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

Purchased the product off Amazon. Worked well for 4 snow falls clearing my fairly large driveway w/turnout space, but then the belt broke like with many other users. Local Toro dealer in suburban Chicago laughed at me since they purposely do not stock the product due to a large number of returns ("it's a toy not made to handle our heavy/wet snow"). I decided the 1800 was not for me, and Amazon was helpful when I called asking about return. I did have 2nd thoughts, and since the belt ended up being easy to replace, the Toro is now serving the in-laws who have a much smaller driveway. I have not found issues with the wheels, and handling the cord was easy enough after the 1st time out. Toro is definitely an innovator, but the product has some ways to go to be usable and reliable.

Pros:
- Worry-free: no maintenance/lubrication/refueling
- Easy to start and operate
- Low cost of operation (after you invest in a good extension cable)
- Engine/throwing capacity surprisingly powerful

Cons:
- No free repair--no warranty on Internet purchases according to the Toro dealer. If it breaks, and you do not want to invest any more $, your only option is to send it back. Keep the box!
- Absolutely must go slow with the snow as may other reviewers indicated. Otherwise, there's a broken belt in your future
- As you can see from other reviews large snowfall = long time to clear. I appreciate all the tips about making several passes, and pre-breaking snow with shovel etc. However, if you spend your days at work and if you have to use these tips, truth of the matter is that you need another blower.
- Snow deflector shooting angle adjuster (for height not direction) is a joke. As installed, it just goes into the highest trajectory position. I added some of my own rubber washers and it held the angle better, but it's a clear flaw in the design.
- Handle does not fold, which makes for an unnecessarily large footprint.

Bottom line: consider how much of the following you have: area to clear, snowfalls, time, repair skills. If it does not snow a lot, you can spare the time, and if it breaks, can get the part and fix the thing yourself, it's for you. If you need to put additional effort into clearing the snow other than making one pass with this blower, or do not have the time, get a bigger machine. For me, breathing smoke with a bigger blower was completely worth it. Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.