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Snow Blowers
- Electric power shovel Toro Power Shovel *Est. $110
- Single-stage electric snow blower Toro 1800 Power Curve *Est. $330
- Single-stage gas snow blower Toro Power Clear 210R 38587 *Est. $580
- Budget two-stage gas snow blower Craftsman 88957 *Est. $600
- Powerful two-stage gas snow blower Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP 31AH55Q5711 *Est. $1100
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- 45-foot throw distance
- Big, heavy model for big, heavy jobs
- Self-propelled
- Includes headlight
- Expensive
Reviewers say the Toro Power Max 828 LXE is worth the money if you have a long, wide or hilly driveway and get some heavy snowfall, because it can throw snow as far as 45 feet. That's the main advantage over the cheaper Craftsman 88999 (*Est. $1,070) -- otherwise they have many of the same features: They're both two-stage, self-propelled, gas-powered models with 28-inch clearing paths, six forward and two reverse speeds, a headlight and a two-year warranty. The Craftsman is rated at 9 horsepower, while the Toro is rated at 8 horsepower (and 30 pounds heavier).
ConsumerReports.org has the best coverage of snow blowers, rating 12 including the Toro Power Max 828 LXE. You'll need a subscription to see the ratings chart, though. ConsumerGuide.com's reviews have an inconsistent quality overall -- some indicate hands-on evaluation and some don't, but it says it tested the Toro Power Max 828 LXE. Perhaps because of the expense, we found no user reviews for the Toro Power Max 828 LXE, but owner reviews are generally very good for Toro snow blowers overall.
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1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Toro Power Max 828 LXE is among the four two-stage gas snow blowers ranked here. The 12-model ratings chart is behind a subscribers-only wall, but the brief overview is free.
Review: Snow Blowers: Faster And Easier, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Dec. 2007
This review indicates hands-on testing, which is not always the case at Consumer Guide. The main advice is that you should buy the Toro Power Max 828 LXE if your usual winters include only moderate snow and that you should look for a sale because it's overpriced at list price.
Review: Expert Review: Toro Power Max 828LXE, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 24, 2007
This review is dated, but as single-user reviews go, it's quite comprehensive. The writer details his first use of the Toro 828 LXE after a snowfall. It's easy to control and highly effective. The user's one wish is that it had an overhead-valve engine.
Review: Toro 828 LXE Snowblower, "Richie", Jan. 10, 2005
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