Toro Rake & Vac 10.5 Amp 2-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum 51574 Review

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The Toro 10.5 Amp 2-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum #51574 is a nice unit that has the power to handle most yards. While not as powerful as some of the gas powered leaf blowers, this guy really wins on convenience. Being able to quickly finish a small area without having to worry about the correct mixture of oil and gasoline is worth the trade offs. It won't satisfy the professional landscaper or the homeowner trying to groom 2 acres, but it's going to meet the needs of many people with average sized lawns.
In my case, I actually do own a gas powered unit by Poulan and a different Toro electric model. While the gas unit has some nice extra features and great power, I have found that after not starting it in a while it is difficult to start up again. So this Toro unit eliminates that problem, because whenever I have to quickly gather up fresh fallen leaves I can just plug it in and go.
Now one of the drawbacks to an electric leaf blower is just that, dealing with having to plug it in and managing the extension cord. I have found that I can do about 3000 square feet within 4 hours. It only takes me a little while to move the cord around as I work.
Just one note about extension cords. These blowers do use a fair amount of electricity. So don't skimp on the extension cord. Make sure you use a grounded cord that is rated for exterior use. I err on the side of caution and use a contractor grade exterior extension cord, because it's important to be safe when using electrical equipment. Some of the better ones on Amazon are made by Coleman such as the Coleman Cable 02469 14/3 100-Foot Hi-Visibility/Low-Temperature Outdoor Extension Cord or the Coleman Cable 02569 12/3 100-Foot Hi-Visibility/Low-Temperature Outdoor Extension Cord. While those prices may seem high, they are an affordable way to have peace of mind when using electric power tools outdoors.Pros
+ The blower has enough power to move dirt and leaves well
+ Requires no regular maintenance other than basic surface cleaning
+ More convenient than gas powered units that require fuel and oil mixing
+ The plug tucks neatly and securely into a small rear hook, so it won't come loose
+ The rear bar also allows you to keep your extension cord tied securely
+ The price is pretty good, and much less than a gas powered unit
+ The looping handle and front bar allow you two handed control
+ The air intake has a grate for easy access to remove debris
+ The power dial is located conveniently under the handle
+ The included nozzle concentrates air flow into powerful bursts
+ Leaf vac option, though not with much power (see below)
Cons
- Less power than a gas powered unit for larger properties or frequent use
- This model doesn't shred leaves very much, best used as a blower only
- Has a slightly noisy motor when on high, though this is true of most blowers
- Have to purchase and use extension cords, which add a little cost
- The front nozzle is not very durable and will wear with use
- The unit is not well balanced so you must shift it from hand to hand
- The cost of electricity will exceed that of gas for very large yards, so keep that in mindThere are some cons as you can see, but they are relatively minor. Despite the shortcomings, this is a great unit to supplement your gas powered blower or completely replace it if your needs are less. I find I use this unit much more than my gas powered unit simply out of the convenience of not having to constantly tune up the other unit before use. While this one has less power and a few less features, it's more than enough to meet my week to week needs during the fall. You should check it out.
Enjoy.


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