Garbage picked a Toro 521

[bochnak]

Driving home from my parents house and garbage picked this toro 521.

Shouldn't take much to have a decent blower:

• Year 1990
• Runs on starting fluid (needs carb rebuild)
• Probably replace the belts
• Shear pin broken
• Has electric start however grinds like crazy

Man people are asking $100-250 for these things on FB or clist.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

But if you do not know how to fix it, it would cost more than that to get it fixed.

 

[Mick56]

Before spending any money, clean the carb and make sure it runs.

My snowblower has electric start, but I never use it. It always starts with one or two pulls.

 

[engineer2]

Great find!! These are decent snowblowers. Around here if it doesn't start, out to the curb it goes. I've got a 521, so fire away with questions.
Ethanol in the gas eats the carbs. You can get a replacement carb from Amazon for $12, but it might be jetted on the lean side. The manuals are all online. A Predator 212 Hemi bolts right in, but needs to be set up for winter operation.

 

[bochnak]

Before spending any money, clean the carb and make sure it runs.

My snowblower has electric start, but I never use it. It always starts with one or two pulls.

Yes I will start on carb only.

I have a 3650 single stage that is ready to go so no rush on this one.

 

[bochnak]

Great find!! These are decent snowblowers. Around here if it doesn't start, out to the curb it goes. I've got a 521, so fire away with questions.
Ethanol in the gas eats the carbs. You can get a replacement carb from Amazon for $12, but it might be jetted on the lean side. The manuals are all online. A Predator 212 Hemi bolts right in, but needs to be set up for winter operation.

Looks like you live near me?

I always like to rebuild the carbs if possible.

However, the toro 3650 I bought last year has a PLASTIC carb which are know for all kinds of issues, so I bought a $12 amazon carb and runs mint.

 

[SALIV8]

Nice find. I dont like my mtd 2 stage wish i had a single also.

 

[99LeCouch]

Good score! I have a repowered 3521. Great little machine.

 

[AlpineSeven]

Can't beat that price!!

 

[Busted Knucles]

What is that? They don't have those there machines in south Florida.

 

[rburke65]

I love eye balling the curbs on trash day

 

[engineer2]

Looks like you live near me?

I'm about 45 minutes north.

Snowblower season has started. If anyone has questions, post up. I have experience with a Predator conversion.
If it has the original Tecumseh, check the valve clearances. The exhaust valve clearance has been troublesome.

 

[bochnak]

So I ended up buying a $15 china carb on amazon. Runs great. Auger and drive work great.

I initially tried to rebuild the stock carb, however was unable to clear blockage on the idle circuit. Not sure if it is junk OR media from vapor blasting. Either way a couple of hours in ultrasonic did not clear it out.

So now I'll replace belts and the broken shear bolt and it should be done.

 

[bochnak]

I'm about 45 minutes north.

Snowblower season has started. If anyone has questions, post up. I have experience with a Predator conversion.
If it has the original Tecumseh, check the valve clearances. The exhaust valve clearance has been troublesome.

Lake county?

It has 150 psi compression so I'm probably not going to bother with valve clearance at this point.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

What is that? They don't have those there machines in south Florida.

It's used to get the beach off your driveway after a hurricane.

Tommy

 

[JRC3]

Man people are asking $100-250 for these things on FB or clist.

But...You'll spend that much in parts and (your) labor...As you've found out. I'm not saying I don't do the exact same thing sometimes.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Maybe not until spring, but you really need to remove the wheels and clean and grease the axle shaft. Expect a battle ! Check the bushing for wear. Do this before really NEED to do it.

While you are down there, tilt the blower up on its housing and remove the bottom pan. Check for wear on the drive "tire". If it is chipped/cracked, replace it. Clean the face of the wheel that the tire rides on. Clean and lube the shaft that the drive wheel slides back and forth on and lube the chain.

 

[bochnak]

Maybe not until spring, but you really need to remove the wheels and clean and grease the axle shaft. Expect a battle ! Check the bushing for wear. Do this before really NEED to do it.

While you are down there, tilt the blower up on its housing and remove the bottom pan. Check for wear on the drive "tire". If it is chipped/cracked, replace it. Clean the face of the wheel that the tire rides on. Clean and lube the shaft that the drive wheel slides back and forth on and lube the chain.

Sounds good thanks. I'll wait until a big snow comes and see how this thing actually performs before putting any more time into it.

I have a good freshened up toro single stage as well. 6.5hp 2 stroke 21".