Toro 38381 18-Inch 15 Amp Electric 1800 Power Curve Snow Blower,Black

I hate shoveling snow! I usually don't do anything about the snow each year until the mailman threatens to stop delivering my mail unless I do (one of these days I'll catch him in a dark alley . . .). So when I bought this Snow thrower I wanted it to work, but not this well. I just finished clearing my walkways (front and back) and my driveway. For the first year ever I also did my sidewalks. It was so easy and so fast that now my wife is expecting me to be out there using it every time a snowflake drops.Ok, down to the specifics:Pros:You just plug it in and push it around, it does the rest for you.Electric, so no need for oil and gas.It throws the snow far and at a slight angle making it mist (I was afraid it would simply throw the snow in my path so that I'd just have more snow to shovel when I got there. I was also afraid it would throw the snow across the street onto the neighbors' parked cars. Since the snow mists neither of those is true.)It seems to be well made (I hit several patches of hard ice, my fence, some decorative rocks, and a pumpkin that's almost completely frozen and while it did strike them hard there's no visible damage on the thrower, but the pumpkin got smashed to bits that I had to clean up . . . thanks!)Cons:The fact that it's electric is a double edged sword. It makes it maintenance free like I mentioned earlier, but the cord almost always seemed to find its way in my path making me have to stop and go constantly. Also, it came unplugged far too easily (another reason for the stop and go).It's heavy. While I have no trouble lifting or swinging this thing around under normal circumstances, when I'm doing a balancing act over slippery snow and ice those extra, top-heavy, 13.5 pounds become a problem.It does nothing for packed snow. Any snow that has been stepped on a few times, or driven on, this thing doesn't catch. I could dig in deeper with it, but like I said I hate shoveling snow and it would easier to dig in with a regular, light weight shovel instead.It reveals the ice patches under the snow. I mean seriously . . . would the mailman rather slip on ice and brake his neck or walk through a few inches of snow? What a wimp!It does not work on steps or other tight places. There not much room for maneuvering this thing so steps with railings on either side need to be done manually with a shovel.In the product description it also says that it works with up to 6 inches of snow. That's not a real limitation since all I had to do was go over the top to remove the extra inches (instead of shoveling from under the snow) before going back under. All in all I'm very pleased with my purchase, even though it aggravates me to think that I spent over $100 for a wimpy mailman whose afraid of some snow. I should have him reimburse me for it and pay for my time wasted shoveling. What ever happened to "neither rain nor snow blah blah blah" that used to be their motto?EDIT: I forgot to mention in the "pros" category that the height of both grips (main grip for pushing and lower grip for guiding) is adjustable. Since it's been snowing here all night and morning I just got back from my second run with this and it was even easier an simpler than the first time around because I remembered that the height is adjustable and I brought it up to my level. No more bending over and coming back after it's done with a sore back.Also, some reviews here mentioned the grip being a problem because you have to press a button and a trigger at the same time. Personally I haven't found this to be a problem at all and in fact I prefer it that way since it prevents me from accidentally squeezing the trigger when I don't mean to. If it is a problem for you, though, I have seen plenty of good tips for fixing the problem (such as Velcro bands or twisty ties).This time around the snow was completely fresh and unpacked so I did everything in about 15 minutes. The regular shovel usually took me at least an hour to do the walkways only (and that's under moderate snowfall circumstances). Walkways, driveway, and sidewalk in 15 . . .? Yeah, it's that great. I don't know how they could have made it any better for the same price.By the way, you might want to hold off on buying this until the price drops because I've noticed it fluctuating two times since I bought it. It's now $15 more expensive than what I paid about a week ago.Final EDIT: Since over the last few weeks we've been hit with massive snowstorms I now have experience with really deep snow to comment on. In short, grab your shovel and get back to the work you're used to because this things does nothing for it. The recent snowfall has actually made me regret the rating I gave it. This was where the real test was and it failed monumentally. After an hour of using it I'd managed to clear about 3 feet of snow (in length, not depth). I pulled out the shovel and over the next hour finished everything else (approximately 177 more feet). I know I said that 6 inches of snow are not a real limitation for this, but apparently I was wrong. When the snow is actually deep enough that you have to shovel (not just for the frigen mailman) this is just a waste of time.

