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Average Rating: 3.9 of 5.0
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Written March 06, 2010 |
| Assistant to the Chief of Operations (MY WIFE) |
| By Kenneth Hoffman (Severna Park, MD) |
This unit replaced a very similar Toro I had for 15 years. This model has an electric start which works like a charm.
I used it to clear a 2 foot snow on our 70 foot driveway and did the same for a neighbor.
I read some other reviews and already was aware of its limitations on large hills etc. but find it does a very good job at saving my heart and back and at a price that makes sense for an area that usually does not have the giant storms we did this year.
I like not mixing fuel and oil which I needed to do on the previous model and changing the oil on this one was simple. Highly recommended for anyone not wanting to spend a lot on power etc. they do not need. |
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Written February 28, 2010 |
| Buried in Jersey |
| By Danny (Middletown, NJ) |
This has been the worst winter in a while. I ordered my blower and got it within days!
I was a little nervous after reading some of the reviews. I opened it up, within minutes had it together added oil was ready to go. I figured no more snow, since now I was ready.
I was wrong- we got slammed again. I broke out the Toro and I have to say, I set the choke, primed it twice, gave it a pull, and it started right up!
It's a strong little blower- no fuel leaks like I have read about in other reviews. If there was any down side it did have a little trouble with a snow / slush mix; we had about 2" of slush under the 12" of snow.
I just had to go a little slower with it, but this thing was throwing snow across the street!
I am very satisfied with it. Snow Blowers Direct.com was also a positive first-time experience. |
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Written February 27, 2010 |
| Great Little Machine |
| By John (Weirton, WV) |
After my 6.5 HP Ariens died, I bought the Toro Power Clear 180 after getting slammed with two feet of snow.
Snow Blowers Direct had it to my front door in just a few days. After a couple uses, I am very pleased with this machine. It has great power and is very easy to maneuver.
It is not chain drive so you can vary the speed according to the snow. Also, I borrowed a Toro Powerlite before I bought this and the Power Clear definitely has more power.
The best part is it is light and I can put it in the back of a vehicle easily.
Unless you regularly get over a foot of snow or have a lot of uphill that requires chain drive, this is a great snowblower. |
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Written February 24, 2010 |
| Very nice snow blower |
| By RICHARD (Glen Burnie, MD) |
I've been looking to buy a snow blower for some time. I am 65 years old and shoveling snow is getting harder with each passing year.
I went online and found Snow Blowers Direct. I saw just what I was looking for- a single-stage Toro 18" Power Clear. It's not too heavy at just 58 lbs, and it's a 4 cycle, so no mixing gas and oil, and it has an electric start.
I ordered it on Sunday night and it was at my house Wednesday morning. What great service by Snow Blowers
Direct.
I live in the Baltimore area, and recently we were hit by two back to back blizzards amounting to 50 inches
of snow. Now granted, this blower is not made for that kind of snow, but going out and clearing the walks a couple
of times during the snow worked great.
This machine is easy to start, one to two pulls, and easy to use. And it throws snow where you want it. I highly recommend this Toro.
My neighbor was so impressed with it he bought one too.
One thing to consider- I bought the electric start model, but the engine starts so easy with the pull cord I don't
think I'll ever need the electric starter; but it's still nice to have as a back up. |
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Written February 20, 2010 |
| Used 3 times and will not start |
| By John (Naperville, IL) |
I purchased this new for light use. I used it 3 times with new gas then it died and will not start. It does not appear that fuel is getting to the carb. I've read many other users with a similar problem, blaming the needle valve.
Avoid this blower at all cost. Reliability is awful.
SBD RESPONDS: Toro is aware of this problem, and it is covered by their Factory Warranty. Please use Toro's Service locator at https://homeownersolutions.toro.com (notice there is no "www") to find the closest Authorized Service facility to your location.
You can mention Service Bulletin 81 that addresses this situation. |
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Written February 18, 2010 |
| Worked Great in Pittsburgh |
| By Michael (Pittsburgh, PA) |
I got this delivered to my door two days after it was ordered. We have gotten 28+ inches of snow over the last two weeks and my 200 foot driveway was full of hard packed snow/ice.
