MTD Yard Machines (21") 179cc Electric Start Single-Stage Snow Blower

Have had this 21" MTD electric-start blower 2 winters. Electric start is good, VERY handy. That's the only handy part of this machine. If you always have light and fluffy snow, no problem. But as the snow gets wetter and deeper, the engine bogs down, you have to take narrow passes and the job takes all day. Where I live the snow is usually wet, rarely dry and fluffy. I'm sorry I didn't get a blower with more guts, the 179 engine just ain't up to it. Also, the paddle clogs a lot if snow is wet or icy. Buy this machine only if you have a small area to clear, if the snow is always fluffy, or if someone you dislike will be using it for you.

SBD RESPONDS: Single stage snow blowers are great for light, fluffy snow. However, when it comes to the wet and heavy stuff, you are better off with a two-stage unit. Two-stage snow blowers are designed to handle tougher jobs than their single-stage counterparts, and are capable of handling wet or slushy snow consistently. Two-stage snow blowers also typically have larger housings, which allows you to take on those tall, deep snow drifts.

Have had this 21" MTD electric-start blower 2 winters. Electric start is good, VERY handy. That's the only handy part of this machine. If you always have light and fluffy snow, no problem. But as the snow gets wetter and deeper, the engine bogs down, you have to take narrow passes and the job takes all day. Where I live the snow is usually wet, rarely dry and fluffy. I'm sorry I didn't get a blower with more guts, the 179 engine just ain't up to it. Also, the paddle clogs a lot if snow is wet or icy. Buy this machine only if you have a small area to clear, if the snow is always fl... more

If you are out there looking for a new snow blower let me tell you, MTD is not the way to go. When I bought my first MTD I had high hopes. BIG mistake. The MTD lasts like 3 years under moderate use. It has a bad engine and they wont even tell you the make. I also find the quality of the machine very low. It breaks down and just has lots and lots of trouble. You may like it when you get it but after three years you will wish you had not bought it. I suggest a a brand like Simplicity. My Simplicity has made it since 1980 and has had no trouble what so ever! they last for ever and are made well and sold by people who care. So over all I would highly recommend Simplicity.

If you are out there looking for a new snow blower let me tell you, MTD is not the way to go. When I bought my first MTD I had high hopes. BIG mistake. The MTD lasts like 3 years under moderate use. It has a bad engine and they wont even tell you the make. I also find the quality of the machine very low. It breaks down and just has lots and lots of trouble. You may like it when you get it but after three years you will wish you had not bought it. I suggest a a brand like Simplicity. My Simplicity has made it since 1980 and has had no trouble what so ever! they last for ever and are made well a... more

This is not a "story" - it is the truth.

The snow blower was defective and you folks referred me to a place to have it fixed and they would not charge you, so I paid for the repairs. I couldn't get a response from you, so I complained to my credit card company.

I paid the repairman by check, so I have proof, even though he refused to give me a signed receipt. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with Snow Blowers Direct.

SBD RESPONDS: We are sorry you took your unit to an unethical repair facility. When you called us on 3/3/10 this is the information our customer service representative tried to communicate to you:

The MTD unit you purchased is covered by a 2 year Manufacturer's warranty- in other words, MTD is responsible for paying for warranty repairs, so the unit has to be taken to an MTD authorized repair shop. There is no reason any repair facility would bill Snow Blowers Direct; it is not our warranty.

The closest repair shop to your zip code is 4 miles away: HOLLINGER'S SPORTS 'N TURF, 4126 OREGON PIKE, EPHRATA PA 17522, Phone: (717) 859-5455. They would have known to bill MTD for any warranty repair that your unit needed.

If that is where you had your unit repaired, and they would not honor the warranty or give you a receipt then you need to contact MTD directly at (800) 800-7310 and report them, so that MTD can make good on their warranty.

This is not a "story" - it is the truth.

The snow blower was defective and you folks referred me to a place to have it fixed and they would not charge you, so I paid for the repairs. I couldn't get a response from you, so I complained to my credit card company.

I paid the repairman by check, so I have proof, even though he refused to give me a signed receipt. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with Snow Blowers Direct.

SBD RESPONDS: We are sorry you took your unit to an unethical repair facility. When you called us on 3/3/10 this is ... more

I bought my snow blower last year in 2009, used it only 3 times, went to use it this year and it will not start.