I owned a previous Toro 1800 model for probably 7 years (ending in roughly 2000-2001). I'd get my driveway cleaned faster and better than my neighbors using their gas units. But, after 7 years, my Toro finally had it and I decided to get me a gas/oil mix snow blower.I ended up with two different gas/oil mix units over the past 9 years. One gas snow blower lasted 3 years (I paid about $500 for it). The next one lasted 6 years and is on its last leg (I paid $465) for it.Now, I FINALLY get to go back to a BETTER Toro 1800 model than the prior model that I loved so much (AND IT IS STILL THE SAME PRICE I PAID FOR MY FIRST UNIT 17 YEARS AGO!). I'm not waiting to purchase this unit since it is only $299 with free shipping. No way am I waiting. This model has been around a long time. That attests to its popularity, reliability and greatness. It will clear 10 inches deep, no problem. I've cleared snow over 18 inches deep, no problem. It chews right through the white stuff and tosses it clear off the drive by up to 30 feet. Powerful for an electric unit. And this latest engine is even more powerful! Can't wait!I have cleaned up slushy snow (off the street) with this unit in the past. Nice clear path along the curb so the mail person can easily drive up to my mailbox in the winter. As 'convenient' as a gas snow thrower can be (for the simple reason you don't have to watch out for an electric extension cord), I can't stand it when the engine jets crud up and I have to get the doggone gas unit 'tuned' for a $100+. I started straining my oil/gas mixture through my wife's used nylons (a mechanic told me that trick to keep the jets clean from impurities in the gas/oil mix) and that worked well for not needing any further tuneups. But, I always dreaded coming up to the next season 'wondering' if the gas unit would start, how it would idle, and how long it would last before dying on a heavy snowfall day. I NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT SUCH THINGS WITH MY PAST TORO 1800 ELECTRIC SNOWTHROWER! It always started, always ran powerfully, and always did a better job cleaning the driveway than my gas/oil powered units.So I AM BACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MUCH IMPROVED VERSION (and the other model was already great)! I can't wait for snow to fall now! I'll be ready. I'll be thrilled. I'll be glad to be the ONLY ONE (AGAIN) in our neighborhood with this powerful electric snow thrower. My neighbors have purchased huge, powerful gas units. Man do they rev for 1-2 seasons. Then, I hear them chugging and choking (I know they don't filter their gasoline through nylon stockings) and then I see them loading these heavy gas hogs into their RVs for the semi-annual trip to the tuneup shop. I WILL NOT MISS THAT AT ALL. RELIABILITY, POWER, EFFICIENCY, CLEAN RUNNING, NO POLLUTION, ALWAYS STARTS, ALWAYS RUNS, WORKS LIKE A CHAMPION WORK HORSE, I AM NEVER GOING BACK TO THOSE MESSY GAS/OIL CHUGGERS EVER AGAIN. Not with this beautiful, electric, Toro back in my garage again (FINALLY - WELCOME HOME TORO!)9/27/2010 - My new Toro arrived on Saturday (9/25/2010). Thanks for the quick shipment, Amazon. My new 100' 12-gauge extension cord arrived today (9/27/2010). Usually I don't look forward to winter. Now all I can say is: I'M READY - BRING IT ON!11/11/2010 - Just a note that the shipping box mentions the type of extension cord to get. "Use 14 gauge extension cord only to 100'. Use 12 gauge extension cord only to 150'." I purchased the Pro-Power 12 gauge outdoor extension cord by Coleman Cable, Inc. On Coleman's selection guide, it says the 14 gauge gives you 15 amps up to 50' and 13 amps up to 100'. According to Coleman, the 12 gauge gives you 15 amps up to 100' whereas Toro says the 12 gauge is good up to 150'. I think your safest bet is the 12 gauge 100' but the 14 gauge will probably work just fine up to 100' (according to Toro's shipping box stats). A few more weeks and we'll post the results of our first uses with this powerful machine.12/16/2012 - Wow. Hard to believe it's been two years since I last reviewed this snowthrower. I wish I had bad news for the gasoline and oil snow thrower lovers. Now, don't get me wrong. Those gas/oil tuneup beasts have their rightful place in probably 10 percent of the snowfall driveway cleanings that are needed in the United States. For the other 90% of driveways, this (under $300 shipped) electric snowthrower is ideal. No tuneups needed. Plug in and go.I just got done plowing out the first significant snowfall in Ohio this evening. 10-12 inches of 30 degree snowfall and you know how heavy that can be. Sweet. Right down to the concrete. Smooth, clean. It even cleaned up the tire tracks packed down on the driveway from our two cars pulling in from work earlier. Next, I tackled the end of the driveway where the snow plow threw its buildup from the road. Took care of it out to two feet into the street and fifteen feet in the street on either side of my driveway. Now, the mail person can drive right up to the mailbox and have plenty of space to pull out. Of course, my driveway is super clean and this puppy is going on its third winter. I did hear my neighbor's gasoline super hog snowthrower misfiring a little today so I'm sure he'll be calling someone to pick it up for a tuneup (too heavy and huge to fit in his car). Anyway, if my electric snowthrower ever breaks down or it can't do the job, I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks for looking.