you'll be waiting hours for to recharge so you can finish. Sorry, you get what you pay for and there are no "good" snowthrowers that cheap.
At this point in time I like the Toro 60volt. Please head over to this article and I'll explain why there: movingsnow.com/2020/2020-toro-snow-blowers-review/
I bought the ariens but all they had was the model without the remote chute control. Do you know if there is a kit available to add it? I’ve looked but can’t seem to find one.
No kit that i know of but i suggest going into an Ariens dealer and see if he can order the parts you need to upgrade. (Bring your model and serial number with you)
Does the cordless Toro have the self propelling feature? I know that the gas version of it does. I'm debating between the following gas model: www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Power-Clear-721-E-21-in-212-cc-Single-Stage-Self-Propelled-Electric-Start-Gas-Snow-Blower-38753/309982166 or the following cordless model: www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Power-Clear-21-in-60-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Electric-Snow-Blower-with-7-5-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included-39901/309982207
Thanks so much for the reply. Regarding the Toro, would you recommend the 721 with 212 CC or the 821 252 CC. They are both 21”, but the 252 CC costs 20% more. I’m wondering if the difference is material for plodding heavy snowfalls.
The 721 is a very competent snowthrower. The 821 is basically the same with a larger engine. The larger engine allows you to get done faster, especially if you have deeper snow and a bigger snowplow drift.
@@PaulSikkema thanks for the reply! I live in Montreal Canada; we get lots of snow; I suspect the toro 821 with 252cc may be better than the 721 with 212cc
How many times can you do that driveway on one full charge with that Toro? Will you be reviewing the new toro 821 single stage gas model as well? I think I'm going to ditch my toro 721 for that ariens pro sooner or later. I run around doing snow removal and I find that the toro 721 skates around too much since it has plastic wheels. Does that ariens have rubber wheels? Thanks.
The Toro 60 volt will clear about 9 cars worth of driveway on one 7.5AH battery. So, far I pretty sure I could clear this driveway twice on one charge.
You know what you're getting with a cordless snow blower. No it's not likely going to be as good as a gas powered but most people know that going in. You're buying it because you don't want to deal with the noise, gas and maintenance and at the end of the day you'll get the job done. BTW, I appreciate the fact that unlike most people, you know how to clean your driveway, so many people keep throwing snow over where they just cleaned, I don't get it.
One major consideration: all gas single stage blowers use belts, while electrics are direct drive. Given the work to maintain gas blowers (oil, gas, air filter, belts, plugs, etc.) the era of gas for single stage is over. The biggest advantage of gas is if you want to annoy your neighbors at 6am.
One clarification. The Toro and Snow Joe cordless electrics I have here use a belt to drive the auger. I'll have to check the Ryobi to see if it uses direct drive.
@NonyaBusiness! Average quality lithium batteries are designed to last 300-500 charge cycles. They don't have a shelf life like lead-acids. The worst thing I've had happen with lithium batteries is that it will lose about 20% of it's capacity over that time. The newer lithium, like the 100V from SnoJoe is stupid expensive ($300) but it's got a lot of protection features built in to extend the lifetime. I'm think 10 years of use is not far fetched. About a dozen uses per year.
Paul - Living in Utah with snow that varies from none to a lot and from light to heavy, I'm just looking for something that will just work all around OK. I've watched many of your videos and am excited about the Toro 21E. You say it will go up to like 8" even if it isn't as good as the Ariens at that point it will still work right? If that's the case, this seems like it'll work 99% of the time if I'm not wrong. Am I overlooking something? Everyone keeps telling me to go 2 stage gas or nothing but your videos show me that the Toro 21E will do most all scenarios up to 8" heavy (will struggle a bit) which is all I need. Any more than that and I will just have to do it multiple times a storm to stay on top of it. Thoughts?
p.s. thank you for all your good video comparisons. They've been helpful and fun to watch. Would you say the Toro 21E is still worth getting right now in 2021 or will they come out with a new model to replace it soon?
You have allmost the same entrance as i have :) (parkinglot) what difference with mine is i have a walkaway a Meter away from road and a Truck exit entrance,and that dude who clear's the walkaway with a traktor with snowblower make a huge snowedge with hard icelumps...Thats have taken out 2 of my snowblowers,(budget snowblowers) a singlegasblower and a Biltema 5,5 HP with drive on wheels)wise of experience i use snowshowel..as in your video it will destroy your snowblowers too with the big icecubes,taking out the showelblades and overupheat the engine...Bought a Biltema electric snowshuffle who trows the snow 3 to 4 meters,not bad for dry snow...I do spray the trowtrakt with wd 40 so the snow glides easy out,and taken the safetygrind off for better trow..Great testing video Paul :)
I am a Norwegian living in the middle of Norway,Biltema is a swedish all sortiment of car parts store,and have a own brand in snowtrowers..suprisingly in good quality...(as wallmart type)
Do you have opinions about the corded electric blowers? I have a corded electric mower and find that the power/weight ratio is unbeatable. It takes a bit of a mind shift to "drive" with the cord ... you have to think more like you're vacuuming a carpet vs. the long straight back-n-forth. Anyway, I think it would be an interesting comparison to either gas or cordless.
Thank you for the video. I bought the Toro after watching your earlier video. I had a heck of a time trying to attach the chute deflector, and it's still not on right. It didn't just snap into place. I get one side on perfectly but then the holes didn't line up on the other side. What's the secret? - Thanks!
You are correct. I have an old brick patio out back and I can't use the cordless electrics like the Toro. The Ariens Pro in this video works perfectly though. It goes right over all the bumps and bricks that stick up.
The Honda HS720AS homedepot.sjv.io/n6AGA is an excellent single stage snow thrower. It's one of the best choices for a homeowner and will last you many years. But, it not a commercial machine. This Ariens is designed to work hours and hours clearing snow on multiple properties. It's designed to be easily repaired out in the field. So, if you put them side-by-side the Honda may throw snow farther but if you threw them in the back of a pickup the Ariens would last longer. Does that make sense?
@@PaulSikkema thanks again Paul, I have done so much snow removal this year, by hand and will purchase a single stage for next winter. I clear 5 homeowner driveways all double car wide and long plus path ways and sidewalks. Snow usually less than 6 inches, driveways are paved with, one slotted cement. My cjhoices are Toro 621, Toro 721, Honda 720C or Ariens Path Pro, pricing is comparable so want a machine that will stand up to work load and value your advice!!!!!
I suggest the Toro or Honda. The Toro has a floating scraper so it will be the best for driveways with cracks. Since you are doing that much you may want to get the Pro model.
Single-stage snow throwers are designed for hard surfaces and won't work on gravel, dirt and turf. The scraper bar on all of them and the front paddles on the gas versions touch the ground so it will throw more rocks off your gravel drive than snow.
The Snow Joe is a 2-stage so it would work. It's not a great snow blower, but since it's the only one on the market... But, I strongly suggest buying the black model directly from SnowJoe.com. Do not buy the blue model. Buying directly from SnowJoe gives you a better warranty service if the batteries or anything else goes bad.
@@PaulSikkema Super helpful. Thanks. Looks like you can install a large long plastic glider in place of the skid it comes with to accommodate a gravel driveway. I'm at 3100 elevation and we usually get between 1-3 big snows a year (8-15). The rest of the year is a few inches at a time. I also don't have a super long driveway. I would rather have a lighter weight machine that can do most things then a heavy beast of a snowblower that's heavy. Just seems like overkill. Weight made a difference in my choice of lawnmower type for sure. I actually look forward to mowing the lawn because it's so light weight.
No comparison between the two. The Ariens is faster and gets through the EOD snow burm faster and throws the snow farther. The Toro does a great job also but if you have a large driveway and don`t want to be out there any longer than you have to be, the Gas snow thrower is the ticket. For the $50.00 difference in price, the Ariens is the better machine IMHO
I’d rather pay for extra batteries than baby that carburetor! Plug n play, batteries for the win! Sick n tired of all the bs u have to do for the gas snowblower! Good riddance!
