MTD Gold (21") 208cc Electric Start Single-Stage Snow Blower (2010 Model)

We purchased this snow blower to help out with removal since I get home late each night and don't want to spend several hours shoveling when we get a big one. Last week I had the perfect opportunity to push this thing to the limits and uncover any weaknesses. First a little context. It had been raining heavily for two days straight before it turned to snow on the second afternoon. The drive home took about 3 times longer than normal in the heaviest, wettest, and slickest snow I'd ever driven in. During the last part of my drive we couldn't go more than 20 MPH because of the road conditions.

When I finally arrived home I found about 8 inches of heavy wet stuff all over my driveway. I barely got my car in the driveway enough to get it off the street before it high-centered and stalled. I trudged up to the garage and started my MTD up for the first time. I wasn't sure it would be able to handle such heavy, wet snow, but I was in for a surprise. I pushed it out the garage and into the driveway where it started blasting snow 15 feet in the air. No problem. Pushed it to the end of our 4 car driveway without a stall or hiccup (until we got to the end where all the water drains to and the snow plows had pushed the stuff off the road and into my drive). Took about 15 seconds. By the end of the night it had removed all the snow clean off my driveway in addition to all the snow on the street in front of my driveway as well. Certainly no lack of power in this model. Picking up on the handle ever so slightly propels the snow blower forward, which is very helpful when your feet can't get a lot of traction and the snow in front is so dense that it simply won't budge. Positively scraped my driveway clean. One minor drawback is that it tends to throw some snow forward as well as out the chute. I don't know if this is typical of a single-stage or if it was due to the type of snow (it was VERY heavy) or whether there are other brands that don't do this.

Needless to say, at the end of the day I was very happy that I decided to purchase a snow blower this year. This particular model sports a 208cc engine. I know there are more expensive models that have a reputation for being the best, and I looked into those as well. But their engines are much smaller in size. I don't know if that would have made a difference or not with the snow we had--perhaps they are just as powerful--but I was certainly glad I had a model with the largest engine I'd seen. I specifically wanted the speed of a single stage and the capacity of a two-stage in my purchase. So far, I think I found it...couldn't be more pleased. Durability was a concern. I was sure that with all the strain that evening I'd done some damage to the blower, but on checking it out that evening I didn't see any. If this model is still available, buy it. I believe you, too, will be unexpectedly surprised. ...Only regret that I don't have any video coverage to share.

We purchased this snow blower to help out with removal since I get home late each night and don't want to spend several hours shoveling when we get a big one. Last week I had the perfect opportunity to push this thing to the limits and uncover any weaknesses. First a little context. It had been raining heavily for two days straight before it turned to snow on the second afternoon. The drive home took about 3 times longer than normal in the heaviest, wettest, and slickest snow I'd ever driven in. During the last part of my drive we couldn't go more than 20 MPH because of the road condition... more

My previous machine was an MTD Yardman that I used hard for 14 seasons. The machine still ran very well, since I was good about doing my maintenance. After doing some reading and speaking with SBD Customer Service, I decided to upgrade to the above machine. The main reason I picked this 208cc one was my previous good experience with MTD quality and reliability and my need to lift this machine by myself into the back of my SUV, as I have several properties to do each and every time it snows. This is the largest machine that I can lift by myself and have it fit in the back of my SUV.

I ordered this machine on Jan. 21, 2011 and it arrived on Jan 25, 2011, the day before a 21" snow storm. Assembly was easy and it started right up and attacked the snow. I was soon glad that I selected this machine. To be fair, this storm was quite a bit deeper than the 10-11", that this machine was designed for, but it did just fine. The 208cc engine was quite a bit stronger than the 163cc engine than my previous machine.

There was another similar size blizzard later last season and again the machine performed quite well.

I delayed writing this review, since I had an issue that the oil fill cap was defective when the machine arrived. I called SBD the day it was delivered to explain the issue and expected to get another oil cap. After waiting for a period of time with no replacement arriving, I called SBD again and asked for a replacement and to date, no cap has arrived. I found their shipping to be very quick and they are good about answering questions over the phone. But, I have been disappointed with they way they failed to resolve my issue with the oil fill cap.

