Troy Built snow blower recommendation

[bigsteve]

Troy-Bilt
250cc 28" Dual-Stage Gas Snow Thrower

Item #: 189237 Model: 31AH6WQ4711

Looking for a recommendation for this Troy built snowblower that Lowes sells. What is the HP of a 250cc engine? Who makes this snowblower MTD? Is the B&S engine better than a Tecumseh engine?

 

[Johnny]

Here are the specs on the engine from the Briggs & Stratton website. Probably somewhere between 7-8 HP. Briggs makes a good engine.


Specifications
Engine Rating 11.00 Gross Torque*
Displacement 249cc / 15.22 cubic in.
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.16 qts
Lubrication System Lube Power™
Weight 39 lbs
Valve OHV
Cylinder Kool Bore™

*All power levels are stated ft-lbs per SAE J1940 as rated by Briggs & Stratton.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: bigsteve
..Looking for a recommendation for this Troy built snowblower that Lowes sells..


It's a decent MTD made machine, just fancier plastic, decals and paint. I personally would MUCH prefer the OHV Briggs over a flat-head Tecumseh engine.

Joel

 

[Pete591]

If I was in the $,1,000.00 bracket and 28" clearance with 8-9 HP. I would get an Ariens 928 from Home Depot.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Pete591
If I was in the $,1,000.00 bracket and 28" clearance with 8-9 HP. I would get an Ariens 928 from Home Depot.


Good point. Either that, or just get a run of the mill 26" width MTD for $700. That 2" isn't worth $300+ more to me!

Joel

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: bigsteve
..Looking for a recommendation for this Troy built snowblower that Lowes sells..


It's a decent MTD made machine, just fancier plastic, decals and paint. I personally would MUCH prefer the OHV Briggs over a flat-head Tecumseh engine.

Joel
Agree!

I've got a MTD Craftsman 8hp blower. Works great! My last one had a Tecumseh flat head and this new one has the Briggs OHV and there is NO chance I'd go back. The Briggs is a much better motor and starts up everytime. It has a electric starter that I used once (to make sure it worked).

The Tecumseh would bog down when you got into some deep / wet snow. The Briggs just rips through it not dropping RPM at all.

Also the Briggs seems to use less fuel. I got the Sears on sale about 3 years ago for $619 which incl chains for the tires and 2 year warranty on the Blower / 5 year on the motor.

Take care, Bill

 

[Boomer]

Wow. I have a 22 year old Lawn Boy gear drive snowblower with an 8 HP Tecumseh flat head. Runs about 15-25 hours/season doing an entire cul-de-sac and several driveways. Still runs like a champ, never is underpowered in even heavy snows. It is, I believe, 28" wide. I change the oil at the end of every season using Pennzoil 5w30 conventional and lube it with Mobil 1 grease. I don't think there is a gear drive blower available anymore in any model but correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
..I have a 22 year old Lawn Boy gear drive snowblower with an 8 HP Tecumseh flat head....
.... I don't think there is a gear drive blower available anymore in any model but correct me if I'm wrong.


Your Lawn Boy is gear drive in that it does not have a rubber friction disk drive system? I've never seen one w/out a friction wheel drive aside from hydrostatic drive Hondas. Even 30yr/old units.

Joel

 

[steve20]

Bill is correct----OHV's use way less fuel than any flat head.


Steve

 

[Maritime Storm]

They also tend to start easier & have more torque at a lower RPM. I have last year Troy-Bilt with a OH195SA Tecumseh and never regretted spending the money on it.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Maritime Storm
...They also tend to start easier & have more torque at a lower RPM. I have last year Troy-Bilt with a OH195SA Tecumseh and never regretted spending the money on it.


Yessir. I've been saying this since I bought my first OHV piece of OPE 10yrs ago. I've avoided flat head OPE engines since.

Joel

 

[Maritime Storm]

I've gone the same way in the past year or so. That having been said I do still have 2 2-cyle engines here, an MTD string-trimmer & my trusty old Mercury 40. Any 2-cyle outboard that always starts on the first pull is weight in gold, this thing sat for 4 years without being used, first time I had my sailboat in the water it started on the first pull.

 

[StevieC]

We have a snow blower with OHV and the thing is a monster. It eats snow and throws it without any effort, even at low revs. I wouldn't go back to a flat head ever... :

 

[Boomer]

Yes, mine has a 5 speed gear transmission and NO rubber wheel. The trans is a sealed unit driven by a belt that powers the axles. Great setup but not made anymore by anyone. This is actually a Gilson, as I understand, as Lawn Boy bought them around that time. On the Internet, there seems to be a religiuos following of the Gilson snowblower.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
Yes, mine has a 5 speed gear transmission and NO rubber wheel. The trans is a sealed unit driven by a belt that powers the axles...


Cool! I didn't know that existed. They go the cheap route now, that's for sure.

Joel