New Toro snowblower-- Sound?

[NickNoi]

Hi I hope I can explain this well enough. I bought a new Toro Power Clear 221, briggs&straton 2-stroke, pullstart. The sound it makes has me a bit concerned. Here goes its like EEEEEeeeeeeEEEEEeeeeeeEEEEEeeee up & down in pitch not a level/constant EEEEEEEEE or eeeeeeeeeee. When the dealer started it, at the time I bought it, he said that would go away once warmed-up. The 3 times Ive used it the sound would only steady-out under a heavier type load at end of drive.

The only adjustment I can make is to the choke. Manual says to move choke to right to start then left once running. I move choke all the way left. There is a center position. Might I need to run choke in center position? Manual isnt clear on this. Im guessing I need to go back to dealer. Any info tips so the salesman doesnt try to hogwash me? Like is this sound "normal" for Toro snowblowers THANKS Ray

[Erma1ina]

I have an older but similar Toro (CCR 3650) with a 6.5 hp Toro R Tek engine and it has NEVER sounded like you describe. Those blowers are notoriously loud but not high-pitched and not variable in pitch. Sounds like the drive belt needs adjusting.

And, NO, you shouldn't have to run it with the choke lever in the center position. With mine (just used it today, in fact), after cold starting with the lever fully to the right, I move the lever to the center position after only a few seconds then move it fully to the left after maybe 10 or so more seconds. I remember the dealer guy who delivered it several years ago said to let it run maybe 30 or so seconds with the lever in the middle position after starting it cold but, over time, I've kind of learned by the sound of the engine when it "wants" the choke off.

If I were you, I'd talk to the dealer and ask specifically about the belt.

[ransley]

Demand a different one or that he fix it on the spot. If he is out of stock put your demand in writing and have them sign it.

[Van Chocstraw]

This is typical of 2 cycle Toro's. My old S200 does that. It's not a problem. Doesn't do it all the time and I have 2 adjustment screws on the carb to help stabilize it.

[EXT]

Are they still selling 2 stroke engines, particularly on snow blowers. 2 strokes are usually notoriously hard to start in cold weather, which makes using them in winter a bad idea. Personally, I would try to track down a small 4 stroke if I needed a small snow blower.

[ransley]

They are designed to start easy, they do. 4 stroke units a bigger and more expensive.

[Ulysses]

I have an old lawnmower (B&S) and it you hit something with the blade it disengages and makes a horrible sound like what you described. Or, it could be a belt slipping as suggested.

[mkirsch1]

No, you do not need to run the choke in the center position. All that will do is cause it to cough, sputter, spit black smoke, and have no power after it's been running for about 10 seconds or so.

The uneven running will go away after you've used it several times. It takes a while for the engine to break in. As long as it continues to run smoothly without spitting and sputtering, do not worry about it. Use it as much as you can to get the engine broken in.

If you feel you need to take it in for service, don't talk to the salesman. Talk to the SERVICE people.

More than likely the salesman won't even acknowledge your existence anyway. That has been my experience. Won't even make eye contact. They're your bestest friend when they are trying to separate you from your money, but as soon as you're not satisfied with the product they sold you, they don't know who you are.

[Reed]

Well, my 2 stroke Snapper has started just fine for 22 years now. All it wants is fresh gas/oil mix. Several neighbors have dumped their big

4-stroke/2-stage machines after seeing how easy my little Snapper 2-stroke single-stage handles even the worst snows.

[Erma1ina]

Same here with my "little" 6.5 hp Toro single stage. Though it has electric start, I use the recoil -- never more than a couple of pulls. It has plenty of power to take out the compacted end-of-driveway stuff. I just spray the chute and paddles with a little silicone lube before tackling wet snow and it's a breeze.

[pheeh.zero]

strokes are usually notoriously hard to start in cold weather, which makes using them in winter a bad idea.

Where did you find this piece of misinformation? Is that why they used

2-cycles for the original snowmobiles?

[NickNoi]

Thanks once again for the replies everyone. Like I mentioned I wasnt sure if I could describe it correctly. The sound isnt high pitched like that of a belt slipping squealing (like say a car belt squeal) but just the engine sounding like its revs up/down so Ill change the sound to rrrrRRRrrrRRR.

It also takes more thean the 1-2 pulls like 5-6. Im going to take it in see what happens