Toro Recycler® (22") 190cc Briggs & Stratton Personal Pace® Electric Start Lawn Mower

I replaced an 11 year old John Deere with this. I wanted the battery start due to arthritis. It is now 3 years old. I have not experienced any issues with the battery. Charge it in the spring and go. Have not replaced it. Quality of cut is good but my JD was better. One oddity is that this unit has some drag when pulling backwards. Ya know, like under a tree. You push forward then pull it back. Not a biggie but noticeable.

Replacing the bag is no different than my JD was. You release the handle, motor stops. I grab spring loaded cover with left hand, grab bag handle with right and pull. Reverse procedure to install. I don't see where you would need "3 hands" as others have said. Overall, I don't regret the purchase. Value was very good. Of note is this is not a "Super Recycler". Leaf mulching is not as good as the Super models and I may go that route or the Honda next time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this mower to anyone.

I replaced an 11 year old John Deere with this. I wanted the battery start due to arthritis. It is now 3 years old. I have not experienced any issues with the battery. Charge it in the spring and go. Have not replaced it. Quality of cut is good but my JD was better. One oddity is that this unit has some drag when pulling backwards. Ya know, like under a tree. You push forward then pull it back. Not a biggie but noticeable.

Replacing the bag is no different than my JD was. You release the handle, motor stops. I grab spring loaded cover with left hand, grab bag handle... more

I really can't understand what there is to complain about with this mower. I just bought mine and really love it.

I researched and looked at many models but found this mower to be the best value for the buck. Compared to my old Yard Works, which was a good mower but pushed so hard, this thing makes grass cutting too easy.

I really can't believe I never got one of these before. The closest competitor was the entry level Honda, but it does not have as many features as the 334, and is more expensive.

Who raises their mower legs all the time? I set mine and I don't touch them again. If you mow your grass every week and don't let it get 10 inches long, you will never change the height.

My wife and kids love the mower, now we fight to get to the lawn first.

The only issue I have and agree with, is the handle having no adjustment. I am 6'2" and my wife is 5'8", she does find the position of the Personal Pace not exactly where she would like it, but it's good for me and the kids.

People had mentioned the grass clippings being too large- they are 1/3rd the size of my old mower. I don't get it, do people want a mower they can start and go fishing while the mower finishes the job? It's a mower people- and a darn good one.

I am very happy with the whole experience. I couldn't ask for a better price, and I look forward to years of grass cutting trouble-free.

The mower starts first time, every time. Mine has adhesive over the battery compartment, maybe they changed that on later models. It also has the Briggs motor, which runs like a charm.

If you have a small yard, self propelled is not the answer.

I love this mower... I would buy it again tomorrow.

I really can't understand what there is to complain about with this mower. I just bought mine and really love it.

I researched and looked at many models but found this mower to be the best value for the buck. Compared to my old Yard Works, which was a good mower but pushed so hard, this thing makes grass cutting too easy.

I really can't believe I never got one of these before. The closest competitor was the entry level Honda, but it does not have as many features as the 334, and is more expensive.

Who raises their mower legs all the time? I set mi... more

I agree with others on three counts:

1. Battery compartment allows corrosion from wet grass. (My lawn mowing time is 1-hour+.) Fuse and fuse holder contacts require work at least once each year. The first time the fuse contacts were completely disintegrated inside the fuse holder contacts. This year the fuse did not open completely, but resistance went to 1000 ohms. The battery is EXTREMELY difficult to re-install.

2. Height adjustment is very hard to change.

3. The mower is much clumsier to maneuver than the Lawnboy I had before it - but the Lawnboy kept losing the plastic carburetors and the self-propel transmission. (Very costly repairs)

I agree with others on three counts:

1. Battery compartment allows corrosion from wet grass. (My lawn mowing time is 1-hour+.) Fuse and fuse holder contacts require work at least once each year. The first time the fuse contacts were completely disintegrated inside the fuse holder contacts. This year the fuse did not open completely, but resistance went to 1000 ohms. The battery is EXTREMELY difficult to re-install.

