Leaf Vacuum Shredder Vacuum (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

Leaf Vacuum Shredder Vacuum (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

Leaf Vacuum Shredder Vacuum (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
 Toro 51592 Super 12 amp 2-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum (Discontinued by Manufacturer) by Toro

We have owned the Toro Super Electric Blower for about two years now. Its a two speed blower, and at the time we purchased it, was substantially cheaper than the Ultra. The blower has worked really well, as has the vacuum mulcher. It is also fairly quiet considering the volume of air being moved (sucked up by the impellers and either driven to the leaf collection bag, or to through the blower vent).

But there are a few things to be aware of:
a) Large leaves (eg. maple) can clog the impeller, and have to the manually cleared from the impeller blades. This doesn't happen all the time, but frequently enough that it bears mention in this review. Smaller leaves, like live oak leaves, are no problem at all.
b) Don't vacuum wet leaves, or you will discolor the collection bag.
c) Don't vacuum twigs larger than about half a centimeter in diameter, or you will break the plastic impeller.
d) Large acorns will break the impeller.

Over blower-vac worked without any problems for two years. Then it started rattling and vibrated really badly, so I guessed that one of impeller fins/blades must have broken, and sure enough one had. When an impeller fin breaks, the blower will still work fairly well (albeit it becomes very loud and vibrates very badly). However the vacuum will not work well at all.

Luckily, a new impeller from Toro runs about $10, and isn't difficult to install. Overall, not a bad buy at all, and I would recommend it. But I wish Toro made the impeller substantially stronger.

Edited on April 3, 2010: There's a solution to the plastic impeller - a metal impeller. Turns out the Toro magnesium alloy metal impeller sold with model 51599 fits the 51592. It is more expensive than a plastic impeller, but works better than the plastic impeller does at mulching leaves that are picked up. It also doesn't jam as easily as the plastic impeller does with large leaves.

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Leaf Vacuum Shredder Vacuum (Discontinued by Manufacturer)