Biggest problem with any cordless tool is the battery. A lot of tools have a propriety battery that only fits that tool and eventually the battery dies. Then by that time, they change the battery system and you can't get them. I do believe electric cordless is the way to go. Too bad the manufacturers don't cooperate and make their tools from their different makes and models but use a common battery, but that's not going to happen. I think more of us would buy and have more confidence in the industry.
You are right. There have been a huge number of improvements both technologically and ergonomically with battery powered tools in the last 15 years. There are many brands that have disappeared and many brands that have narrowed their focus to a few areas they do best. Finding replacement battery packs for all that old stuff can be a real issue (like Craftsman 19.2 volt) But, most batteries can be rebuilt. Companies like Batteries Plus can rebuild your pack with new cells often for less than you paid for the pack initially. The batteries are standardized internally. Here is a list of the 3.7 volt sizes and their intended use. batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/battery_packaging_a_look_at_old_and_new_systems Elon Musk and a few others are working on a new standard cell that's quite a bit larger than the current cells and is intended for high current, high demand loads like autos, trucks and probably mowers and snowblowers. Just like the hand held calculator you can buy at Walmart for $6 once was the size of your house this tech changes almost daily, using a "standardized" battery that locks everyone into a "set-in-time" technology is not the best answer. (case-in-point Your new car and probably your new riding mower no longer use the standard wet-plate lead acid battery you are used to seeing.)
The government doesn't require that the single stage models come with a clean-out tool. They won't cut your fingers off like the 2-stage machines will when you go to clean them out.
I just bought a new Toro power clear 721 QZE gas and one thing i notice is it also gets caught on many of the cracks or lines in my cement driveway! So it's not just the Toro electric that does this. Is it something to do with Toros' scraper? i notice it spring loaded and stiff??
Yes, if your cracks stick up more than a 1/4 of an inch the scraper under a single-stage will catch. If your scraper bar is worn down so that there are no longer any grooves on the underside it may need to be replaced and that will help to keep it from catching as much. Bring the model and serial number into your local Toro repair dealer and they will have one in stock.
@@PaulSikkema Paul, my toro is brand new. catches every single crack lip on my driveway. Very 1st time i used it was last week. This is when i notice it. Had a 2 stage before this model. Not sure whats going on?
i have a 7 year old ariens amp 2 stage electric that is still going strong. i replaced the lead acid batteries with lithium ebike batteries and it works much much longer. the new ones look good for 8 inches of snow but if you get walloped with 2-3 feet they dont look like they are up to the task.
It looked to me like the battery operated just doesn't have the power of gasoline powered. You made up my mind, gasoline powered over battery operated any day for any power tool that gives the option battery over gas. Gasoline is king.
@paul sikkema I have an interlock driveway with textured finish on the top. Its 2.5 car length single wide with 20ft concrete sidewalk. I am confused between 721 and this 60v snow blower. The 60v has a fixed scraper bar whereas 721 does not and that may not catch between the paver joints. Also, 721 gas has self propulsion whereas 60v needs to be pushed. I dont have any other Toro battery products to use battery in. I also cant stand the noise of a gas one. Can you please help me decide on whats the best one to go with?
Yes, the 721 gas series has a "floating" scraper. It can move up and down about an 1/8 inch to ride over cracks in your driveway easier than a fixed scraper snowthrowers. Since the auger paddles are rubber you can also lift the handles up so that the paddles touch the ground. That will help pull you through the snow. It is not self-propelled (like the SnowMaster or a 2-stage) but it does assist you. You can also lift the handles, the paddles will touch the pavement and you can clean driven on snow off of it. The 60 volt does not have a floating scraper bar but it does have non-adjustable skid shoes on the side of the housing to help it glide over cracks. The scraper bar touches the ground all the time and is easily replaceable when it wears out. The metal auger will not touch the ground so it does not assist you like the gas powered unit. But - it does spin very fast so it gets the snow out of the way very quickly. It is easier to push than all the other battery powered snowthrowers on the market.
@@PaulSikkema I thought Toro's were made in with Minnesota Bloomington?"USA Toro was founded in 1914 and located in Bloomington, Minnesota. They also own eXmark, Lawnboy and Boss Snowplow. Toro's homeowner line are made in the USA at plants in Shakopee, MN., El Cajon, Ca., Windom, Mn., Sanford, Fla., Plymouth, WI., Iron Mountain Mn., Tomah WI."
You are correct. They also have factories in Orrville, OH, Pella, IA, El Paso? and Mexico. I don't know where they are developing the Horizon360 Business Management Software. They moved the walk-behind mower and 60 volt electrics to Mexico a few years ago because they are out of room at Bloomington. Toro is on a buying spree. Buying not only the brand but the manufacturing facilities. Ditch Witch, L.T. Rich Products, Astec Underground, Stone Construction Equipment, Charles Machine Works, and Ventrac to name a few.
I'm not saying it can't be done but here are a couple of reasons why they aren't doing it right now. 1. The cordless electrics are still very battery dependent. You want a snowthrower to last you at least 30 minutes per charge and today that costs about $500 for the battery alone. So they are not adding propulsion or the front augers touching the ground because the cost with that much extra battery is more than you want to pay. With good battery packs are running $500 for a 500Wh pack. As the cost of good batteries comes down - or we get used to paying the price you should see better options. 2. To get enough traction to push through 8 inches or more of snow the snowblower needs to weigh over 150lbs. 200-250 is better. These single stage units weigh less than 100 lbs. The Toro SnowMaster has power assist but at 150 lbs it really wimps out for traction if the snow is much deeper than 8 inches.
Ryobi really sucks when it comes to snow blowers, but I haven't tried their newest single stage RY40862 (which is a new model to replace the lousy one that Paul tested a while ago), or their new 2 stage RY40870, which is just showing up in the "big orange" box stores now.
Yes, throwing up to 40 feet compared to other snow blowers that only throw 25 feet just means that most of the time it will throw the snow off your driveway in one pass...
@@PaulSikkema Yes, they seems to throw snow very far for single-stage snowblowers. Even better than some of the two-stages snowblowers. It is just that companies have been lying about engine HP and throwing distances. I saw Briggs & Stratton single-stage snowblowers at Menards with wide paddles (about 11"-12") for $400. They maybe good snowblowers. I'm going to search for their videos now.
The Snapper, Simplicity, Briggs & Stratton is one of the lowest rated Amercian made snow throwers on the market. The only thing the Snow Shredder model has going for it are the metal teeth that are supposed to chew up frozen snow. I shop at Menards a lot but remember. If it's gas powered they won't return it once you've put gas in it. You are also on your own for any repairs, warranty work, or parts.
Times have changed. You can now get both electric 2-stage and single-stage. ua-cam.com/video/QHbiSrPrBP8/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/5Jq5OrVoG_g/v-deo.html
Watching this comparison right now while we struggle with snow deep as 1 meter here in Finland. Cool vid sir Paul!
Purchased an Ariens Deluxe Two Stage gas snow blower with the larger engine and electric start. I love it.
I've always liked the single stage snowblowers because they will clean right down to the pavement because of the rubber auger. Being propelled by the auger, allows them to go as fast as you're willing to walk. Now the gas vs electric debate. The Toro electric, is certainly not as loud as the gas blower. There is the operational maintenance items for gas, oil, spark plugs, etc. On the electric side, you just have to charge the batteries.
You sold me with the Ariens. I have a two stage and my back problems is just to much work. I’m tired after doing mine with neighbors house. I really love the portability of this Ariens.
Those are two of the best on the market. Can’t go wrong with either one. It’s just your preference gas or battery. Running both 7 years down the road, the gas model will be the better choice cost wise due to battery replacement. The main enemy on the cordless is time. Great video I might add! As always.
Thank you for the video. Been looking at purchasing the Arines to do snow removal when I'm not working this winter. Yours is the only video I've seen besides the one Arines did.
