The Toro Power Clear 721 E has been the gold standard of single-stage gas snow blowers for some time now. It has a unique mix of speed, power, and an affordable price. For those in areas that get light to moderate snowfall totals, it’s the best choice on the market.
212cc Toro 4-cycle OHV Engine
Powering the PowerClear 721 E is a 212cc Toro 4-cycle OHV engine which runs quieter than their 2-cycle predecessors. This is one of the stronger engines found on single-stage gas snow blowers. It is also the same quality engine used in their lawnmowers.
Toro small engines are made overseas in China by a company named Loncin. They are known more for their motorcycle engines but have a nice reputation when it comes to other machines. They had some carburetor many years ago but have largely solved that problem.
8.5-inch Auger Clears Down to Surface
The auger on the Toro Power Clear 721 E is 8.5 inches in height and made of reinforced plastic. I’m not a huge fan of plastic augers, but this one feels sturdier than most. Toro does sell replacement paddles (Model #38261) for around $60 that you can install yourself.
The clearing ability is my favorite aspect of the blower. The marketing lingo is “Power Curve Technology” which is fancy talk for a curved rotor and an inverted funnel. Since its a single-stage with an auger that cuts to the pavement, it leaves a clean surface afterwards that won’t ice up later. This does preclude it from being used on gravel or lawn surfaces. It’s the best snowblower I’ve come across in terms of cleaning down to pavement.
How much snow can the Power Clear 721 E clear?
The Power Clear 721 E has a 21-inch width. This is about 12-14 trips up and down a standard 2-car driveway. 5-7 passes on a single car driveway.
With an intake height of 12.5 inches, eight inches is around the maximum depth it can handle in a single pass. It performs surprisingly well with wetter snow and slush (better than more expensive options). And despite its smaller size, it powers through that pile-up at the end of the driveway.
This snow blower has a plowing capacity of 1900 pounds per minute. While Toro states the maximum throwing distance is 35 feet, its closer to 30 feet in the most ideal conditions. Distance drops dramatically as snow becomes heavier. This should be more than enough for a standard 2-car driveway.
Auger-Propelled Drive System
Toro uses an auger assist propel function to help drive this model. When engaged, the rubber-tipped auger will make contact with the ground and guide it forward. This isn’t to be confused with true self-propelled functionality you can find on their SnowMaster 824 QXE. You’ll feel like you’re guiding the machine more than anything. It works well and about the best you can ask for in this price range.
No Remote Chute Controls
While the discharge chute turns smoothly, the controls for it sit on the chute. You’ll either have to move to the front to change the direction or awkwardly reach in from the back (if you’re tall enough). This is the biggest flaw of the Power Clear 721 E and I would love to see this re-designed in the future. The Toro Power Clear 721 QZR offered remote chute controls but was sadly discontinued.
The chute is made of a heavy-duty plastic and gives a 210° turning radius. You can adjust the angle up and down to help in how far you want to throw the snow. The contraption feels sturdy and has minimal vibration in use. It doesn’t have issues with clogging either.
Electric Start
This model offers an electric start option. The feature is helpful in extreme cold when you may have issues with the recoil start. Or if you’re like me and don’t want to throw your shoulder out trying to start it up. To use electric start, you plug in an extension cord into the outlet and press the red button above.
Easy Assembly and Storage
The Power Clear 721 E arrives almost completely assembled. You’ll only have to attach the discharge suit which requires a screwdriver and few minutes of your time. The handlebars fold down over the top of the machine and allow for a small footprint. At just 87 pounds, you might be able to store it on a shelf or in the rafters during the warmer months.
Warranty
Toro offers one of the best warranties on the market. A full two-year warranty is included with purchase. This includes Toro’s GTS (Guaranteed to Start) promise. If your snowblower doesn’t start within two pulls, Toro will fix the problem for free.
Conclusion
This is a great no-frills machine for those on a budget. It has a nice engine, clears extremely well, and comes in considerably cheaper than models in the same class. It is currently rated as one of the best single stage snowblowers of 2019.
The Toro Power Clear 721E is a fine choice for climates that receive light to moderate annual snow total. For small-to-medium sized driveways. And for use only on paved surfaces. For more money, you can get some added features from the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE. But anything less than this will see a substantial drop-off in performance.
Specs:
Brand: Toro
Model: 38742 (Operator’s Manual)
Stage Type: Single-Stage Gas
Engine: 208cc 4-Cycle (6.3HP)
Fuel Capacity: 0.28 gallons
Plowing Capacity: 1900 lbs/minute
Clearing Width: 21 inch
Intake height: 12.5 inch
Throw Distance: 30 feet
Tires: 8 inch (1.5 in. width)
Weight: 87 pounds
Warranty: 2-year full with GTS (Guaranteed to Start)
Features:
Starting Method: Recoil and Electric
Speed/s: 1 Auger-Propelled
Power Steering: No
Chute adjustment: On Chute (210 degree turning radius)
Headlight: No
Heated handgrips: No
