Backyard Boss. Toro 150cc lawn mower
The Best Toro Lawn Mower to Whip Your Backyard Into Shape
Whether you are a long-time fan, or you are just looking for a new mower a cut above the rest, a Toro lawn mower is a great choice. It’s a renowned brand and a safe choice for almost any power tool.
We’ve reviewed Toro’s entire line of lawn mowers and picked the five best ones. One will be best for your needs.
Why You Can Trust Us
Between the spring, summer, and fall, I must mow my yard between 30 and 40 times each year. Right now, I use a self-propelled mower powered by Briggs and Stratton and a generic dual-string weed eater. However, if I could, I’d trade for a Toro in a heartbeat. I have never owned one, but anyone who has worked in the landscaping industry, as I have, knows the name and knows it well.
That said, I am intimately familiar with lawn mowers in general, which qualifies me for putting together this guide.
Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Recycler (RWD)
For homeowners looking to upgrade to a reliable self-propelled walk-behind Toro, the versatile 22-Inch Recycler with RWD is our top pick!
What We Like: The self-propelled Personal Pace technology, in combination with the fuel-friendly 150cc motor makes this Toro an easy-to-use option for the average yard.
For most people, the 22-inch version of the Toro RWD Recycler is more than enough of a machine to keep the grass cut low with as little effort on their part as possible. An electric start ensures that it fires right up every time you’re ready to mow.
A slightly smaller motor than other self-propelled mowers, combined with a wide blade makes it a gas-friendly option. Even more importantly, the mower is built with a Personal Pace Auto-Drive system that allows you to simply walk behind and guide it with ease.
Who Should Buy It: This rear-wheel-drive self-propelled walk-behind Toro is perfect for homeowners with yards of less than an acre to maintain.
Best Riding Toro Lawn Mower
TimeCutter
Have a bit more yard to mow than the neighbors? The Toro TimeCutter will slash your lawn cutting times in less than half!
What We Like: For a zero-turn mower, the TimeCutter is not only smarter but it also goes where larger mowers can’t go. It’s also a super comfy ride.
If it’s a Toro riding mower that you have your heart set on, but your less than acre-sized property keeps you from making the investment, meet the common-sense answer to all your lawn cutting needs, the Toro TimeCutter zero-turn riding mower.
This small riding mower has a 42 inches wide deck, riding speeds of up to 7 mph, and best of all it turns on a dime. It also comes with a genuine hand-made seat. Also noteworthy is the 22.5 HP motor (which is far better on gas than most riding mowers).
Who Should Buy It: The TimeCutter has a smaller deck than large commercial zero-turn mowers, but is twice as wide as the average push or self-propelled walk-behind mower. If you have half an acre or more to mow, the TimeCutter can seriously reduce how much time it takes to get the job done.
Best Commercial Toro Mower
TimeMaster
For those in need of a self-propelled walk-behind with a larger cutting radius than the average mower, the TimeMaster could easily be the one for you.
What We Like: The TimeMaster has a wider cutting radius than most walk-behinds, making it perfect for commercial work as well as large yards. It also works as a mulcher and bagger which saves even more time on jobs of any size.
Not exactly in need of a small riding mower, but still need a more helpful solution than most walk-behinds have to offer? Allow us to introduce you to your new best friend, the Toro TimeMaster. This self-propelled lawn mower comes with all the same great features as the Recycler series (covered in our list) but is even more versatile.
The mower comes with a convenient 30-inch wide deck, which means for every three passes you would make with a typical self-propelled mower, or push-style machine, you can cut the same amount of grass with just two passes. In addition, it is a 3-in-1 unit that not only mows but also mulches and bags as well.
Who Should Buy It: If you have a decently large yard, or run a commercial grass cutting business, the TimeCutter could be a great addition to your lawn care equipment.
Best Compact Toro Lawn Mower
Super Recycler Smart Mower
Short on space in the garage / garden shed? No problem! The Super Recycler is not only smarter than many new mowers, but it is also compact and easy to store in little space!
What We Like: The Super Recycler not only comes with Personal Pace self-propulsion, but it also breaks down so nice and compact that it can be stored in very little space, including from a strong hook on your garage or shed wall.
Looking for a self-propelled walk-behind Toro that is easy on gas and takes little effort on your part to operate? You may have just found it. The Super Recycler features self-propulsion and is lighter than many models. It is also one of the most convenient options in regards to long-term storage, with its SmartStow features.
