American-Made or Chinese/American Hybrid? You May Have No Choice, Really. [View all]

[MineralMan]

So, my 10-year-old snowblower went kaput at the end of Winter last year, so I needed a new one for this year. Typically, I went online to shop, looking for one that matched my needs and my budget. I looked at lots of them, and settled on a Troy-Bilt two-stage blower from Lowes. The price was right, it had great reviews, and offered the features I need, including 6-speeds forward and 2 reverse.

The only sticking point was the engine. I wanted to avoid buying an engine that might not last for another 10-years. My old mower had a Tecumseh engine. Tecumseh no longer manufactures engines. I'm an old Briggs & Stratton fan, but their snowblower engines are mainly built in China these days, by the same company that built the one on my new snowblower.

So, I looked up where the 169cc engine on the Troy-Bilt was made, and compared it to the engines on other snowblowers in my price range. Turns out they're all made in China these days. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The rest of the Troy-Bilt machine is manufactured in Ohio. The engine is made in China. Parts are readily available, though, and I have another engine from the same manufacturer on my Yard Machines lawnmower from Menards. It runs great and starts on the first pull every time. They all go by different names, but all are made by the same Chinese manufacturer.

So, I have a hybrid machine. Turns out that Troy-Bilt is owned by MTD, which also owns most of the other snowblower manufacturers. They all use the same Chinese engines. MTD, Yard Man, Yard Machines, Cub Cadet, Bolens. Looks like whatever reasonably priced snowblower you can buy is made by the same company and all use these Chinese engines.

Fascinating. So, Lowes is delivering it next week. I hope it lasts for 10 years like the last one. What's a guy supposed to do, you know?