Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Well, I am planning on getting a Toro just wondering what you all think of them. I am planning on getting this one as I need it for my services but can't afford a 1000 dollar commercial unit. Don't want OHV either as I have had problems with a B&S Intek engine cause of it lol.

Toro Mower

Hey Term, I'm not to familiar with all the Toro models. I do know my parents bought a personal pace I'm not sure which one, but they love it. The bad thing is my dad really abuses it, its like 2 yrs old he has never changed the oil in it, actually I dont think he has done a single thing since he has owned it!  That mower still runs and cuts like the day he bought it. Let's just say I don't follow my dads maintanece ways!!!  He asked to borrow the power pruner the other day. I told him dad I don't mind doing the cutting for you!! lol 

                                    later Mike

I have a Toro 20023 21" Personal Pace walk behind.  It's about four years old and hasn't given me a lick of trouble.  All I do is change the oil once in a while, grease the axels (this model has grease fittings), clean it off on occasion, and sharpen the blade when it starts to bend rather than cut the grass.

It sits in a cold garage all winter full of (stabilized) gas and has never needed more than three pulls to start in the spring (among a cloud of white smoke).  No need for electric start...geez, I've never used the electric start on my (Toro) snowblower.  BTW, the mower has a Briggs engine.

Cuts good, mulches good (it's a "Recycler," the "Super Recycler" probably mulches better) bags very well, and even has a clip on side discharge chute that works well.

Of course, the best feature of all is the Personal Pace self propelled system.  Intuitive, simple, works great.  I know other mowers offer similar systems but I can't imagine them working as well.  An amazing piece on engineering.  I sort of can't wait until it breaks so I can take it apart to see how it works.  I guess I can take it apart while it works, but I have a habit of leaving parts out when I reassemble things.

LL

Me too.  I think I've come to the idea of when it works leave it be, but that isn't always what happens. 

Hi Termy,

Can you estimate how many hours you figure you'll run a mower over the course of a cutting season? With that information some forum members might be able to give you a better idea of whether a high end residential mower or a commercial unit would be more suitable of an investment.

Termy,

The most important thing is just start! It would be nice to have a commercial unit but it's more important to just get going. Buy what you can afford and start your work, after you get some accounts and make some bucks you can get more refined on your equipment. Best of luck to you!

I got a Crapman, 6.6 or some chit people who lived in my house before me left behind.  Never changed the oil or plug for years, tortured the hell outa it.  Starts on a 1/2 pull everytime, w/ stale azz gas to boot. Last year I took pitty on it, and changed it's oil and plug, lol there was on like 4 tablespoons in there.  It's a B&S engine.   The think is just insane.  

I've got a 4 y/o toro pp mower as well, and like it alot.  Granted since i got the tractor it's been relegated to trimming, but its a good mower, cuts real nice, and i haven't had a problem with it.

Thanks guys for your replies. I knew Toro's were great mowers because my dad had a LT from the 80's but I was just a little kid then and did not really know the spacifics. For instance, I did not know that if you ran toro's without changing oil or doing any maintanance on it at all that it would still last a long time! Good stories you guys...

Marshall, I totaly agree with you on that one! You don't have to buy something that is out of your range just to have it. That is the secret to success!

Term , That is what I'm doing in my business just working my way up. I'm wanting to buy a new mower now. goodluck

Hi T-20...

As asked... expected hours of use per season ?
Cost of this Toro?
Yard sizes?
Will this be the only mower used... or just for trimming/tight spots?


For me... if your kinda' just starting out mowing for $$$...
I'd get  one or two used mowers for cheap... cheap... cheap...
Burn 'em out... throw away... until as recommended... got enough accounts to justify a new (newer) commercial machine(s)...

It takes a lotta'  mowin' $$$ / time to buy a few-hundred-dollar mower...

Think big... start small... and inexpensive...

Dave...