Are you shopping for your first snow blower, or replacing the one that choked on last winter's slush? This guide is for Central Pennsylvania homeowners who want a plain answer to one question: single-stage or two-stage? We'll cover how each design works and which one suits your surface, driveway length and slope. Then we'll point you to the Toro models we'd look at first. If you'd rather talk it through in person, our Toro snow blower dealer page has both store locations and the full lineup.
How Each Design Works
Single-Stage: One Auger That Does Everything
On a single-stage machine, one spinning auger (Toro calls it the Power Curve rotor) scoops up the snow and throws it out the chute in a single motion. That auger runs right at ground level. On Toro's Power Clear models it's paired with a pivoting scraper, and the product specs list them as clearing to the pavement. The result is a clean, nearly bare surface on concrete and asphalt. The trade-off is that whatever the auger touches, it throws, including loose stones.
Two-Stage: Auger Plus Impeller, Riding on Skid Shoes
A two-stage machine splits the job in two. A slower auger pulls snow into the housing, then a separate high-speed impeller throws it out the chute. The housing rides on adjustable skid shoes, so you can set it slightly above the ground instead of scraping along it. That's why Toro rates its Power Max models for gravel as well as paved surfaces, and why they can take a deeper bite of snow. The 24- and 26-inch Power Max machines have a 20-inch intake height. The Power Clear models listed here have 12.5 inches.
Which One Should You Choose?
Paved vs. Gravel
This is the easiest call to make. If your driveway is concrete or asphalt, either design works, and a single-stage will scrape it cleaner. If it's gravel or crushed stone, go two-stage. A single-stage auger touches the ground and will pick up stones, while skid shoes let a two-stage clear the snow and leave the gravel where it belongs.
Driveway Length
Toro sizes its single-stage Power Clear 721 E for a driveway that fits four or more cars. For a short, wide drive plus some walks, that's plenty. If your driveway runs long, or you're also clearing a barn path or a shared lane, a two-stage machine's wider path (24 to 32 inches) and self-propelled drive mean fewer passes and less walking. At the top end, Toro rates the Power TRX HD 1432 OHXE for driveways of up to 20 cars.
Slope
On a flat or gentle driveway, the self-propelled drive on Power Clear and Power Max models moves you along without much effort. If your driveway is steep enough that wheels might slip, look at tracks. Toro builds its Power TRX HD for stability on tough terrain and steep slopes. More on that below.
Wet, Heavy Snow and the Plow Pile
Central PA storms often bring heavy, wet snow, and that's where the two designs really split. Toro lists its single-stage Power Clear models for light, fluffy snow, with an ideal depth of about 9 inches. Its two-stage Power Max models are rated for heavy, wet snow, with an ideal depth of about 12 inches, and the Power Max HD 30" has a 21-inch intake. The packed ridge the township plow leaves at the end of your driveway is denser than anything else you'll clear. If that ridge is a regular headache, it's a strong reason to go two-stage.
Our Toro Picks for Central PA Properties
Toro Power Clear Picks for Paved Driveways and Walks
If you have a paved driveway, sidewalks and typical snowfalls, a Power Clear is light, easy to store and quick to grab.
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Toro Power Clear 721 E: a 21-inch path, a 212cc engine, electric start, Power Propel self-propel and a throw of up to 35 feet. It weighs 84 pounds, so it's easy to move around the garage. Listed at $799 at time of writing.
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Toro Power Clear 821 QZE: the same 21-inch width with a bigger 252cc engine, a quick-shoot trigger for turning the chute on the move, and a rated capacity of 1,900 pounds per minute. Choose this one if your paved drive is on the larger side or you'd like extra power for heavier storms. Listed at $999 at time of writing.
Both carry Toro's 2-Year Full Warranty and 2-Year Guaranteed-to-Start Warranty for residential use, according to the product pages.
Toro Power Max and Power Max HD Picks for Long, Gravel or Plow-Pile Driveways
If you have gravel, a long lane or that end-of-driveway plow ridge, step up to two-stage.
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Toro Power Max 824 OE: a 24-inch path, a 252cc engine, 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, adjustable skid shoes and a throw of up to 45 feet. Toro uses hardened gears in place of shear pins. If the auger hits something hard, the engine stalls to protect it. This is a solid all-rounder for most residential gravel drives. Listed at $1,399 at time of writing.
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Toro Power Max 826 OAE: a 26-inch path with triggerless steering, so turning doesn't take a tug on the handles, plus an LED headlight for clearing before work. Choose this one if your drive is long enough that the extra 2 inches and easier turns add up. Listed at $1,499 at time of writing.
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Toro Power Max HD 30": for wide driveways, farm lanes and the heaviest wet snow. It has a 302cc engine, a 30-inch path, a 21-inch intake, a commercial-grade steel gearbox, heated grips and 16-inch Never-Flat tires. Listed at $2,149 at time of writing.
The Power Max models carry Toro's 3-year limited warranty, according to their product pages.
When the Power TRX HD Makes Sense
Most homeowners won't need tracks. But if your driveway is steep, your lane is long and exposed, or you're clearing a small commercial lot, the Toro Power TRX HD 1432 OHXE is built for exactly that. It runs on tracks instead of wheels for grip on slopes, with a 420cc engine and a hydrostatic drive with infinitely variable speed. A Quick-Adjust lever tilts the auger housing up for climbing, flat for gravel or pavement, or down to dig into deep snow. Toro rates it for a 32-inch path and a throw of 60-plus feet, and it's backed by a 5-year limited residential warranty. Listed at $3,999 at time of writing.
Still deciding between brands, or between a blower and a plow? Our guide to the top snow blower and snow plow brands for Pennsylvania winters covers that side of the decision.
Quick Decision Guide
| Your Property | Our Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short paved driveway and walks, mostly light snow | Power Clear 721 E | Clears to the pavement and is light and easy to store |
| Larger paved driveway, occasional heavier storms | Power Clear 821 QZE | Bigger 252cc engine and quick on-the-go chute control |
| Gravel driveway or plow ridge at the street | Power Max 824 OE | Skid shoes keep stones down, rated for heavy, wet snow |
| Long gravel or paved drive, lots of turning | Power Max 826 OAE | Wider 26-inch path and triggerless steering |
| Wide drive, farm lane, deep wet snow | Power Max HD 30" | 30-inch path, 21-inch intake, heavy-duty gearbox |
| Steep driveway or small commercial lot | Power TRX HD 1432 OHXE | Tracks for grip on slopes, 32-inch path |
Find Your Toro Snow Blower at Hilly Ridge
Still on the fence? Bring a rough idea of your driveway's length, surface and slope, and we'll help you match it to the right machine. You can browse the full Toro snow blower collection to see what's in stock, or visit our Toro snow blower dealer page for more on the lineup. Once you're set up, our snow blower service page lists our tune-up packages. For the parts worth keeping on hand, read our post on essential Toro snow blower maintenance parts.