Solid Performer

Rare instance of a product that performs better than advertised. I used it in a 6 to 8 inch snowfall and it worked well. For the heaviest snow (beyond nominal capacity), it works best if you take a half-width cut or tilt it up so you are taking the top part of the snow first. It also works best in heavy snow when you blow the snow out straight-ahead -- it blows further and cuts best.

FROM THE LAND OF ICE AND SNOW

Neither my wife nor myself have had any previous experience with Snow Blowers. But based on others reviews on various units we decided to go for this one late last year - priced at the time from Amazon at a $190.74 with the shipping. Winters here in South Dakota tend to be among the worst in the country - and have been compared to that of Alaska's. The unit arrived here of course slightly damaged - the metal handle assembly bent out of shape. At least I was able to repair this myself without going through yet again the misery of having to return something. In actual use, the first time we used the unit we found it was useless for clearing our large back yard (unpaved) for access to our many supply sheds. It was just too difficult to push the unit through even powdered freshly fallen snow. The second use involved clearing our front (paved) sidewalk to the house. While the unit did do much better on a paved surface, the electrical cord constantly getting in the way absolutely drove us crazy! Thus now the unit sits in the garden shed - unused - and most likely a guaranteed future candidate for my wife's next big cleanout (more money down the commode).^M
^M
I didn't go for the gasoline powered unit which of course would of solved the cord problem, for the simple reason is the temps here can drop to 20° degrees below zero. We have enough of a hassle just getting the cars going in winter here much less trying to pull-start a gasoline engine. Unlike most people we do not have the luxury of a heated garage to keep the unit in, which of course would facilitate getting such a unit started in winter. Bottom Line? If you can live with the cord getting in the way and just need to clear paved surfaces, this unit might be suitable for you. However if you do have a heated garage to keep the thing in, definitely shop for a fuel powered unit that will doubtless do a much better job then this mostly plastic-constructed one!^M

Think before buying

MTD purchased Troy-Bilt a few years back and has decided they have no interest in supporting the dealer network or customers who bought PRE-MTD Troy-Bilt equipment. Specifically the Troy-Bilt 42012 Snow Thrower. They make no recommended engine replacement, offer no spec for the engine refuse to even attempt to work with Tecumseh on a recommended replacement. In short, all dealers are unsupported as are the customers. What they are interested in is taking the Troy-Bilt name and that is it. A reputable company (the REAL Troy-Bilt) would have worked with the dealer (their dealer who originally sold the machine) to find a replacement then document it to their entire dealer network so it would become a non-issue. Troy-bilt chose not to do this. I would think twice if I am a consumer or dealer on how MTD, brands also Club Cadet, Yardman, Bolens, McColloch, and MTD treat their dealers and past customers. If you looking to purchase something the manufacture will stand behind, don't purchase this. To MTD it is disposable and so are their customers. Hope this helps.