I will have a walk-around review made for the Ariens Pro 21 in the next few days. If you are doing commercial work it has some solid advantages.
I love my 2 stroke single toro. Awesome power that’s eats up the snow. Light enough to lift onto my cargo carrier to haul around the neighborhood and runs all day with just a few bucks worth of 50:1 fuel.
Yes, I miss the Toro 2-strokes. In the 90's I had one in the back of every plow truck when I owned the landscape company.
I just bought the Ego cordless. 57 volts works great. I did my entire place front and back sidewalks, street sidewalk and 2 car driveway with 2 foot drifts in some places on a single charge.
@NonyaBusiness! I think your dream has come true :)
They've really made advancements with the battery ones, but for the cost of the batteries and charging them and the struggling down by the road a bit more, I still am going with the pro 21.
I will say compared to any electric of the past that thing is pretty impressive.
As much as my brain is telling me to get a 28" 2 stage, I just don't need it. Drive way will hold 6 cars, no sidewalk and a walkway to front door.
I'm in Michigan and have been known to get a foot, but I can always do it twice during the storm. But on fresh show I think that Ariens can handle it.
I really like that Ariens Pro 21, esp. after seeing your video review of it.
Great thorough review. Thanks
I watched your other comparison with the Snow Joe vs this Toro, and now I saw this one, and I like I said before, and still think the Toro for my purposes will be more than enough, and it seems to work darn near as well as the gas job, plus I don't want to fool around with gasoline, or prepping the engine for not being used for 8 to 9 months and then only be used 2, 3, maybe 4 times? Plus my driveway is maybe half as long as yours, but I do have sidewalks along the street side, but the total area is less area than your driveway is. I have a feeling from your video that I would have to do my driveway and probably 3 of my neighbor's driveways to equal your driveway. Nah, the battery job will be fine for me. Thanks again for doing this video, great job.
Until it stops working past warranty and you can't figure out why it's not working. At least with gas you can generally figure out why its not running.
I actually have more training with motor controllers than gas engines so I'm almost the opposite of you. First, look at the obvious - belt, pulleys, bearings, something stuck in the impeller, is the key inserted, is the bail and cable working. Second, you can check the battery with the charger - Toro's chargers tell you if the battery is full, if it's charging and if there is an battery problem (error)
So all that's left is the motor controller and the brushless motor. Your local Toro dealer has trained technicians who can plug those pieces in and diagnose what's wrong.
@@PaulSikkema I changed my mind about getting a battery-powered snow blower because I was almost in the process of buying one when I found out that the replacement battery was a huge expense at $550!! There are 2 of those batteries, they cost around $275 each, and according to the Toro dealer, the average life of the battery is just 3 to 5 years. Heck, the darn snowblower was $850, darn near the price of the replacement batteries.
So I went with a Ariens gas job, once a year is $60, but since I know how to do that with lawnmowers, I can do it myself for the cost of oil and carb spray cleaner.
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One thing I rarely see mentioned is the battery, if you don't have something to use the battery on off-season then you will likely see the battery degrade or fail within a couple years and you are looking at $150 bucks or more to replace it. I think you still get the best bang for the buck out of gas powered snow blowers, that may change in the future but for now the gas powered are better in the long run for most people.
Many people who have a small driveway and buy a cordless electric snow blower also have a smaller yard so a snow blower like the Toro 60 volt is a great choice. Why? Because the same battery also fits one of the best mowers on the market - the 60 volt Toro Recycler Personal Pace walk behind mower. It also fits all the other yard tools you need like a string trimmer, leaf blower, chain saw and hedge trimmer.
Check the entire line here:
Toro Power Clear with two 7.5 AH battery/Charger included: homedepot.sjv.io/dvARk
See the rest of the Flex Force Line here: homedepot.sjv.io/7V7bQ
man, those toro's work pretty slick. but i'm still not sold on the electric, but its getting close.
True, batteries tend to weaken over time when not being used too.
Good video as always Paul. Very surprised the electric did as well as it did against a commercial gas blower. Still a significant difference at the end of the driveway and that Ariens costs quite a bit less as well. But it appears electrics have finally reached the point where they are a viable alternative.
I'll stick with a gas-powered. My old Toro 2-stroke purchased in 1991 is still getting the job done up in Minnesota. As the engine has aged I've had to adjust the engine speed up a little- by bending a tab on the carburetor so that it runs a bit faster. I also mix the oil a little richer these days than what is specified in the manual- for that extra little bit of lubrication, but other that that just regular common sense maintenance has kept that little 3-horse Tecumseh humming. Of course I've had to replace the paddles, scraper bar, and belt a few times over the years, but that would also be the case with an electric blower of similar design. If it had been a battery-powered blower I wonder how many times I would have needed to replace the battery packs over 21 years, and how much that would have cost me?
Very good comparison, nice and understandable, thank you, now I know what to buy :)
In Alberta, Canada our winter is bone dry and snow pretty much acts like sand in the desert. Probably it will work the best.
Nice video. I had a bad experience in the past with a toro single stage gas snow blower. every time I needed to use it, it would not start. so for that reason I like the battery operated ones better.
also I can bring the machine indoors if I would like because it does not use gas. also no yearly tune ups.
The Ego with metal blades is pretty good. it can go through hard icy snow.
Are you talking about the 2-stage? The EGO single-stage with the metal front auger hasn't come out yet.
@@PaulSikkema SNT2114 I am thinking of getting this one because I heard it can go through plowed snow but I am not 100 percent sure if it can.
www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-21IN-SS-SNOWBLOWER-KIT-MTL-AUGER/1003130718
The biggest compliment is someone else copies your design. Buy the original - the Toro 60 volt MAX
@@PaulSikkema Yes Ive been looking at the reviews Toro is great and the 60 volt power clear has a steel blade and can go through icy hard snow 💪and the price is good. I saw the reviews on the Toro cordless shovel too its a great machine. they both use the same battery. I will get both Toro Machines.
Thanks. Toro it is.👍 Thank you for the video and recommendation for the Toro brand.👍
Paul , open up the 60v Toro, want to see what type of auger belt system and pulleys if they made of steel
.
Just picked up a used Ariens professional 21 with 1 hr of use , also have the 250cc craftsman snow shredder - is ok appart from the auger belt drive belt too thin and keeps breaking + Main auger pulley is plastic compared to Ariens which is Steel
The Toro is metal
@@PaulSikkema Thanks Paul - is the Serpentine Belt as Wide as the Ariens Professional 21 ???
No, it's sized to the electric motor so it doesn't need to be as wide.
Great video! Thanks for you time and effort to make it! I'm actually trying to decide on which gas single stage to buy. I have a small brand new concrete drive way. It's about 1/2 the size of you driveway. I'm in Southern Ontario Canada. Only light to moderate snow each winter. I'd had Big Ariens 2 stage blowers when I had a huge, long driveway, but I dont need it now for smaller house/driveway. I have had Honda lawnmowers, etc, and they have always been stellar too. Good, local dealers for each. Should I go for the Ariens pro 21, or a Honda HS720. ? Help me decide! lol.
Nice video. That snow plow is flying 😂😂😂
Ariens seems to make one of the best snow blowers out there. I've had a Toro two stage for eighteen years and it's starting to show it's age. My BIL has an Ariens he got the same year and his is still running like new. I do better maintenance and his is still stronger. I'm thinking of switching to an EGO 2 stage battery blower this year. The problem here on Long Island is that we might get a total of five inches of snow or 50 - 60 inches. In 95-96 we had 90 inches. And of course there's no way to tell how much we're going to get. It could be two inches or it might be two feet of "partly cloudy."
And a lot of the snow you do get is very wet and heavy. I actually recommend the Ariens Deluxe 24 over the EGO for where you live. The Ariens will handle ANY snow you get and last many, many years longer than the EGO.
very practical video, thanks!
They both have benefits. Gas needs more maintenance. Battery can be tough if you run out of battery juice and you loose power.
