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

We went to the local hardware store to look at and perhaps purchase one of these. I have to say that I was very disappointed in its robustness and appearance in general. It looks and feels like a cheap plastic toy with an expensive price tag. The plastic impeller (yes, the impeller is plastic) looked like something that would disintegrate into pieces the first time it hit a piece of ice. We decided not to buy one.

I give it two stars because we haven't actually used it and so I don't have a basis to give it one star.

At the very least, I would advise against buying one of these by mail order or over the Internet (sorry, Amazon) unless you know exactly what you are buying. Find one in a local hardware store (the toro website has MANY dealer listings all over the country) and go look at it first. Then decide if it's worth $300+ to you.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 Immediately

The delivery was expidicious and the snow blower works just fine. i have not had heavy snow yet, and wihhold judgememt on the deep 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 Review

This thing is pretty incredible. Just got it today, and it's already snowed 4-5 times and previously I have just been shoveling.

My driveway was already plowed by the time I got this, so I had to try it out on other things, like the 2-3ft snow banks that haven't been touched by a shovel since the beginning of the snow season, or the banks that I created by shoveling, also fairly high.

I simply placed this thing on top of the snow bank and pushed it back and forth on top of it, and it ate away large sections of the snow bank at a time. It even cleaned up the ice/slushy stuff where my property meets the road.

I'd rate this 4.5/5 since the thing is literally one big piece of Tonka plastic... but since that isn't an option I'd rather give it a 5 than a 4. The height adjustment is also a little flakey... doesn't seem to hold down, but I think I may need to tighten it, as I've been wearing to strip the plastic like I've heard in some reviews.

Edit: The snow flow height adjustment seems fine after I tightened the nuts. I was pushing on the head of the bolt to try to prevent the plastic square insert from stripping.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 Top Quality

This is a small snow blower, which is perfect for places where you don't get a lot of snow, but have a big driveway you have to clear. Very lite and easy to use. Does well with wet or lite snow, and some ice.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

Product and carton received in excellent shape; no damage. Can't comment on snow removal yet because we have not had any. Read several reviews about extension cord connection to snow thrower. If you purchase a 14 gauge (15 amp) extension cord, it fits fine and will handle the product's 12 amp draw. If one connects the extension cord to the handle per the instructions, it should NOT disconnect inadvertently. I am a handyman and ran into two assembly issues. First, when connecting the upper handle to the lower handle, the left side with the electric wire was really difficult to push together because the wire inside the tubing is about 1/2 to 1 inch too long. Second, when connecting the chute deflector onto the discharge chute, one bolt and locknut tightened just fine. The other locknut was a wrestler's challenge. Used a pair of channel-locks to hold the bold head until the locknut was tight enough for the square bolt to engage in the square plastic housing. If not careful, one can strip the square plastic hole in the discharge chute. Otherwise, I believe it will be a good snowthrower for 10 inches of snow, or less, as advertised on the carton. Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

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[ASIN:B00005OQMG Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025]
Just finished the second snow removal of the season. First was about 6" of light snow, the second a three inch mix of snow, sleet and ice. Clearing 40' of walkway and 40' of single car width asphalt driveway. Plus, a path for the mailbox and trash can and a patch for the dogs (don't ask). Job 1 was no problem after learning how to use the machine. Job 2 was more of a bear because of the ice on top.

However, while the total time was probably longer than hand shoveling (get out the blower, get out the cord, untangle the cord since the spouse had used it and dumped it into a pile, snow blow, put the blower back, rewind the cord, etc.), my ancient and decrepit body was able to move the snow (even that dumped by the town at the end of the drive, bless their hearts) with nary a back twinge or sprain. Not that I didn't complain to the bride. And not that it did any good, but I thought I'd stay in practice in case a big job came up. At any rate, escaped an ambulance ride one more time.

While clearing the ice, it sounded like a blender at times. However, despite the light weight plastic construction, by making a couple of passes, the Toro did a decent job - much better than I expected, frankly. And the light weight is an advantage when moving the blower around.

Speaking of which, the chief annoyance is the power lever which spans almost the entire length of the handle. It is next to impossible to move (reposition) the unit by the handle without having it start up. The second minor annoyance is that the cord likes to vibrate free from the plug socket despite the convenient cord "pass-through."

Bottom line: does what I need it to do without the hassle of a gas powered unit. Should be able to clear a foot of "normal" snow although you might have to make a couple of passes. Use a 14 gauge two prong 100' cord rated for low temperatures (I use 12-3, but that is overkill). You can get the cord for $45 or less (Home Depot, Costco, Sam's, Wal-mart, BJ's, etc.). I also see the price of the Toro is up $60 to $320.00 in the past couple of months (12/2007) and much higher than the $200 I saw it for last year. Still cheaper than a gas unit and will do the job of a small gas unit for up to a foot or so of dry snow and a distance of 100'.

PROS:
- Electric.
- Easy to set up and operate.
- Lightweight, compact, (mostly) quality construction.
- Works well on dry, powdery snow.
- Will cut through some ice and slush. Have patience and let the blower do the work.
- Gets me out into the relative peace and quiet of the great outdoors where I can smile at the Prius drivers while their landscapers push around huge gas operated machinery.

CONS:
- Some assembly required (not tough, but save the beer for after the job).
- The large "on" bar makes it (too) easy to accidentally start blower.
- Cord will occasionally disconnect despite the cord holder.
- A retractable / foldable / more easily removable handle would be nice for storage.
- Small plastic rear wheels replace the former large metal and rubber wheels. Not sure what purpose they serve except to keep the unit from falling over. Usually.
- Forget the "electric plug lock." It doesn't work. Throw the little plastic key away.Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.

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The product arrived quickly, but I was suspicious the packaging tape was not original. The unit, purchased new, was previously assembled! The washer on the lever was broken. The box had tears, not from shipping, but from sitting around. I live in New Jersey, but am originally from Pennsylvania and I am ashamed that the unit was shipped from Chambersburg, PA. People usually have pride in what they do from this area, but not in this case. That earns a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking! Please do not bait and switch another previously assembled unit for new. Get more detail about Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025.