 Very Good Product |
| Review Date: December 27, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I just received my unit yesterday. It was very easy to setup (only required the handle be tightened and the snow shoot adjusted). The unit is very well built and the engine is the same used in many brands. The machine looks like it will be easy to maintain (the cutter blade on the base is easy to adjust, although it does not need it out of the box; the engine takes a 50:1 oil with the gas, which comes with the machine and is bought at ACE or any hardware store; the shoot is easy to adjust for throwing snow short or long distances). The first start was easy, put on choke, push primer button, turn key, pull starter rope. After reading the first review of this machine, I felt that a different opinion should be heard. This machine easily competes with a Toro or Craftsman. |
Best 1 ever!
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| Review Date: December 2, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Gary L. Cunningham, |
| 5.5 HP 2-Cycle 21" Single Stage Snow Thrower with Electric Start - bought it about 7 years ago, had moved into a home with a 2xs lot size,alot of front sidewalk to plow! Have not even changed the spark plug,never oiled it, no maint. given what so ever. Have done my friends on both sides and 3 across the street for last 3 years ( they have long driveways,I don't ) had a friend use it for 9 office buildings he was plowing the lots with his truck,you have to do the walkways and some go around the buildings. He said it went through everything including drifts easy, I'v gone through drifts too. It is a very good tool to have in an Indiana winter! |
Good small thrower
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| Review Date: December 9, 2005 |
| Reviewer: L. Milano, New Jersey, USA |
I gave this machine 4 stars in terms of value: there are much better machines at twice or three times the cost of this one. Whether or not it is worthwhile to spend more money on a better machine is very relative and is up to you. My recommendation is: buy this machine if you live in an area with occasional snow. If you regularly get heavy snow, buy a bigger machine. By the way, this is what the manufacturer recommends.
I bought one a few days ago and used it to clear the first two snows of the season. I am happy with the purchase. I cleared all my snow in 15 minutes with very little effort. Compare this with over an hour of suffering with the shovel. But I would do better and faster with a better (more expensive, and certainly two-stage) machine. Here are some tips:
(1) Always try to clear the snow right after it stopped snowing. It is much easier. In particular, this machine does not handle well thawing snow, or snow mixed with ice.
(2) I had to adjust the "Control Cable" (see the manual) to the top hole, the one that makes the cable more tense and improves the traction of the auger.
(3) Do not go straight into heavy snow. It will clog with snow and the engine will stop. Instead, I use this technique: if the snow is fresh and light, I just go ahead and clear it. If it is a bit heavy but not too deep, I advance one step, let it throw the snow, and I back up one step to let it get back to full power. Then I advanve another step and so on. Finally, if the snow is pretty deep, I go in steps. First I "shave" the surface, and in a second pass I go deeper.
Despite all these precautions, every once in a while I need to stop the machine and clear the snow from the auger. It takes a few seconds, no big deal.
One big plus of this machine is that it is light and compact. It fits in a corner in my garage right close to the door, so I can get it out very easily. A bigger machine would have to stay in another place.
In summary, it is pretty good for what it costs. It works as advertised, it is simple to assemble, light and just ok clearing snow. Works for me. |
This thing is saving my back and shoulders!
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| Review Date: January 1, 2001 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I received this machine last week and it was very easy to put together and get started. In searching for a snowthrower, I wanted one that was not too big and heavy, for a woman to operate. This was just what I needed. So far, I've thrown about 7-8 inches of snow in two sessions and it works great. |
Trusted Name
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| Review Date: February 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: M. HILTON, Schenectady, NY United States |
| This is my second MTD. I bought my first one about 5 years ago used. It was a 97 model. I decided to get this one for the great price of $199.99 plus the 10% off as the 97 model will probably kick the bucket at some point. I was impressed with the changes from the 97 model. The chute is easier to adjust and this model has 3.5 hp versus the 3.0 hp of the 97. It looks nicer and had knobby wheels instead of the line wheels, which helps with your manuvering. I had no problem plowing through 7 inches of snow and it shot the snow to the side of my neighbors house, oops! I fired it up with a little effort as I had the choke set in the wrong place. The 97 is the opposite way than the newer models. The 4.5 HP just dropped another $50.00 in price, so I am kicking myself. One other con is the snow tends to kick back underneath the machine. Not sure if this is just do to a unlevel surface. 2-24-07 (Found the plate underneath can be adjusted, so this took care of the snow kicking problem). Anyway, I will try it again during our next snow storm. for the price this is a nice little machine that is easy to push around, especially in tight areas. Beats using a shovel! Snow storm of St. Patricks Day 3-17-07. Worked like a charm through about 12" on snow.. Great lille machine :) 12-07 Year 2 !!! Still running strong. Cleaned up the December 13th storm without a problem. |
IT'S NOT A BAD SNOWTHROWER
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| Review Date: December 28, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , Chicago, IL USA |
| The hardest part of this machine is mixing the oil and the gas. After that it's really simple to operate. Put the key in, throw the choke on, prime it a couple times, and rip the cord and bam, your throwing snow with the best of them. I threw 8 inches of snow the other day and it worked like a charm. I say go ahead and by it. |
Good thrower good price
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| Review Date: March 22, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Clemens, |
| This thrower did a good job with everything I needed it to do , like clear my driveway and sidewalk of a 12 inchs of heavy snow . A truly easy way to clear snow. |
IT'S NOT A BAD SNOWTHROWER
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| Review Date: December 28, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , Chicago, IL USA |
| Ok so I got it a couple of days ago and the hardest part of this thing was mixing the gas with the oil. After that it was a cinch. I live in Chicago and I had no problem with throwing 8 inches of snow off of my sidewalk. I wish I could've done my driveway but it was ice not snow. Bottom line is I am happy with the performance of this snowthrower. |
snow blower
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| Review Date: February 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jerry Wiser, Harpster,OH USA |
| great for small jobs and a very good price for the machine you get if you have a lot of snow then this little buddy will do a great job if its not over 2 feet deep still a great snow blower |
Disappointed
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| Review Date: December 31, 2000 |
| Reviewer: rdchaney@aol.com, Detroit |
| I bought the Yard Machine 140 model on December 8th. From day one I had problems with the machine throwing snow. Today December 30th I attempted to throw 3 inches of snow that arrived in the Detroit area and it failed miserablely. I took it back to the Meijer Store where I obtain a refund and I am shopping for another brand. |
Not for Minnesota
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| Review Date: March 14, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Santo Spirito, Mpls. Mn |
Would not clear a foot of snow. Took 5.5 hours to clear driveway.
