Just got my first Toro today

5135 Views 16 Replies 4 Participants Last post by beav626, Sep 17, 2011

beav626

Discussion Starter · Sep 11, 2011

Picked up a Toro 22 in. Personal Pace Recycler (20332) from Home Depot.

I like to mulch my grass

I bought a new craftsman last month and it left clumps of grass everywhere. Even with the 7.0 B&S motor I was surprised. So I returned it and bought the Toro. It is powerful and smooth but still leaves quite a bit of grass behind?

Are my expectations just too high?

Other thoughts, I prefer the throttle handle drive of the craftsman over the Push handle but I think I will get used to the Push handle on the Toro. Also I wish the handle was a little longer. Im tall and feel liek Im leaning over to push it.

Overall nice mower and I am looking forward to many seasons with her.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Austen

· #2 · Sep 11, 2011

Welcome to MLMF!

Congrats on your new machine! I assume you are using the bag on the machine. Just to confirm, the multch plug is not installed, correct? If so, then the grass will not be entering the bag. Another thing that I would check would be to confirm the blade(s) are not installed upside down either.

Again, welcome to the site and keep us updated!

beav626

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 12, 2011

Thanks- I was not using the bag and the mulch plug was in place. It was mulching well (better than the craftsman) but still leaving lanes of grass while I mow.

Austen

· #4 · Sep 12, 2011 (Edited)

Yeah, that's pretty much what happens when you're not bagging. It varies from machine to machine how and where they discharge the clippings on the lawn. I've found that sometimes when you're multching, stopping and cleaning out the bottom every so often helps leave a better, more efficient cut.

beav626

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 12, 2011

Thanks- I will keep that in mind next week on my cutting session

Mark / Ohio

· #6 · Sep 12, 2011

Also your type of grass has a lot to do with how well mulching works. Some times cutting higher helps, other times cutting lower might work a bit better to keep the grass from blowing out too fast. Wet grass is really bad news to mulch. During faster growing season you really should mow more often then you would without mulching as letting it get too tall will cause problems too.

When my lawn gets ahead of me I mow twice making the second pass at a 90° angle to the first. First pass cuts it, air and sun dries it a bit, then second pass finishes mulching it up.

beav626

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 12, 2011

I get to mow early this week (We have done our rain dance and its working) It will be pretty short since the last mowing so I will try the above suggestions.

beav626

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 14, 2011

OK Got to finish mowing today. This mower is the best cutting mower I have ever used! I set the height adjustment properly today

Now to my Questions/Concerns:

1) The personal Pace mechanism is a bad design. I caught my finger on it twice. if it had a trigger type of throttle (Like the Craftsman) I would be in Lawn Heaven... Is there a Mod for this

2)The Mulch Plug is still letting grass by. enough to blow a little out through the back cover and fill up the grass flap at the bottom and the top of the deck. Is there an adjustment or seal for that plug?

3)#1 is a big issue for me- If I go to another mower, is there one that cuts as good as this Toro but has a better design in the same price range. ( I would also Like 1 lever height adjustment)

Thanks

Mark / Ohio

· #9 · Sep 14, 2011 (Edited)

Where did you catch your finger in the handle? Between the brake bail and the plastic handle?

I've had my PP mower for 12 years and can't recall that I've ever done that. Maybe the handle on the new models has changed a bit from the old ones.

Don't know on the mulch plug. Mines the old style cast aluminum deck Super Recycler with a chute that comes up out of the deck and a lever that closes the door toward the right rear when mulching. Mine does not have the side discharge option.

There was someone else here awhile back complaining about debris blowing out around the back door. I think it was a newer Toro** they were having the problem with. I don't recall now if they found a solution to it or not.

**Edit, on second thought I think it might have been a new John Deere mower.**

beav626

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 14, 2011

I was reading on the interweb

and found out about the Toro Traction Assist Handle.

This looks like what I need but can find out much info on it or if it will fit my mower. Ideally I would like to Fix the sliding handle and add the traction assist handle.

Mark / Ohio

· #11 · Sep 15, 2011

I had not heard of that until you mentioned it. So went Googling.

Looks to just clamp on the top fixed crossbar. I would think it would work or could be adapted to by some hole drilling on any of the personal pace style handles. It appears rather then fixing the push handle it just lets you control the speed by your fingers rather then pushing on the handle. Kind of works like if you hold the fixed crossbar with one hand and push on the handle with the other.

https://www.shoptoro.com/Comergent/...tDetail&showAddButton=true&productID=108-8120

Also found this explanation of how it works:

https://icontent.toro.com/smartmanuals/ToroSuperRecycler/Proc13700P.htm

I've gotten used to mine to the point I walk around with one hand on it most of the time even going up and down hill. But for someone that prefers the trigger style or has trouble getting used to operating it like my neighbor this might work pretty good.

My neighbor bought one a couple years after I did. He likes it and gets along fine with it like me. But his wife I don't think has ever liked it. She still has fits especially trying to mow up hill with it and struggles the whole time. I'll have to mention this attachment to them.

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beav626

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 15, 2011

Looking at this I'm wondering how it would connect to the drive system?

Mark / Ohio

· #13 · Sep 16, 2011

beav626 said:
Looking at this I'm wondering how it would connect to the drive system?

It really does not connect to the drive system that I can see. Only provides a fixed place for your fingers to grab and still pull (activate) the original handle with your thumbs by squeezing your hands rather then pushing against the handle while walking.

beav626

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 16, 2011

Mark / Ohio said:
It really does not connect to the drive system that I can see. Only provides a fixed place for your fingers to grab and still pull (activate) the original handle with your thumbs by squeezing your hands rather then pushing against the handle while walking.

I promise I'm not Blonde... but- the drive system is engaged by pushing the handle towards the mower. How can pulling on a handle (Without connecting to the drive line) activate the drive system? It would be pulling the handle away from the mower. or ami I just not seeing it?

Thanks

Cato

· #15 · Sep 17, 2011

The good thing about the Home Depot is you can return an item for any reason. Being unhappy with the Personal Pace design is reason enough to return it. I personally don't like the design myself. I think I would return it before trying to modify it with various accessories.

If you decide to return it, visit a few Lawnmower stores in your area. They have better selection and you can buy something that better fits your needs and desires.

Mark / Ohio

· #16 · Sep 17, 2011

beav626 said:
... How can pulling on a handle (Without connecting to the drive line) activate the drive system?...

You would actually be squeezing the two handles together with your hands to make it go.

Cato makes some good points. Since your under warranty you would not want to do anything that could void it especially if there's any chance you might still return it. Maybe first go to a regular lawn and garden shop and see what all else is available and if the drive system would work better for you. They might even let you try it out to see how it feels.

beav626

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 17, 2011

From what I've seen and read- I can't find a mower that cuts this good for the price. I will stop by my local toro shop and ask about warranty issues after installing this.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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