The mower also features an electric start, FLEX handle suspension, and requires very little maintenance in comparison to others. Another eyebrow-raising aspect of this mower is that it is capable of moving at 4.8 mph. Oh yeah, did we mention that it also works as a mulcher and bagger? Yeah, it does that too.
Who Should Buy It: For those will small to medium yards, with little storage space to speak of, this Smart Mower may be just the machine for you and your lawn care needs.
Best Budget Toro Lawn Mower
Recycler (High-Wheeled)
The High-Wheeled Toro push mower may not be self-propelled, but it is light, easy to push, starts on the first push of a button, and needs extremely little maintenance.
What We Like: The High-Wheeled Recycler is a good old-fashioned-style walk-behind push mower and they don’t come much more user-friendly than this either. It requires very little maintenance, fires up on the first push or pull, and is compact and lightweight.
As far as value for money, few units are as impressive as this Recycler with high wheels. It doesn’t have self-propulsion, but it requires less gas and is much lighter in weight as well. By most accounts, owners claim that this machine is as easy to use as a self-propelled version, maybe even easier than some.
Another giant benefit of this particular unit is that you will never need to change the oil (for the entire lifetime of the original motor that comes with it). Even more, it starts up with the push of a button. That means you never have to prime or choke it.
Who Should Buy It: For those who aren’t ready for a self-propelled mower or rider, this classic push mower is more than enough to get the grass cut, and with less effort than many of the best walk-behinds.
What Sets Toro Lawn Mowers Apart?
Toro is one of the premier lawn mower brands in the country, and for good reason. Not only do these machines get the job done, but they also get it done quicker, better, and with less effort. They also last longer than your average generic lawnmower. Each Toro lawn mower is made with fine craftsmanship and high-end components. The company has been making premium mowers for so long that they have it down to a science.
To say the very least, Toro produces some of the sturdiest and reliable machines in the entire lawn care industry. Toro mowers also come with great warranty options and excellent customer service. It is also crucial to note that replacement parts are readily available, something many mower-makers don’t have going for them.
However, greatness does come at a price. Toro mowers are generally more expensive than lesser-known brands (as well as a few of the better-known ones). If that changes your mind, or your budget isn’t on point with the investment, our favorite affordable mowers may interest you!
Who Makes Toro Lawn Mowers?
One of the oldest names in the industry, the Toro Company has been around for over 100 years. For approximately three-quarters of those years, the company has been producing and perfecting lawn mowers of all sorts.
Regardless of their history in the business, sometimes there is some confusion about Toro, and who makes their mowers. This is typically due to the fact that Toro owns and produces other brands in addition to their own. That said, all of the brands that Toro now makes have been bought and paid for and are now divisions of Toro itself.
The Toro Company has always made their mowers in the USA, and to this day they are still produced there. Some parts and components however, may be outsourced from manufacturers in other countries.
How We Picked
Toro makes a wide range of various lawn mower models and most of them are generally considered high-end machines, which means we really had our work cut out for us this time. That said, not all Toro machines are made equal and after careful consideration, we were able to whittle down our selections to five of the very best. From cutting widths and height adjustments to a range of Smart features, there were quite some differences to take into consideration while choosing.
We kept folks with different needs in mind while rounding up our final picks. From those who have small yards or narrow passages to cut to folks with an acre or more to handle, we made sure to pick something for everyone. That said, every unit that made it on our list clearly outperformed others in the same category.
Toro. 22″ (56cm) Variable Speed High Wheel Mower (21378)
The Toro Recycler series is a patented cutting technology that brings an innovative mulching technique that make your clippings ultra-fine to provide moisture and nutrients that feed back into your lawn. We call these nutrient rich grass clippings, LawnVitamins This model features a powerful 150cc Briggs Stratton engine with.
The Toro Recycler series is a patented cutting technology that brings an innovative mulching technique that make your clippings ultra-fine to provide moisture and nutrients that feed back into your lawn. We call these nutrient rich grass clippings, LawnVitamins This model features a powerful 150cc Briggs Stratton engine with a durable 22 inch steel deck frame for you to enjoy for years to come. The 11 inch rear High-Wheels provide increased traction and combined with this mower being lightweight makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Enjoy the variable speed of this self-propelled lawn mower that will make cutting your lawn quick and easy. Best of all, no oil changes for the life of the engine. Just Top it Off.
- Durable Steel Deck. Enjoy years of reliable use from your deck thanks to its steel construction.
