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

After seeing a neighbor use this machine last winter I knew I had to have one. Unfortunately, I couldn't get one at that time since Amazon and other retailers were sold out. Luckily, Amazon re-stocked for the new winter season and I snapped one up.

Let me tell you this thing is money well spent. It cut my snow removal time by about two thirds. What used to take 3 hours I got done in 1 hour. I'll probably get faster with experience. While my other, manual shoveling neighbors were still going at it, I was relaxing in my sweats drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

It handled a 14" inch storm admirably. While rated for 10" it can be pushed into deeper amounts to 'cut' into the snow. For deeper drifts it's light enough to pick up and skim off the top until it's low enough to go at normally. One reviewer said it's not good for taller people because the handle is too low to the ground. I'm the same height as him (6ft) and had no problem with the handle height. The unit is not meant to be used with the handle at the same height as when at rest. It's designed for the handle be held up at such angle so the skid plate underneath glides across the pavement. When used properly, it eats down to the pavement. The wheels on the rear of the unit are only used when backing up the unit...not while going forward. This is all explained in the manual which Amazon links to as a .pdf file (don't you just love Amazon?).

The next storm here in Philly (late Feb, 2005) was a wetter, heavier snow of about 7 inches. I did my front driveway before I went to work - something I would not have considered before since it's at least an hour task. The Toro once again proved its value as I was finished in about 30 minutes. Whole driveway and sidewalk. Threw snow easily across width of my driveway onto garden (about 15 ft).

One minor gripe is that I wish the handle were collapsible for easy storage. The other thing that is a bit of a hassle is electric cord management. 100ft of cord can be cumbersome but, in my opinion, less of a hassle than dealing with oil and gas and maintenance of a gas powered unit. Do yourself a favor and get a cord reel. I picked up a hand reel locally at Wally World for about five bucks. Makes cord management much easier.

Update: January 2010
After 5 years the rotor gave out. Sypmtoms were motor would run but rotor would stop turning when it hit snow. Result = no snow being thrown. On exam, the rotor looked okay but I was able to turn it independent of the rotor shaft which should not be possible. I took the side plates off and removed the rotor. The left side, it is supposed to have 3 bosses (protrusions) that engage the coupler --they were stripped bare. It's easy to see why this would happen: the rotor is plastic and the coupler is metal...metal won out. Unit was easily fixed however with a $25 rotor (delivered price) ordered from Toro's parts website. Note: you will need a 5/16" or 3/8" allen wrench (depending on model year of your 1800) to remove the rotor shaft...that cost about $3 at my local Harbor Freight Tools. My total cost to repair for parts and tools was $28! After 5 years I got off cheap. From stories I've heard I know a gas unit would have set me back at least $150 to repair.

Still 5 ***** stars.

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