MTD Yard Machines (24") 179cc Two-Stage Snow Blower

I purchased this in the fall of 2010. I used it all winter and only had to start it with the ac power once, since it sat under the snow for a couple of weeks. I have a driveway that is sloped pretty good and this unit could not climb and blow snow, maybe chains would have helped, but I'll buy one with tracks for next year. It operates very well and I have no problems with it. We had more then our share of snow this year in the Sierras. I'm at 5,800 ft and the ski resort up the hill reported 763" of snow this year. I'm still using it to remove snow behind my place and it's April 27th. Overall I'm pretty happy with it.

I purchased this in the fall of 2010. I used it all winter and only had to start it with the ac power once, since it sat under the snow for a couple of weeks. I have a driveway that is sloped pretty good and this unit could not climb and blow snow, maybe chains would have helped, but I'll buy one with tracks for next year. It operates very well and I have no problems with it. We had more then our share of snow this year in the Sierras. I'm at 5,800 ft and the ski resort up the hill reported 763" of snow this year. I'm still using it to remove snow behind my place and it's April 27th. Ove... more

I live in Northwestern WI. On 12-4-10 I purchased a MTD 24" snow blower. I have been looking at snowblowers the last few winters, and finally decided to take the leap. I purchased this model based on it being on sale, and it appeared to be large enough for what I needed it to do.

I got it home, unpacked it, and read the instruction book. It was easy to get everything completed that I needed to do. I checked the oil as instructed, that was good, added gas, primed it as directed, and used the electric start. It started immediately.

I let it run for about 10 minutes (to get up to a decent temp...it was pretty cold out), and then moved it into position to start clearing my driveway. First pass was amazing...I cleared about 6" deep snow with no slowing down, the unit was throwing the snow a good 15 to feet away from the driveway, and clearing a nice smooth path down my rather unsmooth driveway.

Within 10 minutes I had my driveway clear and a pretty nice path through the yard for trips to the mailbox. Shoveling my driveway with the same snow levels would normally take close to an hour and involve a severe back ache upon completion. I'm in heaven! If this unit can maintain the same performance for the rest of this winter I'll be sold on MTD snowblowers.

I live in Northwestern WI. On 12-4-10 I purchased a MTD 24" snow blower. I have been looking at snowblowers the last few winters, and finally decided to take the leap. I purchased this model based on it being on sale, and it appeared to be large enough for what I needed it to do.

I got it home, unpacked it, and read the instruction book. It was easy to get everything completed that I needed to do. I checked the oil as instructed, that was good, added gas, primed it as directed, and used the electric start. It started immediately.

I let it run for abo... more

My experience with this snow thrower has been good. I am on my second year with this unit. I changed the oil to 5w-30 synthetic and it works great.

A few quirks about this unit is that it does not have an automatic choke and the throttle control and key are on the engine and not up top on the panel. It has 120volt start but I wish it had 12volt battery electric start with key. For the price I can't complain too much.

I would recommend this unit to someone who is familiar with how chokes and the prime works. You also need to check the cables and a few other things every fall before running it. Just remember to change the oil at least every year.

My experience with this snow thrower has been good. I am on my second year with this unit. I changed the oil to 5w-30 synthetic and it works great.

A few quirks about this unit is that it does not have an automatic choke and the throttle control and key are on the engine and not up top on the panel. It has 120volt start but I wish it had 12volt battery electric start with key. For the price I can't complain too much.

I would recommend this unit to someone who is familiar with how chokes and the prime works. You also need to check the cables and a few other thing... more

I got this snowblower on the evening of 1-7-2010 and it has been getting a workout ever since.

This is my first two-stage snowblower and I have been very pleased with its performance. This machine replaced a small 2 cycle single-stage snowblower that got on my nerves for the last time.

I have used this new machine for over 15 hours of run time already this winter. A couple of weeks ago I literally ran this machine in one day for 8 total hours clearing numerous neighbors driveways out, including 3 ft tall snow drifts.

Yeah, I went a little overboard making my left hand sore from holding down the auger control lever. The unit didn't flinch, I just needed to keep the fuel tank filled.

Issues I have had with the machine: the first one was my fault- I sucked up a rug laying beside the back porch step and broke the 2 inside shear pins.

