Toro Power Max 826 OHAE vs Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER
Quick take: The Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER costs $190 less; the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE throws snow farther (up to 45 ft); the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | Toro Power Max 826 OHAE | Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 | $1,309 |
| Rating | — | 4★ (307) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 252cc Toro Premium OHV | 243cc Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER OHV |
| Clearing Width | 26" | 26" |
| Intake Height | 20" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 45 ft | up to 40 ft |
| Weight | 194 lb | 270 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | Yes | No |
| Drive & Handling | 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. | 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds through a friction disc, with trigger power steering on each grip for one-hand pivots. Overhead-crank chute spins 200 degrees in about 2.5 turns, and a single remote lever sets pitch. Dual LED headlights cover the bucket for pre-dawn runs. |
| Warranty | 3-year limited | 3-year residential, 5-year auger gearbox |
Pros & cons
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
Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER
- ✓Excellent feature set for the money — power steering, dual LEDs, remote pitch
- ✓Push-button electric start is dependable in subzero cold
- ✓Throws cold dry snow a genuine 40 feet
- ✓21-inch intake height handles end-of-driveway plow piles
- ✓5-year auger gearbox warranty is unusual at this price
- ✓Serrated steel augers self-feed well into crusted drifts
- ✗243cc engine gets bogged down running full-width in deep wet snow
- ✗Chute clogging in slushy conditions is a recurring owner complaint
- ✗No heated grips — Ariens Deluxe models include them at similar money
- ✗MTD-built; forum consensus is Ariens/Toro outlast it long-term
- ✗Skid shoes and scraper bar are thin and wear quickly on gravel