I inherited this unit but don't have a manual. How do you remove the cover to convert to a vacuum?

If you're Toro electric blower is slowing down, throwing sparks, or not starting you may need to replace the carbon brushes. Replacing brushes and cleaning commutator early can prevent damage to motor armature!

There are Electric Motor replacement carbon brushes on E-bay for all three motor sizes (7 AMP, 10.5 AMP, and 12 AMP) of Toro Leaf Blowers (Toro Rake and Vac Super and Ultra Blower Vacuums)
Search E-bay for: "Toro Blower Carbon Brush"

- 12 Amp leaf blowers Toro Super (Old model 51552) through Toro Ultra (New model 51609).
- 10.5 Amp leaf blowers Toro Old through Toro New model 51573.
- 7 Amp leaf blowers Toro model 51586 and other Toro 7 amp blowers

nice post//

If you're Toro electric blower is slowing down, throwing sparks, or not starting you may need to replace the carbon brushes. Replacing brushes and cleaning commutator early can prevent damage to motor armature!

Toro replacements are hard to find because Toro does not sell them and it is tricky to make you own.

There are Electric Motor replacement carbon brushes on E-bay for all three motor sizes (7 AMP, 10.5 AMP, and 12 AMP) of Toro Leaf Blowers (Toro Rake and Vac Super and Ultra Blower Vacuums)
Search E-bay for: "Toro Blower Carbon Brush"

- 12 Amp leaf blowers Toro Super (Old model 51552) through Toro Ultra (New model 51609).
- 10.5 Amp leaf blowers Toro Old through Toro New model 51573.
- 7 Amp leaf blowers Toro model 51586 and other Toro 7 amp blowers

if your unit has an air vane governer this may be stuck or damaged. If you have this type of governer it will be above the fly wheel.Requires removing front cover. Also check the linkage between governer and carb. make sure it moves freely.

The Mamco motor is WAY too much money.I bought brushes on E Bay and made them fit. #51591 takes 1/4 " square brushes.

Sounds like a piece of wood is caught under/between the impellor and the case/housing. When removing the impellor, you may find it has a left hand threaded nut.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/rolandw_c013176d62ee17ae

Here is a link to a copy of the manual

https://homeownersolutions.toro.com/portal/server.pt?space=CommunityPage&cached=true&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=1&in_hi_userid=19462&control=SetCommunity&CommunityID=214&PageID=238#manualsResultPage

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/rolandw_c013176d62ee17ae

You should have another door that goes in front of the impeller (blade) which doesn't have a vacuum attachment. You should first detach the vacuum door from the bottom, put on the blower tube, and install the other door that came with the blower. Hope that helps.

I was able to find PDFs of manuals from the manufacturer directly at this site: https://homeownersolutions.toro.com
Just run a search based on your model. In this case, simply type in 51573 in their search box. You get access to an online interactive manual and also makes PDF available.