Best overall in snow blowers
Our pick for most snowy driveways: a 26 in two-stage gas blower with a 20 in intake, six forward speeds and a 45 ft throw, rated by Toro for heavy, wet snow on gravel or pavement. It is big, heavy and needs yearly upkeep.
Our score: 8.1/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Stages
- Two-stage
- Clearing width
- 26 in
- Intake height
- 20 in
- Throw distance
- 45 ft
Is it right for you?
Pros
- 26 in wide with a 20 in intake; Toro rates it for heavy, wet snow
- 252 cc engine with electric start, 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds
- Steel chute turns 200° from the Quick Stick; LED headlights
- Adjustable skids for gravel drives as well as pavement
- 3-year limited warranty; same model and UPC on Toro's Canadian site
Cons
- 189 lb: it needs garage or shed space and some effort to turn
- Yearly upkeep: oil, gearbox check, hex-shaft grease, cables and plug
- Electric start needs a cord to an outlet; otherwise it is the recoil
- No shear bolt part number in the operator's manual; ask a dealer
- Best for
- Long or wide driveways, gravel drives and homes that get heavy, wet snow or a hard plow ridge every winter.
- Not for
- Small paved drives and paths, tight storage spaces, or owners who want no engine upkeep; a battery machine is easier there.
Our verdict
The Toro Power Max 826 OAE is the machine we would point most owners of a long or plowed-in driveway towards. As a two-stage blower, an 11 in auger feeds snow to a separate impeller that throws it out of the chute, which is what lets it take a 20 in bite of heavy, wet snow. Toro lists a 26 in clearing width, a throw of up to 45 ft, a 252 cc engine with electric start, six forward and two reverse speeds and a steel chute that turns 200° from its Quick Stick.
Toro rates it for heavy, wet snow on gravel or paved drives, and its skids can be set higher on gravel so it does not pick up stones. The cost is size and care: it weighs 189 lb and needs yearly oil, gearbox and grease checks. Toro sells the same model and UPC through dealers in Canada and the US with a 3-year limited warranty. For a battery two-stage, see the EGO SNT2405; our single-stage vs two-stage guide covers which type a driveway needs.
Fuel, exhaust and the chute
Safety: Toro’s manual says never to run the engine indoors, because exhaust fumes are dangerous. Fill the tank outdoors with the engine cold, and don’t store the machine with fuel inside a house, a basement or near a water heater, furnace, space heater or dryer; let the engine cool before you put it away. If the chute clogs, stay at the handles, release the drive lever, lift the front slightly and bump it on the pavement. If that fails, stop the engine and use the clean-out tool, never your hands.
The electric start uses a UL-listed, 16-gauge outdoor extension cord no longer than 50 ft: plug it into the machine first, then the outlet, and unplug it once the engine runs. Without a cord, it starts on the recoil.
Yearly upkeep
Check the oil before each use and change it after the first 5 hours, then yearly (0.70 L of API SJ or higher). Each year or before storage, fit a new spark plug, check the skids and scraper, check the auger gearbox oil (top up with 80-90 EP gear oil), grease the hex shaft and inspect both control cables. Set the skids so the scraper rides about 1/8 in above pavement, and lower them further on gravel. Keep the tires at 17 to 20 psi, drain the fuel at the end of the season and have a dealer inspect the belts. Toro’s 138-0702 kit covers the yearly service. More choices are on our snow blower page.
Specs
Toro Power Max 826 OAE 26″ Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower (37799)
Clearing
| Stages | Two-stage |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 26 in |
| Intake height | 20 in |
| Throw distance | 45 ft |
| Maker's clearing claim | Up to a 20-car driveway (Toro) |
Handling
| Drive | Self-propelled wheels or tracks |
|---|---|
| Chute rotation | 200 ° |
Power
| Engine size | 252 cc |
|---|---|
| Start | Electric start (120 V cord) + recoil |
| Fuel tank | 2.9 L |
Other details
| Weight | 189 lb |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 3 years |
Maker’s figures, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Toro Power Max 826 OAE questions
Can I use the Toro 826 OAE on a gravel driveway?
Yes. Toro rates it for gravel and paved drives. Lower the skids on gravel so the scraper rides higher and the machine does not pick up stones; on pavement Toro sets the scraper about 1/8 in above the surface.
What yearly maintenance does it need?
An oil change (after the first 5 hours, then yearly), a new spark plug, a gearbox oil check, grease on the hex shaft, a look at both control cables, the skids and the scraper, and a dealer check of the belts. Drain the fuel at the end of the season.
Do I need an outlet to start it?
Only for the electric start, which runs on a 120 V cord: Toro asks for a UL-listed, 16-gauge outdoor cord no longer than 50 ft. It also has a recoil starter.
