Toro 38361 Power Shovel 7.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower
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List Price: Our Price: $79.00 You Save: $70.99 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $48.95 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Toro 38361 Power Shovel 7.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower
Customer Review: Works as advertized and better than I expected (plus, a way to keep the lever depressed)
Summary: 5 Stars
This does a great job of moving snow from where you don't want it to someplace else. From the other reviews it's clear this is an excellent value. I'm writing this to perhaps clear up some misunderstandings.
1) You can aim where the snow goes. Just don't push the blower pointing straight forward. Rather, push it forward but angle the opening a bit left or right. The handle make this pretty easy.
2) It is a pain to keep the lever depressed and probably a safety hazard for Toro to provide a switch to lock the thing on. However, if you want to keep the handle depressed, try one of these: Velcro Reusable Self-Gripping Cable Ties, 0.5 Inches x 8 Inches Long, Black, 100 Ties per Pack (91140). They're remarkably handy and after you use one to solve this problem you'll have 99 left over to get your cables in order.
UPDATES: In the past month we've been living in our new house with it's 50' driveway, owned this powershovel, and lived through three big snow storms. I've developed a couple snow removal techniques which I've found effective. These are pictured with the product listing, that work well depending on which way the wind is blowing. Plan A, for if there's no wind. I ise a "V" pattern from the center of the driveway out towards the edges. That keeps the snow in front of me and gets most of it out of my way. Plan B, for if the wind is blowing across the driveway. I use a real shovel to clear a small path down the side where the wind is coming from and use the PowerShovel to make angel cuts from there to the other side. If the wind is blowing at me then I stay inside.
Customer Review: Made to fail after the warranty expires
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a great low-cost blower for most snow.
It works particularly well when the snow is less than 6 inches, the wind isn't blowing, and there is no ice or frozen chunks in the snow.
When the wind is blowing, however, the unit doesn't have enough power to propel the snow very far and the airborne snow will likely blow right back over the area you are trying to clear and it will blow all over you, too.
If there is ice or frozen snow, the unit will jam.
These shortcomings are not unreasonable for a blower that costs slightly more than a hundred dollars -- and, by the way, the MSRP shown on Toro's web site is lower than Amazon's price.
I got mine at Home Depot and it worked well in mild Ohio winters for several years.
It is made, however, to eventually fail. That's right, Toro makes the unit to fail prematurely.
The electric motor that Toro uses for this unit has brushes; Google "electric motor brushes" and you will learn that the brushes erode a little bit with each revolution of the motor, eventually wearing out to the point that the motor will no longer receive power. If the brushes don't fail, then because the motor housing isn't sealed against moisture, the the wires that connect the brushes to the motor or the springs that press the brushes against the motor will rust and fail.
The cost to repair will exceed the cost to replace.
It's just a matter of time and use and after a few years, this Toro "Power Shovel" will be ready for your local landfill.
In summary, the Toro "Power Shovel" is economical, but comes with built-in obsolescence and environmental waste.
Customer Review: For the people who doubt the The TORO shovel and rate it only as a 1 or 2
Summary: 1 Stars
Hi I never had the toro shovel. I cannot rate it at all. But before I purchase any item I read the 1 star reviews because it gives me my least expectations I hear about the problems and the poor performance. That is why I put this in the 1 star ratings. AGAIN I NEVER USED THE POWER SHOVEL AND CANNOT RATE IT!!!! However if you think the shovel stinks please take a look at the TORO 1800 Power curve IT RIPS!!. IT is the most amazing thing out there We have gone through 6 years of Cleveland Ohio Lake effect snows Yes we are in the proverbial snow belt!!!! We have snows up to 24 inches and this little machine RIPS. Yes, I would recommend that you clear it as it comes down when it it is only 6-8 inches deep but this machine CAN NOT BE BEAT FOR ITS EASE OF USE. WHEN A FRIEND RECOMMENDED IT i was doubtful as I had a gasoline snowblower. Do not doubt the POWER!!!! Do not doubt the CAPABILITY!! This is the ULTIMATE SNOW MOVING MACHINE!!! If you can't afford the price I found one on Craigslist used for 125. The Craigslist purchase is my backup machine when my first purchase dies. But at 6 seasons it is going strong with no mechanical problems. I am a BELIEVER!!! Toro RIPS! The Toro 1800 is the ULTIMATE SNOW MOVING MACHINE. Please note as a women I can lift this thing with one hand and it sits on a peg in my garage off the floor I doubt it weighs 20 pounds It makes cleaning out the garage in the summer easier. My neighbor, a woman friend bought one because her husband has a BIGGY gas powered machine that could clear a section of I-71 if he had enough time to do it. THE Toro 1800 clears my driveway faster than I can shovel a small deck. As I said IT RIPS !!!Customer Review: Not bad at all
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this at Home Depot on sale ($30!) and bought it on impulse. I had considered buying it before, but weren't convinced by the reviews I found. However, at $30, I figured it was worth a shot. Regular price at Home Depot was $120 up here in Canada.
I just cleared out entire driveway out in 10 mins. We just had a foot of fresh powdery snow, and this thing handled it with ease. I was very surprised at how far it threw the snow. I also used it on some areas with a bit firmer snow, and it went through it fine as well. It had trouble when it hit ice rocks about the size of tennis balls, but this was expected, and I didn't intend to use it on it anyway.
My driveway would normally take us 1-2 hours to clear the equivalent amount of snow that the Toro did in 10 mins. However, the amount of effort my back put in was about the same. Since this thing is relatively light and has no wheels, you have to push it and lift it at the same time. It's very tiresome to use for longer periods, so hopefully the job gets done quickly.
One downside that the product has is that it only throws snow to the front, and quite high too. In my case, this means that the snow will often get blown into my neighbours yard. I try to avoid it by aiming the Toro more down, or angling it, but both make operating it a bit more tiring. I will probably try to make shield for it myself to direct the snow a bit better.
Overall, it was definitely worth the $30, and if I knew it performed like this, I would've purchased it at the full retail price at the beginning of the season. Great little machine.
Customer Review: Dig It
Summary: 4 Stars
If you go to Target, Home Depot or any of the other big chains that sell the Toro Electric Shovel you will probably find the same thing that I did...that it is SOLD OUT. Why? Because this is one of the most helpful tools to have ever been placed on the market.
It works fairly well on small driveways; don't forget to pick up a nice long outdoor-use electric extension cord. And use this only on paved surfaces...no loose gravel!
But the real benefit of this tool comes with walkways and DECKS.
If you've got a large driveway, pass on this and go for something with a little more power. If you've got a decent size walkway, you'll love this. It clears the snow with ease and it will last forever; my father-in-law has had his since the early 90s.
If you have a deck with a railing, and your deck isn't covered so it builds up with snow, the Toro Electric Shovel will become your best winter friend. The snow is propelled a good 25 feet and easily clears deck railings. Just don't shoot the snow into the wind (duh). No more throwing out your back from lifting heavy snow over railings with this baby.
No matter where you use this...a word of advice: Try not to let the snow get deeper than about 6". Yes, that means you might have to go out a couple of times. But c'mon...it's fun! The Toro still works in deep snow, but it really isn't designed for it. Any deeper than about 6" and you'll need to "shave the top of the snow accumulation," and you might as well not have the electric shovel for the effort that takes.
Happy snow season!