 Great value! |
| Review Date: December 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Robert C. Sjoberg, Kalispell, MT |
| I went out this morning in 5°F weather, and started the machine on the second pull. I then proceeded to clear 6 inches of snow from the sidewalk around my corner home and two driveways. It accomplished the task in about 30 minutes and didn't bog down. The trick is to use full choke on starting, along with 3-4 primes from the priming pump, then keep the choke on half to full to run it (more cold, more choke). When I first tried running it with no choke at about 30°F it would bog down. A quite large unit I operated did the same thing. With dry snow it goes as quickly as you can. With wet snow you have to slow down and frequently clear the chute. Again, a large machine I used required frequent clearing as well. Oh, you don't mix gas and oil with this model. It's a 4 stroke. Simple. It stores in a small space and does the job. I'm glad I didn't buy a bigger one. I payed $297 near the end of last winter. |
I love this machine!
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| Review Date: December 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Concerned One, Clarinda, IA |
| I have used several single stage throwers over the years including toro, mtd, and ariens, along with several two stage thowers, and this one works as good if not the best of all that I have ran. I purchased this just earlier this year prior to our first 4 inches of snow. Since then I have used it on 4 inch, 8 inches, and just today (christmas) 10 inches of snow without any problems of stalling out, bogging down, or clogging. I clear a corner house sidewalk, two and a half stall garage driveway (30ft or so long) and much of the neigbors sidewalks. Starts when you follow the directions on first pull (full choke +6 primes) in 20 degree weather or less (don't know exactly, it's just cold). Cleans right down to the pavement. At 12 or more inches (like snow plow burms) you have to take it a bit slow and go through in passes, or half swaths, and it has no issues. Shoot hasn't clogged yet The best part is 4 cycle, so I don't have to keep a special "mixed" can of gas around. I'll leave that to my chainsaw. This is a good value usually around 290-330 at most places. Worth a look for a standard in town living. |
Great Easy To Use Snow Thrower
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| Review Date: February 18, 2010 |
| Reviewer: A. Giudice, Long Island, NY USA |
After reading some of the negative reviews below on this snow thrower, I decided to add my own review of this product. I have had it for two weeks now and I am very happy with it. I just removed between 6-8 inches of hard-packed wet snow from my backyard brick patio (It snowed about 4 days ago and I just got a chance to clean up the yard). This snow thrower was awesome. It shot that snow about 15 feet away (good considering how heavy the snow was). It never bogged down once I had the engine warmed up and the choke in the proper position so the engine ran really smooth.
The engine started with the second pull and about 7 pushes of the prime button on full choke. I decided to put in Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic in it to offer the best protection from cold weather starts. Although the engine is small, it is well suited to this machine. I am not concerned with straining it because it went through really heavy snow today without a problem.
You must know how to use a snow thrower of this size in order to get the full benefits of it. Another reviewer said that it left about an inch of snow behind when he used the machine. The only way this would happen is if the user presses down on the push bar which lifts the front of the blower. When using this machine, make sure to push forward, not down on the push bar. The auger will keep in contact with the pavement and clean up all of the snow straight to the ground.
Another reviewer said that the wheels get snow stuck on them making the snow thrower impossible to push. I don't see how this could happen unless you dumped the snow throwner onto a pile of snow and expected the wheels not to get snow on them.
Out of curiousity, I opened up the side of the machine which contains the belt drive system for the auger. I must say that it is a very simple belt driven system that is completely based on a steel platform. I expect a lot of use from this snow thrower because it is designed simply and well made.
Look around when purchasing this item. MTD has many brands under its marketing belt. This same 2M1 model is branded as a Cub Cadet, Yard Machine, Craftsman and another that I can't recall at this moment. Get the cheapest one as they are all made by MTD and are the same product.
Take care and good luck with yours. |
Wonderful Value
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| Review Date: March 7, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Reggie Bush, New Orleans |
| This ia great value. We had over 2 feet of snow and it worked great. The trick is to make sure there is atleast 1 inch of snow and probrably no more than 6 inches or so. If there is to little snow it will clog. To much and it will just take alot more work to get it done. This thing saved me. Don't think twice just get it. |
quiet running & effective
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| Review Date: January 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Snow Man, Santa Fe, NM |
Much better than the less friendly 2 cycle oil/gas mix thrower.
