What you might need to know...Toro Max Recycler 2024 model 21485 

If you look closely at the diagram, there are 2 holes release pins fit into. In this mower, it looks as though, for some reason, they put a cut-out between the holes, making it effectively 1 hole with a larger hole at each end.

@edday1129 I've now seen this. This push handle setup was designed to fit into tg two holes and lock the handle down. A few people early on labeled me harshly and name called but I knew something was off when I received my Toro Max. Note, the rubber bumpers and the altered HOC plates do make for a softer and more bouncy push bar experince so depends on the user which way they like it. I would like to see 3 adjustment height holes instead of 2. One of the Hondas has 3 adjustments.

@@edday1129 you need to loosen up the bolts and pull them out to get the bolt into the other part of the slot in the plate. The bolt has a square portion underneath the head of it that fits into the "slot", but prevents it from sliding from one portion of the slot to the other. Repositioning the slot, or having another portion for the head of the bolt would help lower the handle further. I may see if I can find rubber bumpers that have a smaller outer diameter which would allow for the handle to rotate down lower.

@stever100 I agree that the dampened feel downward along with the personal pace mechanism does feel smooth and softens jolts. The downside is ⁷ is limited adjustment. In comparison to its rival the Honda 217, that mowers handle has 3 adjustments from low, med and high. Honda's bar settings actually can be seen and felt and their handle bars don't twist and flop around. With the electric start you have, do you keep the battery on a trickle charger while it sits? How has the battery for the electric start lasted? I'm assuming it can't be left sitting for 5-6 months? I have an inverter generator with electric start by small battery and if it's not used regularly it's battery will ruin. Generators are usually used for storm/power outage backup. They can sit unused for a long time. I have to remove the battery, not easy, and keep charged.

@CraigG21 it would have been nice if Toro had built in more range of adjustment like on the Honda 217 mower. Low setting is actually low and middle and high is up there. Good luck hunting down a less thick rubber isolators.

@@GettingthruLife agreed!

Appreciate you watching and commenting. Nice to hear from people as long as polite. Some show very little etiquette. I'm liking it but the handle is a little gripe. I guess what I was expecting was more of the Honda 217 handle design with its 3 actual, distinct height positions.

It's great mower but the handle situation is reality. Some may not notice or even care about what I point out. Seems like some people are really emotionally invested in what they like or already have. I try not to be that way. Whether or not I own it. I tend to be a magnet for people getting aggravated with me with some video topics. I do and did really like the $550-600 Honda but Honda discontinuing their mower business along with the major issue they had turned me off. I was also shopping the Ariens Razor but that mover has more than a few things not going it (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KEbBSB6TR0o.html). If I could do it all over again, fresh purchase...I'd likely pic the Toro Max again. The "Personal Pace" I do like though it's more bulky/not as streamlined as could be. I love the wheels and those bearing in the wheels are one up. When the handle is down in the lowest position, no rubber bumpers, it is super easy to pull start for me. My engine is super smooth. If I flip open the rear door with the motor running...the air coming out the back is like a jet engine...blowing the grass clippings with real force. 22" inch deck/blade cut does add up big-time from 20" and even though smaller gap from 21', I will take the added inch. The handle is about the only let-down in the big scheme. All the mowers have negatives, even the Honda. (why do 99% of the lawncare, big and small businesses use Toro...I've been looking for say the last ten years, paying attention at the equipment they use, on the trailers and in action, it's always Toro (Dallas Texas/anywhere Texas). I've never ever seen or noticed a lawn care company using Honda mowers) Maybe it's service related, maybe it's a parts related thing, maybe it's commercial warranty, maybe something else. Note: I have watched some (high viewer/high subscribers) RU-vid lawn repair channels with the person pointing out the weak spots on the $600-800 Honda. Things I didn't know. Truth, there is no perfect mower. Just try to pick to one you can best live with for 10+ years.

