Snow drift may have killed my Toro..

T

Touring5

Joined
Sep 24, 2005
Messages
1,081
Location
Indiana
I was trying to get ahead of the snow today when my 29 year old Toro single-stage, 2-cycle, Tecumseh powered snow blower met it it's match - a knee high "drift" put there by the street plow. It was struggling as I forced it about a foot at a time, bogging until one time it just died. Wouldn't re-fire. Pushed it back to the garage thinking it could be out of fuel (it wasn't). Topped off the tank and tried a few hours later - no dice.

Anything obvious to look for when I finally tear into it (too #$@&$ cold to do it now)?
 
Make sure its still getting spark and something just didnt fall off/ apart etc.

I replaced my ccr-2450 a couple years back.

A Toro 721e its not the same(heavier mainly) but it does not bog and runs great.
Even in 12"+ of plow-snow.
1769385764208.webp


Also which model are we talking about?
 
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As @Rand said, check for spark first. Could be something as simple as a bad plug. Have you ever changed it? After that, check the fuel filter. After that, check the carb for any issues (gum, varnish, sticking float, etc). After that, you can start to suspect engine components as the trouble point.
 
I have seen those in use and they really throw the snow for their size. I hope you are able to repair it. I would squirt some mixed oil in the spark plug hole and replace the plug for starters.
 
Touring5 said:
Anything obvious to look for when I finally tear into it (too #$@&$ cold to do it now)?
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I would definitely put apart the carb and make sure nothing is plugged up and make sure there is not water in it.
Do you have a filter before the carb?
Fuel, spark, and timing are the three things to check out.
 
I DO hope it's simply a plug wire or something like that. Maybe not a good indicator, but it sounds feels normal when trying to crank it.

When encountering really deep or wet snow in the past it would often squeel the belt a bit but not yesterday, so it diidn't seem like the worst it had ever worked.

It has been ideal for my use. This is the most snow in a single event (11-12") I've used it on other than one that was wet, heavy snow it just couldn't handle - used a neighbor's 2 stage and rrealized that little lightweight Toro is infinitely easier.

I may not be able to look at it for a while - gotta finish shoveling. Now that I'm an old geezer, it's going to have to be a little at a time!
 
Touring5 said:
I DO hope it's simply a plug wire or something like that. Maybe not a good indicator, but it sounds feels normal when trying to crank it.

When encountering really deep or wet snow in the past it would often squeel the belt a bit but not yesterday, so it diidn't seem like the worst it had ever worked.

It has been ideal for my use. This is the most snow in a single event (11-12") I've used it on other than one that was wet, heavy snow it just couldn't handle - used a neighbor's 2 stage and rrealized that little lightweight Toro is infinitely easier.

I may not be able to look at it for a while - gotta finish shoveling. Now that I'm an old geezer, it's going to have to be a little at a time!
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You said “old geezer” right after “shoveling snow”. I don’t think those two things go together! 😂

If you’re able to shovel snow, you haven’t reached “old geezer” status quite yet. 😉
 
Really annoying to find the city plow creating a snowbank at the end of your driveway, trapping you in. Common issue in my neighborhood. I make sure to fire up the blower after 4 to 6 inches of snow to be sure both I and the mail man/UPS/Amazon can get to the front door and out of the driveway, only to get trapped in after the plough goes by. Becomes a real challenge when the snow gets compacted and freezes like concrete due to ploughing. Had to take a pick to break it the other day. Can't really think of a solution....anyone?
 
RaymondP said:
Really annoying to find the city plow creating a snowbank at the end of your driveway, trapping you in. Common issue in my neighborhood. I make sure to fire up the blower after 4 to 6 inches of snow to be sure both I and the mail man/UPS/Amazon can get to the front door and out of the driveway, only to get trapped in after the plough goes by. Becomes a real challenge when the snow gets compacted and freezes like concrete due to ploughing. Had to take a pick to break it the other day. Can't really think of a solution....anyone?
Click to expand...
Rock salt on the drift helps, though to what extent, I’m not sure. It’s been a few decades since I’ve been in those conditions
 
Back in the late 1990's, living in NE Ohio, walking the neighborhood on trash day, one of the neighbors pushed a small 2 stroke machine to the curb, which I dragged home. Very similar to the Toro mentioned by the OP.

The pull start cord mechanism was jacked, but I found a similar generic repair part at the hardware store, which I adapted. It ran like a champ. Loved that thing! Snow was a welcome sight after that. My neighbor and I used to compete, with the winner making it out first after a storm and blowing the sidewalk between our two homes. Great fun.
 
Nessism1 said:
Back in the late 1990's, living in NE Ohio, walking the neighborhood on trash day, one of the neighbors pushed a small 2 stroke machine to the curb, which I dragged home. Very similar to the Toro mentioned by the OP.

The pull start cord mechanism was jacked, but I found a similar generic repair part at the hardware store, which I adapted. It ran like a champ. Loved that thing! Snow was a welcome sight after that. My neighbor and I used to compete, with the winner making it out first after a storm and blowing the sidewalk between our two homes. Great fun.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a fun and friendly competition!
 
dkryan said:
Touring5,

Exactly which model are you referring to?
Click to expand...
It's a CCR 2400 GTS, model 38415. Parts tree has some diagrams but shows each part as "Not Available" lol. The first thing I plan on checking is ignion wire & plug. Ignition module is available for under $20 on the internet if that's what it is.

Over the years I've replaced paddles and belts once, the scraper a couple of times. Had to helicoil the holes for the muffler (bots loosened and the muffler vibration galled out the threaded holes). Replaced carb parts and primer bulb. The electric starter spins but no longer engages.

It's sitting in a 34⁰ garage and my Reynauds causes my fingers to go numb in 10 minutes.

The good news is I got someone with a plow to finish the driveway 👍
 
If still check that you are getting fuel through the carb. Maybe try starting with spray to determine

Also not related but I thought those use the r-tek not Tecumseh
 
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