Runs more quiet and no fuel mix hassle.
As with all snow throwers cut a manageable swath even
if it takes a tiny bit more energy on the operator's part. |
Good solid value
|
| Review Date: February 22, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Bigdawg, Northern Virginia |
| I purchased from Amazon just prior to the recent large snow store in the mid Atlantic region. We experienced far more snow than is usual for the area, and this machine handled it very well. You maust take into account that this is a $350 item and not a $800 machine. It throws the snow a reasonable distance but the operator must take that into account, I worked from the center of my driveway up and down and in some cases I had to move the same snow twice because of the double width of the driveway. In comparison to my neighbors similarly priced machine this got down further to the pavement and cleared more snow quicker. When the snow gets above 6" you must puch slower and only take about half the width of the clearing space so you dont stall the engine. Overall a good machine and well worth the money. |
Works, but not very well.....
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| Review Date: January 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Charles Thompson Photography, Flat Rock, MI USA |
I bought this snow thrower about a month ago. The first day I got it, I opened the box and put it together in a snap. Actually, there wasnt much to it, just pull the handle up and lock it into place, put oil and gas in it and start it up. I think I had about 4" of snow on the ground that day. I started it up and went at it. Immediately I was surprised at how much snow it left behind! It was actually going right OVER about an inch of snow, almost like the blade was not touching the ground, but in fact it was. Not only that but when doing a row of snow when you turn around and stat to head back down the row again, it "spits" snow on the freshly cleaned area blowing it back on the area you just did. It does not handle wet snow at all! Trust me, not even slightly wet snow. And it is not light either, when pushing this thing through some heavy snow, it gets to be a real task after a while. This is a snow thrower for someone looking to use it on 3" or less of non wet snow. On the plus side, it runs good and starts right up on the second pull. Just like a new snow thrower should.... I guess....
I would spend a little more money and get a more heavy duty unit. You will thank me later !!
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jammed wheel
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| Review Date: February 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Doug N. Christensen, |
| the snowthrower starts well runs wll removes snow well.the probalem is when the snow builds up on the wheel on the side where the belt guard is the wheel locks!!! makes it allmost imposiable too use |
Poor Quality Machine
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| Review Date: January 21, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Larry, NJ |
| Purchased this product from Lowes in March 09 and it broke down the first time I used it. The automatic drive which turns the wheels works via a small cheap spring that snapped off rendering the machine useless and a small plastic clip that holds the cables in pace cracked due to the cold weather. It was just repaired under warranty, but even the repair shop indicated that I should not expect very good or long term service from this machine. I thought I was getting good value at a reasonable cost. It has a solid chassis and a standard engine, but the other components are cheap. Buy something of better quality. |
Starts good but useless as snow thrower
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| Review Date: February 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: The Talker, Chicago |
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!!!!
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| Review Date: December 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Alfred C. Lackner, |
| The first time we used it it started fine. The 2nd time we used it the pull cord busted because the thing wouldn't start!!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! |
clogged thrower
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| Review Date: January 14, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Roger L. Vondeylen, |
| This machine is only for use with light feathery snow. Anything more and it constantly clogs which is very frustrating. This is my 3rd thrower; the first two were Toros and they NEVER clogged. |
get a better unit or stick with the shovel
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| Review Date: January 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Steven Siegel, Berwyn PA |
| It works OK for a small amount of snow, then jams. The first year it was satisfactory as long as you stop and manually clear the chute every few minutes (being very careful not to clean it with the blades going). The second year it wouldn't start at all and it cost me $100 at the approved service center to start it. Of course the warranty didn't cover it for some reason. Spend more for a better unit from a better manufacturer with a real warranty or stay with the shovel, at least it does the job and won't cost you 25% of the price and a 30 minute drive each way to have it work. |
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US $369.99
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