Q: Is this usable on gravel and uneven walkway slabs by Anonymous from Pennsylvania on November 19, 2011
A: Yes, it's usable, but I never recommend any electric or gas-powered single stage snow blowers for gravel surfaces. The auger paddles on these models engage the surface being cleared of snow, so you will throw not only the snow, but small rocks and stones from your driveway as well. by Kriss, Product Expert
Q: will this work on a gravel driveway? by Ronnie Troy from Washington on July 30, 2011
A: Ronnie - the Toro power shovel would NOT be recommended for a gravel driveway. This would definitely pick up and throw small stones and pieces of gravel. A two-stage snow blower is usually recommended for handling gravel driveways. by Kriss, Product Expert
Overall Rating
4.7
(Based on 16 Reviews)
Sort By
November 21, 2011
Auds Brainerd, MN
My New Toro snow shovel
What a great find. I am 80 years old and live in a community with an association that sno-blows our driveways and walkways. I needed a something to make a path for my poodle and to get to my birdfeeders and deer feed during our hard Minnesota winters. Went on line and found just the perfect model.
It works great - light - easy to handle and does just what I wanted it to do. Neighbors so impressed 2 of them also purchased them. The price was the best I found anyplace. If I can handle it anyone can - and I love it.
February 05, 2011
Louann Harvard, MA
Buried in Massachusetts
We originally purchased this for my mother-in-law about 25 years ago who was in her 60's at the time. We inherited the shovel and it has come in very handy. We have gotten record snowfall in Massachusetts this year and many roofs are collapsing due to the weight of the snow.
We are using the snow shovel on our roof. We have 30" of snow on the roof which has a 312 pitch (easy to walk on). The power shovel threw the snow about 10-15' past the roof line and is a life saver.
While I don't necessarily recommend that everyone use this method, it has worked for us. I would not try it on anything steeper as you could lose your footing. There is a crust of snow on the top of very light snow due to freezing rain and the bottom layer was somewhat heavier. It worked easily on all three types.
A great shovel! and I recommend it.
We originally purchased this for my mother-in-law about 25 years ago who was in her 60's at the time. We inherited the shovel and it has come in very handy. We have gotten record snowfall in Massachusetts this year and many roofs are collapsing due to the weight of the snow.
We are using the snow shovel on our roof. We have 30" of snow on the roof which has a 312 pitch (easy to walk on). The power shovel threw the snow about 10-15' past the roof line and is a life saver.
While I don't necessarily recommend that everyone use this method, it has wor... more
January 08, 2011
Andrea Pittsburgh, PA
favorable experience!
My first experience with SnowBlowersDirect on my purchase of the Toro Power Shovel was a positive one. The delivery was as promised and very prompt. This was something that my family was a little skeptical about, so since the idea of ordering was mine alone, your promptness was much appreciated. Had a chance today to try out the snow shovel for the first time, surprisingly so since we live in Pittsburgh and usually by this time have had more than enough of that "white stuff". We are pleased with the results.
Sincerely - - - Mrs. H.
My first experience with SnowBlowersDirect on my purchase of the Toro Power Shovel was a positive one. The delivery was as promised and very prompt. This was something that my family was a little skeptical about, so since the idea of ordering was mine alone, your promptness was much appreciated. Had a chance today to try out the snow shovel for the first time, surprisingly so since we live in Pittsburgh and usually by this time have had more than enough of that "white stuff". We are pleased with the results.
I like it because you can lift it up & do large drifts in layers. You can also do a sweeping motion when you get too close to a building to have it go forward. Both my husband & I like that it is adjustable.
I am 5'3" & he is 6'3". We can store it anywhere because there are not gas fumes to worry about. We also like that it came so quickly. I was impressed with the speed of delivery.
January 02, 2011
Dave Xenia, OH
power shovel
Perfect machine for my situation. I have a small driveway and one car garage. I don't have to move the cars to use it and can work close to cars and such.
I easily was able to take it to my parents house and clear their drive and deck. Light weight and stores easily. Cleared away 6 - 8 inches of snow. A friend is now looking to get one for his apartments.
December 26, 2010
Ed Aurora, IN
Performs excellent - great value!!!
I bought the Toro Power Shovel for my retired father, who recently moved to a home in a subdivision with a level 30 ft by 30 ft concrete driveway. Within a few days of receiving it, a 4.5" snowfall gave him a chance to try it out.
He pulled it out of the box at 10:30 am and by noon he had completely cleaned his driveway, the sidewalk to his front door, and as much of the street-edge sidewalk as his cord would reach. Working with a light wind, the Power Shovel threw the snow 25-30 feet and never clogged once. The only effort required to use the Shovel is a slow, vacuum-cleaner style push and pull motion.
A week later, a 2" wet snow fell and the Power Shovel also worked well - did not clog at all using the same gentle push-pull motion. Depending on your health and age, a manual snow shovel may be faster than the Power Shovel. However, if you are older or suffer health issues, the Toro is definitely easier on your body.
One other positive about this tool - it's an electric powered tool that simply hangs in the garage till you need it. Unlike a gasoline-powered snow blower, storage, maintenance, and start-up (as in "how old is that gas?") is as easy as picking up the Toro and connecting to a 100 foot extension cord.