- Feed Your Lawn. The ultra-fine clippings created by our Recycler Cutting System are Lawn Vitamins nourishing your grass.
- Traction in Tough Terrain. Get great traction regardless of the job with lightweight and maneuverable 11 in. rear wheels.
- Hassle-Free Maintenance. There’s no oil change. ever. Just Top it Off.
Returns Policy
You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the ‘Complete Orders’ link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We’ll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we’ve received and processed the returned item.
Shipping
We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.
When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.
Feed your lawn while you’re mowing it with the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower, which cuts and mulches your grass at the same time.
Top Ten Reviews Verdict
Suitable for up to half an acre, the nifty Toro 21378 Recycler Mower can be used by most to quickly mow your lawn and mulch it too, leaving you with plenty of time to relax in the yard.
Cons
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
If you’re looking for a gas lawn mower that makes light work of clippings disposal, the Toro 21378 Recycler may be the perfect fit. Using an innovative mulching system, this lawn mower feeds your lawn while it cuts, creating a layer of ultra-fine clippings that nourishes your grass, giving a lush and verdant look.
Dimensions: H 59″ x W 23″ x D 44″
Engine displacement: 150cc
Max cutting height: 4 inches
Min cutting height: 1 inch
Start type: Recoil/pull cord
Warranty: 2-year full coverage, 3-year guaranteed-to-start
The Toro 21378 Recycler Mower is also light and easy to maneuver, with a 150cc no-oil-change Briggs Stratton engine, 22-inch steel deck, and 11-inch rear wheels that give you great traction in any terrain. Plus, it comes with a 2-year full coverage warranty for extra peace of mind.
Our review takes a deeper dive into the features and specifications of the Toro 21378 Recycler, so you’ll have everything you need to know before purchasing. And if it’s not the right fit, our buyer’s guide to the best gas lawn mowers has more great options.
Toro 21378 Recycler Mower: Features
Toro’s 21378 Recycler Mower is a straightforward machine that’s easy to use and just as easy to maintain, with no oil change needed. It uses a pull cord to start.
As a self-propelled model, the Toro 21378 has front-wheel drive and variable speed options.
The Briggs Stratton 6.25 ft. lb. gross torque 150cc OHV engine comes with auto choke and a one- or two-pull start, with a three-year guarantee and free repair if the pulls aren’t up to standard. Meanwhile, a washout port makes it easy to clean the underside of the mower and keep it functioning smoothly.
Other handy features include a one-piece handle adjustable to two heights, and Toro’s Recycler mulching system that chops grass into fine pieces to go back into nourishing your lawn. If you wanted to bag rather than mulch, then this mower also has a quick-connect bagging system so you can make the switch easily.
The 22-inch steel deck is tough, reliable, and hard-wearing to guarantee this mower will give good service for years to come.
In terms of warranty, the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower is covered entirely by a two-year warranty, and there’s also a three-year guarantee-to-start warranty too.
Toro 21378 Recycler Mower: Performance
With a cutting width of 22 inches, this is ample to make mowing areas of between a quarter to half an acre a breeze. The cut is smooth with nine cut positions of between one to four inches – ideal if you like a manicured lawn. For more advice on this, head to our feature on how to cut your lawn to the best height.
The self-propelled handling on the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower is easy, which also makes mowing quick and a cinch to control. The 11-inch rear wheels are lightweight and simple to roll over most flat and uneven terrain. Inclines are handled nicely too, and the mower’s compact size means things won’t get too out of control should you need to put in a little more effort.
Overall, the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower performs well. It is deft and versatile and can be used easily by most people regardless of strength. It does only have a small cutting width though, so it won’t be suitable for larger lawns. It’s also not designed to take on hilly lawns either.
Toro 21378 Recycler Mower: User reviews
It’s top marks all round for the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower when it comes to performance, efficiency, and power. On Toro’s own website, there’s a majority of five stars and favorable Комментарии и мнения владельцев that sing the praises of the steering, mulching, and general ease of use. Negative Комментарии и мнения владельцев veer towards minor technical issues, but these Комментарии и мнения владельцев are few and far between.
Elsewhere online, Home Depot also favors this mower with more than 1,800 five-star reviews. Some customers welcomed the ease of use with the self-propelling function, while others commented on how easy the machine was to put together. One-star reviews mentioned issues such as the occasional leaking of oil, and failure to start, while some also quibbled the warranty. If you’d prefer a battery-powered alternative to prevent oil problems, check out our guide to the best electric lawn mowers.