​@@GettingthruLifethere's a lot of guys that use Honda commercially, the deck, the mulching, it's one of the few mowers that doesn't clog up with wet grass. But you make good points. I think I'm gonna try the aluminum super recycler

@@zarethd Well what I've seen in many many years [here], actively keeping an eye out, not the entirety of the united states, I have never seen a (2 plus up to 5 mower larger lawn service using Honda. The/my city uses Toro. Not saying a small one person lawn care business isn't using a honda. It's almost entirely Toro mowers here 99.8. My neighbor runs a mid sized lawn and landscape, he uses commerical Toro. If I bought a Honda it would bog down in the wet grass here like all the others. Again, not actively mowing super wet grass, that would be 1-2 days after a big rain storm and no sun to dry out lawn. But you can see, I did not mow at all wet looking grass or recently rained on grass but after cutting it, it had a lot of water in the grass. Only time the grass is not wet here is when the grass losses its green color. That's my situation and personal experience. Varies widely across the United States and globe.

@@zarethd Super recycler is a bump up in category. #21485 $499 sale price vs like #21565 $800. A fairly large difference, how much actual user difference? Steel decks vs aluminum deck, steel deck last 20+ years even with a little inside surface rust. I like the look of the Aluminum 100% but I'm not able to justify $800 plus $65 tax. Plenty can and that good too.

@@GettingthruLife I just picked it up a few hours ago after watching your video lol First impressions on cut quality are excellent, handle design is crap and it's slower than older toros I've used. The handle catches on my shirt when turning around. I can ignore that though because it made my lawn look clean and fluffy even tho it was way overgrown

I seem to be a liked or hated youtuber. I just tell it how I see it. Positive comments are appreciated so I don't start to believe I'm a confused and terrible person:)

Thanks for nice words. I try to do good. Sometimes enjoyably making videos and hearing from some people.

I would agree with your assessment. It's nice and handles/maneuvers well.

Yea its a good mower. I used my LawnBoy today to cut a few areas that I don't want to run the new mover. Big difference in smooth feel and the lack of rolling resistance on the new mower. I have experimented with the handlebar position on the Toro Max in the three different positions and since doing that, I prefer most the 3rd lowest (the non-rubber bumper) height. Also, I didn't mention in video but when the push handle is in the no-bumper position, I can pull start the mower a fair amount easier. This is due to you have to pull in the blade-brake handle then reach down to the pull start. Puts my leverage at a disadvantage. Lower handle height, (7 in) just makes the pull starting easier for me.

I'm keeping mine. It mows well and feels good when pushing. Only complaint is when you have to pick up the back or turn it on its side by the push handle which isn't often. I use my smart-Stow not to Stow but to clean so I don't want to ' jerry-rig' to firm it up which will most likely make it more difficult to flip the handle forward. Note my mowers instructions show a different handle/quick-release/height of cuts plates. I guess what I got was Toros after- thought or rush- to- production version.

@Soli_Deo_Gloria_. I bought mine directly from Toro but I have seen them selling at lowes near my house. The ball bearing in the wheels is a high-end feature/benefit not found on almost all residential mowers. The commercial grade mowers tend to have ball bearing in the wheels. The consensus about the push handle bar is its done the way it is for comfort which after owning I can agree with= see this but it does mean it's a little "wet noodle" approach. I wouldn't say it's going to break faster or be chronic failure point. Just feels different all the other mowers.

Yeah it's a little much. I don't like most when I pick/pull up on the push handle and it moves 6 inches with free play. I was looking through my manual/quick reference guide and went to the diagram that shows handle install and setup. The picture on diagram shows two holes for the quick release pin to fit into. Not what this mower has. The design in the manual alone would fix the shotty handle. As I state in the video, the smartstow, personal pace, and the rubber isolators bumper don't play well together and it's obvious. It's the design flaw and Toro is aware but don't care to address.

That is a possibility. I think my deck/deck brackets were out of wack in the rear and still are but my four wheels touch the ground for level ground. Maybe the mower gets tweaked/bent/twisted in shipping. I suspect that's the possibility. I ordered mine from Toro and it was shipped to my door. A big and heavy box.