Nice job as usual. Thank you
Hi Paul. Thank you so much for all of your content. Your knowledge is educating me and guiding me on making a decision this winter. I am in the market for a single-stage but my property is not smooth as we have interlocking pavers and live far north where heaving is a problem. Given the challenges with scraper bars, would the Ariens (floating) be the better choice? All of my local shops recommend the Toros (721 or 821) for my application. Perhaps adding skid shoes to either of these models would help? Thanks in advance.
The Toro 721 and 821 Pro models also have the floating scraper like the Ariens Pro. They are all good choices for uneven hard surfaces.
I like the Ariens Pro because it is the easiest to get in and out of a vehicle, it has the floating scraper and it throws snow very well.
The Toros are wildly popular with the commercial crowd and since most Toro/Ariens shops sell more of them it's normal for them to promote the Toro over the Ariens.
Single stage snowblowers are designed to clear down to the pavement. Models with the floating scraper bar will help a lot so they don't catch as often on the rough parts of your driveway or patio. Adding skid shoes raise the scraper off the pavement so they won't clear all the snow and won't clean off driven on or walked on snow.
@@PaulSikkema Thank you for this. It is very helpful. I like the Ariens Pro 21 as well. There's something about all that metal...
Hi Paul, We just had a big storm here in the northeast. I got a total close to 18 in. of very wet snow that came in two parts about 9 in Sunday night and10 in Monday night (all one storm) I found the chute of my Toro 60 volt snow blower was clogging quite a bit I was thinking of spraying the chute with vegetable oil like Pam but I'm concern that the chute, being plastic, might be damaged, by using vegetable oil on it
PAM or any cooking spray would work well. You can also use a silicone spray. DO NOT use a penetrating oil like PB Blaster, WD-40 or Liquid Wrench.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks!
Not really feeling the TORO battery version but great video!!
Quick question...Can the 2 headlights be turned off since they will draw power from the battery? Good video, thanks for posting.
No, they can't be turned off but they take very little power.
Another Good Video PAUL
best would be Ariens Pro 21 Chassis - with Snow Joe 100v Motor and Battery !!!!!!!!
Frankenstein
Paul.. have you done a compare on and Ego vs the Toro?
No and I probably won't. The Toro only uses one battery so you can clear a lot more if you own two batteries. I like how well it throws and I also like the other products that Toro offers that use the same battery.
Trying to decide between gas and corded, we don't have a flat driveway we don't have a gravel either it's halfway in between but it's 350ft. Would love to go electric and not have to deal with maintenance and I don't mind an extra long cord that's gonna be more useful during the summer anyway.
I need more information from you to really help (like where you live) but a corded will not work for you. The little corded snowblowers draw 12-15 amps so you can only use an extension cord no longer than 100 feet. You will burn up the snowblower if you use a longer cord. 50 with a 16 ga cord, 75 feet with a 14 ga and 100 feet with a 12 ga.
@@PaulSikkema having lived in the upstate New York Syracuse area I know my way around snow and yet my family has never had a snowblower and always hand shoveled. We now live in the panhandle of West Virginia. we have a 350 foot driveway that's paved and disintegrating in spots that needs to get redone hopefully summer. and just got probably close to a foot. This time it was sort of fluffy last time I think it was fluffy with a layer of ice on top And the time before that crunchy. It usually snows and the next day we shovel it then the next day it's all melted so I'm thinking that we maybe get enough snow to shovel twice.
I know my way around electricity and was thinking of all the alternative uses for a nice long rugged 12 awg cord like last year when I had to run 250 feet and only had Romax(absolutely not recommended) for an event. Curious I calculated out the voltage drop to be about 15V.
On the other hand I have a lawnmower that I have to work on yet again and really can't stand lawnmower maintenance knowing that I'm gonna have to tear it down and probably adjust the points again, did it stop running because of the carburetor or was it the oil and gas mixture that might've gotten used by somebody else? One things for sure if we got a snowblower I would be the only one using it so it's a good chance it would run when needed but thinking of it sitting in the garage for 11 months..... To get used once maybe twice or with our luck never.
I'm liking single stage because it would clean off really well but from what I understand the two stage does better with stone driveways which would be good for both of the patches and my neighbors if I so probably cleaned there's.
Hopefully that's enough information thanks for the reply.
Single stage snowthrowers DON'T work on gravel. You'll need a 2-stage for gravel. I don't have any other suggestions for you as far as to what snowblower to get for 350 feet of "just a few inches"
Half a dozen of one, six of another, the cordless wins this one mainly due to ease of use, no gas, no fumes, no carburator, no maintenance, and way less noise. I'm going with the cordless!
Great video. What does single stage or double stage mean ? Please explain for non technical guy.
Try this video and see if I can explain it well. ua-cam.com/video/ADv1XXunzOw/v-deo.html
Paul, both machines did well. They did equally, I feel, on the main part of the driveway, but the Ariens was faster. On the snowplow drift, the Ariens did noticeably better. Both clean down very well
Which 2 stage machine do you own? And do you plan on getting an 821 Toro to compare? It has more CC's than the Ariens at 252cc's.
What I own is not always the best choice for you. I test snow blowers so I currently have seven two-stage machines. A Troy-Bilt 2410, Troy-Bilt 2860, Toro 928 OAE, Ariens Pro 28 RapidTrak, Troy-Bilt 3090 XP, Husqvarna ST430T and a Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34.
For my property, I grab the Toro 928 or the Ariens RapidTrak the most often. But there are actually a lot of good snow blowers on the market. I suggest going over to my website and taking a look: movingsnow.com/2019/twenty-best-snow-blowers-fall-2019/
I won't get the Toro Power Clear 821 this year. It's a completely new design and I usually give a new model like this a year to get the bugs out.
@@PaulSikkema how does the 928 handle this heavy snow? I know it can handle deep powder well
Check out these two videos and see for yourself.
ua-cam.com/video/ZCl00tIBitQ/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/R_pANI8mvjA/v-deo.html
Have had the 831 qze for 2 seasons, very disappointed, dont buy them! I use it commercial, the plastic wheels get gummed up with snow, its terrible, the chute freezes all the time when it get below freezing outside and I've tried every spray on the market, the scraper hits every crack in the pavement and sidewalks, just plain heavy to maneuver, the only think good on this machine is the awesome power but what good is that with all that's poorly designed on it, the 721 the same way, have had Toro single stages for year and loved them but with the new design and crappy new features what the hell are they good for? Its very frustrating when you pay almost 1000 dollars for a new machine like I did, im seriously thinking about the Ariens professional ss21 model, what do you think Paul on me switching to one that's got the power of the Toro 721 or 821? Am I on the right track, just want something quick easy to use and doesn't clog up even in wet snow, your advice is appreciated as alway.
While you are deciding to get the Ariens I suggest switching the scraper bar on your Toro's back to the previous models. The scraper rides over cracks better than the new one.
Toro makes both residential and commercial single-stage models. The Commercial ones have a C in the model number - 721 RC. The design is simpler and the paddles are a lot thicker.
Good Video. I would really like to see someone try a single stage TORO 721 against the TORO BATTERY POWER.
They are about the same price ( actually gas is cheaper). I doubt the electric would keep up.
The battery version will not need any maintenance other than the scraper bar for 10 years. Add up the gas, spark plugs and other maintenance a gas motor requires for 10 years and add that into the price of the gas version. Then the Toro 60 volt is actually less money.
No it isn't quite a powerful as gas but the less cost of maintenance, how quiet it is and how easy it is to start and use is it's best selling feature.
@@PaulSikkema But if you need a battery before your 10 years are up, you are shelling out up to $350 for a single 7.5aH battery. That costs more than gas, oil and plugs for 10 years. But for those who are not willing to do their own minimal maintenance then yes, battery is the way to go for light snows.
The point you are missing is that the battery can be used year-round. It just doesn't replace the gas, maintenance, and oil for this snowthrower but all of your hand-held and walk-behind lawn & snow equipment.
