There are few jobs more unpleasant than having to manually remove snow from a driveway or sidewalk. While it’s obviously hard labor, those who’ve done the job know that it’s also exhausting in a way that’s hard to define. That’s why so many people have turned towards snowblowers and snow-throwers in order to make snow removal just a little bit easier. Snow-blowers and throwers both put a great deal of mechanical power into snow cleaning, allowing you to get a much cleaner surface without requiring you to undertake the exhausting work that is often associated with using a shovel or the cost that comes with a plow service.
If you’re looking for one of these machines, the best brand at which you can look is Troy-Bilt. When you start your search, you should know the most important features of the machines – and some in-depth knowledge about the best that the company has to offer. Once you’ve read this guide, you should have a good idea of which Troy-Bilt model will work the best for you.
The Best Troy-Bilt Snow Blower
If you’re in a hurry, it’s a good idea to know about the snow-thrower against which all others ought to be measured. The Troy-Bilt Storm 2890 is the best of the bunch, with a host of great features that make your snow removal process easier without requiring you to do any extra work. It’s a burly beast of a machine, one that’s sure to help you to get your job done quickly, which makes it an ideal bit of machinery to have on-hand if you’ve got to get snow out of the way before you get your day started.
How To Choose Your Troy-Bilt
It’s always a very good idea to know more about what makes a product tick before you invest your money in a purchase. Snow-throwers aren’t the most complex machines out there, but they do vary quite a bit in terms of utility and quality. Before you pick a specific Troy-Bilt model, you may want to know about the major features that define them. For the most part, snow-thrower and snow-blower buyers are going to want to pay special attention to the engine size, the type of drive and steering, the special features, and the warranty on their machines of choice.
Engine
Engine strength is a major factor when you’re looking at a snow-thrower. This is what gives the machine its power and determines how quickly you’ll be able to move snow. Smaller engines are usually much more fuel efficient and much quieter, but they tend to have more problems throwing tremendous amounts of snow. As a rule, those who are looking to do bigger jobs need to have bigger engines in their snow-throwers, while those who are looking for something more efficient will want a smaller engine.
Drive and Steering
Power isn’t the only thing you need to look at in terms of specs, though – you also need to look at how the machine moves. The key feature for most here is going to be whether or not the unit is self-propelled. A self-propelled snow-thrower is a bit like a self-propelled lawnmower, in that it provides you with a bit of mechanical assistance as you push the machine. Another important factor to look at is also how the unit turns – if it has any type of turn-assist, it’s going to make your life much easier.
Special Features
There are a host of special features that differentiate snow-throwers even if they’re all built by the same manufacturer. In this case, the special features tend to be minor differences but they can add up if you’re trying to decide which machine gives you the most for what you’re spending. Features like a headlight might not seem like a big deal at first, but they can become important if you find yourself using the machine early in the morning or late at night. Special features won’t necessarily make one machine better than another, but they will make the machine better suited for an individual’s purposes.
Warranty
It’s always a good idea to look at a warranty when you’re considering the differences between snow-throwers. Fortunately, you’re almost always going to find a warranty when looking at a Troy-Bilt product so this one isn’t too much of an issue. Instead, you might want to look at what’s covered under each individual snow-thrower’s warranty. This is a bigger issue when you’re looking at products that have more advanced features, as you might find that certain types of drives or extras tend not to have the same coverage as the other working parts of the machine.
Troy-Bilt Snow Blower Reviews
1. Troy-Bilt Storm 2890 243cc Electric Start 28-Inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Thrower
This electric-start snow-thrower is widely thought of as one of the best that Troy-Bilt makes today. It’s got that combination of power, ease-of-use and great features that makes for a smart purchase, along with a fantastic warranty that makes consumers feel safe with their purchases. It’s the kind of snow-thrower you can get a lot out of even if you don’t have to use it very often, but it’s definitely also the kind of machine you’ll come ot depend upon if you’re in an area that has significant yearly snowfalls.
