Toro's CCR Powerlite 325E is worth looking at if you've finally had it with shoveling snow.

This machine is a fairly small single-stage model priced at the low end of serious snow-removal equipment. As such, it's not the fastest-clearing model that you can find, but for many situations it can be quite effective.

Consider this model for a one-car driveway or a two-car driveway that's not longer than three car lengths. Driveways larger than this will take a very long time to clear with this small machine, so look larger for those.

Keep in mind that the Powerlite 325E is for people who do not mind the inconvenience of mixing oil and gas as required by this snow blower's 2-cycle Tecumseh engine. Purchasing a can of 2-cycle oil and mixing it as instructed to make just under a quart of fuel is the first step to getting this snow blower rolling.

Once you get the fuel mixed, operating the Powerlite 325E is not too difficult; keep the electric start plugged in and it will be ready to go when you get some serious snowfall.

Once you get it started, this machine does a good job of tossing snow out of your way. It clears a path of about 16 inches across and throws snow a maximum of 25 feet. The Powerlite 325 E does a nice job of clearing right down to the pavement and can get through most heavy, wet snow, but expect that process to be a good bit slower.

This pint-sized snow blower is equipped with a folding handle and is easy enough to store, even in a single-car garage. Toro's Powerlite 325E doesn't require a huge investment and makes a good choice for homeowners purchasing their first snow blower.


Pros: Big enough to handle some wet snow and some serious snow falls, good choice for a one-car driveway
Cons: 2-cycle engine requires messy mixing of gas and oil, 16-inch clearing path is slow going on a big driveway

Warranty
2 years