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If you live in an area where snow is a common occurrence, you might be looking for a reliable and powerful snow blower to clear your driveway and sidewalks. There are different types of snow blowers available, such as single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage. In this blog post, we will focus on the two-stage snow blowers and why they are a good choice for medium to large driveways with heavy snowfall.
Two-stage snow blowers have an auger that breaks up the snow and ice and feeds it to an impeller that throws it out of the chute. This means they can handle deeper and wetter snow than single-stage blowers, which only have an auger. Two-stage blowers also have a self-propelled drive system that makes them easier to maneuver on uneven terrain and slopes.
Table of Contents
- Toro Power Max 824 OE Snow Blower
- Key Features of the Toro Power Max 824 OE
- Performance Review of the Toro Power Max 824 OE
- Video Review and Demo: Toro Power Max 824 OE
- Summary
- Pros and Cons
- Comparison of the Toro Power Max 824 OE and the 826 OHAE
- Tips for Maintenance of the Toro Power Max 824 OE
- Conclusions
Toro Power Max 824 OE Snow Blower

One of the best two-stage snow blowers on the market is the Toro Power Max 824 OE. This snow blower has a 24-inch clearing width and a 20-inch intake height, which means it can handle up to 20 inches of snow in one pass. It also has a powerful 252cc OHV engine that delivers 8.5 horsepower and can throw snow up to 45 feet away.
We will review the key features of the Toro Power Max 824 OE and show you how it performs in a real-life demonstration. We will also provide you with a summary, a pros and cons table, and our conclusions. If you want to see our video review of this snow blower, you can check it out below.
Key Features of the Toro Power Max 824 OE
The Toro Power Max 824 OE has several features that make it stand out as a reliable snow blower. Here are some of them:

- The chute control stick: This feature allows you to adjust the direction and angle of the chute with one hand, without stopping or bending over. You can choose from four different positions: left, right, up, and down. The chute control stick is easy to use and gives you precise control over where you want to throw the snow.
- The build durability: The Toro Power Max 824 OE is built to last, with a heavy-duty steel frame, a cast iron gearbox, and a reinforced auger housing. It also has an anti-clogging system that prevents snow from building up in the chute and reduces the need for shear pins. The auger has hardened gears that can handle rocks and other debris without breaking.
- The electric start: The Toro Power Max 824 OE has an electric start option that allows you to start the engine with the push of a button, instead of pulling a cord. This is especially convenient when the temperature is low and the engine is cold. You just need to plug in an extension cord to the outlet on the snow blower and press the start button.
- The fuel tank capacity: The Toro Power Max 824 OE has a fuel tank capacity of 2.6 quarts, which is enough for about an hour of run time. This means you can clear a large driveway or sidewalk without having to refill the tank frequently.
Performance Review of the Toro Power Max 824 OE
We tested the Toro Power Max 824 OE in a severe snowstorm that dumped 15.5 inches of wet and heavy snow on our location. The storm was so intense that it caused widespread power outages and made several trees bend over. We wanted to see how well the Toro Power Max 824 OE could handle this type of snow.
We started by clearing one side of our driveway, which is about 100 feet long and 20 feet wide. The snow blower easily cut through the snow, which was about 12-15 inches deep. It threw snow at least 25 feet across the driveway to beyond the other side. We were impressed by how smoothly and quickly the snow blower made a clean pass on the driveway, without clogging or stalling.

Clearing Actual Driveway of Snow
We then proceeded to clear the rest of the driveway, which took us about an hour in total. This was because we had to do multiple passes since it kept snowing during the demo.
The snow blower performed consistently well throughout the process, without losing power or speed. We also noticed that the self-propelled drive system made it easy to steer and turn the snow blower on curves and slopes.
We finished by clearing our side walkway, which was also covered with thick snow. The snow blower had no trouble clearing it either, leaving behind a neat path for pedestrians.
Video Review and Demo: Toro Power Max 824 OE
We recorded our demo below. You can see for yourself how well the Toro Power Max 824 OE handled the challenging conditions.
Summary
The Toro Power Max 824 OE is a great two-stage snow blower that can handle deep and wet snow with ease. It has a powerful engine, a wide clearing width, a convenient chute control stick, a durable build, and an electric start option. It also has a decent fuel tank capacity and a self-propelled drive system. It performed very well in our demonstration, clearing our driveway and sidewalk in a short time.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Power Ease of use Durable build | Lacks triggerless steering Fuel tank capacity could have been higher |

Comparison of the Toro Power Max 824 OE and the 826 OHAE
Another two-stage snow blower from Toro is the Power Max 826 OHAE. This model has some similarities and differences with the 824 OE. Here is a comparison table that shows some of their main features:
| Feature | 824 OE | 826 OHAE |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 252cc OHV | 252cc OHV |
| Horsepower | 8.5 HP | 8.5 HP |
| Clearing width | 24 in | 26 in |
| Intake height | 20 in | 20 in |
| Throwing distance | Up to 45 ft | Up to 45 ft |
| Chute control stick | Yes | Yes |
| Electric start | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel tank capacity | 2.6 qt | 2.6 qt |
| One-hand interlock system | Yes | Yes |
| Quick-stick chute control | Yes | Yes |
| Heated grips | Yes | Yes |
| LED headlight | No | Yes |
| Triggerless steering | No | Yes |
As you can see, the 826 OHAE has a wider clearing width, a LED headlight, and a triggerless steering system that allows you to turn the machine without pulling triggers or levers. However, it also costs more than the 824 OE. You can decide which model suits your needs and budget better.
Tips for Maintenance of the Toro Power Max 824 OE

To keep your Toro Power Max 824 OE in good condition and extend its lifespan, you should follow some basic maintenance tips. Check your owner’s manual for the official list. Here are some of them for what we suggest:
- Clean the snow blower after each use and store it in a dry place. Remove any snow, ice, or debris from the auger, impeller, chute, and engine. Spray some lubricant on the auger and impeller to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Check the oil level before each use and change it every 25 hours or once a season, whichever comes first. Use only high-quality synthetic oil that meets or exceeds the specifications in the owner’s manual.
- Check the spark plug every season and replace it if necessary. A clean and properly gapped spark plug ensures optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
- Check the belts every season and adjust or replace them if they are worn or damaged. Loose or broken belts can affect the operation of the auger and impeller.
Conclusions
We hope you enjoyed our review and demonstration of the Toro Power Max 824 OE snow blower. We think this is a great snow blower for anyone who lives in an area with heavy snowfall and needs a reliable and powerful machine to clear their driveway and sidewalk. We give it 4.8 out of 5 stars, as it was excellent in our testing and use.
If you want to learn how to assemble this snow blower from the box, you can read our article and watch our video here.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. We would love to hear from you. God bless!
BY MASTER INFLUENCER MAGAZINE HOME IMPROVEMENT STAFF
Published 08:15 AM EDT, Saturday January 13, 2024
Keywords
Power Max 824, Snow Blower, Review, Video Review, Outdoor Equipment
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