For someone who wants a Single stage machine, that will not take up a lot of storage space and still have plenty of power for most storms that the avg. to large size homeowner will content with, this machine is a fine choice at a fair price. I am disappointed to see that it has now been discontinued. Hopefully, MTD will come out with a similar model with a 208cc engine in a single stage machine, as there are not a lot of options in single stage with 208cc engines.

My previous machine was an MTD Yardman that I used hard for 14 seasons. The machine still ran very well, since I was good about doing my maintenance. After doing some reading and speaking with SBD Customer Service, I decided to upgrade to the above machine. The main reason I picked this 208cc one was my previous good experience with MTD quality and reliability and my need to lift this machine by myself into the back of my SUV, as I have several properties to do each and every time it snows. This is the largest machine that I can lift by myself and have it fit in the back of my SUV.

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My snow blower has been in the shop since receiving it back in February of this year. Unit could not be started after adding oil and gas. Please help me with this problem. The snow blower is at an authorized MTD repair facility and they are having a hard time finding any literature on the Chinese motor.

SBD RESPONDS: Fortunately, this model carries a two year consumer warranty and your repairs may be covered. Since MTD designed and built these products, their experienced engineers have more knowledge than any reseller, although there may be another authorized repair facility that has more experience with this motor.

My snow blower has been in the shop since receiving it back in February of this year. Unit could not be started after adding oil and gas. Please help me with this problem. The snow blower is at an authorized MTD repair facility and they are having a hard time finding any literature on the Chinese motor.

SBD RESPONDS: Fortunately, this model carries a two year consumer warranty and your repairs may be covered. Since MTD designed and built these products, their experienced engineers have more knowledge than any reseller, although there may be another authorized repair facility th... more

Ordered my snowblower on 1-18-11 and received it at front door by 1-21-11. What a great turnaround! No problem putting it together, just flipped handle over, tightened some wing nuts, read owners manual quickly and added gas. Blower already had oil in it plus they give you a quart to begin with. Also, powercord and extra keys to start it up. Put in gas, primed three times and started up in two pulls. Just awesome. Blew snow sitting there all day in neighbors sidewalk across the street. Powerful machine with 208cc's. Looking forward to 12 plus inches expected in a couple of days. Only problem, the packing box should be a lot sturdier. Pretty beat up when it arrived but all was well inside. Good product and company support is right there!

Ordered my snowblower on 1-18-11 and received it at front door by 1-21-11. What a great turnaround! No problem putting it together, just flipped handle over, tightened some wing nuts, read owners manual quickly and added gas. Blower already had oil in it plus they give you a quart to begin with. Also, powercord and extra keys to start it up. Put in gas, primed three times and started up in two pulls. Just awesome. Blew snow sitting there all day in neighbors sidewalk across the street. Powerful machine with 208cc's. Looking forward to 12 plus inches expected in a couple of days. Only pr... more

My purchase experience through Snow Blowers Direct went extremely smooth. I ordered it the evening of Sept 29 with expected delivery of Oct 11. It actually shipped Sept 30 and I received it Oct 1 by noon!

One of the wing nuts that attach the handle was cracked in shipping. I notified SBD customer service and I received 2 new wing nuts direct from MTD a couple days later.

I have found that good customer service is hard to find these days, but Snow Blowers Direct was tops in response time and had a very helpful attitude in solving my problem.

As for the MTD Gold machine operation, after three snows, I'm still learning how to get the best results. My first time to use it was a couple inches of heavy, wet snow. I was ready to send it back! The snow just clogged the chute. The second time, the snow was lighter and I sprayed the chute with Teflon spray. It worked better but still didn't throw the snow very far. The third snow was about 3 inches of fluffy snow.

I discovered that the machine worked much better if I basically attacked the snow with it. It has the biggest engine and seems to work best when it has to work hard. I'll have to be patient and learn to use the machine.

My purchase experience through Snow Blowers Direct went extremely smooth. I ordered it the evening of Sept 29 with expected delivery of Oct 11. It actually shipped Sept 30 and I received it Oct 1 by noon!

One of the wing nuts that attach the handle was cracked in shipping. I notified SBD customer service and I received 2 new wing nuts direct from MTD a couple days later.

I have found that good customer service is hard to find these days, but Snow Blowers Direct was tops in response time and had a very helpful attitude in solving my problem.

As fo... more