Each morning we seemed to have gotten an additional 2-3" of light fluffy snow. This Toro did a great job! I can actually see my cement driveway again!
It took a few passes, but it cleaned right to the bottom as well as chewed up some larger hard packed snow/ice chunks. It's easy to operate, easy to start! I would buy again.
It has already been used by my neighbors as well.
Customer service at SBD was amazing. We spent about 15-20 minutes on the phone discussing which model would be best for my needs! Will buy again; and I also recommended your site to KDKA - A Pittsburgh based TV/radio show when they were looking for places to buy snow blowers.
It was a live AM talk show and the screener put me right through. SO, you might be getting a few calls from the western PA area. |
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Written February 11, 2010 |
| Perfect for my needs! |
| By Paul C (Centreville, VA) |
Ordered my Toro on the Tuesday before Northern Virginia/DC's big "Snowmageddon" Storm (26 inches) and unfortunately didn't get it until the following Monday.
I really hoped that two day delivery estimate was true. One day of indecision on what to buy cost me hours on the snow shovel. Two days later here comes another smaller storm with about 8 inches and 2-3 foot drifts.
Never having owned a snow blower I was eager to give the blower its first work-out. Using the pull starter it started up with a couple of easy pulls.
This little blower easily dealt with the 8 inches, throwing the snow far enough that I was concerned about getting the snow in my neighbor's driveway. Once I was done with my drive I was off to help my closest neighbors with their drives and sidewalks.
I'm pleased with the purchase and haven't experienced the problems I saw in the earlier reviews. Just wish I had this little blower to deal with "Snowmageddon".
SBD RESPONDS: Priority shipment guarantees that Snow Blowers Direct will move your unit to the front of the line and it will get on a truck the same day you order it. Our transit times are estimates based on what the shippers tell us.
Unfortunately, we can't make the delivery trucks drive any faster; nor can we force them through snow-blocked roads or other hazards.
What we can do is make the tracking information available along with contact information for each carrier. If your order has shipped via freight you can always pick the order up at the shipper's terminal to save a day or two delivery time. |
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Written February 10, 2010 |
| This is a great snowblower |
| By Betty D. (Roanoke, VA) |
We have had the largest amount of snow I have seen in years in 2010. My father is older and has heart trouble so I purchased this snowblower for him.
He loved it so much I purchased one for myself and have been very grateful to have it in the last few weeks. It works great for a residential area.
I have a really long driveway and it works well for me. I would order a larger one for a bigger lot.
It starts on the first pull. I have not needed the electric start function, but am glad to know I have it as a back up.
This is a great snowblower! |
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Written February 09, 2010 |
| Disappointed in Columbus |
| By John Schick (Columbus, OH) |
The snow blower worked well for about an hour of run time. Now, on our second winter storm in four days, the
Toro is in the shop. |
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Written February 09, 2010 |
| I love my Toro!! |
| By Marie (Howell, MI) |
I hadn't had the opportunity to write a review yet because we haven't had any snow here in SE Michigan.
I was thinking of telling you my new Toro was the best insurance policy I'd purchased because we hadn't had any snow...until today.
We already have 4-inches with another 5-9 expected overnight. I have an electric start blower, so she started up immediately. I did the driveway in 15 minutes.
Our driveway will hold 8 parked cars so it would take me an hour to do the driveway by hand, but usually I did it 3 different shifts. Today I was praising God and Toro for making my life so wonderful.
I hate snow, but now it's bearable and I actually look forward to re-doing the driveway again tomorrow. I'm a 63-yr old widow, but this snowblower was so easy to handle and lightweight too. Thank you Toro!!!
I also liked dealing with SnowBlowersDirect. I ordered on a Thursday evening and received my snowblower on Monday. Great service, easy ordering process, and the assembly of the snowblower was also easy. |
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Written February 08, 2010 |
| Gas leaking from carburetor |
| By Ronald Richter (Loveland, OH) |
I also have had problems with gas leaking from the carburetor. I got this as a Christmas gift and I used it last month for the year's first snow...no problem.