2. Height adjustment is very hard to change.

3. The mower is much clumsier to maneuver than the Lawnboy I had before it - but the L... more

Major issue with battery compartment loading up with rotten grass; it corroded the battery terminal off and corroded beyond use the fuse holder.

The local big box store would only offer to sent to TORO for repair/evaluation. Since I felt myself getting really upset, I decided to just clam up and leave.

I think it is a design issue with the battery/fuse location. I'm going to move the fuse up to the handle bar and try to somehow seal the battery compartment.

It's only been used six times, heck of a retirement present to myself.

MD RESPONDS: This unit comes with a 2 year Factory Warranty from Toro. Before making any changes and voiding the warranty, why not let Toro fix the problem?

We checked the Toro Service Locator, and it shows 5 Authorized Service Centers in your area- Cliff's Precision Saw & Tool, Vashon TrueValue Hardware, Island Lumber & Hardware, JDK Small Engine, & Len's Mower Shop.

We suggest giving the location you choose a call before you take the mower over so you can find the one with the shortest waiting period.

Bring a copy of your receipt and the repair place will submit the Warranty paperwork to Toro for reimbursement should they decide that it is a Warranty repair.

Major issue with battery compartment loading up with rotten grass; it corroded the battery terminal off and corroded beyond use the fuse holder.

The local big box store would only offer to sent to TORO for repair/evaluation. Since I felt myself getting really upset, I decided to just clam up and leave.

I think it is a design issue with the battery/fuse location. I'm going to move the fuse up to the handle bar and try to somehow seal the battery compartment.

It's only been used six times, heck of a retirement present to myself.

MD RESP... more

This mower seems to be underpowered. Where my old Honda, who's engine was still strong but the deck was rusted out, would sail through, this one would bog down.

The Toro did produce finer mulch in heavier grass than the Honda. When the mower would stop due to a clog, it was difficult to get it going again.

Both my wife and I were less than enthusiastic about the Personal Pace feature. It seemed to only work well on flat or slightly down sloping terrain. Corners and uphill proved to be a workout.

Part of the reason was that the adjustment on the handle mechanism needed to be tightened. This helped, but did not fix the problem.

This mower seems to be underpowered. Where my old Honda, who's engine was still strong but the deck was rusted out, would sail through, this one would bog down.

The Toro did produce finer mulch in heavier grass than the Honda. When the mower would stop due to a clog, it was difficult to get it going again.

Both my wife and I were less than enthusiastic about the Personal Pace feature. It seemed to only work well on flat or slightly down sloping terrain. Corners and uphill proved to be a workout.

Part of the reason was that the adjustment on... more

We bought this one because we are old people; we thought it would last the rest of our lives.

The mower is 4 years old but not used much, we have just a small lawn. The pull string keeps breaking- we have replaced it twice and also a part with it.

It is broken now again. I would not buy another. I am sure old people don't have the strength to pull it too hard. When it works it is an easy start- that is why I think there is something wrong with it.

Is there any guarantee?

MD RESPONDS: Toro has a 3 year power train warranty, a 3 year Guaranteed To Start warranty, and a 2 year Full Coverage warranty on this mower.

There should also be a short warranty on replacement parts and service; please give the folks at Toro a call at (888) 384-9939 (toll free).

The electric start option should keep you from having to pull-start the mower; the folks at Toro can talk you through the process when you call them.

We bought this one because we are old people; we thought it would last the rest of our lives.

The mower is 4 years old but not used much, we have just a small lawn. The pull string keeps breaking- we have replaced it twice and also a part with it.

It is broken now again. I would not buy another. I am sure old people don't have the strength to pull it too hard. When it works it is an easy start- that is why I think there is something wrong with it.

Is there any guarantee?

MD RESPONDS: Toro has a 3 year power train warranty, a 3 year... more