Update (Oct 2026): The Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP has been discontinued. See current Troy-Bilt snow blowers.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- A Neighbor’s First Impressions
- Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP
- The Less Expensive Two-Stage
- Who Two-Stage Snow Throwers Are For
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Introduction
This video was sponsored by Troy-Bilt. Our editors are longtime fans of the brand anyway. One host bought a Troy-Bilt mower in his 20s as a new homeowner and got 10 to 15 years out of it before passing it to his dad, who still used it.
It had been a snowy Chicago winter, so our editors tested two Troy Bilt two-stage snow throwers, and handed one to a neighbor, Terry, for his honest first impressions.
A Neighbor’s First Impressions
Terry’s first impression: a very good pull with a nice gradual acceleration as you push down the drive control. The auger engages smoothly without needing great hand strength. It had good traction on a slick blacktop driveway.
He liked the chute’s tight throw radius. There’s no under-throw that makes you go back over the same spot two or three times. Through deep and shallow snow, it kept a steady pace without bogging down. With his old machine he’d have to pull back and re-engage in thick snow. With this one, he never did.
As a taller guy, he appreciated the handle height. After 10 to 15 minutes, he felt no physical strain.
Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP
Our editors called the Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP the Cadillac of these snow blowers. It was $999 at Lowe’s, which the host thought was the retail price. It has a 243cc Troy-Bilt engine with electric start and pull start, a 26-inch capacity, adjustable skids, a headlight, six forward and two reverse speeds, and a three-year warranty. Our editors’ earlier Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP review covers more.
The heated grips are huge. A thermal camera in the video shows how much heat comes out, and one host warmed his bare hands on them in seven-degree weather.
Touch ‘N Turn steering lets you hold one trigger to turn right and the other to turn left. A thumb lever moves the chute right, left, up and down. If it ever breaks, the handle is designed to be hand cranked so you’re not stuck with an inoperative chute. With one-hand operation, you can hold the drive down and the auger keeps going while your other hand works the chute.
It throws 30-plus feet in the host’s experience, depending on the snow. It’s not designed for two inches or less. One editor said he accidentally bumped the thumb control for the first 10 or 15 minutes before getting used to it. He also liked the tires’ grip on concrete and asphalt.
The Less Expensive Two-Stage
The second Troy Bilt was basically the same unit for less money, with fewer features. There are no heated grips and no powered chute. A joystick moves the chute left and right, but you walk to the front to adjust the angle up and down. Terry noted the manual angle adjustment is the trade-off for that price point. He worked around it by moving the chute direction.
It has flat-free tires and electric start. You’ll never deal with a flat in winter. But one host felt the traction wasn’t as good as the air-filled tires on the 2690 XP. It slid a little more on the side of the driveway. On the plus side, it’s easy to spin at the end of the driveway.
Who Two-Stage Snow Throwers Are For
A two-stage uses a big front auger that feeds a faster spinning impeller, which throws the snow up and out. They’re good for bigger storms, in places like Buffalo, Boston, the East Coast, Chicago and Minneapolis. If you only get two inches or less, look at a single stage or electric. See snow blower vs. snow thrower and electric vs. gas snow blowers.
One host, who uses a single stage on a small yard, said nothing hurt when he was done with the two-stage, while his single stage leaves his back killing him. He’d pay more to step up. They’re heavy, though, and hard to load into a pickup.
Tip: at the start of each season, get brand-new gas and add stabilizer. Don’t use last year’s gas. More in the snow blower maintenance tips.
Final Thoughts
Sponsored or not, our editors recommend Troy-Bilt. The Storm Tracker 2690 XP is the feature-loaded choice, and the less expensive two-stage is great for long runs if you don’t need to fine-tune the chute angle. They’re available at Lowe’s, and a sticker on the machine has a number to call if you have a problem. Learn more on Troy-Bilt’s official snow blower page and browse the snowblower reviews.
FAQ
Was this video sponsored?
Yes, it was sponsored by Troy-Bilt. Our editors said they recommend the brand regardless.
What did the Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP cost?
$999 at Lowe’s when our editors filmed. Check current pricing.
Does the Storm Tracker 2690 XP have heated grips?
Yes. It also has electric start, a headlight, Touch ‘N Turn steering and a three-year warranty.
Are flat-free tires better?
You’ll never get a flat, but our editors felt the air-filled tires gripped better.
Do I need a two-stage?
For big storms, yes. If you get two inches or less, consider a single stage or electric.