Toro Power Max 824 OE vs Toro Power Max 826 OHAE
Quick take: The Toro Power Max 824 OE costs $100 less; the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE clears a wider 26" path per pass; the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Toro Power Max 824 OE | Toro Power Max 826 OHAE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399 | $1,499 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (1,129) | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 252cc Toro Premium OHV | 252cc Toro Premium OHV |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 26" |
| Intake Height | 20" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 45 ft | up to 45 ft |
| Weight | 184 lb | 194 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | Yes |
| Drive & Handling | Friction-disc drive with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds; no triggers and no auto-steer at this trim, so you muscle it through turns - at 184 lbs that's manageable. The Quick Stick joystick moves chute and deflector together in one motion, and Toro's Anti-Clogging System self-regulates intake so you're not stopping to dig out the chute. | Adds Toro's triggerless Auto Steer to the 6F/2R friction-disc drive - the differential unlocks as you tip into a turn, so a 194-lb machine pivots at the end of a pass with no levers. Quick Stick handles chute and deflector one-handed, hand warmers run whenever the engine does, and the Anti-Clogging System meters snow so the chute never packs up. |
| Warranty | 3-year limited | 3-year limited |
Pros & cons
Toro Power Max 824 OE
- ✓45-foot throw from the proven 252cc Toro Premium OHV engine
- ✓Anti-Clogging System keeps wet snow moving without chute dig-outs
- ✓Hardened gearbox with no shear pins to shear or stock
- ✓Quick Stick beats crank-style chute controls decisively
- ✓Works on gravel and concrete alike with 20-inch intake height
- ✓6 forward / 2 reverse speeds cover crawl-to-jog pacing
- ✗No triggerless steering - 184 lbs is a workout in tight turns
- ✗No hand warmers, headlight, or premium touches at this trim
- ✗Friction-disc speed selection needs occasional cable adjustment
- ✗Engine-stall-on-impact protection alarms first-time owners
- ✗24-inch width means more passes than the 26- and 28-inch trims
Toro Power Max 826 OHAE
- ✓Auto Steer makes end-of-pass turns effortless despite the weight
- ✓Standard hand warmers and LED light for pre-dawn clearing
- ✓252cc engine throws heavy snow a genuine 45 feet
- ✓Quick Stick chute control is best-in-class one-handed
- ✓No shear pins - hardened gears and engine-stall protection instead
- ✓26-inch width clears a 2-car driveway in a handful of passes
- ✗Only about $100 cheaper trims away auto-steer buyers actually want
- ✗Friction-disc drive needs periodic cable and disc adjustment
- ✗Poly upper chute feels ordinary next to all-steel rivals
- ✗194 lbs is heavy to move with the engine off
- ✗Same 252cc as the cheaper 824 OE - you pay for comfort, not power