You can replace your gas-powered:
Snow shovel
Single stage snowthrower
2-stage snowthrower
String trimmer
Leaf Blower
Push lawn mower
Recycler lawn mower
Super recycler
Commercial Walk-behind mower
Chainsaw
Hedge trimmer
And more to come. (I'd love to see a battery TimeMaster)
@@PaulSikkema Now you are assuming that the user owns hundreds/thousands of dollars worth of similar platform Toro 60 volt equipment and if the batteries are being used year round (a few batteries for many tools) I wonder if they would still last 10 years? (I hope so since I just bought my first Toro 60V battery product, a model 21466 mower!) So far so good but I wish they left the personal pace handle the way it was (linear actuation) as opposed to the new curved motion. Now a battery Timemaster...that would take a heck of an electric motor to run. I even replaced the 190cc engine on my 2012 with Kohler CV224 to get more torque to effectively mulch 30" wide swaths of thick KBG and TTTF. But as technology gets better, who knows??!!!
No, I'm assuming that you will like the Toro battery enough that you will switch over your gas equipment as it fails. (Over the last three years I've picked up a leaf blower, string trimmer, power snow shovel, personal pace walk-behind and soon the 2-stage snowblower) I have four leaf blowers but use the Toro 60 volt ALL the time.
Toro is using better cells in their battery so I expect them to last at least 1000 cycles. (charge/discharge)
Toro already has an 8 HP equivalent power unit on the new 826e 2-stage snowthrower...beside brushless motors have a lot more torque than gas.
Clear winner gas!
Paul, Based on your video of the snowblower and the longevity of the Toro batteries I purchased a Toro battery lawn mower with battery and charger. I'll wait on the snow blower. Also will the 60 volt battery changer work on any toro battery regardless of the amperage. The lawn mower I bought is a 6 amp but they also have a 2.5 and a 7.5 if I have remembered correctly. Thanks for the helpful video.
Yes, the 2.5, 6.0 and 7.5 are all interchangeable.
How heavy is the Ariens Path pro? I need units I can lift easy into my SUV. Obviously the Toro is most likely super light. Right now I can lift my 98cc toro in super easy, like 20lbs.. From my understanding, Ariens also made the unit easy to lift and transport. Also made it easy to work on maintenance.
Most of todays single stage snowthrowers weigh around 60 lbs. (4-stroke engines and more metal than the little Toro's)
The Commercial Ariens Pro in this video is unique. You just back the snow thrower up to the opening, reach down and grab the top of the auger housing and slide it into your SUV. The handles act like rails so you are lifting a lot less.
The Residential Path Pro has to be lifted into the SUV like your Toro so you'll have to lift the whole 60 lbs.
Good Video
make a Comparison SNAPER SNOW SCHREADER vs Ariens Proffesional 21
The Snapper, Simplicity, Briggs & Stratton is one of the lowest rated Amercian made snow throwers on the market. The only thing it has going for it are the metal teeth that are supposed to chew up frozen snow. If I'm going to do a comparison video it will be with another top-rated snow thrower like the Toro 721 series or Honda 620 series.
@@PaulSikkema I got one with a Blown Engine Original Owner started with no OIL
:ua-cam.com/video/Cb5zMXtBy6M/v-deo.html
Part 2 : ua-cam.com/video/FVdCmsmj0zE/v-deo.html
Part 3 : ua-cam.com/video/FVdCmsmj0zE/v-deo.html
Part 4 :ua-cam.com/video/-1lndf-o_Mo/v-deo.html
@@PaulSikkema : Paul i Had to Rebuild it a 2nd Time !!! 1st Time only Ran for 45 mins then started to SMOKE : Needed New Block , Piston , Rings , Rod and Crank.
now 2019 in 2nd Season Works AMAZING !!!
@@jonienglish3231 I'm going to guess you live in Canada. Here in the U.S. the current Craftsman snow throwers are all made by MTD.
@@PaulSikkema Yes - CANADA : Toronto Blue Jays -- MTD makes alot of BRANDS
Does the battery Toro’s paddle auger make contact on driveway like a regular single stage? Last time I used a single stage I believe the auger paddles made contact helping you move the machine along if I remember correctly.
No, the only cordless snowthrower that has the rubber paddle is the SnowJoe 100 volt.
Great video. Any idea of the approx. weight of the Toro Cordless. I own a plowing business and I have a large gas machine that has to be taken off the truck with a ramp and I;m looking for a lighter weight machine.
Thanks, Joe
With the battery out about 25 lbs. BUT WAIT!
Toro just introduced a 721 electric Power Clear. Rubber paddles that will touch the ground and two battery slots. My guess that will be 45 lbs without batteries.
They also introduced larger 10 AH 60 volt batteries and a new commercial line of batteries that can handle really cold weather and fast charging. The commercial and residential 60 volt batteries are interchangeable for all the 60 volt toro equipment
so are you a dealer of the goods? great video ty it helps THANK YOU for your service :)
Hi Paul, I'm debating a single stage gas vs the Toro 60 volt and have found your site and videos so helpful. I understand a single stage gas likely will be able to remove driven on snow and the Toro 60 volt won't. I have 3 drivers and my driveway is often driven on before I can get fresh snow cleaned off. Given the Toro 60 volt's scraper, I'm thinking it may perform poorly if it's being pushed over hardened snow caused by the tire tracks - so not only will it not remove the tire-packed snow tracks but the lumpy, raised tracks will prevent the scraper from making full contact with the surface, leaving even more snow behind. Is my thinking on the mark?
Yes it is.
Hi Paul, I would like to see the Ariens Pro put up against the Toro Power Clear 821 R-C Pro I think The Toro would surpass the Ariens in Performance and hold its own in the strength department.
Yes, the 252 cc engine will have more power and more weight. They are both commercial machines and the operators will be pushing them around for hours at a time. Is the extra power worth the extra weight to push? We'll have to see.
Toro and Ariens are always working to "surpass" each other. This Ariens was the first with the open engine design and now Toro has realized that's also what their buyers want... That said, did you see the end of the video where I put the Ariens in the van - you can't do that with the Toro - yet....
@@PaulSikkema That was impressive!
Gas is the way to go
The Toro cordless looks like it held its own but you can definitely see that there is a difference between the two, especially out at the end of your driveway with the plow driven snow, the gas powered looked like it had no problems cutting right through it where the Toro struggled a bit yet it still did a pretty good job. Overall, I'm sold on the Toro and will purchase one soon and it will be my first snow blower that I owned and on bigger snow falls, I will go out multiple times anyway to cut down on having to do it all at once. It wasn't a big snow fall but, did battery lose a lot of power on that plow driven snow?
One quick question, is Toro trying to develop a self propelled battery powered snow blower? I know Snow Joe has a two stage self propelled but the reviews are all over the place with that one but, I know that Toro has a self propelled single stage gas powered one and maybe that could be better when it comes to a battery powered one.
I'll ask. The Snow Joe was a good try but it's missing some key features. It needs a much bigger battery and a better self-propel drive.
@@PaulSikkema I'm wondering if they'll do a real two stage machine with twin 100V batteries. That could make around 7.5 HP, which is quite reasonable for a good 28".
Another excellent comparison. The Toro is might impressive here, knowing how heavy that snow is.
Q: What might you recommend for a reclaimed asphalt drive? Open to gas or Cordless.
Is the reclaimed asphalt packed down and smooth like a cement driveway? Or is it loose - like gravel? If it's loose a single stage snow blower will not work. You need a 2-stage.
@@PaulSikkema It's packed-down tight, but not smooth. Right now it's frozen solid and after a few plows it's smoother than normal. This made me think maybe the Toro 60-V or your Snow Joe 100-V cordless recommendations just might work. I do have an incline of 10-12 degrees, but I'm willing to push a bit if it means I have a machine that will start every single time.
Thanks again, Paul.
