Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Bought this a few years ago from Amazon for about $60.I see it's double that now.These might be discontinued by the manufacturer.It is sold as "Ryobi" when the model is ST720R and it is sold as "TrimmerPlus" when the model number is ST720 (without the R).You can browse [...] for the owner's manual for this thing.Whether it's sold as Ryobi or as TimmerPlus, it's all MTD.It's also sold as an electric powered version called the Snow Fox at Home Depot.That Snow fox uses most of the same repair parts.
We don't get much snow in Kentucky on the average so this only gets one or two uses each season.After about 6 uses in snow depths of 6 inches or less (much less most of the time), it's just about to fall apart into useless pieces.Watch out for rocks of any sort.They wreak havok on the plastic rotor--cracks pieces off of it.Eventually, and in short order, that rotor will be so chipped and cracked as to be useless.A new rotor costs $65 including shipping if you shop around to get the best price.
I bought the snow thrower attachment sight unseen thinking that, surely, there were some replaceable blades of some sort that could be considered "consumables."Like, wouldn't you think they'd utilize replaceable rubber blades on the edge of the rotor? Nope.Replacement of the entire rotor is all that can be done.I'd probably consider it a properly priced consumable if the rotor was about $30 or so.That would be okay.I'd replace it each season without kicking up much of a fuss.But, $65?That's a little silly.It's more than I paid for the entire snow thrower and it's over half the price of a new snow thrower at today's non-sale price.
Problem is, that's not the only part that gives up the ghost quickly.If the rotor was the only weakness, I still might be willing to replace it every 2 years or so for about $65.However, like I say, almost every aspect of this thing is too weak to withstand that which you'd expect it to endure.The mounting pole is very weakly attached to the mechanism housing using circumferential clamping devices that are a lot like radiator "hose clamps."They quickly loosen and the entire mechanism wobbles on its "stick".So, you've got to disassemble it every few times you use it to tighten some screws.That only lasts a short time and you're doing it again.Loctite didn't help.So, I had to drill through the involved tapped sheet metal to install my own set of capscrews with heavy duty lock nuts (the all-metal type of locknut is better than the nylon type for this application).
When the thing does work, it works pretty well.It will throw snow to the left or right for about 2 to 3 feet.It will throw snow straight ahead for about 10 feet.
My drive way is about 12' x 250' and it can manage that.However, it will only do the deed once or twice and then it quickly begins to self-destruct.Hit a few rocks, hit the edge of the driveway a few times, hit a few sticks and twigs submerged in the snow and the rotor begins to crack.It's a very rigid type of ABS plastic.
You've got to have a stout powerplant to drive the thing.I've got a 4-cycle Briggs.It's 32cc.Get the biggest you can find.Not only do you need the power but you need some stout components to withstand the energy transfer (clutch, crankshaft, flexi-shaft, etc.).At the end of the winter season, my centrifugal clutch is chirping like it's going to fail.I just move on into summer grass trimming with it and the chirping goes away.You may want to consider that using a snow thrower attachment will put a considerable extra strain on your powerhead. Run the snow thrower at full throttle only--without fail.It will minimize the insult to your drive components.
Would I buy this thing again?Maybe.If I could find it for $60 again.I'd know that I couldn't expect it to last no more than 1 to 2 snow seasons in Kentucky.It beats a shovel, I guess.Would I pay $120 for it?Hmmm.I doubt it.Now, if they re-design the rotor with some cheap replaceable wear strips?I'll come back to recommend this thing a bit more highly.
Update Feb 19, 2010
Removed that rotor and guess what marking is on its side?It's the number 2 recycle symbol.So, it's made of the same plastic as milk bottles.No wonder it disintegrates so quickly!So, why does it cost $65 + shipping if its only molded #2 plastic?They missed the mark here.This thing might have been a hot seller if the replacement rotor that only lasts about one to two full seasons only cost $30 with shipping and had been easier to replace.As it is, there's a considerable disassembly routine that might cause most to shy away.Should have been designed with a "quick release" to allow the drive shaft to slide out in order to make replacement of the rotor like replacing string on a trimmer--no tools needed.As it is, they've designed themselves into a dead end and early discontinuation of a product that otherwise might have been useful.
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Product Description:
Fits select Ryobi string trimmers with click link feature. Tackles snow at a rate of 350 lb. per minute and handles snow up to 6" deep. Adjustable throw direction guides a clear path 12" wide and throws snow up to 20'. Great for cleaning porches, sidewalks, and decks.
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