new toro snowblowers with mtd china engine?

eric_2007

14 years ago

I was looking at the new toro snowthrowers today at a local store. For the toro single stage units there still have the r tek briggs/toro 2 cycle engine. They also had the new 4 cycle single stage units that weighed a ton. I looked at the engine and it apears identical to the engine used on the cheap single stage mtd units down to "made in china" stated on the engine id tag. These units sell for $820 with electric start. Why has toro chosen to use a generic cheap engine on their snowthowers? I know tecumseh quit engines but still. Also it apears the 2 cycle powerlite is discontinued and will have a new 4 cycle version with a smaller cubic centimeter china engine. What do you people think of these offbrand china import engines other then inpression of low quality and hard to find replacement parts.

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Comments (3)

canguy
14 years ago
Those Toro snow blowers are built by MTD who supplies the engine. With Tecumseh out of the picture, Briggs and Stratton is the only North American manufacturer of snow engines and many of those are made in the Chinese plant. Best get used to it.
I work in the outdoor power equipment industry at the distribution end, was in the retail service side for quite a few years. I am really glad to be out of the shop, there is no way I could make a decent living today. Too much of the equipment is disposable. The components are not rebuildable or there is nothing available for parts. Stop by the dumpster on the way to the box store for a replacement.
yungman
14 years ago
I notice the Craftsman Tillers have changed....not for the better. Instead of the B&S Intek engine, they use a Chinese engine that look like the ALL Power stuff. And the whole tiller looks different. I used to keep telling people to get the Craftsman cheap front tine tiller because I have one and seems to be good quality with an Intek engine. I have to take it all back now. I can't recommend the new one anymore.

MTD make a lot of the Craftsman stuff and is nothing good about them.
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mowernut
14 years ago
I was just visiting in Illinois from Florida. I had to see what kind of "toys" Sears, and the big box stores carried up there. I was surprised to see that all single stage snow throwers are now equipped with 4-cycle engines. I knew it would happen eventually, but as you've already stated, they're the cheaper Chinese disposable engines. As far as I can tell, chainsaws appear to be about all that's immune from 4-cycle engines for now. Has anybody seen or heard of one yet? I wonder how long until they all turn into disposable junk too. Actually, I guess a few 2-cycles already have. :)

new toro snowblowers with mtd china engine?

Comments (3)

canguy

yungman

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