popsrocks's Full Review: Ultra 235 Electric Blower
One tool that I have found extremely useful in keeping my open front porch, patio, yard, and driveway looking very tidy is my Toro Leaf blower.
Though very noisy, these are terrific tools and I have been happy with mine. I own the 51582 Toro Super Blower/vac. It draws 17.0 amps and runs on a regular 120 volt line. An extension cord is needed. It does not come with any extension at all to a power source.
An Important Rule
Before I go on I must first make it very clear, as I have heard from my wife many times, "Close all doors and windows of the home in areas that will be cleaned using the blower!!"
I didn't one time and had the screen door of our back yard slider open. It wasn't a good thing. I now move on.
Some Personal Experience
When holding the blower in my hand at about waist high and to my side it is very well balance. That is important to keep fatigue from slowing you down.
The on/off lever must be switched on with the opposite hand for it is lower and behind the holding hand. It seems to me this is designed evenly for either left handed or right handed persons. I would rather have a blower with a switch at the thumb. I believe that would give better access to the on/off function.
What I don't care for is the way the blower is attached to an extension cord. There a couple of plastic protrusions on the back of the blower where one puts the end of the extension cord in a sort of loop. I know how to do it but I still struggle with the cord detaching while working.
There is also a bit of wear on one of the teeth of the male end of the plug from the constant inadvertent unplugging process. In addition I believe some electrical arching caused some of the damage.
This blower has plenty of power for dry leaves and even when they are a bit wet. It will not move wet leaves that have packed down. There is a wand that tapers to a smaller end that is used for blowing. This is a blower/vac so you can also use it to suck leaves out of hard to reach areas. It's another attachment that is too bulky for my needs. It works well enough for that, but I primarily use this machine as a blower. This means I rarely detach the wands. They do stay on very well. It has never come off in use.
The blower has a flat bottom, I happen to like bottoms that are a bit more... wait, wrong thoughts here. The bottom on this blower/vac is flat meaning it can be rested on any flat surface with the handle ready to be reached.
Safety
Though this is a double insulated machine we are warned not to use this, like any other electrical appliance, on wet surfaces. I'll also suggest doing the blowing without any other persons or pets nearby. These blowers are powerful and do send small rocks and debris at substantial, and dangerous, speeds into the air. It's noted that goggles should be worn when using this tool. Though an electric blower is not nearly as loud as a gas run blower, ear saftey should still be heeded.
My Thoughts
I've owned this blower/vac for a number of years. I have abused it in that it has been left outside 24-7-352 through many NY seasons of rain, snow, ice and temperature extremes. It keeps on running well.
This year the end of the tapered wand split at a seem on the end. I'll just use some duct tape to support it. It should last a few more years, that is if the electrical connection in the back does not wear down. Aside from the problems I have with the extension cord coming off, this machine has been pretty good for me.
12 Amp electric blower/vacuum provides power and versatility to tackle every clean-up chore Leaf shredder reduces 16 bags of leaves to 1 bag Rugged me...More at Amazon
You can't buy a more powerful hand held blower, gas or electric. The all new Toro Ultra 235 delivers all the power and all the versatility you need to...More at Home Depot
12 Amp electric blower/vacuum provides power and versatility to tackle every clean-up chore Leaf shredder reduces 16 bags of leaves to 1 bag Rugged me...More at Amazon Marketplace
This Toro Ultra Blower Vac delivers all the power and versatility you need to tackle every yard cleanup chore. This Toro electric blower vac offers a ...More at Target
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.