Single Stage Snowblowers ... I've been missing out

[SwampSurvivor]

I pulled an old Simplicity 2 stroke single stage snowblower out of my mom's garage that had been sitting since 2017 or 2018. I'm surprised that not only did it run, but it ran well. I'm on the 3rd tank of fuel now since pulling it out.

Anyway, I was never a fan of these. My dad bought it back in 1999 or 2000 to replace a big 30'' 2 stage that got destroyed by a car. Long story.

This one seemed to work, but I Think I was blinded by the fact that it couldn't really handle FEET of snow and that it had to be pushed along instead of self propelled.

We had a decent snowstorm drop about 2' over the course of a few days. I forgot how well these would clean right down to bare pavement. And it can move itself faster than my 2 stage can go in top gear. Great for small amounts of snow. Even when it came to some heaver stuff or deep snow, it still handled great. And it fits on some walkways that I used to have to do by hand.

Pretty impressed! This year I have been using a plow on my 4 wheeler because it's quicker than using the 2 stage or shoveling by hand, but I don't like that I can't put the snow exactly where I want. But this little single stage thing is actually quicker and can blow it right where it needs to be.

I have to put a new belt on it, will probably rebuild the carburetor, then have to give it back. I'll be buying a used one for myself! Probably 4 stroke because I don't like 2 stroke engines ...

 

[ZZman]

Yes, they work great for most snow. I don't think they are hard at all to push.

 

[Lubener]

I wouldn't even consider trading my Toro single stage for a two stage thrower. They throw the snow much further than a two stage, they are less cumbersome and I can finish my drive much sooner than a two stage. The only advantage a two stage has is dealing with a snowtorm having feet of fallen snow which isn't that common.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Yes, they work great for most snow. I don't think they are hard at all to push.

Pick up on the back of this one and it will.pull itself along nicely

I wouldn't even consider trading my Toro single stage for a two stage thrower. They throw the snow much further than a two stage, they are less cumbersome and I can finish my drive much sooner than a two stage. The only advantage a two stage has is dealing with a snowtorm having feet of fallen snow which isn't that common.

They also seem to do better with less snow and slushy type snow unless you have an impeller mod done to a 2 stage.

With that said, this weekend I have to clean up snow banks from 50" of snow at my moms. That will be a 2 stage job

 

[IndyIan]

I've seen the commercial guys using single stage quite a bit, they can roll up, lift a couple single stages off the pickup and clear 4-6" of snow clean down to pavement on a small driveway walkways and sidewalk in a few minutes and off to the next place.

 

[iahawk]

I have a Toro 2 stroke single stage and big Ariens 2 stage....I use the Toro probably 95% of the time. Faster and much easier to use than the 2 stage. The Toro has the R Tek motor (old Lawn Boy 2 stroke) and that thing is a beast!

 

[alarmguy]

My dad had a single stage snowblower in the late 70s/80s. I could swear it was a Simplicity and cant find a photo online.
Anyway, it was a small 2cycle single stage with small wheels and yes, for sure, I loved using it because the rubber tipped auger (lack of better word) cleaned the snow right down to the cement. My neighbor had a large two stage that he would let me use as long as I did his driveway when it snowed. But I liked my dad's single stage because it cleaned everything up so well.
Also on Long Island, big snowfalls were rare but even then it was fun to use.

It also came with an extension cord that would plug into the back of it to start it electrically once running you take the cord off. Of course also had a pull cord.

 

[Tdbo]

Frankly, single stage is all I want.
Easy to maneuver, easy to transport.
I'm on my third (a Toro.) I've had 2 Toro's and a Craftsman.
Have no need for anything else.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

I have an old Ariens - two stage .... it's nice for deeper snow 12 inch plus.

My next-door neighbor has a single stage and their driveway is always cleaned.
They just have to use it more often than me.

I may look into a single stage to have a backup.

 

[Fordiesel69]

If you can find the Toro 2 stroke CCR2000 single stage snowblower it will have a commerical suzuki 2 cycle engine that will literally last another 10 - 20 years.. You can tell as the cylinder head will not have any head bolts, and will have a japanese carburetor. The engine is not rated for high RPM but will gladly take 4000 and less all day for ever and ever.. They will also take 50:1 modern oil ratio and not be too smokey. If you use a richer mix they will smoke.

 

[jeepman3071]

There are plusses and minuses. I love my Toro 721R. Gobs of torque for a single stage and like you said it cleans right down to the pavement. For anything less than say 8" it works great, especially with slush. For deeper snow it can be a bit of a pain if you have to do a larger area.

