Forums Archive Index > Snowblowers-Reviews Only Please > Toro Power Max 1028LXE snowblower review

Author: sabesh

Date: 4 Dec 2005 8:48 am

These are my initial thoughts of the 2006 Toro 1028LXE after using it for only three times. I will addend a full review after the season is over.

I've only used other people's snowblowers for short periods of time, and this is my first ever snowblower purchase. Hence, I'm a newbie to snowblowing :oops: . Being a newbie, I was more interested in ease-of-usage when shopping around for snowblowers. I tested out various blowers in showrooms and settled for the Toro as it's chute controls and trigger-released powered-turns were the easiest to use IMHO. In additon, it also has great construction of the auger, impeller, and drive mechanism.

There were some concerns from some quaters regarding the plastic used by Toro snowblowers. However, upon reading AZinOH's Toro review and Ramit's experience with a Craftsman blower that had plastic, I felt confident enough to purchase the Toro. I've always been an early adopter and have owned beta versions of various gadgets and equipment, so this is familiar grounds for me.

Being a newbie, I was over-cautious at first and set the scraper at 1" in order to clear 3" of snow. Lest to say, the experience was a disaster: Snow wasn't getting picked up well :? . I then set the clearance at 1cm and this baby started pumping out snow like there's no-tomorrow! I am having trouble throwing against the wind 'though. This model only manages about 8' in moderate wind conditions. I've now learned not to throw against the wind.

Since I have a sloping driveway, I'm so glad that I got the power-turn version as I have to turn multiple times and go up the slope at the EOD (End Of Driveway). The trigger-released turns were well executed with no "whiplash" effect. Also, it really helps to have the easy chute control mechanism as I can easily adjust it after I make turns and pile the snow exactly where I want it. (No fumbling with two separate chute controls, hence the job gets done faster).

I read about someone reporting that he blew his transmission due to Toro not filling up his machine with gear-oil upon delivery. Another newbie moment: I opened up the nut off the gearcase to check the level of gear-oil. Since the manual says that oil should be almost overflowing, I panicked as I saw no oil at all :shock: . A cooler head prevailed and I inserted a long plastic wire and found out that there was plenty of gear oil in it :idea: . Phew!

A bonus with the Toro: Since it's light (compared to say, an Ariens 926DLE) my wife can also handle it with ease. She also loves the chute control joystick. This should come into play when she's wants to throw some snow when I'm not around the house. This Toro also allows its wheels to be disengaged (independently or together) when not powered on. Hence, it's very easy to steer it around the garage.

The one thing I don't like about this machine is it's L-Head Tecumseh engine simply because it's LOUD. This is the case with most blowers as they use the same type of engine. I would have prefered that Toro installed Briggs & Stratton OHV engines which are quieter & more fuel efficient.

Well, that's all my thoughts for now. I will addend to this as I continue using this little beast. I am very happy with this purchase. Cheers, Sabesh.