The Troy-Bilt Storm 8526 is competitively priced and has all the features we expect to find on a mid-size snow blower.

It is powered by a 318cc 8.5-hp Tecumseh engine. It has six speeds forward and two reverse, rugged 15-inch tires and push-button electric start. This blower is big enough for a moderate-size driveway, as it clears a 26-inch path with each pass.

The Storm 8526 is equipped with a 12-inch auger for cutting into snow and a 12-inch impeller for blowing it out the chute. These sizes are fairly standard for a machine of this size, but occasionally an 8.5-hp machine will offer a larger auger. Choosing a model with a larger auger however, will most likely cost you a bit more.

All-wheel drive makes this machine easy to maneuver. It moves along readily in both forward and reverse modes, and it has a remote crank chute rotation with manual pitch control.

This model is appropriate even for the heavy, wet snow of the northeast and features the added safety benefit of a chute-clearing device; use it to remove any snow that may clog the chute.

Typical of most mid-size snow blowers, the Troy-Bilt Storm 8526 has been around a while and is priced with value in mind. You can find it at Lowe's as model number 31AS6GN3711 and at independent retailers as model number 31AS6GN3766.


Pros: Budget-priced machine gets the job done
Cons: Problems with joystick chute control on earlier models

Warranty
2 years, limited