Neighbor used competing Toro model and walked thru his driveway and
sidewalk with ease.......he was finished in 20min......and his drive and walk
were clean down to the pavement.
Toro runs better, sounds better, works better, looks better
and IS BETTER. |
Yard Machine 31A240-800 good for three inches of powder only!
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| Review Date: February 20, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Zamaiko, Cleveland, OH USA |
| If you have three inches of powder this one will do the job, anything more you're just wasting your money. Used mine a half dozen times and had to replace the belt. Doesn't throw snow like my Craftsman that is the same size and nine years (which still has the original belt). Doesn't start that easy either. |
Way over-priced.
|
| Review Date: January 8, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Randolph H. Rutowski, Finland, MN |
| In my estimation the machine is over-priced by $200. Also, I have to use starting fluid before it fires; I'm talking 25 degree weather! |
Return.
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| Review Date: December 15, 2000 |
| Reviewer: Samson, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS United States |
| Oh, well I won't give anyone recommand to get this machine at all. After I using it for 2 time. I need to bring it back for refund. The reason gasline leaking. The engine stop after 5 mins run. I still have 11 inches tall snow need to be throw. Next time I will look for a better one. |
DON'T BUY IT
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| Review Date: March 26, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Hisham Abi-aad, VIRGINIA |
I COULDN'T CLEAR 4" OF SNOW,IT DOSEN'T THROW SNOW AT ALL IF IT IS MIX WITH SOME WET SNOW.
YOU HAVE KEEP CLEARING THE SNOW FROM THE AUGER.
I TRIED TO RETURN IT,BUT BECAUSE I USED IT AND IT HAS SOME GAS AND OIL IN LINES AND TANK,NEED SPECAIL PICK UP.
|
Low power
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| Review Date: May 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: S. Dougherty, O Fallon, IL United States |
| First time I used it after a 4 inch snow fall, I had to go slow, it couldn't keep up. Insufficient power. |
No Ignition Keys--
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| Review Date: March 23, 2008 |
| Reviewer: J. Keller, |
If you do not receive ignition keys you can't use the machine!!
Seller did not follow up with ignition keys!
Item is rated one star because I was not able to start it without keys!
Thankfully there was not enough snow that is was needed! |
Runs good- But wont blow snow.
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| Review Date: February 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: The Talker, Chicago |
was posted in the 4 cycle version, trying to remove that post.
Have no idea if that version works or not.
Sorry for the mix up here.
My Toro after 12 years of trouble free use had to be retired. i was given a 21 inch, Yard Machine 31AE 160-129, looked like brand new (year 2004 model)
Well don't waste your money, This is an easy starting engine, with a poorly designed snow throw/blow assembly. If you just want to sit and watch the unit run buy it, but if you actually need to move any snow, forget it.
Did check the latest new versions, same design in every respect.
In use the left wheel quickly builds up a layer of stuck-on snow.
Wheel wont turn.
As soon as you push into any snow, a brief flurry will start to blow out, and then NOTHING more is blown out.
Flapper assembly is FULL with NO throwing action taking place.
Rock the unit up and down to dislodge snow buildup in the flapper, repeat rocking until all snow has fallen out.
Ready to snow throw again!
Push into snow area again, will blow snow for brief flurry again, and promptly clog up, repeat all the 'rock' unit as above to clear clogged snow.
Ready to snow throw again!
Rock the unit up and down to dislodge snow buildup in the flapper, repeat rocking until all snow has fallen out.
Is humorous, but sad, that this is actually sold as a snow blower.
Like I mentioned the engine is easy starting.
Retried again today, with the new snow storm that is going to drop 8 / 13 inches of snow. This Yard Machine is a Joke.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY BUYING THIS YARD MACHINE VERSION SNOW BLOWER. |
junk dont buy!!!
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| Review Date: December 6, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Stuck in the snow, |
| This is total junk. The few good reviews on here must be from employees of the manufacturer mtd. This thing eats belts, cant even do 3" of snow. I live by a lake and I don't even bother pulling it out if the snow is the least bit wet. It should be illegal to sell something that they know doesn't work. Spend money for something better! I have a very small yard and thought a single stage would do it but I was wrong. I wont even go into pricing since it doesn't work. The only fair price would be if they paid you to haul it to the junk heap. And get this, their owners manual had the wrong belt listed! Guess how much of my life was wasted figuring that one out!!! Gee, do I sound bitter? :( |
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