Toro 21378 Recycler Mower: Price
When you add up what’s on offer, this residential mower offers great value for its 329 price tag. It’s not uncommon to see deals on these types of outdoor tools, however, so keep an eye on our round up of cheap lawn mower deals to see if you could save.
Should you buy the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower?
The Toro 21378 Recycler Mower is an affordable mower that allows you to cut and mulch your lawn with maximum efficiency and zero effort. This self-propelling mower packs in a lot of extra features for the price, such as a washout port, a one-piece adjustable height handle, and 11-inch rear wheels.
It’s well rated by users too, who praise its versatility and maneuverability, and the fact that it’s sturdy enough to deal with rough or uneven terrain. If your priority is to save valuable time, without sacrificing the health of your lawn, it’s worth taking a look at the Toro 21378 Recycler Mower.
If this product isn’t for you
Another great affordable option for small-to-medium lawns is the Troy-Bilt TB130. This budget mower will mulch your clippings, rake your lawn, and it never needs an oil change.
Or you could take a look at the Craftsman M105. At just 65lbs, this push mower is easy to move around, and has no fewer than 6 cutting heights and 5 clipping disposal options.
If you like what Toro has to offer as a brand, but you need more engine power, the Toro Timemaster 21199 makes short work of cutting lawns with its 223cc engine and wide blade, saving you up to 40% time and effort.
Toro Self-Propelled Lawnmower Reviews | Personal Pace Models
We took on several Toro self-propelled lawn mower reviews to check out both standard Personal Pace and AWD. These lawnmowers offer excellent power and cut quality. Whether the grass needed a short trim or a serious cutting, the Toro 22″ Recycler mowers seemed up for the challenge and left a professional-looking yard.
When I drive around the beautiful countryside of Pennsylvania in the summer, I notice a lot of local landscaping companies keeping yards trimmed up and looking great. The brand name I see most often on their machines is Toro. It’s no doubt that Toro makes a lot of great professional and consumer level mowers trusted by business owners and homeowners alike. Pro Tool Reviews decided to take on a couple of Toro Self-Propelled lawnmower reviews to test out the line.
We brought in both the Toro 22″ Personal Pace Recycler Lawnmower (20332) and the all-wheel-drive model, the 20353. Both mowers share the same features save for the self-propelled drive system.
Toro Self-Propelled Lawnmowers Under the Hood
The Toro 22” Personal Pace Recycler line brings some innovative features to Toro’s self-propelled lawnmowers. These lawn mowers feature a 163cc Briggs Stratton Engine with 7.25 ft-lbs of torque. That makes them a great choice for small to medium-sized yards. With the implementation of the all-wheel-drive self propel system, yards with moderate to medium slopes are a breeze. The 22″ deck also reduces the number of passes necessary to efficiently cover as much area as possible before moving up to a riding mower.
Guaranteed to Start?
As the name states, the “Guaranteed-to-Start” promise actually proved accurate. Toro’s ReadyStart is an auto choke feature, which means you don’t have to prime or choke the engine. The Briggs Stratton EXi 163cc starts after one or two pulls with no problem. In fact, the most I’ve ever had to pull it was twice and 95% of the time it started on the first pull.
Toro also placed the recoil start handle in a comfortable position that I found easy to use.
Personal Pace First Impressions
A few years ago when shopping for a new push mower, I had to decide between a standard mower and a self-propelled model. I cared most about weight, gas consumption, and ease-of-maintenance. In the end, I opted for the self-propelled model and never looked back.
On the AWD model, Toro’s Personal Pace feature gives you three basic options for operation. You can go fully manual, use the fully-automatic self-propelled handle that moves forward as you move forward, or use the traction assisted handle that gives you the ability to control how much assistance you want.
I’ll admit the fully-automatic handle took some getting used to because it’s not a static bar. As you put pressure on the handle, it moves forward—giving you more or less assistance according to how hard you press it. At first, it felt like mowing the lawn with a bungee cord because the gripped handle constantly moves back and forth as you walk.
Traction Assist Handle
Once I got used to it, Personal Pace became very intuitive and the mower became an extension of my body. I found myself using the traction assist handle in the center of the handle for hills. To control how much assistance you want, you have to hold the mower in the center of the bar—a tad bit awkward. I understand why they had to place the handle in the center, but I’d like to see something on the sides for a more natural pushing position.
