Table of Contents
- Introduction
- TORO Power Max 826 OHAE Quick Stick Chute Control
- Engine, Metal Chute and Anti-Clog
- How a Two-Stage Snow Blower Works
- Electric Start and LED Light
- Heated Grips, Speeds and Freewheel
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Introduction
Chicago didn’t get the big snow our editors hoped for that winter. It was a few inches at a time, followed by ice storm after ice storm, with temperatures hovering around 32 degrees. Still, plenty of people were getting hit with big storms, so it was a good time to show off the TORO Power Max 826 OHAE after using it for a while.
Toro sent the unit, but Tools In Action isn’t paid by Toro. The host is also a longtime Toro owner: his first snowblower as a homeowner was an earlier Toro with the Quick Stick system.
TORO Power Max 826 OHAE Quick Stick Chute Control
According to our editors, what sets Toro apart from everybody else is the Quick Stick. Others are similar, but nothing operates and flows quite the same way. The host called it the best and fastest chute control in the industry.
You can hold down the auger engagement and the drive lock keeps it engaged, which frees your other hand to move the chute while you keep going.
Engine, Metal Chute and Anti-Clog
The host believes the engine is a 252cc Toro engine. The machine is built mostly of metal, including the chute, with a plastic cover on top. Toro calls it anti-clog, and while our editors hadn’t used it a huge amount, it never clogged, even with slush building up in the chute.
Controls up top include the primer, key, choke, fuel cutoff and throttle. There’s no auto throttle. For a snow blower, it’s relatively quiet.
How a Two-Stage Snow Blower Works
This is a two-stage machine with a 26-inch clearing width. The augers turn at a slower rotation and feed, or meter, the snow back into a fan. That fan spins at high speed and shoots the snow up through the chute and out. For more on the differences between machine types, see snow blower vs. snow thrower.
There are shear pins on the front in case you hit something. The host has never broken one, and he believes the bag includes a couple of spares.
The adjustable side shoes let you set the height for a gravel or delicate driveway. A common trick is to set it on a piece of paper or cardboard and adjust to that. Some people lower it more for a cleaner cut.
Electric Start and LED Light
There are two ways to start it. The onboard electric starter needs an extension cord plugged into the engine, then you push the button. In the host’s experience, the engine starts first pull every time, but electric start is a good feature as you get older.
The LED light runs off the engine and is pretty bright. It’s not as bright as a plow truck, but it does illuminate the area.
Heated Grips, Speeds and Freewheel
The heated grips are some of the best the host has used on a snow blower. They heat up fast, and he could use them without gloves.
It has six forward speeds and two reverse. Pins on the wheels let you put it in freewheel mode if you’d rather push it. The oil drain is down low for oil changes. The snow blower maintenance tips can help keep it running.
Final Thoughts
The TORO Power Max 826 OHAE combines Toro’s Quick Stick, which our editors consider the best chute control in the industry, with a metal chute that didn’t clog, electric start, a bright LED light, and excellent heated grips. If you get hit with big storms and want a two-stage machine, it’s worth a look. Compare it with other machines in the snowblower reviews and best snow blowers roundup, or see Toro’s official snow blower page.
FAQ
Is the TORO Power Max 826 OHAE a two-stage snow blower?
Yes. Slower augers feed snow into a high-speed fan that throws it out the chute. It has a 26-inch clearing width.
Does it have electric start?
Yes. Plug an extension cord into the onboard starter and push the button. It also pull starts.
Does the chute clog?
Toro calls it anti-clog, and in our editors’ use it didn’t clog, even with slush.
How many speeds does it have?
Six forward and two reverse.
Does it have heated grips and a light?
Yes. It has heated grips that warm up fast and an LED light powered by the engine.