But this weekend it snowed again, and the unit worked well for a few minutes and then the engine died. The carburetor has been leaking ever since and I cannot locate the source of the leak. It only stays running for 30 seconds before dying again.
I will have to have someone come and work on it. I have the sales receipt so I guess I will call the seller, but this is a pain to have to do after only using the unit once!
SBD RESPONDS: You may want to check with the folks at Toro first to see if they have a simple solution. They can be reached toll free at (888) 384-9939. |
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Written February 06, 2010 |
| Disappointed in Indy |
| By Brenda (Indianapolis, IN) |
I purchased this unit for my husband as a Christmas present. We just had out our first big snow, 5 inches.
My husband followed the directions to start the Toro and it started right up! He took a couple of swipes and decided to use the shovel on a more difficult area to get to.
He left the snowthrower running and within a minute it died. He has not been able to get it started since. This is day 2 of falling snow.
The directions say to let it set for 40 minutes, which he has done, and still it will not start! He had to shovel the driveway yesterday and today.
I have read such wonderful reviews about Toro and cannot understand why we are having such problems. I am soooo disappointed since this was a gift for my husband.
SBD RESPONDS: Toro's toll free number is listed on our web site, under the Customer Service button at the bottom of every page.
You can call Toro at (888) 384-9939, or check out their Frequently Asked Question list, or find an Authorized Service facility at www.Toro.com. |
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Written January 25, 2010 |
| We know it will fill the bill |
| By carole (Plainview, NY) |
Your shipment was received promptly and perfectly.
The young man on the phone who assisted us could not have been more helpful.
There has been no snow accumulation since its arrival, but we know it will fill the bill. |
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Written January 24, 2010 |
| 65 and hoping for more snow |
| By Lue (Peculiar, MO) |
I am so very pleased with my Toro. I am 65 years old, in good health, but worn out after shoveling snow.
It was after the second blast we had that I went online looking for a snowblower. I found the Snow Blowers Direct.com and was pleased to see they had the Toro.
I had read a review on the Toros some time back. Anyway, I ordered one for me and one for my son who lives in Leawood. I was a little scared to start it up, but to my surprise it started so easy.
I had absolutely no problem blowing the snow and ice off my drive and off the neighbor's drive. It handles extremely easy, and if you raise the handle just a little bit, it's like it is self-propelled.
I highly recommend it and I only hope we have at least one more good snow so I can use it again. |
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Written January 21, 2010 |
| Leaks gasoline!!! |
| By jw (Wheaton, IL) |
I bought the electric start model Dec 22, used only twice, and today discovered it is leaking gasoline on my garage floor.
I emailed Toro, they said to take it in to the dealer. Now I have to talk my wife into letting me use her minivan to haul a machine that is leaking gasoline, and take time out of my day to do it.
Oh, and the shop said it will take a week to fix, let's hope it doesn't snow in the meantime.
Do not buy this machine. The external parts are cheap plastic, it doesn't plow down to the pavement, and oh yeah, it leaks gasoline after two uses. I bought a Toro on their reputation for quality. Big disappointment. |
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Written January 08, 2010 |
| Wonderful little blower |
| By Ed (Blue Springs, MO) |
I purchased this snow blower during the Christmas holiday and received it the next week. We have had an unusually hard winter this year.
I have used it several times now and it is a wonderful little blower. It was easy to set up and really there isn't much involved in setting it up.
You have to install the deflector shoot and put the bolts in that hold the handles in place. Just add the engine oil and it is ready to run.
It has a powerful little engine and it has blown snow higher than the intake with no problem. I have the electric start, but it starts so easy that I haven't taken the time to use it.
It is light weight and easy to use just as advertised. It truly is a great snow blower. I don't write reviews often but when I get something that surpasses my expectations I like to let others know about it.