When you prime it, it does nothing- it turns over but will not start.

Now we are supposed to get 7 to 9 inches of snow starting today or tomorrow, and I have no way of clearing it. I am a single woman with a large driveway and if I can't clean out the snow, it's a little hard to go to work

SBD RESPONDS: That model has a 2 year Factory Warranty, so you can locate the closest Service Center by clicking on Customer Service at the bottom of our web site, then selecting the Yard Man/MTD Service Locator and entering your zip code.

You could also contact Yard Man/MTD Tech Support at (800) 800-7310.

That being said, and with snow on the way- if you left gas in the tank all summer with no stabilizer, try draining the old gas out and putting fresh gas in. Old gas doesn't ignite well, and tends to gum up the carburetor. The new gas may get you going before the storm hits.

The Owner's Manual will cover how to prep your snow thrower for storage so this doesn't happen again.

I bought my snow blower last year in 2009, used it only 3 times, went to use it this year and it will not start.

When you prime it, it does nothing- it turns over but will not start.

Now we are supposed to get 7 to 9 inches of snow starting today or tomorrow, and I have no way of clearing it. I am a single woman with a large driveway and if I can't clean out the snow, it's a little hard to go to work

SBD RESPONDS: That model has a 2 year Factory Warranty, so you can locate the closest Service Center by clicking on Customer Service at the bottom of... more

Item arrived very quickly (2 business days) and required almost no assembly other then raising the handle into place. Free shipment via UPS was a BONUS !

I added gas and the included oil to the unit and pumped the primer 3X and turned on the choke. Then I plugged in the 110V starter cord and hit the Start button. The unit started immediately, and within 30 seconds I placed the choke into the run position and the unit idled smoothly.

Then I engaged the auger and the unit operated smoothly. I removed the key to kill the motor then re-inserted and started the unit via the pull cord with minimal effort. I noticed the RPM is a bit slower then my Father's 2-stroke snow blower, so I hope it throws the snow as far.

The 9" auger diameter is a bit bigger then his (8") so I hope that will make the difference. A nice feature is the oil drain extension so oil changes will be much less messy.

All in all I'm pleased with the overall quality and product. I expect it to handle the routine 6"-10" snows we get here with no problems. The bigger snows may require multiple passes.

Item arrived very quickly (2 business days) and required almost no assembly other then raising the handle into place. Free shipment via UPS was a BONUS !

I added gas and the included oil to the unit and pumped the primer 3X and turned on the choke. Then I plugged in the 110V starter cord and hit the Start button. The unit started immediately, and within 30 seconds I placed the choke into the run position and the unit idled smoothly.

Then I engaged the auger and the unit operated smoothly. I removed the key to kill the motor then re-inserted and started the ... more

You can shop online until you're silly, trying to shave a few dollars off the price.

But, if you really want to slash your cost in half, you simply need to... share.

That's right. You need to share. A simple kindergarden lesson saved me nearly $250 and cut my snowblowing time in half.

Several years ago, I moved into a new subdivision. I didn't own a snowblower. Neither did my new neighbor.

Our lots weren't huge, so we both debated on getting a snow blower one autumn afternoon while the kids played outside.

Then it dawned on us. We kept lecturing the kids about sharing. As adults, we didn't practice what we preach.

Why should we both buy a snowblower? Why not share one?

The idea seemed a little radical, especially to our wives. But, it actually worked.

We split the cost for the snow blower. Each year, we took turns storing it during the summer.

We also alternated snow blowing each others driveway. Since our lots were small, it took more time to get dressed than it did to snow blow another driveway.

We shared a Yard Machines snowblower for without a single issue for six years.

Proof positive that men can still share power tools in a civil manner.

You can shop online until you're silly, trying to shave a few dollars off the price.

But, if you really want to slash your cost in half, you simply need to... share.

That's right. You need to share. A simple kindergarden lesson saved me nearly $250 and cut my snowblowing time in half.

Several years ago, I moved into a new subdivision. I didn't own a snowblower. Neither did my new neighbor.

Our lots weren't huge, so we both debated on getting a snow blower one autumn afternoon while the kids played outside.

T... more