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

Story #1: After reading many reviews, I purchased the Toro snow thrower and am happy to report that it is well worth the investment. I live in the Washington DC area which usually has mild winters with snow falls usually less than 12 inches. Two days ago, it snowed 13 inches. I wasn't sure if the Toro could handle it, but I plugged it in and made my first pass. The snow was as high as the machine itself and it deftly threw the snow 15 feet or so (the snow was relatively light and powdery); the key here is that you should walk slowly and use a gentle back and forth motion at times. It cleaned down to the blacktop and I finished my 2 car driveway (40' x 20') in 30 minutes or so. The only con is watching out and playing with the cord.

Story #2. I was so pleased that I offered the machine to my neighbor so he could do his driveway. By this time the snow was slightly melting and it had become wetter and heavier. He had a hard time; mostly because he tried to go to too quickly which would prevent the machine from working effectively. I came back over and demonstrated how to do it and it worked just fine although it through the snow only between 10 to 15 feet. He still struggled but seemed to do better until he ran over the cord and got it wrapped around the plastic blade. It took a little while but he eventually freed the cord. I think he was happy to bring it back to me, but I really think it was more user error than a problem with th machine itself.

Bottom line: the machine has many advantages: small, light, easily storable, always starts (electric), and performs well especially in areas that have milder snowfalls, but it did handle our 13 inches quite well. The cons could be more difficulty with heavy snow and having to manage the cord. As far as I am concerned,let it snow!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 Get it now!

Okay, while a lot of people talk about how this little red machine saved their back, my focus was on the other side.

Being a younger Breast Cancer Survivor who has had a bi-lateral mastectomy and in the process of undergoing the reconstructive process, my chest and arm stregths and abillities are not what they used to be (though my mind still thinks they are as I am under 40). Having had another surgery requiring the replacement of my implant on one side only 3 weeks ago, I was not sure what I was going to do. My surgeon would not be happy if I was out there shoveling, so with the impending storm coming I went looking for a snow blower.

Things I was looking for:
Lightweight - lift ability
Electric - it has a lighter engine than gas and no mess or spring/winter maintenence
Cost - medium range esp since usually only get a few snow falls a year

I actually bought Yardman machine first, took it out of the box and was set to go. But was in my local Target and happened upon his one, one left on clearance for $149.99. Bigger motor, wider path, handle at the right height (other one was built for someone about 4'6"), and actually cheaper. So I bought it.

Put it together in a few minutes. How hard can two sets of nut and bolts be? Worked great!!!!!!!! I was able to do my poorly mortared stone front path, my sidewalk and the neighbours, driveway, and about half the street, so basically two cars could park in front of my house. About 7-10" of on the wet-side snow. I did not hurt myself or my current or previous surgical sites.

Did it clump and clog? 2 times but usually when I pushed it to fast into a big clump of snow. Easy fix, carefully push slightly downward on the handle so the front lifts up in the air and pull backwards, clump drops down then start motor and spins the snowt out to break clump. Would I use this if I got major snow daily, like in Western NY in 1995. Probably not, but that snow was drier and more powdery, so it probably would handle that too.

So for the ease, weight, and the machines ability, I definitely found a super bargin worth twice what I paid.

If you have issues with upper body strength because of your size, back, arms, or chest, this machine could save you a lot of pain. Too bad the machine is not pink!

Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.