What's this? Based on sweeping and loosening, handling, noise, and, where applicable, vacuuming. Displayed scores are rounded; models are listed in order of precise overall score.
Price range:
$71.99 - $74.99
Summary:
This Toro 12-amp, corded-electric handheld leaf blower weighs 7.6 lbs. and has vacuum capability. It comes with a 2-year warranty.
The Toro Ultra Blower Vac 51599 is part of the leaf blower
test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, leaf blower
models like the Ultra Blower Vac 51599 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.
Sweeping:
Denotes speed of moving leaves.
Loosening:
The speed of removing embedded leaf particles from a lawn.
Vacuuming:
How quickly models picked up leaves and how finely they mulched them.
About This Brand
Another leading brand of electric leaf blowers, Toro makes lightweight plug-in electric models that weigh 5 to 8 lbs. Toro uses line names Power Sweep, Super Blower and Power Blower on some of its models. Toro leaf blowers are among the most widely available, and can be found in mass merchants, home centers, Web retailers and hardware stores.
Features & Specs - Toro Ultra Blower Vac 51599
Weight (lbs.) To the nearest half-pound in blower mode.
Weight (lbs.)
7.6
cc/amp Engine cubic centimeters (cc) and motor electrical amperage (amps) are from the manufacturer.
cc/amp
12-amp
Multiple speeds On an electric blower or a variable throttle on a gas-powered blower, these let you increase power for sweeping on hard surfaces or open ground and decrease it around fragile garden beds.
Multiple speeds
Yes
Vacuum capability Comes with the necessary attachments including a collection bag to convert to vacuuming mode for sucking up leaves and debris.
Vacuum capability
Yes
Translucent fuel tank A clear tank lets you see at a glance when fuel is running low.
Translucent fuel tank
NA
Spring assisted starting To makes starting easier, a pull-cord assembly with this feature has a built-in spring that winds up as the starting rope is pulled, to reduce the force necessary to start the engine.
Spring assisted starting
NA
Four-cycle engine Uses straight gasoline and doesn't require an oil/gasoline mixture, as do the more common two-cycle engines used on most trimmers.
Ran for about 15 hours. Only used to blow leaves. Motor burnt out at about 15 hours of use. Hope that Toro will replace as others have had the same problem. Purchased from a large retail store.
How long have you owned it:
More than six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
By PHLEVE
from Orlando Florida
2.0
Great til motor fails
3/10/2013
Pros
Easy to Use
Cons
Breaks Down
Best Uses
Blowing Leaves
Comment:
Worked great til motor burnt out...sure hope Toro will replace it
How long have you owned it:
Three-to-six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
By Retireree Carlos
from Los Angeles, Ca.
2.0
Motor Died
3/4/2013
Pros
Good Powergood Vac Featu
Powerful
Cons
Breaks Down
Heavy/Bulky
Motor Died After 8months
Best Uses
Blowing Leaves
Mulching Leaves
Comment:
Worked great on our small yard. A little too noisey. Good at clearing leaves from our lawn and driveway. Vac and mulch feature worked well. Too bad the motor died after only 8 months of light use. Save the receipt for the return to the store. These blowers are not repairable.
How long have you owned it:
More than six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Other User Reviews
4.0
(based on 5 reviews)
By
Lifeat
User has 1 Day of experience with this product
4.0
Toro Electric Ultra Blower
01/02/2008
Strength
Does a great job of blowing leaves, without using gas and oil, saves my back, low cost to run and it blows strong, all the time, unlike my gas powered blower.
Weakness
None, so far.
I have not tried to mulch leaves with this machine because it does such a good job of blowing the leaves away from hard to get to places, I use my mulching lawnmower, to finish the job. The Toro Ultra is a good investment. Get you one and put the gas blower down, you will breathe easier.
This product has a shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry around for big jobs. The metal impeller looks very durable for long use.
Weakness
The only weakness is the cord. We have a large backyard and will need an extention to reach the whole yard and we have a pool so we have to be careful with the cord around water.
I bought this as a Christmas gift for my dad and he loves it. He likes that is chops the leaves into mulch which can then be used around new trees that can use some ground coverage. This product makes a great gift for anyone who has a lot of yard work.
Powerful enough blower, adequate leaf shredder, metal impeller and infinite variable speed motor.
Weakness
Vacuum is rather weak; but expected.
After a few months of weekend use, this Blower/Vacuum has both it's good points and bad. First, it's electric instead of gas! It's size/weight ratio is a plus for it's power. It does what it claims to do which is a big plus in today's market. The shredder does a fine job for what it picks up albeit not as much as I had originally hoped for. The blower does a fine enough job though, and with the variable speed control, works wonders for garages and other tight spots around the house. I guess my only really big complaint would be the lack of power in the vacuum, but for a corded electrical device, it's to be expected. Don't plan on having this replace your gas-powered machine, but rather as supplemental item in your gardening arsenal.