Single stage thrower versus Two stage blower

[Hydro 130]

I would appreciate your views on the two styles of snow chuckers.

I had a single stage some time ago on an IH 149. It worked well in lighter snow, not so good in wet slushy snow.

Now I have the 2 stage and this year we have had warm and wet snow. The 2 stage handles the heavier snow but it takes a lot of power and really when it's slushy I am not so sure there is much of a difference but I have never tried the Toro single stage.

I looked at a newer single stage the other day and can't help but feel there would be less power loss in the driveline. It's also a smaller unit to boot. Has anyone had the opportunity to use both in the same conditions?

[can whlvr 991]

hey gary i used mine yesterday,and the week before and as you know all we have had is wet heavy snow,i am very impressed at how it works,it was shooting snow 30 feet ,(thats straight ahead),it doesnt throw it as far side ways but it works great,i have 3 throwers,all work a little different(all singles)the least worn out one does throw it farther,but even the 36 inch one thats pretty beat up(the auger)throws it good,i had the 42 single on the 312 yesterday and it works great,it cant go throgh it like the c160,but it gets the job done,i figure that heavy snow has to be worth double the amount of light fluffy snow,so yesterday i was throwing probally 8-10 inches of powder,at the end of the drive you have to go real slow but it still does it,and thats a 12hp teamed with an 11 series eaton,im very impressed with the singles,and on the 160 its just plain unstoppable,i havnt had it out much this year,not enough snow and im breaking in that new 12 hp rebuild,which is working just awsome,never had a 2 stage,my neighbor has one on a 520,when the valve seats arnt blown(hes had it 2 now)it throws snow so far its crazy,he has to aim the shoot down so he doesnt blow it to toronto,hahaha,i like the single and i wouldnt even look for a 2 stage,but thats because i cant afford one either

[rexman72 210]

I just used the two stage blower on the XT and there was no doubt that the two stage worked alot better then the single stage on the 417A in the heavy wet snow.

[Forest Road 594]

Singles rip! You won't be disappointed.

[can whlvr 991]

heres a pic of a 12hp throwing some

[mattd860 161]

Gary - I've had both models before but I have not been able to compare them too accurately because this winter is snowless. As we all remember, last winter we received a crazy amount of snow and my 42" single stage blower saved the day without fail EVERY time. However, it was a very slow process and in deep snow, I had to remove the two side wings making the total width of the blower only 36" wide. I used my 418-8 with the single stage and I could not go faster than 1st gear in lo-range. You've been to my house and remember how long my drive way is so you know first hand that I had a lot of snow to remove and in addition, I did my neighbors driveways too. It took me 6-8 hours to finish the job.

Now this year we only received ONE storm that dumped 10 inches of snow and I was able to use the 2-stage with my 520H. It was a noticeable improvement over the single stage. I was able to travel faster and load more snow into the blower. Best of all - I did my whole driveway and neighborhood in 2 hours! Another benefit was that the 2-stage chewed up the show banks left by the town plows at the end of my driveway. My single stage always had trouble with that.

The single stage is definitely a solid snow remover. It is also weighs very little so it can be easily moved around the garage or shed. There are also a lot more in circulation so used parts can be readily available. But having experienced both the single and 2-stage, I prefer the 2-stage.

[Hydro 130]

Thanks Matt, I really like what I have and my 16 handles it fine. I was thinking more about the drive line and replacement of chains, sprockets and bearings in the future as opposed to gear boxes.

[can whlvr 991]

the way our winters are going it will be a hundred years before you wear her out gary lol

[MalMac 1,328]

Hydro you are on to the same line of thinking that I have been doing. The 2 stage does a great job but the chances for something to break or wear out is a lot greater than the single stage do to the nature of the beast. Getting parts for the 2 stage is or will become difficult at best. Not to mention cost. I have given serious consideration to selling mine and getting a single stage. I think that's the best way to usher in a major snow storm is by selling my 2 stage. It's just very unfortunate that the fact we all face of not getting parts because Toro is eliminating parts slowly but Surely. That 2 stage is a great blower but for me I don't use it enough to justify the cost of letting just sit here. Maybe a tall shoot single would be better for me.

[mattd860 161]

Hydro you are on to the same line of thinking that I have been doing. The 2 stage does a great job but the chances for something to break or wear out is a lot greater than the single stage do to the nature of the beast. Getting parts for the 2 stage is or will become difficult at best. Not to mention cost. I have given serious consideration to selling mine and getting a single stage. I think that's the best way to usher in a major snow storm is by selling my 2 stage. It's just very unfortunate that the fact we all face of not getting parts because Toro is eliminating parts slowly but Surely. That 2 stage is a great blower but for me I don't use it enough to justify the cost of letting just sit here. Maybe a tall shoot single would be better for me.

I really don't think the lack of parts from Toro is going to be a real problem. But if it is, the single stage throwers will be almost as difficult to find used parts since every other owner is going to hoard them. I don't think it will be a big problem because parts can and will be made aftermarket. Also, parts can be custom machined by many of us and local shops. Yes it will cost more but the machinery WILL get repaired. There is no threat that the machine will become a lawn ornament due to lack of parts. Anything can be machined and duplicated. Furthermore, many of the moving parts like bearings, springs, and sprockets can all be purchased from Mcmastercarr and the likes.

[bobert94 38]

The 2 stage will throw deep snow better than the single stage. However they are more difficult to put on and they weigh a LOT! I think a single tall chute would be a great compromise.