One of the best reasons to choose this particular snow-thrower is the sheer power of the unit. The 243cc engine allows you to move through snow much more quickly than you’d expect, giving you the ability to knock out drifts that are a few feet tall with very little effort. The machine is also incredibly easy to maneuver around tight spaces, with a small turn radius and a great assisted drive function that takes a lot of the hard work out of controlling this type of device.
As well as the unit runs, there are a few problems. There have been repeated issues with the snow-thrower not shipping with all of the necessary nuts and bolts – issues that can be resolved by hitting a hardware shop, of course, but issues nonetheless. Some buyers also note that customer service is a little on the slow side when sending replacement parts, an issue that can definitely be frustrating if you’re still in the warranty period. Outside of these issues, though, most do state that the machine is a great deal of help when it comes to removing snow.
2. Troy-Bilt Squall 208cc Electric Start 21-Inch Single Stage Gas Snow Thrower
You don’t always need a huge snow-blower to get the job done. Sometimes, you’re just better served by using a machine that’s perfectly sized for the work that needs to be done around your house. The Squall 208cc snow-thrower isn’t going to handle big snow piles as easily as some of its larger cousins, but it’s much more efficient when handling smaller spaces. This is a great pick for those who don’t want to deal with shoveling a smaller driveway or sidewalk.
Smaller engine aside, there’s actually a lot to like here. It’s more fuel efficient than larger models, so you won’t have to worry about gas quite as often. It has a fantastic turn radius as well, so it’s great for getting to snow in smaller areas. The machine is, however, still wide enough to handle most paths and to make clearing driveways easy, so you’ll still find clearing out snow to be much more manageable than with a shovel. Combined with a really nice warranty and the ability to adjust the pitch of where the device throws snow, this machine is one of the best you’ll find out there.
You might not want this machine if you’re looking for something that can get you out of several feet of snow, though. It only goes about thirteen inches deep, so this one needs to be used ahead of big storms instead of right after. There are also all of the usual shipping issues that happen with any device, with a note that customer service is slow if you do receive a damaged model. Once everything is straightened out, though, you’ll be happy that you bought this great little snow-thrower to use for years to come.
3. Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 208cc Single-Stage Gas Snow Thrower
Very similar to the other Squall snow-thrower, the 2100 can be looked at as the other version’s slightly smaller, slightly cheaper cousin. It’s not quite as feature-rich, but it is much easier to store and keep out of the way. This is an ideal snow-thrower for those who might be responsible for a small section of sidewalk or even a very small driveway, but who don’t have any dedicated storage space for this kind of device. Consider it the smaller alternative to the bigger devices – even though it’s still got a lot of the same perks as the others on this list (see our extended Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 review).
For the most part, you’re getting the same benefits as you get with the other Squall. It’s got a reasonable width, the ability to direct the snow that you remove from your intended surfaces, and the device is remarkably easy to control. The bigger selling point here is that the handle is much easier to stow away, allowing you to fit this unit in a much smaller area than is possible with most other snow-blowers. It’s not always the most important feature in the world, but it’s one that matters to an increasingly large number of consumers.
Unfortunately, the similarities to the other Squall model are present in this one as well. You’re still not going to get through giant piles of snow here, so make sure to get out early when you need to remove snow. You’re also dealing with the same customer service team, so you won’t get quick responses. You will, however, get access to a fantastic snow-thrower that should last for some time and that won’t take up too much room in your home when it is not in use. This is a nice, simple snow-thrower for smaller jobs.
Wrapping Up
These are all great snow-throwers and snow-blowers, all built to the exacting standards of a fantastic manufacturer. If you’re concerned with getting the best of the best, the obvious choice is still the Troy-Bilt Storm 2890, of course, but you can do far worse than to choose some of the others on this list. Each of the other machines listed here definitely has their own strengths and weaknesses, and some users might get more out of one of those choices than the Storm 2890 even if most users have shown to prefer that model.
In short, you’re not going to go wrong with Troy-Bilt. It’s a solid brand that makes great machinery. If you’re tired of having to dig out your driveway every winter, it’s time for you to put a little more power behind the process.
However, if you’re still not sure that a Troy-Bilt model is for you we have you covered. Check out our ultimate buying guide. Thanks for reading!
