How to Start a Toro Snow Blower
How to Start a Toro Snow Blower
In This Guide
Toro snow blowers split into two families that start a little differently in feel: the Power Max two stage machines built for deep snow and the lighter Power Clear single stage units for smaller driveways. Both follow the same fuel, choke, prime and start order, and both use an insert style ignition key that seats into place rather than turning. This guide covers the sequence for each, including the electric start found on many Power Max models.
Power Max Versus Power Clear
The Toro Power Max is a two stage machine with a larger engine, an auger that lifts snow and an impeller that throws it, and it usually has electric start. The Toro Power Clear is a single stage machine whose rubber paddle both gathers and throws the snow, lighter and quicker to warm. The starting steps are the same, but a Power Clear needs less choke time and pulls over easily by hand, while a cold Power Max benefits from electric start.
The Toro Insert Key
Toro snow blowers use an ignition key that inserts and seats rather than turning like a car key. Push it fully into the slot to enable the engine, and pull it out to shut the machine down and keep it from being started by anyone else. If a Toro will not start, confirm the key is fully seated before anything else. Keep a spare, because the machine will not run without it.
Starting a Toro Step by Step
Warm Restarts and Flooding
On a warm Toro, skip the primer and start with the choke open or barely closed. A Power Clear especially will flood if you prime it warm, because the small engine needs little extra fuel. If a Toro floods, open the choke fully, wait a few minutes, and try again without priming.
When a Toro Will Not Start
After a summer of sitting, the usual Toro no start is stale fuel gumming the carburetor. Check the seated key, the fuel valve and the primer bulb first. If it cranks on the starter or recoil but will not catch, the carburetor probably needs cleaning, covered in our snow blower carburetor guide. A technician can also diagnose it at your home if you would rather not open the carburetor yourself.
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