Second, the speed control gear selector became hard to change. No problem- I picked it up and supported the drive axle on jack stands, and lubricated the moving points on the shift lever linkages. I was back in business.

You must remove 4 bolts securing bottom cover to access linkages. The other thing I noticed is that it likes a little choke left on to run smooth.

I have used it on asphalt, concrete, and stone driveways. The tires are OK on solid surfaces but I want to get tire chains for it, especially since this machine has the smaller tires on it. Chains would help traction on stone and when ice is under the snow to be removed.

The unit starts for me in 2 to 3 pulls. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this machine.

As for any new engine, proper break-in should be done. Vary the engine speed up and down to set the piston rings in.

I got this snowblower on the evening of 1-7-2010 and it has been getting a workout ever since.

This is my first two-stage snowblower and I have been very pleased with its performance. This machine replaced a small 2 cycle single-stage snowblower that got on my nerves for the last time.

I have used this new machine for over 15 hours of run time already this winter. A couple of weeks ago I literally ran this machine in one day for 8 total hours clearing numerous neighbors driveways out, including 3 ft tall snow drifts.

Yeah, I went a little overboa... more

I had an Ariens snow blower and it wore out after only a few years of use. I was reluctant to buy a MTD snow blower, but after looking at the design I found it to be a good buy.

I took it home, filled it with gas, checked the oil and gave it a start. One pull and it was running. So far so good.

I needed to move a lot of snow upward, as much as four feet deep. I had a smile on my face. I could not believe the power in this machine.

Now I look for snow to move. It picks up the snow and leaves no trail- a nice clean job.

I'm not too hep on the plastic chute, I can see that breaking in the future. Maybe not- time will tell.

I have a friend who has had one for 18 years and still starts on the first pull.

I had an Ariens snow blower and it wore out after only a few years of use. I was reluctant to buy a MTD snow blower, but after looking at the design I found it to be a good buy.

I took it home, filled it with gas, checked the oil and gave it a start. One pull and it was running. So far so good.

I needed to move a lot of snow upward, as much as four feet deep. I had a smile on my face. I could not believe the power in this machine.

Now I look for snow to move. It picks up the snow and leaves no trail- a nice clean job.

I'm not too ... more

I purchased the MTD Yard Machine 24" snow thrower on January 5, 2010. I took it home and the next morning spent a lot of time reading the manual and then setting it up according to all specifications to get it ready to go.

I set the choke, primed it, set the throttle made sure the key was in properly and it had gas and oil per instructions. I cranked it a couple of times and decided to try the electric start. I plugged it in and on the third push of the start button the electric starter fried.

I went back to cranking and after several tries it finally started. I ran it for about 3 hours moving snow. The next morning I went out to move snow again. Since the electric start had fried I had to resort to manual cranking.

It has a very long rope; and I worked to get it started for over a half an hour trying the primer, the choke, letting it set and trying it again and again. It kept back-firing, and when it did finally start once it ran for about a minute and died. I cranked it some more and it never fired or attempted to start again. No machine should be this hard to start!

I tried to return it, but since I'd put gas in it and ran it once they would not take it back. How does one know if they have a defective machine unless they actually try to use it? After just one use I have an expensive machine that is dead in the water. I wish I'd read the reviews on this thing before I bought it, I would never have wasted the money!

SBD RESPONDS: Federal law now prohibits shipping any engine that has been fueled up (except for testing by the manufacturer). The store you bought it from would not have been able to ship it back to MTD.

MTD machines have a 2 year Factory Warranty that covers defects in their materials and workmanship. You can contact them toll-free at (800) 800-7310.

They will be happy to give you advice and/or direct you to the closest local Authorized Warranty Service Center.

I purchased the MTD Yard Machine 24" snow thrower on January 5, 2010. I took it home and the next morning spent a lot of time reading the manual and then setting it up according to all specifications to get it ready to go.

I set the choke, primed it, set the throttle made sure the key was in properly and it had gas and oil per instructions. I cranked it a couple of times and decided to try the electric start. I plugged it in and on the third push of the start button the electric starter fried.

I went back to cranking and after several tries it finally s... more