- 9.5-horsepower 4-cycle 2-stage snow thrower
- 26-inch clearing width 21-inch intake height
- Wheel drive with 5 forward and 2 reverse speeds and power steering
- New single lever joystick chute rotation control
- Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California
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Product Details
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
YardMan two-stage snowthrower with 9.5hp Tecumseh engine for maximum power and performance. Large mitten-grip starter handle makes pulling the engine cord more convenient. Push-button electric start allows easy and dependable starts. Six forward and 2 reverse speeds. Our patented power steering drive system provides effortless trigger-control operation--the ultimate maneuverability in any snow condition. The tool comes with a clearing capability of 26-inch width and 21-inch intake height. Single-lever joystick chute rotation control provides quick and easy chute direction changes. Adjustable to 180 degrees. Serrated auger design provides improved snow clearing in icy, hard-packed snow. Patented power steering provides effortless trigger-control operation for the ultimate maneuverability in any snow condition. Adjustable skid shoes easily adjust the clearing height depending on the surface being plowed. Includes in-dash Halogen headlight standard. Fully-assembled with oil included in the engine. ***This unit does not include heated handles***
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Snow Thrower!,
By Matt (Rockford, MI) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Yard-Man 31AE5KLF701 9.5HP 26-Inch 2-Stage Snow Thrower w/ Power Steering (Lawn & Patio)
**************note: for those experiencing chute control problems, see my info on that below***********************
I actually own the 10.5 HP 31AE5MLG729 version of this same snow thrower. The only difference is the horsepower, as far as I can tell from reading the description and looking at the picture, and the fact that mine came with drift cutters, which you'll hardly ever use unless snow gets more than 21" deep regularly where you live, and you're unable to clear it fast enough. The unit comes with oil in the engine, which needs to be checked frequently during the first 25 hours of operation while the engine "breaks in". It also comes with a packet of Sta-bil which is a fuel stabilizer, keeping the fuel from "gumming up" or degrading, and is enough to treat 2.5 gallons. Just make sure you don't put the Sta-bil directly into the machine - put it in the gas can when you buy the gas for the snow thrower. Also included on mine were extra shear bolts, which hold the separate blades of the auger to the central shaft, and which break apart if an obstructing object were to get into the augers, and save damaging any expensive parts. There's a handy little storage space for two of them on the handle area of my model. Assembly is a piece of cake, but make sure you have a sturdy wrench to loosen the skid-shoe nuts to adjust them to the proper height. I had to use a ratchet wrench. **********I also had a concern with the joystick chute controls, as the models in the store were very hard to turn. During assembly, I simply put a TINY amount of motor oil on the contact surfaces, and now the control works every bit as well as that for the Toro, which a "leading consumer magazine" reported as the easiest to use. The machine has electric start, which means you plug a cord into the machine and the wall, push a button and voila...running engine. The engine has a two-step choke and a variable speed control (the only speed I ever bother with is the fastest). It also has the typical rubber primer, which you'd use when it's fairly cold out, and the engine hasn't been running for a while. As far as drive speed goes, there are six forward speeds, from "creeper" for really dense, wet, or icy snow, up to a fast "transport" speed. Two reverse speeds round out the drive. I set the machine up in my walk-out basement, and to get to the driveway you have to go up stairs once outside. With a little assistance from me, and holding the handles down so the front of the machine didn't hit the stairs, this self-propelled beast went right up 5 shallow stairs! Once on the driveway, I pushed down the auger and drive controls, and we were off clearing the recent 14" snowfall. After 7 years of an underpowered single-stage snow thrower which clogged up constantly, I was amazed! The joystick control for the chute directed snow exactly where I wanted it....including OVER the street (approx 40' or so) and into the neighbor's yard! WOW. It also threw the snow directly over a shed (8' tall) I have and into the yard. I even cleared a path through the woods with ZERO effort! After a bit of fiddling with the skid-shoe height, this thing now clears right to the asphalt, and doesn't get hung up on anything. Packed snow from the plow and snowmobiles running over the plow's packed snow? Not a problem. Simply slow the drive speed to let the serrated auger take care of the icy mess. 14" of snow? No worries-clears up to 21" deep easily. Leery of two-stage snow throwers because they're hard to handle? Not so with this model, which has power steering. Simply grip the little trigger under the handle on the side towards which you want to turn, that wheel's drive disengages, the other wheel pushes it right around. You can even pull back on that side's handle and go right back up next to where you just cleared. The unit does have a handy interlock which keeps the auger engaged when you let go with your left hand to change the chute direction. As for fuel efficiency, I cleared my driveway and my neighbor's, including the packed stuff from the plow going by, plus a 300' trail through the woods, using about 1/2 of the 1-gallon tank. Of course, nothing's perfect, and this was no exception - the chute wasn't quite adjustable a full 190 degrees as is common with the "crank" type models. Also, I had to adjust the drive speed selector...the machine was going forward in "R1", the first reverse gear. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I had the option.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Chute Control problems overshadow an otherwise good machine,
By Jimrokon (New England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Yard-Man 31AE5KLF701 9.5HP 26-Inch 2-Stage Snow Thrower w/ Power Steering (Lawn & Patio)
The trigger control power steering devices works very well, as does the 120 volt starter (it works great). However the chute directional control often won't budge, and has to be assisted, and then it won't stay in the position you selected as engine vibration will cause it to move around throwing snow where you don't want it to go. If you put a gas-stabilizer in the gas tank before spring storage, such as a product called Sta-Bil(Wal-Mart or AutoZone stores) or Lucas Fuel Conditioner (Autozone)it starts instantly the next winter season when you want to use it again. It does throw snow well, though the shear pins break quite often if you have rocks in your driveway. Heavy wet snow can clog the chute so then you'd want to shut the engine off and clean it out with the attached cleaning tool. It will restart easily with the pull-starter handle. I have sometimes confused the choke primer button for the 120vac starter button, so watch out for that issue. I bought it at Wal-Mart and I do not recommend purchasing it. Look for better reviews on different machines. I think the Ariens snow throwers are built much better and have a better reputation though they do cost more.
2.0 out of 5 stars
It's been more trouble than it was worth...,
This review is from: Yard-Man 31AE5KLF701 9.5HP 26-Inch 2-Stage Snow Thrower w/ Power Steering (Lawn & Patio)
I purchased this snow thrower in 2005. As far as I am concerned, it is a lemon (true to its color). First problem was with the chute, which froze up; once we got it operational, it constantly turns with the vibration of the machine.
Next, the starter went, then the headlight; now the carb needs to be replaced and per our local repair shop, Tecumseh has backordered the part until May or June of 2010. At this point, I would pay someone to take the darn thing, and I will not be purchasing any Yardman or MTD products in the future. My suggestion - consult Consumer Reports before you purchase. Because of the problems we had with this machine, we bought a backup from Sears - which works flawlessly.
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