[Hydro 130]

Hydro you are on to the same line of thinking that I have been doing. The 2 stage does a great job but the chances for something to break or wear out is a lot greater than the single stage do to the nature of the beast. Getting parts for the 2 stage is or will become difficult at best. Not to mention cost. I have given serious consideration to selling mine and getting a single stage. I think that's the best way to usher in a major snow storm is by selling my 2 stage. It's just very unfortunate that the fact we all face of not getting parts because Toro is eliminating parts slowly but Surely. That 2 stage is a great blower but for me I don't use it enough to justify the cost of letting just sit here. Maybe a tall shoot single would be better for me.

I have to say "Yes" that was exactly what I was thinking. It's the gear box that worries me and seeing an almost new single stage that I could have bought cheap made me wonder. I have a great 2 stage which I bought from an RS member and I really like as you can tell by my Avatar but the single stage would be an easy repair by comparison with non toro parts and yes Matt I agree things can always be done but I also know the 44 2 stage keeps my M16 thumping. She's pounding away to drive it. It's a great blower but it is a big and my guess is it takes more power than any other Toro attachment. That's why I was asking about everyone's experience. I had a single years ago but I have seen some You Tube Vids using both and the single seems to fair out pretty well.

[Forest Road 594]

Gary you're putting way too much thought into this. Who ever said you couldn't have TWO snow blowers? I kept my tall chute single. Ya just never know when you'll need that backup blower. Or go buy another 12 or 14hp tractor and have both blowers mounted and ready to go.

PS: we're inducing tonight!

[HorseFixer 2,012]

I have given serious consideration to selling mine and getting a single stage. I think that's the best way to usher in a major snow storm is by selling my 2 stage.

Hmmmmm Tim How many Qts of apple juice will it take to get that offa you? Wait a minute...... bring it up here and Ill get the Apple juice out fill you up them we will deal! Seriously you ever sell Ill be interested.

~Duke

[Hydro 130]

Gary you're putting way too much thought into this. Who ever said you couldn't have TWO snow blowers? I kept my tall chute single. Ya just never know when you'll need that backup blower. Or go buy another 12 or 14hp tractor and have both blowers mounted and ready to go.

PS: we're inducing tonight!

Well I do have two tractors and 2 decks so maybe I should have two blowers. Half the fun when you aren't running them is thinking what you can invent to do with them. I just bought a welder again after selling my last one about 10 years ago so standby...not the expertise I've seen on here but I will have fun :flags-canada:

[HorseFixer 2,012]

Gary, on a serious note on the blower, One of the greatest Mods I did on my C-120 Snow Chucker was the Rubber Wipers I added on the second stage of the fan. Plug ups are non existent. It whips that snow outta there at such high velocity its unbelievable. And it doesn't matter if there is 2" inches of snow or 2' feet other than the speed the machine travels at. Yep I even blow it at a few inches cause it gets down so good when Mr. Sun peeks his head out it melts and drys right up. I find when I have light snow I load the machine up by traveling faster. Nothing sounds better than a Kohler under load! My vote will be 2 stage as far as the weight no problemo that's why there is Hydro don'tt ya know!

~Duke

[Hydro 130]

Thanks Duke for joining in, I appreciate your comments. I read some of your earlier posts a while ago and saw you had added the rubber wipers. I thought that was good idea too and was considering it over the summer. It really looks like snow chucking this year will be over soon. I have my guides set flush to the pavement and the sun takes care of the rest too. I was just curious about the single stage as I could not help to notice the simplicity of the design. ^_^

[MaineDad 85]

My two cents. I have been using a tall chute single stage for years. I live in Maine and we can get some serious snow and I am never anxious about having just a single stage. Low 1 on the real deep stuff and high one on the lighter ones. If you learn how to keep the auger full with the correct speed, a single stage will work just fine; How's this for deep snow?

[Hydro 130]

I'm beginning to think the only way to know for sure is to have a single stage too then I can do my own comparison with my tractor. :eusa-think:

[HorseFixer 2,012]

All we get in the WOLVERINE STATE is a couple Snow Flakes Chuckin it 60+ feet No Trouble

Gotta keep that auger full is right!

[Hydro 130]

We ain't seen nothing like that up here this year but....I have solved my problem. I just bought a single stage on line from up here in the North West Territories, picking it up this weekend after I fly back !

[can whlvr 991]

way to add to the fleet gary,if you dont like it you can sell it,but i really like mine

hey gary was that the tall chute from thunderbay,good price,just way too far for me

[HorseFixer 2,012]

We ain't seen nothing like that up here this year but....I have solved my problem. I just bought a single stage on line from up here in the North West Territories, picking it up this weekend after I fly back !

Gary, DANG IT!! Me neither that was last year. But no matter when it comes I will be ready!

~Duke

[Hydro 130]

We ain't seen nothing like that up here this year but....I have solved my problem. I just bought a single stage on line from up here in the North West Territories, picking it up this weekend after I fly back !

Gary, DANG IT!! Me neither that was last year. But no matter when it comes I will be ready!

~Duke

You just got too much invested in that tractor now Duke to wait another year! The season is just too short for all the seat time you will need to have fun. You gotta invent some reason to use it this summer! I've seen the ice cream machine, how about a mechanized apple peeler driven from the PTO? You could keep the cab on, listen to your tunes and peel all the apples you need! :icecream:

[JackC 616]

In comparing snow blower set ups can anyone compare a D-160 with a single stage blower to a 520H with a two stage blower?

I have a 1989 520HC and a 44 inch two stage blower but I have never used the two stage blower.

I also have a D-160 and I am wondering if I should pick up the single stage blower for it if a good deal pops up?

The D series blower looks like a real beast but it would take up some room in the garage and it may not work as well as the 520HC with a two stage.

Thanks