Update in March 2008:
This year in NJ we had about 5-8 inches of "slightly wet" snow and this thing couldn't handle it. The chute kept getting clogged up so bad that practically it was non-functional. My nieghbour came over with his Gas powered snow thrower and it was a piece of cake for it.
I don't know if had anything to do with possible limitations on available power to that electric outlet or not but I doubt that. I used a standard 100' extension cord from an outlet in Garage and we have never had any problems with any other tool operating on the same circuit.
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Original review:
For the last couple of years I had been looking for a good yet small and inexpensive snow thrower. I finally bought one this season and am very happy with the choice although today is the first time I used it.
Cost: I bought this for under $200 from Amazon in mid-February including delivery at home. Got a good deal.
Assembly: There is not too much to assemble but the handle assembly is tricky and so is the chute mounting. The large bolts for chute can be better designed so you can hold them with a screw driver from the head while tightening the nut from outside with a wrench. I couldn't get one of them all the way in and so the chute deflects during operation more often.
Storage: Small and light weight so I can just hang it on a big nail on a sidewall of my garage.
Operation: Yesterday and Today in central NJ we had about 3.5" inches of snow, freezing rain and all kinds of wintry mix. The blower worked fine, but as expected, did not scrap off the hard icy coating off my driveway or the sidewalk. It threw a good distance, farther than I thought with the heavy stuff. The cord management can be an issue but as others have said, you learn the pattern and get used to it. Light weight and electric operated is a big plus. I am very happy with the purchase. Get more detail about
Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.
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