I came across this forum while looking for information on the pros/cons of different snowblowers:
I want to buy a 26-28" 2-stage snowblower and have narrowed my search to either a John Deere 1028E or a Toro 826OXE.
They both cost the same - $1300 - in my area and both have B&S engines.
I'm leaning to the John Deere because it seems to be more solid and has a bigger engine (305cc) vs. the Toro's 250cc.
The Toro has "Freewheel Power Steering" while the Deere allows you to unlike only the right wheel and the lock is on the wheel - so I think the Toro will be much easier to turn.
My biggest concern about the Toro is that it DOESN'T have shear pins. It claims that it has a "commercial grade auger gearbox" so it doesn't need shear pins. I wonder what would happen if I run into a hidden piece of wood or something else our town snowplows often bring .
Any thought would be greatly appreciated. This forum is great.
I want to buy a 26-28" 2-stage snowblower and have narrowed my search to either a John Deere 1028E or a Toro 826OXE.
They both cost the same - $1300 - in my area and both have B&S engines.
I'm leaning to the John Deere because it seems to be more solid and has a bigger engine (305cc) vs. the Toro's 250cc.
The Toro has "Freewheel Power Steering" while the Deere allows you to unlike only the right wheel and the lock is on the wheel - so I think the Toro will be much easier to turn.
My biggest concern about the Toro is that it DOESN'T have shear pins. It claims that it has a "commercial grade auger gearbox" so it doesn't need shear pins. I wonder what would happen if I run into a hidden piece of wood or something else our town snowplows often bring .
Any thought would be greatly appreciated. This forum is great.