What was the battery level when you were done? I feel like that’s the biggest difference?
For the work we did in this video it only used about 25%
Toro Battery only struggles at end of driveway .. Ariens Gas ⛽ does not ... Both are excellent... Toro is great if you don't mind that little extra effort at end of driveway .. otherwise it's equal to Ariens on driveway pass
Have you checked out the kobalt electric snowblower?
Yes, It's a basic snowthrower good for small driveway that don't get a lot of snow. I think it's made for Lowes by the same company that makes the EGO. My only concern is now that Lowes has EGO will they keep the Kobalt line.
Did you ever try the ST111 husky? A local has one for sale for $100 and i was considering buying it for my deck and patio. I can’t lug my big 2 stage up the steps
Yes, It's the smallest snowthrower Husqvarna built. It has about a 3 HP motor. Good for decks and patios very small driveways that get 4-6 inches of snow. It won't handle a snow plow drift very well. It only throws snow 5-10 feet.
Thanks for the comparison. Do you think the Toro cordless would have trouble (or even chip/damage) an interlock driveway with its low-riding metal blades? Seems that cordless might work better on asphalt or concrete rather than interlock.
If your interlocks are installed so they are smooth it will work very well. If you have a bunch sticking up they will catch on the scraper bar under the back of the auger.
If your pavers are very uneven the Ariens Pro 21 and Toro 821 Pro have floating scraper bars so they ride over cracks the best.
Can i get the Ariens 21 or any with an electrical starter, too? Why does the cheaper Toro has a light but the 21 Ariens not?
The residential Path Pro series has electric start. Lights on a single stage are very rare. The only ones I know are Toro electric and the gas SnowMaster
@PaulSikkema i saw an Ariens single stage for around 740 bucks at home depot last week. Yeah i don't necessarily need lights. Thx
How reliable is the battery if you don’t use for 6-7 months? I heard they lost their juice?
Good lithium-ion batteries like this one are designed to lose about 10% a month until they get down to 50%. About 50% charge is the safe amount when storing them long-term.
Don't store fully discharged Lithium-ion in freezing temperatures. It will ruin the battery. If you store them in freezing temperatures charged it's best to bring them up to room temperature before you use them. That way you get the most power out of the battery.
You can leave these batteries on Toro's charger and not hurt the batteries.
Is there any gas or electric snow thrower that can throw snow at different distance?
I don't want to throw snow to the neighbor's property, you know. [Yes, it can be done
by changing throw direction (to forward-right or forward-left depending on the path),
but near the start spot can't be done that way if there isn't space/gap back from the
start spot to throw into, right?]
The top of the chute sets how far the snowblower throws the snow. When you tilt the top - called the deflector- down it puts the snow closer to the snow thrower. When you raise it all the way up it throws far. If you need to throw the snow directly besides you angle the chute so it throws slightly in front and to the side and then move the deflector so it's all the way down.
@@PaulSikkema I see... Thank you very much for your comprehensive answer. ... That's the way
to control the distance and the direction of throwing snow... cleaver, or simple yet good solution indeed.
As I saw your other video, I decided to buy a much stronger cordless (60v and up), or gas snow thrower.
A gas thrower is much cheaper than cordless counterpart, I believe, but the problem to me is when it
needs repair or tuning. I have only a small passenger car and a gas thrower can't be put it in...
I don't have anyone who has a pickup track to carry it to a machine shop... So I have to buy a more
expensive cordless (which is supposed to be trouble-free, at least no need to take it to repair shop)...
If you haven't bought one yet take a look at the new Toro Power Clear 60 volt www.toro.com/en/product/39921
The batteries can be used all year long in mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, etc. I have some of these batteries that are 5 years old and have had NO issues with them.
I have a review of it here: ua-cam.com/video/QHbiSrPrBP8/v-deo.html
great video Paul! How would you compare this gas single stage Ariens Pro 21 SSRC to the single stage Toro Power Clear 721 E?
The Toro Power Clear 721 E is the most popular single stage snowthrower on the market. It's a great value for a homeowner. The Ariens Pro is a commercial machine. The metal is the same gauge as their Pro 2-stage snow blowers, the handles are stronger than most 2-stage snow blowers and the paddles are much heavier-duty than the paddles on the 721E. There's even an hourmeter! I'm going to get a walk-around video of all the features that make it so good out in the next week.
@@PaulSikkema Kool Make a Detailed Video and Walk Around
the ARIENS product Video is CRAP with 1" of Snow - WTF
@@PaulSikkema I believe I could add to this conversation. My father and I HAD the 721 series. Myself, the 721 RC with HD paddles and nicer handle and my Dad, the 721 R. The 721 has a 212 cc engine that can cut through anything up to 10 inches pretty easily. I wouldn't do the end of driveway stuff if it gets that high. The HD paddles on the RC can be put on any 721. I've had mine 4 years and still look like new.
My Dad just traded his 721 for an 821 last month. Man, what a machine! 252cc engine, electric start and quick shoot. Haven't got to see it in snow yet. Should be a BEAST. I'm waiting to see if I really want to trade mine in mine based on how his does. We have really enjoyed these blowers so far and can recommend them. With care, I believe they can last 20 plus years easily.
@@Robsbrd99 thanks! Ya I have been debating between between the single stage gas power clears such as the 721 and 821, powerclear snowmaster, and the new e21 v60 battery operated snow blower.
@@PaulSikkema Is the Toro 721 e more powerful than the Toro cordless that you reviewed in this video?
Nice side by side comparison. Thanks!
Curious how my Kobalt 80v single stage would measure up
I had a kolbalt last year and it seized up on 2 inches of wet snow
Are these snow throwers similar to maneuvering a lawnmower around or are they much heavier and difficult to handle?
Thanks!
The gas single state is similar to a self-propelled walk-behind - maybe a little easier and faster.
The cordless electric is more like a non-self propelled push mower. You have to push the snowblower through the snow.
Do you recommend Snow Joe 21”, 48 volt? I am older lady(🙈) with 2 car drive, sidewalk & deck. It’s $299 now at Home Depot
Snow-Joe-21-in-48-Volt-Single-Stage-Cordless-Electric-Snow-Blower-Kit-with-2-x-4-0-Ah-Batteries-Plus-Charger-24V-X2-SB21/314293962
No. It's a whimpy snowblower. The batteries only give you about 20 minutes of run-time, takes hours to charge the batteries and only throws snow bout 15 feet. It may clear 2 inches of snow from your driveway on one charge but anything more than that and you'll be waiting hours for to recharge so you can finish. Sorry, you get what you pay for and there are no "good" snowthrowers that cheap.
@@PaulSikkema what’s your recommendation for cordless electric? I live in MN & have 6” already🙈❄️
At this point in time I like the Toro 60volt. Please head over to this article and I'll explain why there: movingsnow.com/2020/2020-toro-snow-blowers-review/
I bought the Toro 🤩 Thanks for your advice 🤗
When you are done reviewing. Feel free to send either one to me. Let me know if you need a shipping address.
Sorry, I have a few specific non-profits that I donate these to when I'm done.
I bought the ariens but all they had was the model without the remote chute control. Do you know if there is a kit available to add it? I’ve looked but can’t seem to find one.
No kit that i know of but i suggest going into an Ariens dealer and see if he can order the parts you need to upgrade. (Bring your model and serial number with you)
Does the cordless Toro have the self propelling feature? I know that the gas version of it does. I'm debating between the following gas model:
www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Power-Clear-721-E-21-in-212-cc-Single-Stage-Self-Propelled-Electric-Start-Gas-Snow-Blower-38753/309982166
or the following cordless model:
www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Power-Clear-21-in-60-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Electric-Snow-Blower-with-7-5-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included-39901/309982207
No it does not. The only cordless electric where the front paddle touches the ground (i.e. self-propel) is the SnowJoe 100 volt.
Thanks so much for the reply. Regarding the Toro, would you recommend the 721 with 212 CC or the 821 252 CC. They are both 21”, but the 252 CC costs 20% more. I’m wondering if the difference is material for plodding heavy snowfalls.