I was in talks with my dealer, because you/we can't talk to the people/department that physically can do something. The local Toro dealer is the one that has to work thing out with Toro. My Toro dealer did reach out to Toro Tech and discussed the issue that I clearly see. Answer now after 7-8 days is they are not going to change the HOC plate so the mower is as it comes. I had high hopes from my discussion with my local dealership owner that sounded like it was a possibility but the final word is it is the way it is. Also, a big thing for me not covered in the video due to time, when the push handlebar is set to the lowest setting which requires bumper isolator removed, I can pull start my mower with much greater ease. It's just the angle that's involved. You can always remove the rubbber bumper's and try this mower this way, but easily revert back. I liked it a lot more with the bumpers removed. Absolutly nothing that will happen to the mower if you run it this way. Long term quick release (blue) handles should wear out any quicker but I'm not stating this as absolute fact. I put my bumbers back on, medium height, and I definitely can't pull start the mower as effortlessly as when handler bar was lowest, no rubber bumpers.

Now that I look at a different parts diagram (the deck section) on the Toro website, it looks like the Super Recycler uses the rubber isolator bumpers setup as well. On the handle diagram portion for the Super Recycler it doesnt show the isolater bumpers. Seems like an experiment. I'm not at the point that I'd want to buy myself extra HOC plates but it could be an option. I be ok with toro providing an exchange free of charge.

I think that's a rumor. My john Deere dealer just got another shipment. That's like 6 months after Honda was supposed to have stopped making them.

@@pmaint1Not a rumor. There’s still plenty in stock.

It's really comes down to personal preference on how high or low one likes their handle and why companies are supposed to offer height adjustments. Why one or more of the Honda push and self propelled handles has 3 height adjustment levels. As far as the flimsy build integerity of this Toro handle design, I show the extent of the flimsiness and rigidity in one of my videos were it can be seen its not very sturdy feeling. All set aside, I kept the mower and like it as I express in every video. I have not been able to go out and buy 2-3 different mowers to compare side by side as I don't have that luxury. I just try and make my best educated choice buy and deal with what I got afterwards. This is definitely a big step up from my 2012 self-propelled 140cc Lawnboy with Brigg and Stratton which still works/cuts. This Toro max helps me to get the lawn cut faster which is what I need.

@@GettingthruLife We made some similar decisions, including a 12 year old mower that was still cutting ok, but definitely long in the tooth. Just sharing my experience. My intention was not to discredit you, just trying to help someone in your audience that may want another experience.

@@charlesdalton985 Alright my friend sorry if I came off sounding negative. I didn't mean to come bac like I got bothered. I'm not by anymeans a great personality on youtube. Thanks for commenting and sharing your experience. Always welcome to comment. Some times I do get people that just want to comment to be unfriendly. My car videos and some of my gun videos attract some trollish type people.

@@GettingthruLife I didn't get that from you at all, I was concerned I had offended you. Sorry about the trolls, I can't stand them either. Car videos you say.......search is on......

@@SamuelCabrera-ej3zi sure I can.

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nHdl4hj5ZWk.html

I have to same thing. It's like the president of Toro had their 5-7 yr old kid figure out the design and the adults said yep looks acceptable. Pass it on to production. Otherwise, I feel a good mower. I say the plastic airfilter cover is pretty cheapy but I had the same on my 13 yr old Lawnboy and never had issue. Just makesure it's on securely and it doesn't fall off where then you mow over it.

I am pretty sure if my front 2 height adjusters are matched and my rear 2 are matched then mine sits with the four wheels touching the ground.

This handle doest look to thought out. Seems like it was rushed out to meet deadline my guess. The instructions for this mower that came with mine don't show the same design and parts.

In my next video, i put the pedal to the floor, personal pace full bore. It's not fast moving. A semi-moderate amount faster than a regular walk. I'd like to see it go faster.

