Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025 Review
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Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025
After getting back from a trip back east to visit the grandparents and the rest of the family, was able to use my grandparents' Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower.
Like me, my grandparents love the ease and simplicity of electric motors. No gas, no oil, no spark plugs, no exhaust, no tune-ups, very little heat.
They have owned this the Toro 1800 for about 3 years. I would have tested out this snow thrower sooner, but this is the first time I have been there when it snowed.
When I used the Toro 1800 Snow Thrower for the first time, I could immediately tell that it had a lot more power than my Toro Power Shovel. That makes sense, considering that my Toro Power Shovel is only a 7.5 amp motor and the Toro 1800 Snow Thrower is a full 12 amps.
The next thing I noticed was the way it handled. My Toro Power Shovel is held somewhat like a grass trimmer... while the Toro 1800 is pushed like a lawn mower (which is good, because it's heavier). It's the same style as the Lawn Machine Snow Blower I reviewed not too long ago.
I don't know if I like this or not, but it's just a necessity for larger motor. I had to remind myself that my little Toro Power shovel only weighs about 12 pounds, while the Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower weighs more than double at 25 pounds.
Also, the "mouth" of the Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower is about 6 inches wider than my Toro Power Shovel, which will help cut out a pass or two on larger areas. This makes a standard sidewalk a two-pass job. Nice.
The Toro 1800 Snow Thrower certainly handled the snow as well as my Toro Power Shovel... probably better, actually, with the wider 18 inch intake. The Toro 1800 also has an official capacity of 700 pounds of snow per minute, which is also more than double my Power Shovel.
It's easy to fall in love with the power of a 12 amp motor when you are used to using something lighter, and the heavier feel gave me the impression of a better-built unit. After the second time using the Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower, I considered selling my Power Shovel and buying a Toro 1800.
But, then I realized that the heavier feeling is just a trick of the mind, and my lighter Toro is built just as well as the heavier one.
I also have to consider what I really NEED. Here in Colorado, it doesn't snow very often... maybe a couple times per month. After I use my Toro Power Shovel and then sprinkle some "salt" on the walk, I'm typically done for a couple of weeks (at least).
But, all that extra weight, capacity and power comes at a higher price. The Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower #38025 is more than twice the amount that I paid for my Toro Power Shovel. But, then again, it's probably something that you need in the north east, since there seems to be a blizzard there every other week.
in conclusion, I think that the Toro 1800 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Curve Snow Thrower is perfect for those areas of the United States that get snow more than a couple of times per month. Otherwise, stick with something lighter, and less expensive (like the Toro Power Shovel).
Click here to read more reviews on the Toro 1800 Snow Thrower at Amazon.com.
