MTD Yard Machines Single-Stage (21") 3.5-HP Snow Blower

I bought an MTD snowblower that was a store return and frozen up. The dope that bought it mixed oil in the gas --having no clue it was a 4 stroke model. Long story short---it never made it out of the garage before the thing seized. I bought it for $10 and proceeded to try to loosen the engine without luck. When it finally came free--the connecting rod broke. Oh well... I can get a new one for cheap and have a nice small snowblower.

WRONG!

MTD does not sell these parts! THEY WILL ONLY SELL YOU A SHORT BLOCK MOTOR FOR $200 bucks...

Needless to say----this thing is going into the bonfire this weekend...and my dealings with MTD products are over!

I bought an MTD snowblower that was a store return and frozen up. The dope that bought it mixed oil in the gas --having no clue it was a 4 stroke model. Long story short---it never made it out of the garage before the thing seized. I bought it for $10 and proceeded to try to loosen the engine without luck. When it finally came free--the connecting rod broke. Oh well... I can get a new one for cheap and have a nice small snowblower.

WRONG!

MTD does not sell these parts! THEY WILL ONLY SELL YOU A SHORT BLOCK MOTOR FOR $200 bucks...

Needless to say----this thing is going into the bonfir... more

I tested this out through a couple of Chicago winters. It does fine for light powder about 3-4", but more than that or wet snow it will get clogged very easily.

Spraying cooking spray or silicone into the chute helps a little to keep the snow from sticking, but overall I would recommend a more powerful machine.

You never know if you will have a light winter or heavy one here in Chicago, but I'd rather have too much power than too little.

This past weekend it was snowing all day. Rather than waiting till it stopped, I had to start clearing my 3-car driveway before it got too thick. I then had to clear it again as more snow came.

I would have rather a more powerful machine in which I could've just waited till the snow stopped and did the whole job in 1 shot.

I tested this out through a couple of Chicago winters. It does fine for light powder about 3-4", but more than that or wet snow it will get clogged very easily.

Spraying cooking spray or silicone into the chute helps a little to keep the snow from sticking, but overall I would recommend a more powerful machine.

You never know if you will have a light winter or heavy one here in Chicago, but I'd rather have too much power than too little.

This past weekend it was snowing all day. Rather than waiting till it stopped, I had to start clearing my 3-car driveway before it got to... more

I had this machine for a year. It has performed well each time I have used it.

I think that if you live in an area that gets a lot of wet, heavy, deep snow, then you would be better off with a 2-stage large machine.

In Alaska, we tend to get snow falls that are around a foot deep and this machine chugs right through it.

Its throwing distance is fair, which can require some planning if you have a large drive like we do. However, the light weight of the machine makes it a breeze on steep driveways (which ours is, as well as long) and allows for easy storage and movement around the garage when not in use.

The two stroke engine fires right up and runs fairly quietly, for a two stroke. Again, I will caution, if you have allot of wet, heavy, deep snow get a bigger machine and save yourself some fustration.

I had this machine for a year. It has performed well each time I have used it.

I think that if you live in an area that gets a lot of wet, heavy, deep snow, then you would be better off with a 2-stage large machine.

In Alaska, we tend to get snow falls that are around a foot deep and this machine chugs right through it.

Its throwing distance is fair, which can require some planning if you have a large drive like we do. However, the light weight of the machine makes it a breeze on steep driveways (which ours is, as well as long) and allows for easy storage and movement around the g... more

I bought this machine from a Big Box store a year ago and didn't get much use last year with the little snow we had.

This year, I put it to the test. It stunk big time.

In the wet snow, it plugs up into the shut and has to be cleaned every few minutes.

Try to pull it back and it drags the snow back with it. Could have used bigger wheels.

I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK . I HAVE TO DO MY HOME, MY SISTERS HOUSE AND MY MOM'S HOUSE. SOME TIMES MY KIDS HOMES. TO MUCH WORK FOR ME TO DEPEND ON THIS MACHINE TO HELP ME.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN TESTED BETTER BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO THE PUBLIC.

SBD RECOMMENDS: This is why we recommend getting a single-stage with at least 5-hp of power. The small stuff will work for small areas, but not large ones.

I bought this machine from a Big Box store a year ago and didn't get much use last year with the little snow we had.

This year, I put it to the test. It stunk big time.

In the wet snow, it plugs up into the shut and has to be cleaned every few minutes.

Try to pull it back and it drags the snow back with it. Could have used bigger wheels.

I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK . I HAVE TO DO MY HOME, MY SISTERS HOUSE AND MY MOM'S HOUSE. SOME TIMES MY KIDS HOMES. TO MUCH WORK FOR ME TO DEPEND ON THIS MACHINE TO HELP ME.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN TESTED BETTER BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO THE PUBLIC.

... more

I have several 2 stroke Snow blowers. I have 2 Toro Powerlite 3 and 4 MTD 21's. 2 rope and 2 rope/electric start.

The Toro and MTD have the same hp around 3. Since they are 2 strokes, they make good power and are light weight.

The MTD has a much wider swath than the Toro's. The Toro's do not have a clutch so you can not let them idle. The MTD does have a clutch and is better.

With good paddles, the MTD and the Toros will thow snow a long way and will clear any driveway for sure. Power is good enough, and I am at 9000 feet. If the snow is too wet, you will have to take 1/2 or 1/4 bites.

The MTD and Toro Power lite are single stage paddle type and will take care of anyones needs unless they want to do a parking lot, then you will need to move up to the 2 stage throwers and learn how to handle them.

But.. For most every residential purpose, the MTD and Toro Power lite is the way to go. They too are self propelled with the paddle action, are very easy to use, and throw snow up and away sometimes 50 feet or so. No kidding. The MTD is the less expensive than the Toro and better over all.

3 reasons the MTD 21 comes out tops, It is wider, Has a clutch, and is metal Auger section which is much stronger than the plastic of the Toro. Overall, the MTD is the way to go.

I have several 2 stroke Snow blowers. I have 2 Toro Powerlite 3 and 4 MTD 21's. 2 rope and 2 rope/electric start.

The Toro and MTD have the same hp around 3. Since they are 2 strokes, they make good power and are light weight.

The MTD has a much wider swath than the Toro's. The Toro's do not have a clutch so you can not let them idle. The MTD does have a clutch and is better.

With good paddles, the MTD and the Toros will thow snow a long way and will clear any driveway for sure. Power is good enough, and I am at 9000 feet. If the snow is too wet, you will have to take 1/2 or 1/4 bi... more