my_kismet's Full Review: Ultra 235 Electric Blower
I have the Toro 51598; I traded my brand new 51599 for it just last week. I have used both and can't tell you the difference in use. Let me clarify that I guess.... I could read you stats that tell you the diff. but in use they seem the same to me. I have also used the older models and although the latest do seem to handle the twigs better they all seem to work extremely well. My father-in-law has a 5-7 year old model and it is what I first used. I was so impressed with it that I bought another of that brand, only of course, the newer model. I also have a Stihl SH85 gas powered leaf blower and love that as well so I know what I talk about when I compare gas and electric. I have had no problems with the Gas powered blower vac. I have used it multiple times and absolutely love it. So why did I get another electric powered device? Good question and here is why.
My wife and I own 17 acres of land with about a 2 acre yard. We also have a fair number of trees, so you guessed it, a huge amount of leaves. When it comes to the easy assessable areas we just use the mower and mulch them up. But that leaves all the flower beds and the areas that mowers just don't reach. For the areas that are a distance from the nearest plug the Gas is unbeatable. I don't have to worry about trying to find a long extension cord and I don't have the problems of getting tangled around trees, rocks or stumps. Plus something a lot of people don't think about is the weight. The electric blower is lighter then the gas powered machine, the Toro is a little less then 8lbs and the Stihl is a little less the 12lbs although that is 150% more it isn't as noticeable as you might think. The thing that people forget is that the Stihl is the same weight no matter where you are and the Toro becomes heavy or at least seems heavier the farther you get. This is due to the extension cord pulling on the machine. If you have a really long extension cord it can become quite cumbersome. The pros of the electric have been stated many times. No Gas, oil mixing, heck no gas period. No worry about fire from the stored gas, although since I have a Gas mower anyway that worry didn't change. The gas engine has a muffler that heats up and while it is well designed it could be a potential for a burn. Lastly you don't have to worry about maintenance with the electric. Well you have to do maintenance like cleaning but that is the same with both machines the gas powered machine does have more maintenance involved.
So breaking it down here is the meat of the whole issue. What do you need it for? If you are going to be doing leaf blowing with in 100 feet of a plug, then get an electric. It is just as powerful if not more so and the cost is way, way less. The Toro seems to last very well, as my father-in-law's machine is still running. But if you need to clean up areas that are well away from an outlet then go with gas. It will make the job so much faster and easier. As for the Toro over other brands.... I haven't used many brands but I have not had problems with the Toro machines I have used and like I said my Father-in-law's machine is still running strong even after all these years. I do think that the Toro is probably the most powerful of the electrics and with a steel impeller is very useable as a leaf mulcher as well.
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
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