2010-03-28

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


I encountered the same assembly problem as the previous reviewer. There's an electrical cord that runs through the right side of the handle. The cord is too long, and it can't be poked into the top or bottom half of the handle, so it doubles over and sticks out the gap between the two handle pieces, thus making it impossible to shove together.

UPDATE: With some creative thinking and a rubber mallet (!!), I finally got the thing assembled. (I turned the right handle around a couple times, twisting the cord and taking up the slack. Then I lightly tapped it with the rubber mallet, and voila.) Once the handle came together, it was a breeze to finish assembly. And with auspicious timing, we got about 3" of snow last night, so I was able to try it out this morning. I cleared the driveway and sidewalks in less than half an hour. I was pleased that the Toro Power Curve wasn't too loud, since I'll need to use it early in the morning when it snows and don't want to incur the wrath of my neighbors! It was a little annoying dealing with the extension cord -- but less annoying than dealing with a backache after shoveling for an hour. After using it, I would upgrade my review to 4 stars ... just be prepared for that handle assembly.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

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


Perhaps it has been improved, but an older one I had that has similar specs was generally useless in Cleveland winters. I literally threw it out with the trash after a few years. I couldn't even bring myself to sell it to someone as I felt I'd be misleading them that it did much of anything. A high quality snow shovel is faster and better. Completely bogged down with anything more than a 2 to 3 inches of light fluffy snow. Heck, a snow good shovel clears that in no time w/ no cord to tangle, run over, or accidently pull out of the socket. I'd suggest getting a "real" machine or a good shovel. This is an in between solution that I wasn't satisfied with personally. Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

2010-03-27

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


This was shipped by Amazon "collapsed" and it was impossible to fit the handle together. When I called Toro they said that they never ship these direct to customers since a special tool may be required even to fit the handle together.
There is a reason these are sold assembled...
I'll write back when mine is working!Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

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


I've been using this snowthrower for 5 years now, and it works ok, but has definite limitations. If you have a driveway that's longer than 30 feet, then seriously consider buying a gas-powered one. To me, the hassles of using this snow thrower is balanced by the relatively few days of heavy snow where I live, and also by my dislike of maintaining gas-powered tools. Recommended with reservations.

PROS:
- Lightweight and compact, so can be stored in shed easily.
- Electric, so virtually no maintenance.
- The electric motor is surprisingly powerful.
- Simple to set up and use.
- Works very well with dry, powdery snow.
- Quality construction, and zero problems in past five years.

CONS:
- Lack of torque and lightweight plastic construction means that it cannot handle compacted, icy, or wet snow. (This is when you feel like junking this tool.)
- There should be a mechanism that 'locks' the electric cord connection to the thrower, so that the cord doesn't keep disconnecting.
- The handle should retract and telescope for leverage and also to facilitate storage.
- The tiny plastic wheels must have come from a toy factory. They provide no traction and are merely useless appendages.
Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

2010-03-26

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


I just purchased a Toro 1800 and after reading the reviews on it, I could see why a lot of folks were complaining that the chute hood would not keep its height throw adjustment. What I did was take a Dremel tool, attach a cutting wheel to it and cut a slot on the head of the smooth carriage bolt right in the middle of it. Just deep enough so you could fit a short/wide flathead screwdriver into it. Then while holding the screwdriver in place you can use a open ended wrench or socket wrench to tighten the lock nut really tight. Works great!Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

2010-03-25

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


Arew you kidding me? This thing is perfect. Not only can I do my driveway, I can load it in the back of my explorer and do myparent's driveway and my mother-in-law's driveway. Even better, my kids love to use it which means I get to stay indoors!!! Sure, it is only for wet snow that hasn't frozen over but it is maintenance free. Use it to your heart's content!!!!Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

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


Generally speaking, I like Toro Products, but in my experience the Toro Power Curve 1800 just doesn't cut it. I use an electric lawn mower in the summer, so I figured I'd try an electric snowblower for winter snow removal. How bad could it be? It was bad. The only thing the 1800 has going for it is its ease of use. There are really no controls to worry about. You provide your own electrical extension cord which plugs into the 1800; then just squeeze the red plastic bar at the top of the handle and you're good to go. It is lightweight, but unfortunately that is its greatest drawback and liability. I am in New England, and the first time I used it with about 4 inches of snow, the 1800 was fishtailing all over the place. It just couldn't handle it. It wouldn't go in a straight line either, and had terrible difficulty overcoming the resistance of a minor snowfall. Believe it or not, the wheels are hollow plastic like the ones you find on a child's toy dump truck. Remember the Tonka Toys? These wheels are useless. The least Toro could have done would have been to use solid wheels that have some heft. Another dynamic that I hadn't anticipated was the difficulty working with a power cord in freezing temperatures. The cord quickly becomes very stiff, unwieldy and uncooperative, and has a mind of its own. A bad scene all around. I returned the 1800 and got back my $329.00. The Toro Power Curve 1800 is nothing more than a glorified electric snow shovel. As much as I was trying to avoid buying a gas engine snowblower, I had to do it, and went with a 5 HP gas snowblower. My snow problems are now solved. Frankly speaking, you will be much better served with a 5 HP gas snowblower from either Toro or Honda - both of which are excellent, and head and shoulders above the electric 1800.
Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.