I like mulching with my mower because I don’t want to deal with emptying the bag. Some people, however, prefer only to mow with a bag—particularly those with lots of leaves. Toro includes a quick change lever that easily goes back and forth between recycle mode (which mulches the grass using Toro’s Atomic blade lift system) or bagging mode. Even better, you can make the switch while the mower runs.
Bagging and Cleanup
You can’t do adequate Toro self-propelled lawnmower reviews without checking how it bags. In some areas of the country—that’s a huge deal. In the bag-on-demand mode, I noticed that it would sometimes not throw the clippings to the back of the bag—causing it to clog. When this happened, I had to empty the bag more often. The bag is very easy to get on and off because it sits on a sturdy two-point hinge system.
Toro could stand to open up the mouth of the bag a bit more. When dumping the clippings, several times I had to reach in to get them empty—even with dry grass. Also, there were a few times that after dumping the bag, it would leave a trail of clippings once I started mowing again.
Adjusting the Toro Mower Cutting Height
The cutting heights available range from 1 inch to 4 inches with seven stops/half stops between. Each wheel is independently adjustable which Pros seem to prefer for stiffness over single-lever systems. Another upside is that durability increases as you have less moving parts to break.
Cleaning Using the Washout Port
Like many mowers, the Toro 22” Personal Pace Recycler Lawnmower comes with a washout port for hooking up a hose to clean the blades and deck. Hold the plastic nut securely while spinning it onto your hose.
While it does make the deck easier to clean, it doesn’t get everything. We recommend (and appreciate) it for those who cannot lift the mower up and hose it off manually. If you can, turning the mower on its side and spraying it down still wins. For me, the wetness of the cut grass determined whether I used the quick wash connector or tilted it up to spray it off.
Toro 20353 Lawnmower All Wheel Drive Feature
My favorite feature on the Toro 20353 lawn mower is the All Wheel Drive traction assist. The Toro 20332 Personal Pace lawn mower uses only the rear wheels. When mowing on uneven surfaces, you start to lose traction, especially while mowing up or down steep slopes. With All Wheel Drive, the front and rear wheels have a nice aggressive tread and spin independently. This gives you the best traction possible when mowing on inclines.
The Toro 20353 AWD mower definitely outperforms standard Personal Pace in this area. The maximum speed on these mowers felt similar—around 4.8 mph. I found that more than enough for fast-paced mowing.
Briggs Stratton 7.25 ft-lbs 163cc Engine
The Briggs and Stratton 163cc engine is a beast! I travel for work a lot and often come home to an unruly yard after a week or two of being away. The top-notch cutting power makes it a breeze to get “caught up”.
Even the non-AWD Personal Pace model packs a punch. The 7.25 ft-lbs of gross torque at 2600 RPM shows itself when pushing the Personal Pace handle down as far as it will go in a thick St. Augustine lawn. The power coupled with the rear-wheel-drive on this model makes for a strong combo. The mower doesn’t bog down at all. Rather, it hums right along—even when carrying an increasingly heavy bagger.
I didn’t experience any hesitation from the engine even while mowing tall and wet grass. It took about one hour to mow a half-acre of St Augustine.
Also, the engine runs smooth and sounds surprisingly quiet. I could have a conversation with my Dad from 10 feet away while mowing the lawn. While we always recommend the use of hearing protection, the output of this mower allows for several hours of use without violating OSHA standards. Since I’m a musician and sometimes sing while mowing the lawn, I found out that the tone of the engine runs to the tone of F#/Gb (just in case you happen to write a great song while mowing!)
Toro 22″ Personal Pace All Wheel Drive Lawn Mower Specs
- Model: 20353M
- 7.25 ft-lb Gross Torque Briggs Stratton EXi 163cc w/ReadyStart
- Personal Pace All-Wheel Drive Self Propel System
- 3 Year Guaranteed-to-Start Briggs Stratton Engine
- Easy Mulch or Bagging Settings
- Weight: 78 lbs.
- 2-year Full Coverage Warranty
- Price: 399
Toro 22″ Personal Pace Lawn Mower Specs
- Model: 20332
- 7.25 ft-lb Gross Torque Briggs Stratton EXi 163cc w/ReadyStart
- Personal Pace Rear-Wheel Drive Self Propel System
- 3 Year Guaranteed-to-Start Briggs Stratton Engine
- Easy Mulch or Bagging Settings
- Weight: 78 lbs.
- 2-year Full Coverage Warranty
- Price: 369