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

good product IF you're not too fussy

10/19/2009

This product is, on the whole, decent enough IF your expectations aren't too high. I say this because, with only an 8:1 mulch ratio, the 51574 doesn't really shred (vacuumed) leaves very much, nor does it mulch the leaves into a consistent size (i.e. some are barely touched and some are shredded quite a bit), so, if you want to use the mulch for composting, etc, you either can't be too fussy about this inconsistency or be patient enuf to mulch it again. Also, because this product comes with a plastic - rather than a metal - impeller, it isn't able to shred twigs more than a 1/16" - in fact, if you accidentally vacuum a lot of them, they'll clog the impeller. And, even if you were to replace the plastic impeller with a metal one, there would still be the problem of the 51574's relatively poor suction.

Basically, this machine is a good blower (at 200 MPH, it's ability to move leaves, twigs, loose dirt, and even small pebbles is more than adequete) and does an adequete job of vacuuming leaves IF you've already blown/raked them into loose piles and separated them from twigs and litter. Of course, it also comes in handy long before the leaves start falling: I use it to blow/vacuum the grass that's found it's way onto the driveway and my back patio after I've cut the lawn. And, as a Toro product, chances are that it'll be reliable and durable.

Oh, and a couple of pieces of advice: don't try to vac wet leaves (they'll clog up the impeller) and don't use the vac to suck leaves that are on top of sandy, dry soil (lest you want to look like Pigpen).

Best Customer Service experience ever!!

9/17/2009

I agree, This is the best electric blower in the market.

Mine, for some reason was defective,one day just stopped working.
Called Toro Customer Service, very nice people on the phone, even though I tried to explain the problem, no questions asked, they told me to send it back.
One week later the new blower was here. This one works perfectly.

I cannot remember a customer service experience as smooth and quick as this one.

Very nice job Toro, Thank You.

It Blows & Sucks!

9/11/2009

What we have here is a basic blower/vacuum. At 210pmh it will blow everything off your driveway, sidewalk, roof, and neighbors cat.

It's all plastic but very well built and sturdy. The bag and sucker attachment is a bit unwieldy but it does get the job done. Toro built in safety sensors so the unit will not work unless properly assembled.

For homeowner's this unit is perfect especially at this price.

Great Item!

6/8/2009

This Blower/Rake and Vac works great. I love it, it made my fall cleanup a breeze. It is sturdy and easy to handle. It takes the work out of fall cleanup. Also it works great in the spring to take care of garden messes. I also used it to clean out the gutters.

Power blower

2/28/2009

It is very powerful.
At top speed, it blow things everywhere!
The Vaccuum function is good, but sometimes big leaves get stuck inside the tube.