The 721 is a very competent snowthrower. The 821 is basically the same with a larger engine. The larger engine allows you to get done faster, especially if you have deeper snow and a bigger snowplow drift.
@@PaulSikkema thanks for the reply! I live in Montreal Canada; we get lots of snow; I suspect the toro 821 with 252cc may be better than the 721 with 212cc
@@stevenm2949, go with the 252 living in Canada. You won't regret it. It'll handle deeper snow, heavier snow, and EOD plowed snow better and faster.
How many times can you do that driveway on one full charge with that Toro? Will you be reviewing the new toro 821 single stage gas model as well? I think I'm going to ditch my toro 721 for that ariens pro sooner or later. I run around doing snow removal and I find that the toro 721 skates around too much since it has plastic wheels. Does that ariens have rubber wheels? Thanks.
The Toro 60 volt will clear about 9 cars worth of driveway on one 7.5AH battery. So, far I pretty sure I could clear this driveway twice on one charge.
@@PaulSikkema Good to know. Does that ariens have rubber wheels or plastic?
Semi-pneumatic rubber
@@PaulSikkema Thank goodness. Thanks for the info.
You know what you're getting with a cordless snow blower. No it's not likely going to be as good as a gas powered but most people know that going in. You're buying it because you don't want to deal with the noise, gas and maintenance and at the end of the day you'll get the job done.
BTW, I appreciate the fact that unlike most people, you know how to clean your driveway, so many people keep throwing snow over where they just cleaned, I don't get it.
Yes, I'm either lazy or efficient - you decide :)
Paul’s biggest problem = no snow 🤣
One major consideration: all gas single stage blowers use belts, while electrics are direct drive. Given the work to maintain gas blowers (oil, gas, air filter, belts, plugs, etc.) the era of gas for single stage is over.
The biggest advantage of gas is if you want to annoy your neighbors at 6am.
One clarification. The Toro and Snow Joe cordless electrics I have here use a belt to drive the auger. I'll have to check the Ryobi to see if it uses direct drive.
@NonyaBusiness! Average quality lithium batteries are designed to last 300-500 charge cycles. They don't have a shelf life like lead-acids. The worst thing I've had happen with lithium batteries is that it will lose about 20% of it's capacity over that time. The newer lithium, like the 100V from SnoJoe is stupid expensive ($300) but it's got a lot of protection features built in to extend the lifetime. I'm think 10 years of use is not far fetched. About a dozen uses per year.
Unfortunately when worn out the electric goes to landfill, but someone will always try to fix the gas to get it running.
Warranty should be discussed. The electric will go to landfill after it wears out.
The Ariens went through that end of driveway snow like nothing ...
Paul - Living in Utah with snow that varies from none to a lot and from light to heavy, I'm just looking for something that will just work all around OK. I've watched many of your videos and am excited about the Toro 21E. You say it will go up to like 8" even if it isn't as good as the Ariens at that point it will still work right? If that's the case, this seems like it'll work 99% of the time if I'm not wrong. Am I overlooking something? Everyone keeps telling me to go 2 stage gas or nothing but your videos show me that the Toro 21E will do most all scenarios up to 8" heavy (will struggle a bit) which is all I need. Any more than that and I will just have to do it multiple times a storm to stay on top of it. Thoughts?
p.s. thank you for all your good video comparisons. They've been helpful and fun to watch. Would you say the Toro 21E is still worth getting right now in 2021 or will they come out with a new model to replace it soon?
I won't find out if Toro is updating that snowblower until July. But, I don't expect them to - it's been a very good, dependable machine.
@@PaulSikkema Thank you.
Thank you for your video. I decided not to buy electricity.😊
You have allmost the same entrance as i have :) (parkinglot) what difference with mine is i have a walkaway a Meter away from road and a Truck exit entrance,and that dude who clear's the walkaway with a traktor with snowblower make a huge snowedge with hard icelumps...Thats have taken out 2 of my snowblowers,(budget snowblowers) a singlegasblower and a Biltema 5,5 HP with drive on wheels)wise of experience i use snowshowel..as in your video it will destroy your snowblowers too with the big icecubes,taking out the showelblades and overupheat the engine...Bought a Biltema electric snowshuffle who trows the snow 3 to 4 meters,not bad for dry snow...I do spray the trowtrakt with wd 40 so the snow glides easy out,and taken the safetygrind off for better trow..Great testing video Paul :)
I am a Norwegian living in the middle of Norway,Biltema is a swedish all sortiment of car parts store,and have a own brand in snowtrowers..suprisingly in good quality...(as wallmart type)
Do you have opinions about the corded electric blowers? I have a corded electric mower and find that the power/weight ratio is unbeatable. It takes a bit of a mind shift to "drive" with the cord ... you have to think more like you're vacuuming a carpet vs. the long straight back-n-forth. Anyway, I think it would be an interesting comparison to either gas or cordless.
No, I've never had an interest in reviewing them.
Thank you for the video. I bought the Toro after watching your earlier video. I had a heck of a time trying to attach the chute deflector, and it's still not on right. It didn't just snap into place. I get one side on perfectly but then the holes didn't line up on the other side. What's the secret? - Thanks!
Donna M took me a few tries to get it right also, keep trying at it. Both of the little guide tabs needs to be pushed through the holes on each side
Thanks Paul, since the Toro seems to catch on the cracks should I assume it would NOT be a good choice for driveways with paver stones??
You are correct. I have an old brick patio out back and I can't use the cordless electrics like the Toro. The Ariens Pro in this video works perfectly though. It goes right over all the bumps and bricks that stick up.
@@PaulSikkema thanks Paul, whats your view on this ARien vs the Honda 720
The Honda HS720AS homedepot.sjv.io/n6AGA is an excellent single stage snow thrower. It's one of the best choices for a homeowner and will last you many years. But, it not a commercial machine. This Ariens is designed to work hours and hours clearing snow on multiple properties. It's designed to be easily repaired out in the field. So, if you put them side-by-side the Honda may throw snow farther but if you threw them in the back of a pickup the Ariens would last longer. Does that make sense?
@@PaulSikkema thanks again Paul, I have done so much snow removal this year, by hand and will purchase a single stage for next winter. I clear 5 homeowner driveways all double car wide and long plus path ways and sidewalks. Snow usually less than 6 inches, driveways are paved with, one slotted cement. My cjhoices are Toro 621, Toro 721, Honda 720C or Ariens Path Pro, pricing is comparable so want a machine that will stand up to work load and value your advice!!!!!
I suggest the Toro or Honda. The Toro has a floating scraper so it will be the best for driveways with cracks. Since you are doing that much you may want to get the Pro model.
I’m wondering how well the Toro would do on my gravel driveway? I love electric.
Single-stage snow throwers are designed for hard surfaces and won't work on gravel, dirt and turf. The scraper bar on all of them and the front paddles on the gas versions touch the ground so it will throw more rocks off your gravel drive than snow.
@@PaulSikkema Wondering if the two stage cordless Snow Joe would work. I really don't want gas powered.
The Snow Joe is a 2-stage so it would work. It's not a great snow blower, but since it's the only one on the market... But, I strongly suggest buying the black model directly from SnowJoe.com. Do not buy the blue model. Buying directly from SnowJoe gives you a better warranty service if the batteries or anything else goes bad.
@@PaulSikkema Super helpful. Thanks. Looks like you can install a large long plastic glider in place of the skid it comes with to accommodate a gravel driveway. I'm at 3100 elevation and we usually get between 1-3 big snows a year (8-15). The rest of the year is a few inches at a time. I also don't have a super long driveway. I would rather have a lighter weight machine that can do most things then a heavy beast of a snowblower that's heavy. Just seems like overkill. Weight made a difference in my choice of lawnmower type for sure. I actually look forward to mowing the lawn because it's so light weight.
