Toro Recycler Mower - does it do the job? 

When my grass is that high I raise the cutting height and adjust my mowing pattern so uncut is on left and cut is on right. Makes a huge difference and doesn’t require any additional time. Wet grass is always a challenge, I avoid it whenever possible. Just my opinion.

I had a new toro recycler 22 163cc I used to cut a bunch of lawns with it wet or dry high or low always bagged it thing was strong as hell and cut amazing loved it

Re: Bogging down in wet grass. There's no substitute for horsepower and especially torque in those conditions. A small engine on residential mowers just doesn't have the moxie needed. In dry conditions they work well but if my grass is too high or even very damp, forget it. It's stalling all over the place.

Yup. We got a Toro recycler brand new in 2010 and all it did FROM DAY ONE was bog, clog, and stall. It also left clumps of grass instead of cutting the grass fine like all other mowers.

The old mower has a carburetor bowl full of water and dirt. Cleaning it and poking out the jet holes in the side of the bowl nut would bring it back to good operation. They are good mowers. The 190cc engine is strong but was discontinued a while back.

Best review I have seen. thank you!

I love my 2 30+ year old Toro Recyclers. Both have rear wheel drive. The only problem I see with a front wheel drive mower is you have very little traction going up a hill. Rear wheel traction you have more weight on the back wheels. If you don't have a hill, no problem.

Use your best judgment when it comes to high grass. It’s not a high built industrial machine but it WILL get the job done if you use it correctly. Check for high areas and constantly drain the bag. Or else buy a bigger mower

Toro likes to put the Briggs 150cc engine on the smart stow mowers but they put a 163cc engine on the non smart stow mowers. The difference is a foot pound of torque. They need to put a 163cc engine on the smart stow mowers. To get the 190cc you have to spend $1000 on a Toro super recycler. You can bend the governor bracket and get more rpm out the Briggs 150cc.

Never cut more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at a time. Raise the deck, cut, then cross cut. Also cutting wet grass isn't good for the mower. All that wet grass clogs up the drive belts and if left the wet grass promoted the deck rotting. The older mower sounded like a carb problem. I bet if you removed the bowl and cleaned out the jets it would stop surging. PS, remind me to never buy anything mechanical from you!! :)

That’s a beautiful lawn!

Why in the world did you get the front wheel drive model only 150cc engine, other than that one has the SmartStow feature and that's thick, wet grass. I got the Toro 22" 163cc with rear wheel drive and haven't had any problems so far, knock on wood. I use it commercially to mow about 14 lawns per every 2 weeks. The bagger works great, all baggers get clogged from time to time, no bogging, no oil leaks, personal Pace system works great.

I got the 163 cc all wheel drive this year no power issues at all maybe u should higher the wheels a little it will definitely cut better and leave nicer stripes

A couple things: spray some carburator cleaner in your old mower as it looks very gummy. I think that would help. Second I agree, use the old mower for the scrub in the back or you will need to sharpen your blade on the new mower sooner than necessary. Otherwise, you knocked it out of the park again Mr. Gebo! Great video!!

Great Video Brother 👍👍Thanks.

Its a small engine that's why I think its 150 isn't it.i just bought all wheel drive toro 163 cc engine.does the same thing just cut a little higher.but I see the 190 cc but didn't waunt to spend that much lol but I love the mower think u were cutting little to low for it being wet if it was dry and taking half a swipe it would be fine

Yeah that old mower isn’t 30 years old. 10 at most

To be fair Hondas hrn or hrx 216 or 217 never bogs down and will cut through 11 inch wet grass without issues. Just saying. I'd exchange that mower for a Honda any day.

you have some debris in the main jet making it surge.. a simple carb cleaning and it will work like new again. that L head is supremely better than the EX you just bought.

Thanks for your review. I have a Toro Recycler that is about 20 yrs old and I have never loved it. The transmission went out and was replaced while under warranty, but doesn't pull more than a snail would if I could hook it up to it. The wheels still roll when I lift up the mower, but zero pull under a load. It also ALWAYS has locked up when pulling the mower backwards. I will never buy another Toro, but my question is, should I try and get the transmission fixed? I have used my neighbors 25-30 yr old Honda and it was head and shoulders better.

Your old mower needs a new Diaphragm for the carb. Very easy fix ..

Buy ethanol free gas for lawnmowers like this. (E0 - 87) not the 10% ethanol gas we use for cars and your equipment will last longer

TORO needs to make the 7..25 163cc engine standard on all Recycler mowers.

clean the carb or replace it... that 6.75 is just more powerful than what they are making these days due to emissions.

To wet to low, all things considering, it didn't do horrible for a mower of that price point..

I just bought a 21442 Toro and it sucks! Stalls constantly as soon as I start mowing. My last Toro was great but these new ones are total crap! I just bought mine a few hours ago and it may be going back.

Got mine in 2023 and is junk. At my age Ive had plenty of mower brands and this mower almost everything is cheap plastic. I miss my old lawn boy 18 years of solid performance

How does it vacuum up leaves? Thanks.

I own the same mower and it is underpowered to me

Hi, Did you have to sharpen you blade before you cut….?

My Honda mower is not starting after the winter. I don't think I will ever put a penny in the brand again. How does this hold up after winter?

Why do you want a new mower if you have one at the end of the video?

Hi Does this have just one speed? Thank you

too wet & you are to low

What model is it? I need to know for my rear shoot

Did he say 30 Yeats old?

Hi~ We have blades that may fit your mower. We're happy to offer you the product completely free of charge in exchange for a video review. Are you interested?

That ain’t 30 😂

It’s probably cause you ran ethanol thru it

Front wheel drive is trash. Also stalling out on a normal cut? Looks like it was struggling as slow as u were walking. I have the Super Recycler amd Honda HRX 217 and neither struggle like that

By far the worst mower I've ever owned. Constantly has problems. Good video though.