Customer Reviews

Toro Power Shovel 7.5 Amp Snow Thrower/Electric Broom #38360

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

This little devil has saved my back many times. It is small enough to hang on a hook on the wall. I had gotten it second hand from relatives that were moving to Florida at least 8 years ago. I use it to clear my driveway at home, and then throw it in the back seat of my car to take it to do the sidewalk at my business. Usually, I use it one hand as if using a vacuum cleaner. When the snow is deep...as being plowed in at the end of my driveway, it is light enough to hold like a shovel and scoop out layers from the top down. So it has gotten some heavy use over the years. Last year during one storm I used it to clear a 12'x80' sidewalk with a 2' packed drift made by the snow plow so I could have trucks deliver to my store. I might add that this is a task that a sane person would not have attempted with this, but if I let it freeze up I would have been in trouble.
While this is a big leap over using a regular shovel as far as time and effort it does have it short comings. My two gripes about it are that the extension plug would often be pulled out of it. I solved that by making a knot as if I was first tying a shoelace and then plugging them together.
The second and the reason that I gave it 3 stars is that it directs the snow directly in front. Because of this I start in the middle of the driveway and shoot it to one side and then do the same on the other. I do the same when doing a sidewalk. This is a lot more work then using a blower that directs the snow to the side, and alot messier. Don't expect a clean manicured edge.
I have a corner house and the 180 feet of sidewalk were a real pain. Because if this I recently bought the Toro 38025 1800 Power Curve Snow Thrower that has a wider path and directs the snow. It is still light enough to be thrown in the car, and I won't have to deal with gasoline and starting. I would expect that it will take me half the time and effort over this model.
While $200 more, it is worth it. Amazon also has the YardMachines 31A-040-800 Snow Fox for around $160 that has a 12' path and directs the snow removal.

If you go to Target, Home Depot or any of the other big chains that sell the Toro Electric Shovel you will probably find the same thing that I did...that it is SOLD OUT. Why? Because this is one of the most helpful tools to have ever been placed on the market.

It works fairly well on small driveways; don't forget to pick up a nice long outdoor-use electric extension cord. And use this only on paved surfaces...no loose gravel!

But the real benefit of this tool comes with walkways and DECKS.

If you've got a large driveway, pass on this and go for something with a little more power. If you've got a decent size walkway, you'll love this. It clears the snow with ease and it will last forever; my father-in-law has had his since the early 90s.

If you have a deck with a railing, and your deck isn't covered so it builds up with snow, the Toro Electric Shovel will become your best winter friend. The snow is propelled a good 25 feet and easily clears deck railings. Just don't shoot the snow into the wind (duh). No more throwing out your back from lifting heavy snow over railings with this baby.

No matter where you use this...a word of advice: Try not to let the snow get deeper than about 6". Yes, that means you might have to go out a couple of times. But c'mon...it's fun! The Toro still works in deep snow, but it really isn't designed for it. Any deeper than about 6" and you'll need to "shave the top of the snow accumulation," and you might as well not have the electric shovel for the effort that takes.

Happy snow season!

Up here in Wisconsin we're pretty much guaranteed to get snow during the winter months, however, we don't always get a lot at one time. For snowfalls with a depth of 8" and on up I use a larger snowblower. The powershovel works great for less snow, although, if you're not clearing a large area it'll work great for most any depth. It also works well with both heavy wet and light dusty snowfalls. It really throws the snow, the distance varies depending on the consistency of the snow and the angle that you hold the shovel, but overall I'd say 15 feet. It works perfectly on concrete and asphalt surfaces and with a little technique it'll work well in rough areas. The point is it saves your back, it saves time, and it might even save your life if you have a bad heart. And, if you don't mind clearing snow it is fun to use. It is similar in weight and function to using a weed whip, it can be a workout but nothing near the back breaking workout that you get using an ordinary shovel. It's powered by electricity so you obviously need a cord. It is very important to purchase a cord that will remain flexible in low temperatures and don't skimp on the length. The cord can come unplugged. Some cords come with a locking feature to prevent this or you can be creative and use a plastic zip tie. Hope this helps.

Ordered with "tongue in cheek" a power snow shovel for under $100.00...would it work? I was pleasantly surprised cleared my deck in no time at all even when the snow had melted and partially refroze. Where it was deep I skimmed off the top layer and it cleared it down to the deck boards without damage. You can't get more bang for the buck....delivered in 2 days...Great service and product!

I KNOW it says you are only supposed to shovel it with 6-8 inches of snow, and keep it on the ground. But in the Storm of 2003, with 28 inches of snow, this shovel was able to reduce the total job by "skimming it off the top". And it saved a lot of wear and tear on backs and arms. Fantastic product!

I pre-ordered this item thinking that it was not too much money and lets see how it works. I live in a Condo and dont have to do the snow removal, but there are times you want to do it. This was so much fun, it works just like a regular snow blower and it takes the snow right down to the drive way, I would recomend this item to any one who has just walks or decks to do, it worked great on the drive way but does take time. But most of all it was FUN..............

Living in Maine, the shoveling snow can be a backbreaking experience. Well not anymore, removing snow from decks, steps, etc. is a breeze. What usually took me hours to remove, now only takes me minutes.
Great acquisition!!!

We live in Kentucky, so we don't get the heavy snows typical of Michigan or New York. It's more likely to be in the 3-6" range. I bought this unit to clear just the sidewalk and walkways of light snow, which it does very well. The narrow 12-inch path it clears is not a handicap when used this way.

If I have any complaint, it's that the extension cord has to be dragged behind the unit as you work and it gets stiff and hard to arrange as it moves through the snow. Be sure to buy a cord that stays supple and flexible in cold weather, the lower the temperature range the better.

Other than that, I give it two thumbs up. It's reasonably light and easy to push and manuever, and if you angle the head just right, you can throw the snow off to the side and not have to clear it a second time. The next unit up in class is three times the price, so the cost of this one is very attractive for what it accomplishes. On balance, I'd buy it again.

This tool is simply one that should never have gone to market. It is probably designed as well as it can realistically be, but an electric shovel capable of lifting snow up and to the side can never be light enough for doing steps. It blows snow up and ahead, not to the side. Leaves a mess behind and the user looking like a ghost. I was willing to suffer the awkwardness of an electric cord if it would have helped my wife be able to handle walk clearing in my absence. But it doesn't. A real shovel is only slightly more work and slightly slower, and much less aggravation. Have tried this now on snow from depths of 1" to 8", wet and "dry".

The OSHA-inspired button that can't be set to stay on without constant squeezing (in cold weather) makes this tool even more difficult to use by an elderly person.

Forget this one.

Paul McGuire, Ann Arbor, Michigan

This small but mighty shovel was my best buddy last winter. The Northeast can be so unforgiving when it comes to snow. I have a very steep driveway, so, plowing is out of the question. A large snow blower might make it down my driveway but never back up. So, when I first tried the snow shovel I was truly amazed with how far the snow spout went! Great value, light weight and really saved my back.