Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025

Dec. 2008-After last year's winter in Wisconsin I knew I needed something this year. It is Dec. 22, we have had over 34" of snow with another 12" expected within the next two days. This snow thrower was easy to set up. And even more easy to use. I have a 100' cord for this, it does take some adjusting to work around the cord, but it is not bad. I live on a corner lot so I have the end of my driveway and the corner to empty of snow on top of the driveway and sidewalk. 3 days ago, we received 11" and I had a good 3-4' of snow pushed at the end of my driveway. You really need to take it slow with this. I found taking my shovel and breaking up the snow and then plowing works best. It moves the snow easily. I can say I do not have sore arms or back this year. I am so glad I purchased this. The Toro blower will also scap snow quite low to the ground/cement so there is no need to have to shovel. I can lift the snow thrower very easy with one hand and carry it to my porch as well to plow. I would definately recommend this to others.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025 Review

I really prefer the electric power train to gasoline - it is quieter, less polluting (to the neighborhood as well as the planet!) and much easier to start. That being said, this is a medium-duty blower suitable for snow, but will not handle chunks of ice. (Borrow your neighbor's for that). Also, do not run over the power cord. (!)Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025 Top Quality

Bought this tool based on reviews from here - would have gotten it from Amazon and saved the tax but when I came home to NY from AC there was 5 inches of snow and slush in my two car driveway. The wife does not appreciate putting not being able to garage her 'Audi', so off I went to local the HD to get the this blower.

It works well. Putting together was easy, however the way the plastic parts came together took a little extra effort and had me worried about the durability - time will tell. The snow-ice mix was a day old - the Toro went right through it. I had no problems whatsoever. The outlet port only got full once, when I was tackling the plow buildup at the apron of the driveway. Speaking of the plow buildup (about 2 feet high), I then appreciated the plastic construction, because the initial breakthrough required picking it up and shaving it from the top down. Once through, I attacked the pile laterally, and it went quickly.

I give it four stars because I don't know how long it will last, and I did need to break up the plow drift with a shovel in order to make it quicker to get through. The difference between using this and using a shovel is the same as going from NY to BOS by car versus by bike. It is a great tool and makes quick work of reasonable amounts of snow. Now I can sleep because someone will stop telling nightmares of her car being sideswiped on the street.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025 This instant

I bought this snow thrower almost a month ago, and have used it 4 times since. I live in a north west suburb of Minneapolis, and we have had a snowier than normal December. So the purchase was right in time. Being that this was my first snow thrower, which I bought for the first winter in my first house, I wanted something that would work well enough, but not be too much for my situation. I have a 2 car wide, ~55 foot driveway which can be shoveled in about 25 minutes if it is just an inch of light snow. With this little power horse, I can clear the same space with even more snow (only done up 6 inches so far) in about 15-20 minutes. And I expect to get my time down even farther than that now that I have had a little bit of practice.
The snow thrower seems well built, and is extremely simple to operate. I liken the use as to using a vacuum. If you can use a vacuum, you can use this device. A lot of people will list the cord has a Con, but using the vacuum metaphor again, it is a lot like using a vacuum in that you just need to be aware of where the cord is, and move it as needed.
It is also light enough that I can lift it (if needed) to get it around our cars to get it out of the back of our garage. That is something I would not be able to do with gas throwers. In calm winds, I can throw about 20 feet (30 if you are pointing straight ahead.
If there is any real fault of this device, it is that it will not really chew up the densely packed snow/ice that the plows leave at the bottom of my driveway. I have actually picked at that stuff with a shovel before I take the thrower to move it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. That is the real reason it gets a 4 starts instead of 5.

Pros:
-Although it is all plastic, it is very well built.
-Great throwing distance.
-Quieter than gas throwers.
-Light enough to lift above your head.
-Crank control for chute (which most single stage gas throwers do not have).
-It is Electric!

Cons:
-Cords can get in the way. Once you are used to using it, this becomes less of an issue.
-Cannot handle dense snow/ice.

Tips if you decide to buy this:
1. Get a really good cord that is long enough for what you need. The cord must be able to handle 12 amps, which means you will probably need to get a 15 amp cord. Also get a cold weather cord, so that it does not become too stiff in the cold weather.
2. Take it especially slow the first few times you use it as this thrower will find every little crack and seam in your driveway. Once you know where these are, you can "float" the thrower over them to avoid the sudden stops.
3. Figure out a good pattern for your driveway. This is actually more important for cord management. I find for me it works really well to do mine in 3rds. I will do the top 3rd all the way across, the move down and do the next 3rd. This away I avoid most possible problems with my cord.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.