Depends on many different Recycler mower options. Look here: www.toro.com/en/homeowner/walk-behind-mowers/recycler-mowers Or 22" inch deck here: www.toro.com/en/homeowner/walk-behind-mowers/recycler-mowers?filter=60481ae2-cb26-4d9c-9820-51b59a112179-filtertext-22+in+%2F+56+cm TORO has 140cc, 150cc, 163cc recyclers st many different prices.

@GettingthruLife my bad i shouldve been more specific. The regular one i was referring to #21445 is about 70 bucks less than the max and is 150cc vs the max 163cc. Just noticed the 21445 also doesn't have the pace handle. Anything else you've noticed?

@thomaspayne5483 that 21445 is a front wheel drive mower. Has a 3/2 year warranty, 150cc Briggs Stratton motor, no bearing wheels, and no personal pace, smartstow. 21485 max recycler: rwd, 5/5 warranty, 163cc motor, bearing wheels, and personal pace and smartstow. Differences: slightly smaller motor, no personal pace, front wheel drive only, no bearing wheels, and shorter warranty. 214

@GettingthruLife awesome info thank you, sounds like that little extra for the max is well worth it. Just ordered one 👍

@thomaspayne5483 I like the bearing wheels a lot. Rolls so easy. Makes a difference. Personal Pace is good too. Height adjustment issue I see/try to explain not a deal killer. I like the max. I enjoy mowing with it. I get done faster and a little bit easier.

They are a quick release type approach so that this handle can stay attached but rotate forward so the mower can be stood up vertically for storage.

Glad you like it. I am enjoying mine and I get my lawn cut faster.

This 21485 model has handle play built into it due to the height cut plates. Doesn't matter how tight the bottom platic handled fasteners are because these just assist to keep the handle bar attached to the mower. The lower mounts are the pivot point for the smartstow. What secures the handle from pivoting are the blue rotating quick release tabs. The "ride of height" plates don't offer a fixed hole to click into, example Honda and Ariens. If you look at the manual that comes with the 21485, in the handle setup section, it shows a different ride of height" cut plates. This right here is evidence or the indication that there's some internal confusion at Toro on the proper design/setup. (Selectable holes for bar height adjust and no slot/groove cut-out with a rubber isolator bumper.) Section E: flic.kr/p/2pQE1TB

​@@GettingthruLife I think he was saying his has different plates. Maybe Toro is shipping them out that way now?

@@MrCaribe65 best of all I would think if Toro offered the HOC plate with three holes of height adjustment. Like the Honda since so many place the Honda as the benchmark of walk-behind mowers.

Honda has a few short comings as well as I've seen in a few videos: plastic wheels, open area of belt/ pulley and the dreaded camshaft if not addressed. They are some of the nicest mowers no doubt but I didn't consider because of the current events with their mower.

@@GettingthruLife I was referring to the fact that apparently Honda is ending mower production.

@@lindencamelback2305 I got that impression but for me I just added to your comment.

@@lindencamelback2305 Also, saw this which is very important for current Honda buyer to look for: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pvQXy67vkzM.html

What went wrong with the Toro Max you briefly owned or what did you not like?

@@GettingthruLife The handlebar Hight and the personal pace system seems like I'm on a jetski

My last years model toro vortex ran like a 30 year snapper with carb issues.it was at the dealers 5 different times,nothing changed.it was underpowered and ran like shit.sold it and got a honda hrx.lots of power and runs super smooth.

@TheLawnMechanic I watched your video. It was a good video, i liked watching. I'm glad you and your wife like the new honda.

@@GettingthruLifethank you sir

Sorry to hear. Unfortunate that you don't like. Somehow would be nice to demo like some motorcycles and cars.

This is a misguided opinion. The fuel filter I added/list is a 75 micron filter and likely much finer then the screen in the tank. My Lawn boy has a pretty fine screen in the tank that I clean just today and my jets have gotten clogged with fine particles a couple of times. A $6 addition if it cuts down on a couple carb tear downs/lost time is not useless in any sense of the term.

@@GettingthruLife whatever helps you sleep at night 👍

@@killaman7592 Reality and facts helps me sleep better at night.