 

[Highboy]

I miss my old 2 stroke. It never let me down.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I pulled an old Simplicity 2 stroke single stage snowblower out of my mom's garage that had been sitting since 2017 or 2018. I'm surprised that not only did it run, but it ran well. I'm on the 3rd tank of fuel now since pulling it out.

Anyway, I was never a fan of these. My dad bought it back in 1999 or 2000 to replace a big 30'' 2 stage that got destroyed by a car. Long story.

This one seemed to work, but I Think I was blinded by the fact that it couldn't really handle FEET of snow and that it had to be pushed along instead of self propelled.

We had a decent snowstorm drop about 2' over the course of a few days. I forgot how well these would clean right down to bare pavement. And it can move itself faster than my 2 stage can go in top gear. Great for small amounts of snow. Even when it came to some heaver stuff or deep snow, it still handled great. And it fits on some walkways that I used to have to do by hand.

Pretty impressed! This year I have been using a plow on my 4 wheeler because it's quicker than using the 2 stage or shoveling by hand, but I don't like that I can't put the snow exactly where I want. But this little single stage thing is actually quicker and can blow it right where it needs to be.

I have to put a new belt on it, will probably rebuild the carburetor, then have to give it back. I'll be buying a used one for myself! Probably 4 stroke because I don't like 2 stroke engines ...

They work great and are very efficient at moving 3-4 inches of snow any more or wet heavy snow will definitely be a damper on their performance. My 1st home the previous owners left me a 2 stroke toro it worked great plenty of grunt to move snow.

 

[Nessism1]

I pulled a small 2 stroke blower out of the neighbors trash (after asking if it was okay to take it). Only problem was a thrashed pull cord mechanism. Retrofitted a pull cord from a different machine, and it ran like a champ. Loved that thing. Can't remember ever blowing snow more than a foot deep, but that machine always did the job.

 

[Patrick0525]

I pulled an old Simplicity 2 stroke single stage snowblower out of my mom's garage that had been sitting since 2017 or 2018. I'm surprised that not only did it run, but it ran well. I'm on the 3rd tank of fuel now since pulling it out.

Anyway, I was never a fan of these. My dad bought it back in 1999 or 2000 to replace a big 30'' 2 stage that got destroyed by a car. Long story.

This one seemed to work, but I Think I was blinded by the fact that it couldn't really handle FEET of snow and that it had to be pushed along instead of self propelled.

We had a decent snowstorm drop about 2' over the course of a few days. I forgot how well these would clean right down to bare pavement. And it can move itself faster than my 2 stage can go in top gear. Great for small amounts of snow. Even when it came to some heaver stuff or deep snow, it still handled great. And it fits on some walkways that I used to have to do by hand.

Pretty impressed! This year I have been using a plow on my 4 wheeler because it's quicker than using the 2 stage or shoveling by hand, but I don't like that I can't put the snow exactly where I want. But this little single stage thing is actually quicker and can blow it right where it needs to be.

I have to put a new belt on it, will probably rebuild the carburetor, then have to give it back. I'll be buying a used one for myself! Probably 4 stroke because I don't like 2 stroke engines ...

There are no new Toro CR3650 2cycle single stage rubber auger single snow blower in production or available for sale. U can thank the environmentalist. I can attest that the 2cycle engine in a snow blower is a lightweight Ferrari with the highest maneuverability. Hands down the best design and highest power/weight ratio. U can’t do this a 4cycle which are bulky and have a complex carburetor that is more ethanol sensitive. Don’t forget to change the oil changes and do the valve adjustments.

Simplicity is beauty in the snowblower world.

 

[jkasch]

Toro CCR 2450 R-Tek has been bullet proof for a lot of Michigan winters. Still on its original belt. Light enough to lift over the step up from the drive to the sidewalk that leads to the front door.

 

[cricket whisperer]

How difficult is engine access in these single stage Toro models?

I have the two stage, two stroke blower but it failed during this recent storm and it is just too cold out to troubleshoot it. I am looking at one of the Toro single stage models listed in my area.

 

[cricket whisperer]

Follow on question: Several of the two stroke models are listed in my area:
CCR 3650
CCR 2400 GTS
CCR 2500E

Any thoughts on what is the better model?
I am leaning to the 3650 but only because it is closer to me.

 

[GSCJR]

I own 3, all curb finds. The Honda and Toro now work great with almost no effort and only one replacement part needed between both. I'm still working on the Craftsman in my spare time. I actually took the engine cover off and the fuel bowl off the carb today. Those massive 2-stage machines are cumbersome and therefore prefer smaller machines, it's faster too; but I do have one as a backup for the windrow just in case.

 

[Sumboodie]

I use a 72" 2 stage. Works ok, though wish it threw the snow more than only ~30ft