2009-09-19

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


I bought this snow thrower almost a month ago, and have used it 4 times since. I live in a north west suburb of Minneapolis, and we have had a snowier than normal December. So the purchase was right in time. Being that this was my first snow thrower, which I bought for the first winter in my first house, I wanted something that would work well enough, but not be too much for my situation. I have a 2 car wide, ~55 foot driveway which can be shoveled in about 25 minutes if it is just an inch of light snow. With this little power horse, I can clear the same space with even more snow (only done up 6 inches so far) in about 15-20 minutes. And I expect to get my time down even farther than that now that I have had a little bit of practice.
The snow thrower seems well built, and is extremely simple to operate. I liken the use as to using a vacuum. If you can use a vacuum, you can use this device. A lot of people will list the cord has a Con, but using the vacuum metaphor again, it is a lot like using a vacuum in that you just need to be aware of where the cord is, and move it as needed.
It is also light enough that I can lift it (if needed) to get it around our cars to get it out of the back of our garage. That is something I would not be able to do with gas throwers. In calm winds, I can throw about 20 feet (30 if you are pointing straight ahead.
If there is any real fault of this device, it is that it will not really chew up the densely packed snow/ice that the plows leave at the bottom of my driveway. I have actually picked at that stuff with a shovel before I take the thrower to move it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. That is the real reason it gets a 4 starts instead of 5.

Pros:
-Although it is all plastic, it is very well built.
-Great throwing distance.
-Quieter than gas throwers.
-Light enough to lift above your head.
-Crank control for chute (which most single stage gas throwers do not have).
-It is Electric!

Cons:
-Cords can get in the way. Once you are used to using it, this becomes less of an issue.
-Cannot handle dense snow/ice.

Tips if you decide to buy this:
1. Get a really good cord that is long enough for what you need. The cord must be able to handle 12 amps, which means you will probably need to get a 15 amp cord. Also get a cold weather cord, so that it does not become too stiff in the cold weather.
2. Take it especially slow the first few times you use it as this thrower will find every little crack and seam in your driveway. Once you know where these are, you can "float" the thrower over them to avoid the sudden stops.
3. Figure out a good pattern for your driveway. This is actually more important for cord management. I find for me it works really well to do mine in 3rds. I will do the top 3rd all the way across, the move down and do the next 3rd. This away I avoid most possible problems with my cord.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

2009-09-18

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


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.

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


I purchased this snow thrower about a month ago and it has already given up after maybe 5 uses of less than 5 inches of snow. I understand I am in Chicago area and we see bit more snow than others but this unit now stops rotating as soon as it gets in touch with snow - even an inch of it!

I would suggest you spend a couple of hundred more dollars and buy a more powerful and reliable snow thrower than but this unit. Using a chord is one hassle but being without a snow thrower in middle of winter is completely different. It's not worth that risk!!!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!


Received it this week. We have snow like we haven't had for many years and it just keeps coming. I screwed up my back and can't keep shoveling. I have a 12 ft. by 30 level driveway and some sidewalk to do. This is perfect for me. I am impressed with the ease of use and light weight. As for the minor assembly, I used a small flat blade screwdriver to press the electric cable when aligning the handle holes. I did the assembly myself, but does require patience and following the directions and maybe 1/2 hour. It clears the snow down to bare surface. It will do slush, just won't throw it far because ithe slush is too heavy. Worth every penny and I will help my elderly neighbors. 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


I was given this snow thrower 5 years ago when I moved to upstate NY. Being a female who hates huge power tools, this was perfect. It's true about the neighbors and their huge gas snowblowers. My 75 foot driveway is always the first one cleaned and done. Half of them can't start theirs or the chain broke or it's in the shop.
This one is perfect. small enough to pick up and move to where ever you want, small enough for small areas, small enough to hang on the hook when finished.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

2009-09-17

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


Bought this one a year ago, and have loved it ever since. Live in northern Massachusetts where it does snow, and sometimes too often. Last week we received 10-12" and this little snow blower did a wonderful job. Now, lets be realistic, it is light weight and portable, and I bought it because I move from apartment to apartment, so lugging a gas powered beast is not my style. As it is lightweight, it does not do great with slush, not because it cannot throw it, but because the thing is so light it cannot dig in. These events do not happen often, and a little work and it will still do the job.

The other area where it struggles is 12"+ of snow, only because the thing is only 12" tall or so. Again, it works, you just have to work a little more at it whereas a 200 lb gas monster could pull one of those monster truck moves. And when I say work at it, I really mean dicing up the snow or cutting it down so the snow blower can handle it.

For reference, my driveway is 4-5 cars wide and one car deep, and the snow plow operator has no other place to push the snow but into my driveway from the one lane road with a solid fence opposing me, so you can see I have a fair bit of shoveling, and in the last month it has displaced a total of 20" of snow in 3 separate storms.

Some nit picking, the directional throw chute does not stay pointed to the side with heavy snow, it will work its way back to the straight ahead position and up. Also, get a cold weather extension cord! The typical orange ones freeze, and that makes moving around more difficult. There is a safety key also, but I feared it falling out in the snow at night, so a little work and I was able to turn the key and then remove it still in the on position. Most will not do this, but I do not want to lose the silly key and not be able to use the snow blower.

Since I have not referred to its power, it is fine. Actually, I worry about throwing the snow into the neighbors driveway, and hence my nit picking of the chute. And by the way, a directional chute is absolutely a requirement. I have an electric "snow shovel" but all it does is throw the snow ahead so the pile in front of you just gets bigger.

Overall, I am totally pleased with the purchase. Many hours of back breaking work has been saved, and for the price, it is totally worth it. Actually, I can think of a few nights where I now seriously regret not having it. 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


This is my second Toro electric snowblower. The motor on my first one has finally weakened to the point where it is difficult to throw anything but the fluffiest snow more than just a few feet. However, that one lasted about 12 years, so I have no complaints in that regard. Not much appears to have changed over the years. Used it 4 times already this year and have easily cleared snows of up to 5" on our driveway. Just make sure you know which way the wind is blowing before deciding on which direction to throw the snow. Can clear a 50' x 20' driveway in 30-40 minutes. Buy this and make your life easier without the worry of starting up a standard gasoline motor.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.