I think you spent way too much time talking about how that handlebar bothers you. I would’ve love to hear about the performance of the engine.

@prostreetgsxr That's what future videos are for. Newer videos do exist and are posted. My videos are my videos and reflect my story. I'm not a machine and I don't work for Toro. This is done for pretty much fun and my willingness and personal effort to share.

First off, to be accurate, my video is not discussing the Super Recycler mower. My video is on the Toro Max. There might be a difference between the Max and super but since I don't own the super version I can not verify. The recycler max is definitely flimsy, less secure, less accurate feeling and just a cheaper feeling in general. (Bad design doesn't need to be used to differentiate models at different price points) The manual that comes with my model #21485 Toro Max mower shows a different push handlebar setup due to the HOC plates design. This was a poor choice. This seems to be the issue. (section E: www.flickr.com/photos/freelanceshots/53715507265/in/dateposted-public/) In my video/videos, it shows the Recycler Max's actual HOC plates.

@@GettingthruLife "The Super Recycler uses no rubber isolators and therefor uses different HOC plates but still incorporates the SmartStow feature." This is incorrect. My Super Recycler is 4 years old (M/N 21386) and has rubber isolators. The latest models of the Super Recycler also have rubber isolators (they are called "Flex Handel Suspensions" ) I checked and confirmed this. I have not experienced the new curved push handle, but I an attest that the rubber isolators work just fine. Mine doesn't have much variance in height adjustment, but it is perfect for my (5'9"). I will tell everyone that the Toro's feel "different" at first, but after several uses I wouldn't buy any other brand/model. It's your opinion of course, but I think you are leaving viewers with a much more negative impression of the Toro walk behinds than it deserves. Good luck with yours. I LOVE mine....it's my third. (BTW, starts on the first pull EVERY time after 4 years).

@psterdactyl7253 I looked closer at the parts diagrams on Toros website and the super does use the same or similar HOC plates, though different part numbers from the Max HOC plates.. I also agree that the rubber isolator bumpers do add some downward bump absorption but it totally unnecessary to allow the push handle to lift upwards 5 to 6 even 7 inches. The push handle with this design is just messy and very inaccurate. The horizontal flex/twisting of the bar is pitiful. If I had known this beforehand, I'd might not have bought this mower and gone wirh the Honda $550 mower.

@@psterdactyl7253 I looked closer at the parts diagrams on Toros website for the Super Recycler. Can't see unless looking at the actual parts diagrams. The Super Recycler does use the same or similar HOC plates, though different part numbers from the Max HOC plates. This is the reason i was quick to revise my response written above. I do agree that the rubber isolator bumpers add some downward bump absorption/flex but unrealistic and inaccurate to label this as suspension. In the real world, I feel it's unnecessary to allow the push handle to lift back upwards 5 to 6 inches and float around. Not much of a grab/push/pickup handle when it bounces around up and down and flexes as much horizontally as this does. At least on my brand new Max. The cause and result is the bumper isolator design. Could have easily been made to function better and offer better rigidity in the different direction which results in a better handling walk behind mower/self propelled machine. As far as the handlebar height adjustments, if I had never used any other mowers that had different height adjustments, then I likely wouldn't know any better. I'd Just assume that this is the way it is but not reality. Very beneficial to building around ergonomics, feel, adjustability and usability. Truly a big selling point. Sure, anyone can use the Toro Max or Super Recycler as it sits and get the job done but does it work really well and who does it work well for? If I had known this shortcoming beforehand, had access to look at the mower, or had the easy access to feel and touch...then I might not have bought this mower and gone with the Honda model 216 $550 mower. Reason why people's hands on reviews are useful.

@@GettingthruLife Suspension = Marketing language. I have triedd Honda mowers - great engines but otherwise "meh". The self pace function is a game changer. Toro makes a better mower. Period. This is my opinion. 69 years old, been mowing since I was 6....owned three Super Recyclers. You can easily replace any part........best mower in my mind. Not perfect, but the best.