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

[This is an update of a review I posted Feb. 19, 2005]

I have had this snow-thrower since Jan. 2005, and liked the idea of an electric alternative to the dangerous gasoline-powered monsters. I bought an electric lawnmower when I was in So. Calif., and loved it for the 20+ years it ran flawlessly! I was hoping that this electric snowthrower would be a repeat of the good lawnmower experience, but it was not.

There are REAL disadvantages to such a lightweight snow thrower, as I have painfully discovered.

PROS:

1.) As I previously mentioned, no hazardous gasoline nor oil to mess around with!

2.) This thrower can be used immediately; just plug it into the heavy-duty cable, and go! Immediate starting, no gas to pour, no oil to check nor change.

3.) Lightweight: a woman should be able to carry it to where it is needed.

4.) RELATIVELY cheap acquisition price when compared to gasoline-powered throwers.

CONS:

1.) This pee-wee CANNOT handle anything but paved driveways or walkways.

2.) SLOW... when the snow gets wet or high (over 10 inches) it is pretty much overwhelmed.

3.) Noisier than you think: it surprised me with the impeller noise!

4.) The tiny, tiny wheels are a joke: they freeze up with snow and ice and then act as a poor "set of skids", actually slowing you down.

5.) The electric cord (12 gauge,150 feet in my case) is the least of the inconveniences - gets in the way, slows my progress down.

6.) SERVICE IS A REAL PROBLEM: None of the Toro dealers know how to service this thing after a problem arises; it is an unconventional snow thrower!

7.) When the snow really flies with accompanying winds, the ELECTRIC POWER GOES OUT! Now I know why my neighbors prefer self-powered (gasoline) snow throwers!

8.) The impeller (or whatever Toro chooses to call it) is made of PLASTIC, not steel. Mine has already been replaced (at one year old point) due to total failure.

9.) The output chute tends to rotate away from the direction in which I point it, which means I have to stop and readjust it continuously. I have attempted to tighten it up so it won't rotate, but I have been unsuccessful.

If you need a real snowthrower because of serious snowfalls, then get a two-stage self-propelled one, like most of my neighbors have; that's what I am looking to purchase now!

The other detail that Toro doesn't make obvious, is the fact that this should be used on PAVED DRIVEWAYS AND WALKS ONLY!! I live in a rural area with neither, and this Toro regularly picks up a rock or pine cone and hurls it 20-30 feet! That little trick has only broken one window (so far).

This tendency - picking up rocks - has also caused the Toro to become non-functional. A stone got caught in between the impeller and the lower lip of the intake and froze the electric engine. The Toro has not worked since that incident, despite two trips to the Toro dealer in Redding, CA.

The tendency to pick up loose rocks and gravel can be lessened by keeping the push-handle down below your waist as you push it through the snow - which in turn keeps the front intake slightly elevated so no loose objects can get sucked in.

When ten (10) inches of measured snow fell earlier one season (2005), my 100+ foot driveway proved to be pretty much the maximum that this machine could handle. In fact, after the snow plow left his "donation" in my driveway, it was quite difficult getting through that mess.

A suggestion: get out early before the snow melts - and compacts itself - this makes it easier to keep the chute clear of "wet" snow, which is more difficult to clear out.

With last evening's (this was Feb. 18, 2006) light 7 inch snowfall, the Toro worked fine. It still took me 1.5 hours, but I did a 60+ foot path in the backyard, too. Again, a PAVED surface would make the chore much easier and manageable.

Would I buy this machine again? DEFINITELY NOT. I'm maxed out with 150 feet of 12 gauge cable, and after a 1.5 - 2 hour workout with this machine, I think a two-stage snow-blower would be better! If I lived where the driveways and walkways were paved and the snowfall was light, then yes, I might purchase the electric Toro again.

I hope my review helps you make your best choice!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 Decide Now

I used it for the first time this morning. We had appprox 6" of snow. I did my driveway (3-car wide) and the lady's across the street in less than 30 minutes. I also bought the Coleman Polar/Solar 100' extension cord - stayed flexible at 10 degrees. Highly recommended for areas where you get moderate snow fall. Doesn't take up a lot of space in the garage.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 Order Now

I have had this model since 1999 and have used it a variety of situations. Its great in heavy wet snow or light powder, from an inch or so to over 10 inches (we haven't had anything more than that). I live in a townhome and only have responsibility for the two parking spaces in front of my unit and the walk to my house. I can do that in 20 min. or so, but because it is so easy and fun, I usually do my neighbors spaces (about 10 20X9 spaces in all, our main sidewalk, the walks for 3 neighbors), the snow the plows pile in back of the cars, and clear a path to our group mailboxes in about an hour and a half, maybe 2. You can ram this thing (a few inches at a time) trough the heaviest snow. It's GREAT. It is especially good for those of us who don't want to store gas for a gas thrower in our living unit.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 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.

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

I bought this Toro in December 2005 and forgot about it since we got no snow after buying it. I thought I would not get a chance to use it this season. Wrong!! This past weekend's storm dumped 15+ inches of snow where we live (Maryland). At first I wasn't so sure this little unit would do the job. I was pleasantly surprised. I was able to do my 50 x 24 foot driveway and long sidewalk (corner lot) in about 1.5 hours (took longer since we have a sloped driveway). I had to do 2 passes, since this little blower could not handle such a large depth of snow. But it did the job well. Occasionally the chute would choke (large volume of snow), but this was easily solved by cleaning it. Two nitpicks - first, the little wheels are practically useless. But the unit is lightweight, so it's not a big deal. Second, you have to get used to dragging the cord around, and that slows the job some. But the cord is not the unit's fault. This little Toro saved my back!!! I'm looking forward to the next snowstorm!!! 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 This instant

I bought this in 2003 after debating the merits of a gas or electric blower. Since all of my yard equipment is electric/battery (lawn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, etc.) I decided to buy this unit instead of gas. Living in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, we can go a whole season without significant snow (usually 4" to 6") or we can get hammered, like this past weekend. We received somewhere around 18" in my area. I was somewhat disappointed with this unit. Previous snowfalls have been no problem, even a storm last year of neary 14". But I think this weekend pushed my limits. It took me nearly 3 hours to clear my driveway. A common problem with this unit is chute clogging if the snow packs well (not the same as wet snow. Think of packed poweder, if you ski.)It clogged constantly yesterday. I found that using a spring clamp to keep the unit on reduced the clogging and by taking a smaller width. This slow me down considerably. In retrospect, I probably should have gone out late Saturday night and a first pass, but opted for sleep instead and the snow didn't get really heavy until the wee hours. I am strongly considering a gas model for next winter. If I do, I will not buy a Toro. Not because of this unit, but they only sell 2-cycle engines on their snowblowers. Generally, it's a good unit if most of your snowfalls are less than 10". If you get one or two biggies a year and have a large driveway, this may not be the right one.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.