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MisterEd
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 5:11a
Good price, but there is something about dragging an electrical cord through the snow that makes me wonder. Electric lawn mower .... maybe, but an electric snow blower ..... don't know.
dman636
New Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 7:50a
Not really a big deal as long as you are using a GFI; which every outside plug should be.
mmyk72
Thrifty Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 8:14a
This item was super hot a month ago when AMZ had it for 150 - I got one and lived thru the Blizzard last week. At this price, it's even hotter!
MrOracle
Serene Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 8:33a
I have had one of these for a few years and I really like it.
Pros: 1) Very lightweight. I can pick it up and carry it easily. Try that with a gas powered snow blower! 2) No gas so no maintenance. No oil refills. No tuneups. No stalling in cold weather. It always start. Never runs out of gas. Starts instantly on cold days. Wipe it off and put it away when done. 3) Stores easily. Small, does not take up a lot of space. You could probably even hang it up the garage. 4) Saves a lot of shoveling. 5) Relatively inexpensive.
Cons: 1) Need a long heavy duty power cord. 2) Should use a GFI protected outdoor outlet for safety. 3) During long use, the plug (on blower end) starts to vibrate loose. When it does, it can start to spark or smoke. I stop and tighten it every so often (This is my MAJOR gripe with this unit. They should really fix this by having something that holds the cord into the blower better. If you ignore the burning smell it will melt the plug on the power cord near the blower. Just tighten it every so often or when you smell the sparking and you are OK) 4) Not as fast as a gas blower.
We have a plow service that does our driveway (80 feet). I use this for cleanup around the garage door, the walkway, or to clear off the deck. When the snow is too little for the plow to come, I have used this to clear the driveway. It is not as fast as the large gas powered blowers. On the other hand it is easier to use. I used it after we got 3 feet of snow from the last blizzard. It is light enough that I could sit it on top of the 3 feet of snow and go back and forth until it got down to the bottom. It has saved a lot of shoveling.
rareairhead
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 8:40a
I have a wrap around wooden deck that needs clearing. Living in "balmy" northern Vermont, that requires quite a few reps each winter. With durable plastic paddles, this puppy works like a charm. For about this same price, I bought a reconditioned unit 8 years ago. Still going strong.
Highly recommended, but . . . just remember not to run over that heavy duty electrical cord. (Please don't ask me how I know this. Thoughtful observation would be my answer. = )
Blow snow.
torpid
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 9:09a
Almost got one of these. I opted to get a "real" snowblower (2 stage gas). I do not regret it at all. One of my neighbors has this and has a hard time occasionally. It seems to excel at small snows but doesn't handle big ones very well.
yakky
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 9:11a
I've have one of these Toros for about 5 years. Great for milder climates that occasionally get dumped on. Besides it has an amazing ability to keep snow away for at least two years after you buy it causing your SO to question why you bought it.
mugambo
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 10:05a
Thanks op! I got one. what is the extension cord recommended for this?
gregdoyle
New Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 10:19a
good deal here but u really wish this was gas powered.
freeguy007
Thrifty Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 10:30a
gregdoyle said: good deal here but u really wish this was gas powered.
I've not yet seen a gas powered electric snow blower.
I just bought one. The Amazon reviews are pretty helpful & there are a lot of them.
TimInHollywood
Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 10:51a
Have had for a few years. Works great. I live in an area where many neighbors have the monstrous gas-powered snow blowers. Beyond 8"-10" of snow, it won't do it in one pass. However, since it's very light (we hang it on the wall in the garage), for super-deep snow, I can "skim" half of the snow by doing a top layer, then come back for the bottom layer of snow. That's only happened once, when it drifted a couple feet high in a few places.
I paid at least $100 more for this...and think that was a great deal.
I use a 12-3 cord, but I think a 14-3 will work. Check the printed manual in the box for clarification. Definitely don't use a cheap 16-3 cord.
Contrary to another post, I've never had problems with the cord coming loose from the unit. It has a built-in cord loop that keeps my cord secure until I choose to remove it.