If you want longer skids ARMORskids are the way to go: snowblowerskids.com/
No comparison between the two. The Ariens is faster and gets through the EOD snow burm faster and throws the snow farther. The Toro does a great job also but if you have a large driveway and don`t want to be out there any longer than you have to be, the Gas snow thrower is the ticket. For the $50.00 difference in price, the Ariens is the better machine IMHO
I’d rather pay for extra batteries than baby that carburetor! Plug n play, batteries for the win! Sick n tired of all the bs u have to do for the gas snowblower! Good riddance!
Biggest problem with any cordless tool is the battery. A lot of tools have a propriety battery that only fits that tool and eventually the battery dies. Then by that time, they change the battery system and you can't get them. I do believe electric cordless is the way to go. Too bad the manufacturers don't cooperate and make their tools from their different makes and models but use a common battery, but that's not going to happen.
I think more of us would buy and have more confidence in the industry.
You are right. There have been a huge number of improvements both technologically and ergonomically with battery powered tools in the last 15 years. There are many brands that have disappeared and many brands that have narrowed their focus to a few areas they do best. Finding replacement battery packs for all that old stuff can be a real issue (like Craftsman 19.2 volt)
But, most batteries can be rebuilt. Companies like Batteries Plus can rebuild your pack with new cells often for less than you paid for the pack initially.
The batteries are standardized internally. Here is a list of the 3.7 volt sizes and their intended use. batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/battery_packaging_a_look_at_old_and_new_systems
Elon Musk and a few others are working on a new standard cell that's quite a bit larger than the current cells and is intended for high current, high demand loads like autos, trucks and probably mowers and snowblowers.
Just like the hand held calculator you can buy at Walmart for $6 once was the size of your house this tech changes almost daily, using a "standardized" battery that locks everyone into a "set-in-time" technology is not the best answer. (case-in-point Your new car and probably your new riding mower no longer use the standard wet-plate lead acid battery you are used to seeing.)
Does the Toro come with the scraper or would I need to buy it separately?
The government doesn't require that the single stage models come with a clean-out tool. They won't cut your fingers off like the 2-stage machines will when you go to clean them out.
I just bought a new Toro power clear 721 QZE gas and one thing i notice is it also gets caught on many of the cracks or lines in my cement driveway! So it's not just the Toro electric that does this. Is it something to do with Toros' scraper? i notice it spring loaded and stiff??
Yes, if your cracks stick up more than a 1/4 of an inch the scraper under a single-stage will catch. If your scraper bar is worn down so that there are no longer any grooves on the underside it may need to be replaced and that will help to keep it from catching as much. Bring the model and serial number into your local Toro repair dealer and they will have one in stock.
@@PaulSikkema Paul, my toro is brand new. catches every single crack lip on my driveway. Very 1st time i used it was last week. This is when i notice it. Had a 2 stage before this model. Not sure whats going on?
i have a 7 year old ariens amp 2 stage electric that is still going strong. i replaced the lead acid batteries with lithium ebike batteries and it works much much longer. the new ones look good for 8 inches of snow but if you get walloped with 2-3 feet they dont look like they are up to the task.
It looked to me like the battery operated just doesn't have the power of gasoline powered. You made up my mind, gasoline powered over battery operated any day for any power tool that gives the option battery over gas. Gasoline is king.
I thought the electric snow blower was better!!!! Plus a lot less maintenance.
@paul sikkema I have an interlock driveway with textured finish on the top. Its 2.5 car length single wide with 20ft concrete sidewalk. I am confused between 721 and this 60v snow blower. The 60v has a fixed scraper bar whereas 721 does not and that may not catch between the paver joints. Also, 721 gas has self propulsion whereas 60v needs to be pushed. I dont have any other Toro battery products to use battery in. I also cant stand the noise of a gas one. Can you please help me decide on whats the best one to go with?
Yes, the 721 gas series has a "floating" scraper. It can move up and down about an 1/8 inch to ride over cracks in your driveway easier than a fixed scraper snowthrowers. Since the auger paddles are rubber you can also lift the handles up so that the paddles touch the ground. That will help pull you through the snow. It is not self-propelled (like the SnowMaster or a 2-stage) but it does assist you. You can also lift the handles, the paddles will touch the pavement and you can clean driven on snow off of it.
The 60 volt does not have a floating scraper bar but it does have non-adjustable skid shoes on the side of the housing to help it glide over cracks. The scraper bar touches the ground all the time and is easily replaceable when it wears out. The metal auger will not touch the ground so it does not assist you like the gas powered unit. But - it does spin very fast so it gets the snow out of the way very quickly. It is easier to push than all the other battery powered snowthrowers on the market.
I would have to go with Toro and stay american made
Actually the Ariens is made in Wisconsin and this Toro is made in Mexico.
@@PaulSikkema I thought Toro's were made in with Minnesota Bloomington?"USA
Toro was founded in 1914 and located in Bloomington, Minnesota. They also own eXmark, Lawnboy and Boss Snowplow. Toro's homeowner line are made in the USA at plants in Shakopee, MN., El Cajon, Ca., Windom, Mn., Sanford, Fla., Plymouth, WI., Iron Mountain Mn., Tomah WI."
You are correct. They also have factories in Orrville, OH, Pella, IA, El Paso? and Mexico. I don't know where they are developing the Horizon360 Business Management Software. They moved the walk-behind mower and 60 volt electrics to Mexico a few years ago because they are out of room at Bloomington.
Toro is on a buying spree. Buying not only the brand but the manufacturing facilities. Ditch Witch, L.T. Rich Products, Astec Underground, Stone Construction Equipment, Charles Machine Works, and Ventrac to name a few.
@@PaulSikkema thank you Paul
Gas all the way for me..
I Don't know why these don't have wheel assist... it's not pulling itself I had one.. marketing gimmicky..
I'm not saying it can't be done but here are a couple of reasons why they aren't doing it right now.
1. The cordless electrics are still very battery dependent. You want a snowthrower to last you at least 30 minutes per charge and today that costs about $500 for the battery alone. So they are not adding propulsion or the front augers touching the ground because the cost with that much extra battery is more than you want to pay. With good battery packs are running $500 for a 500Wh pack. As the cost of good batteries comes down - or we get used to paying the price you should see better options.
2. To get enough traction to push through 8 inches or more of snow the snowblower needs to weigh over 150lbs. 200-250 is better. These single stage units weigh less than 100 lbs. The Toro SnowMaster has power assist but at 150 lbs it really wimps out for traction if the snow is much deeper than 8 inches.
Ryobi
Ryobi really sucks when it comes to snow blowers, but I haven't tried their newest single stage RY40862 (which is a new model to replace the lousy one that Paul tested a while ago), or their new 2 stage RY40870, which is just showing up in the "big orange" box stores now.
Idea condition is when the snow if fluffy and strong wind helps carrying it. 40 ft throwing distance, I won't believe it. Lie and lie.
Yes, throwing up to 40 feet compared to other snow blowers that only throw 25 feet just means that most of the time it will throw the snow off your driveway in one pass...
@@PaulSikkema Yes, they seems to throw snow very far for single-stage snowblowers. Even better than some of the two-stages snowblowers. It is just that companies have been lying about engine HP and throwing distances. I saw Briggs & Stratton single-stage snowblowers at Menards with wide paddles (about 11"-12") for $400. They maybe good snowblowers. I'm going to search for their videos now.
The Snapper, Simplicity, Briggs & Stratton is one of the lowest rated Amercian made snow throwers on the market. The only thing the Snow Shredder model has going for it are the metal teeth that are supposed to chew up frozen snow.
I shop at Menards a lot but remember. If it's gas powered they won't return it once you've put gas in it. You are also on your own for any repairs, warranty work, or parts.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks. That is good to know.
I have both concrete and concrete areas to clear so i have both single and two stage machines, I would never buy battery operated machine
Times have changed. You can now get both electric 2-stage and single-stage.
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That pushing nonsense is horrible......