When you're done, just put it back in the garage and go get some hot chocolate. The only downside to the Toro is that it is mostly plastic and would not work well on a graveled or badly crumbling surface, and obviously it is not made for places where huge snows are common.
For the money, if you live in an area where the snowfalls stay under 5" or so per event and have the typical subdivision home with a hard surface driveway, this tool is extremely useful and may just be a life-saver if you are older.
I bought the Toro Power Shovel for my retired father, who recently moved to a home in a subdivision with a level 30 ft by 30 ft concrete driveway. Within a few days of receiving it, a 4.5" snowfall gave him a chance to try it out.
He pulled it out of the box at 10:30 am and by noon he had completely cleaned his driveway, the sidewalk to his front door, and as much of the street-edge sidewalk as his cord would reach. Working with a light wind, the Power Shovel threw the snow 25-30 feet and never clogged once. The only effort required to use the Shovel is a slow, vacuum... more
December 16, 2010
Roger Bara Hysham, MT
LIKE LIKE LIKE
It is everything I expected it to be. It works just fine. I would recommend it to others. And I have .
December 14, 2010
Karen Brown Indianapolis, IN
Little Thing kicks butt!
While using my power shovel, I had numerous neighbors stop and ask me what I was using and where they could get one. The title above is a direct quote from one of my neighbors, but I hold it as well.
We here in Indianapolis recently got 5 inches of snow and this shovel moved through it like a hot knife through butter. Wonderful piece of equipment. Won't ever be without one again!
December 14, 2010
Mike Worthington, MN
Like my Toro 38361
This little blower is awesome. I live in Minnesota and routinely clear snow 2' - 3' deep off small areas around the house, (and roof) no faster than a shovel but a lot less effort.
November 29, 2010
Steve Mammoth Lakes, Ca, CA
Mammoth Test Session
I was looking for a small compact snow blower to handle the small jobs around my home in Mammoth Lakes CA.
We get constant heavy snowfall that can average 300 inches a year. I put the Toro Power Shovel to work the day I received it and it worked better than my expectations!
The Power Shovel works best on snow up to about 8 inches deep. The learning curve is very quick and this machine is a lot of fun to operate.
I use it on walkways and decks as well as close to my home next to the garage door where the Bobcat snowblower can only get within about a foot of the door.
Overall, a great purchase for the jobs mentioned. Not for clearing a full driveway, but for all the other jobs, my back thanks you!
Watch out for the wind direction when blowing snow!!
I was looking for a small compact snow blower to handle the small jobs around my home in Mammoth Lakes CA.
We get constant heavy snowfall that can average 300 inches a year. I put the Toro Power Shovel to work the day I received it and it worked better than my expectations!
The Power Shovel works best on snow up to about 8 inches deep. The learning curve is very quick and this machine is a lot of fun to operate.
I use it on walkways and decks as well as close to my home next to the garage door where the Bobcat snowblower can only get within about... more
January 29, 2010
Bob Walpole, MA
Snow Removal help for Seniors
I'm 78 and my wife is 71. We are both active and still do our own yard work and snow removal. We live in a Boston suburb and, of course, have a lot of snow to contend with most winters.
We have been using an Ariens snow blower on our long driveway for years but our relatively large back deck has been a problem because it has to be shoveled, with the snow thrown over the railings that enclose the deck. This is tough on our backs.
Now we are able to take care of that problem with the Toro power shovel--it's the perfect solution.
January 27, 2010
Royce St. Louis, MO
Not enough snow
Not enough snow has fallen since I obtained the Toro Power Shovel, which is good and bad.
January 25, 2010
Dodie Sarnoff Vineland, NJ
Keeping the snow away!
I love it.
Your delivery was fast, price fair & we haven't had any snow since it came to us!
Works for me!
Thank you.
February 10, 2009
Zen Martinsen Running Springs, CA
Good for smaller jobs
This is a good tool for the smaller jobs. It is perfect for walkways and decks and such when you only have a few inches of snow. It's kinda like pushing a vacuum.
The only thing I don't like is that it only blows the snow out in front of you. Which is usually the direction you are traveling so you end up being creative in the direction you push it. More diagonals so it gets the snow out of your way.
Overall, it is easy to use, not too heavy, and does exactly what is sets out to do. I moved up to the Toro 1800 Power Curve this year and wrote a review for that too. It is a VERY A1 product for the larger jobs. Toro rocks!
This is a good tool for the smaller jobs. It is perfect for walkways and decks and such when you only have a few inches of snow. It's kinda like pushing a vacuum.
The only thing I don't like is that it only blows the snow out in front of you. Which is usually the direction you are traveling so you end up being creative in the direction you push it. More diagonals so it gets the snow out of your way.
Overall, it is easy to use, not too heavy, and does exactly what is sets out to do. I moved up to the Toro 1800 Power Curve this year and wrote a review for tha... more
December 11, 2008
Edwin Friend Suffolk, VA
Snow Blowers Saved My Back
Snow Blowers saved my back!! The snow was 3 feet deep in my driveway- no sweat.
November 24, 2008
Giorgio Bellevue, WA
Snowless in Seattle
We have little snow in Seattle, but I am happy in doing this purchase.
I was trying to save money before by not having a good solution to remove snow, but it is pretty sure it was a bad decision.
Even if you have only one or two days of snow a year, I strongly recommend getting an electric snow thrower.