If you want a great snow blower at a great price that does a great job, this is the one to get. |
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Written December 21, 2009 |
| Great bang for the buck! |
| By John (Newak, DE) |
Toro Power Clear 180® (18") 87cc Electric Start Single-Stage Snow Blower
Cons
1.) Does not like wet snow. The unit does not have the power or the necessary second stage for throwing heavy snow.
2.) Will not effectively move snow deeper than 6 to 8 inches in a single pass.
3.) The wheels feel off. The wheel and axle system on this unit was in adequate. I found it necessary to replace the axle caps with washers and cotter keys (this required drilling a hole in each end in the axle to accept the cotter key).
4.) The engine bogs down under excessive load resulting in the necessity of pulling the unit back and allowing the engine RPM to stabilize before continuing (see 1 and 2).
Pros
1.) Both the pull start and electric start worked perfectly. The unit was easy to start. Turn the ignition on, set the choke, a few pumps of the fuel primer, and a short quick pull of the cord and we were off. I would recommend allowing the unit to warn up for a minute or two.
2.) Light weight, light weight, light weight, I am always leery of turning over the controls of a piece of equipment like this to someone who does not possess a certain level of strength. I felt good about letting my girl friend use this one- all 100lbs of her.
3.) Ease of use and reliability. This unit performed wonderfully and has done so for several seasons.
Summary: Buy the right equipment for the job and the user. This is not a commercial two stage monster that clears 3' of snow in a single pass and throws it 200' into the neighbor’s driveway. It is a low cost snow thrower for areas of the world that receive light to moderate snow fall a couple times a year.
I will buy another one if this one ever dies and is not serviceable (which I highly doubt will ever happen). |
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Written December 15, 2009 |
| Don't get this if you have a sloping driveway!! |
| By Joe (West Vancouver, Bc, WY) |
I just got my Toro after doing a lot of reading of the reviews and checking with a variety of consumer guides. All spoke highly of the quality of manufacture, the long life and the ease of starting.
Well my unit arrived last night here in West Vancouver as did the first snow of the season. I assembled the unit last night - pretty straightforward and easy. Put the oil in the crankcase, filled the tank with gas and she started on the second pull. Great!!
This morning I was greeted with about 2 - 3" of wet snow. I fired up the unit - it started on the second pull like last night, and off to the driveway. Well, my first surprise was as I tried to go up the driveway. I have a slope and curve that leads out of the garage and up the drive way onto the street.
While trying make my way up, the unit slid to the side and was very hard to control. With this unit the rubber scrapper blade supplies the motive force for driving the unit and it is pretty hard to control, as the only way to manage traction is to teeter it up using the rear wheels thereby lifting the rubber blades.
Clearing wet snow was hard for the unit to discharge. It appeared to plug with wet slush for a moment and then sputter and spit finally throwing it about 10 feet. When on level ground the unit performed better, casting the snow about 18 feet and leaving a clear, clean but narrow (18") path.
My advice - If you have any elevation change consider a 2-stage like I should have done. Now I have to face Momma who is upset with my costly mistake.
I think the unit would be fine for a small flat driveway or walkway. Definitely not good enough for my sloping driveway with wet snow.
Hope this helps!! |
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Written January 01, 2008 |
| Shoveling Sucks in Sub-Zero Weather |
| By Jon Hoch, Founder (Bolingbrook, IL) |
Why do you see more people shoveling than snow blowing in your neighborhood?
It isn't because fewer people own snow blowers. You see more shovelers because it takes them forever to finish.
The first snow falls in December are fun because the temperatures are barely below freezing. Everyone wants to play in the snow.
The excitement quickly fades with the New Year. January and February are significantly colder – often with numbing sub-zero temperatures.
Playing outside during an arctic blast is no longer enjoyable. It’s a chore. Plus, the colder temperatures result in deeper snow.
Dry snow is much fluffier, but you can only fit so much of it on the blade of a shovel. Yes, it's lighter, but you still need to perform the backbreaking lifting motion more often.
And remember, it historically snows a lot more in late February than early December. You can wish for an early Spring. But, it's usually just wishful thinking.
It's never too late to retire that old snow shovel. |
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