Buy it and hope for snow!
chibimike
Happy Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 11:06a
MrOracle said: I have had one of these for a few years and I really like it. Cons: 3) During long use, the plug (on blower end) starts to vibrate loose. When it does, it can start to spark or smoke. I stop and tighten it every so often (This is my MAJOR gripe with this unit. They should really fix this by having something that holds the cord into the blower better. If you ignore the burning smell it will melt the plug on the power cord near the blower. Just tighten it every so often or when you smell the sparking and you are OK)
They sell extension cords with locks built into the end to prevent his from happening.
mmyk72
Thrifty Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 11:17a
I use a 12 gauge 50 ft (I think 14 gauge works too, but the prices are only a few bucks apart so might as well get 12 ga).
I wrap the cord around the sides of the push handle and then plug it in, so there is no pulling on the plug during use. No problem so far - used it once for 6 hrs this weekend.
mugambo
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 11:25a
This extension cordlooks like is good, any suggestions on this?
rareairhead
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 11:51a
mugambo said: This extension cordlooks like is good, any suggestions on this? Don't think it would qualify as a Hot Deal = ), but with the money you save on the excellent priced snow blower, this cord is a good "investment". Definitely more than enough for the job.
For readers that may not be aware, the lower the number (12, 14, etc.), the thicker the wire. Your owner's manual will let you know the minimum size wire that should be used.
I'm sure others will chime in if I'm confused . . . again.
DarkScout
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 12:33p
mugambo said: This extension cordlooks like is good, any suggestions on this?
It looks like the monster cable of extension cords.
I would go with the Snow Joe 620 model here. Overall, better reviews and it works great from my experience. I have seen elsewhere that the Snow Joes are better in the fact that some of the parts are made of metal vs. plastic on the Toros.
mmyk72
Thrifty Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 1:10p
I think the only diff in the 2 SnowJoe's is one with light and one with no light. I was torn between the SJ (cheaper) and the Toro, but reading all the reviews made me go with the Toro. Personal preference.
yakky
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 1:40p
gregdoyle said: good deal here but u really wish this was gas powered.
If you live in snow country, not sure why you are looking at this. If you live where you occasionally get snow, gas is a burden. Most people don't dump their gas, nevermind change the oil yearly, so they have snowblowers that won't start at the first snow.
torpid
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 2:47p
Consumer reports prefers the Toro over the SnowJoe. It's their highest rated single stage electric. But that's not saying a whole lot as they still are at the bottom of the food chain in their ratings.
woyemihu
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 3:01p
i got the $149 toro too, any chance for a price match?
mmyk72 said: This item was super hot a month ago when AMZ had it for 150 - I got one and lived thru the Blizzard last week. At this price, it's even hotter!
jschuman
Senior Member - 5K
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 3:16p
Only issue with Woot is no returns, you have to deal with the manufacture if you have issues.
ohioindy
Addicted Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 6:34p
If you shovel snow even ONCE a year and dislike that chore, you're are crazy to pass this up if you can swing it. I bought one of these 8 years ago and have used it MANY, MANY times each season in Ohio without any issues at all. I can clear my driveway faster than the neighbors who are using a larger gas multi-stage blower (I walk fast!). Unless the snow is well over 12" inches, it works like a charm. Even with larger amounts, you can make it work. I'm not a fan of any "electric" powered yard accessories and thought the power cord would be an issue too but after blowing a specific area a few times, you will find a pattern that works well without having to worry about the trailing cord at all (as long as you have plenty of length available). I'm thinking about buying another one as a backup at this price!
mmyk72
Thrifty Member
posted: Feb. 15, 2013 @ 9:26p
doubt it... unless you used a credit card with price protection or something. It's really only 15 bucks difference.... for that amount, I'm glad to have it in time for that NE Blizzard last weekend.
woyemihu said: i got the $149 toro too, any chance for a price match?
mmyk72 said: This item was super hot a month ago when AMZ had it for 150 - I got one and lived thru the Blizzard last week. At this price, it's even hotter!
I would go with the Snow Joe 620 model here. Overall, better reviews and it works great from my experience. I have seen elsewhere that the Snow Joes are better in the fact that some of the parts are made of metal vs. plastic on the Toros.
Thanks bhoup and all, The reason I was asking, was I want to know how good this Toro is so I might strike it. I do currently own the Snow Joe that I bought at Costco 2 or 3 years back and honestly, it's way under my expectation.
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