Raking is a pain. Save your back by using one of Toro’s powerful leaf blower vacuums to remove leaves, debris, and clippings from your lawn. Both of these models are quieter and pollute less than a gas blower, but they put out hurricane-force air flow. Let’s look at them both to see which one is the best for you.
Toro 51609 Ultra 12amp Variable-Speed (up to 235) Electric Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
This leaf blower puts out a top air speed of 235mph, and that’s enough to move wet leaves out of your way. (That’s only a little less power than the 51619 described below.) If you prefer to vacuum up debris, the serrated magnesium impeller mulches it into bits before it packs the bag full.
The mulching function works so well you’ll only use 1 bag where before you would’ve needed sixteen to fit the same amount of debris. It’s good that the collection bag comes with a shoulder strap because it gets heavy fast. The powerful vacuum moves up to 390 cubic feet per minute of air, and it may suck up small branches that can jam the impeller. But it’s simple to clear. Unplug the blower, then pull off the vacuum tube and unlatch the bottom grille. Then clean the impeller blades. No tools are needed.
It’s easy to switch between blower and vacuum modes without tools, too. Just release the latch on the bottom and move the tube from the blower side to the vacuum port underneath. Then mount the bag where the blower tube was.
The 51609 comes with multiple attachments to help you reach into crevices, direct a narrow stream of air, or blow over a wide area at once. The long handle on the blower gives you plenty of space to hold it so you can use two hands at once. The variable air flow dial lets you select just the amount of power you need for blowing and for vacuuming.
More features of the Toro 51609 Blower/Vacuum
- Toro offers a 2-year full warranty
- Weighs 7.5lbs
- 12Amp motor
- Has a cord storage hook to help store an extension cord
- Use up to 12AWG 150ft extension cord
Toro 51619 Ultra Blower/Vac, Red (Corded)
Why would you consider the 51619 blower when the 51609 we described above seems like a great tool? Mainly because Toro made this newer blower even more powerful. If you live where you have storms that send down a lot of debris onto your yard, you may find the 51619 even better suited to your needs.
The top air speed on this machine is 250mph, making it capable of moving larger sticks and heavier leaves. The air power is controlled by a variable speed dial.Oddly, the 51619 moves a lower volume of air than the other blower, only 350 cubic feet per minute. But the larger metal impeller does more shredding and mulching than before. There’s also a nice improvement on the collection bag—a zippered bottom. You don’t have to take it off the machine to empty it.
The 51619 includes the same kinds of attachments to control where you blow and what you vacuum. It has the main tube for general use, a power insert to help move debris into piles, and a concentrator to clear cracks and do edging. It weighs a little more than the other blower, but comes with the same convenient shoulder strap for the collection bag and cord wrap.
More features of the Toro 51609 Blower/Vacuum
- Toro offers a 2-year warranty
- 12Amp motor
- Has a cord storage hook to help store an extension cordand a retention loop to retain the extension cord in place while in use
- Weighs 8.5lbs
- Use up to a maximum of 12AWG 150ft extension cord
Recommendation
Although there are rumors that Toro has discontinued the older 51609 model, it is still listed as a current tool in their lineup online. This could change at any time, of course.
If you prefer the highest air speed available, get the 51619, the newest model. You’ll have the larger metal impeller that does an even better job at mulching leaves and debris. It weighs a little more, but it comes with a zippered collector bag that makes it easy to empty.
If air speed isn’t important, but weight is, get the 51609. It weighs a pound less and still has plenty of power to clear leaves and more.
Click here to purchase Toro 51619 on Amazon!