This is my first sno blower as well so read this with a grain of salt.

Received the unit fully assembled so that step was already out of the way. The engine starts fine out of my garage (temp of 30F to 0F depending on outside conditions) by hand so I don’t use the electric start. (see below as well)

It starts at full power and runs at max speed so it is quite noisy similar to other sno blowers. The idle circuit is pretty good, it idles smoothly instead of some others with a lumpy idle.

It cuts thru virtually any amount of snow. I used it all last winter and it never bogged down. You can tell it’s working hard but never bogs. Traction and drive system work good, the “power steering” works well.

There’s nothing power about the steering it just disengages a drive wheel to make it turn. Low tech but effective. I’ve used it to blaze a trail through a snow bank and around the house, if you can feed it thru the drift it will cut it down.

Head light isn’t too bright but with house lights on and a street light it’s more then enough. Holds a decent amount of gas, I can get several days of blowing in before you have to fill it. Not sure how long it’ll run consecutively on a tank maybe 8 hours?

Here are some things I don’t like:

This thing is heavy and hard to move around, but it’s no heavier then other models just nature of the beast. If you are short you will be at a disadvantage. (leverage) If there was an option for aluminum or lighter weight I’d consider it.

End of last winter I thought the drive mechanism was slipping a bit, Google has led me to believe the traction belt will need to be replaced. Seems a little early to change it every year, but I’ll buy a spare now just in case.

The process to start the engine on the electric start is a little different then pull start. Consequently I never remember to do it right and flood the engine every time. So the electric start is a PITA because you have to find the cord and fiddle around where normally a couple pumps on the bulb and one pull on the starter gets it done.

Because the unit is loud, I used to shut it off when doing some shoveling work. However it is sometimes difficult to restart. However given the fact this is North Dakota and it could be -30F outside I’m not sure this is out of the ordinary. I’ve just learned to start it and leave ‘er runnin’ till I’m done.

Overall I think it’s a great machine, I would certainly purchase the same model again.

This thing is beastly, easy set up well made started with 1 pull and the electric start is a great option if you have run out of elbow grease.

Went with this over the toro for the same price with a significantly smaller engine (205cc?) as opposed to the 291cc this one has and am not regretting one bit.

I read one review that complained of this thrower being to noisy. It’s a snow thrower, they’re inherently noisy. Not any noisier than any other gas powered device of that type.

Quite easy to set up. Mostly just the handle was folded down. Instructions very easy to follow. Had it going in less than an hour.

I live in NW Michigan where we normally get substantial amounts of snow. Since I bought a new snow thrower. It seldom snows. We’ve barely had enough to try it out. When I did, it worked as well as anticipated. Threw snow a good 30′.

One thing I did not know, is, there is no throttle control. Just assumed there would be one, never had anything that didn’t before.

The other minor complaint is, the light is always on. This would not keep me from purchasing again, however. I have a Husqvarna chainsaw and leaf blower. They’re top notch as well.