The popularity of walk-behind mowers amongst homeowners is undeniable. While push mowers could be the best option for many individuals, if you plan to use them more frequently or want to shorten your mowing time, you might consider employing some technology. Self-propelled mowers come into play in situations like these when you wish to eliminate the labor-intensive aspects of mowing. A transmission drives the wheel, and many models are available with single or variable speeds so you can set your pace.
And although battery-powered mowers are all the rage in the market currently for being environmentally friendly, they run short in power and performance compared to a gas-powered mowers. So if you are looking for a self-propelled gas-powered mower, we have just the product for you. With these honest Toro Timemaster Reviews we’ll get to know the reality behind the claims. Let us delve in.
Contents
Toro Timemaster Reviews | Innovations at your doorstep?
2014 marked a century of Toro providing a wide range of quality innovations and solutions to homeowners or professionals. Today Toro is a worldwide brand and offers some nifty features in the products that they sell as they put in the hours to thoroughly research and deliver products that are up to date with technology. The Toro Timemaster is one of them.
And if you are someone who has a medium to large-sized yard who has found the regular walk-behind mowers inadequate but did not want to commit to a riding mower or didn’t have the time and space for it, then this mower is for you. This mower combines the two worlds with a 30-inch stamped steel deck and a 223 cc Briggs and Stratton engine.
The Toro Timemaster is available in two models, 21199 and 21200, with a significant difference in the start type of the two mowers. The model 21199 has a pull cord start type, whereas the 21200 has an electric start type. Regardless both the mowers have plenty of things that need a detailed discussion so let’s get started.
Build
The 13-inch stamped steel cutting deck, as opposed to the polypropylene or toughened plastic you get with most push mowers, which makes sense given that it delivers more extraordinary power, allows for the achievement of optimal performance and efficiency. The 8-inch front and 10-inch rear wheels ensure excellent traction on any surface. These larger wheels guarantee a smoother drive.
Engine
You will be pleasantly surprised by the powerful engine housed in the Toro Timemaster. A 223 cc Briggs and Stratton OHV engine provides dependable power and performance. Furthermore, the additional 10 ft-lb of torque enhances the power to cut more grass than regular push mowers.
Drive System
For a more heavy-duty mower than its alternatives, the ease of operation is taken into careful consideration with a Personal Pace Self Propel system, so you don’t have to use any manual labor to achieve a manicured lawn. The rear-wheel drive type ensures enhanced traction and can tackle uneven or sloped surfaces.
The Traction Assist handle helps the operator control the mower’s speed, and you can walk at a speed that is comfortable to you with the variable speed offered. The mower can move forward at a speed of up to 4.5 mph, and the handle is helpful in small spaces where using both hands is impractical.
Cutting Deck
With a cutting deck that is 30 inches wide, the Toro Timeamster is more comprehensive than many walk-behind models on the market, which will save you a tonne of time by allowing you to cover more ground with each pass, simplifying the task. Another feature that distinguishes this cutting deck is the dual force cutting system, which refers to the two atomic blades underneath.
As a result, finer cut quality is achieved, and a seven-position cutting height spans from 1.25 to 4.25 inches for a flexible mowing experience. And while we’re on the subject of flexibility, don’t forget about the three cutting options: bagging for a precisely trimmed lawn, side discharge for dealing with tall grass sections, or mulching to enrich and nourish the soil with little grass clippings.
Safety Features
The safety feature is the main highlight of this mower and an illustration of the innovations Toro Timemaster offers. You probably wished to take a few breaks while mowing or step away from it to complete other duties, but having to restart your mower each time is very inconvenient. You won’t have to because the Spin Stop mechanism turns off the blades without turning the motor off, allowing you to resume your job whenever you like.
Maintenance
Most people find cleaning and maintaining a gas-powered mower quite daunting, but don’t worry; Toro has got that covered. Cleaning the deck on the Timemaster is a breeze because it has a deck wash-out port that only requires you to connect a hose to a nozzle. The water is guided via grooves inside the deck to get rid of grass clumps.
The no oil change facility makes maintenance simple since, according to their investigation, lawnmowers do not require an oil change because the temperature difference is not extreme. Maintaining an oil level and using a particular engine oil would be sufficient, allowing you to top it off and call it a day.
Operator’s Comfort
With the Quick Stow lever, the convenience of use and storage is also considered. This design makes the handles adjustable to two different handle heights. It enables them to be fixed perpendicular to the mower frame so that they can be stored in a space that is not much larger than a regular walk-behind mower. Toro also offers a 3-year guaranteed-to-start engine warranty and a 3-year full warranty for your peace of mind.
Manufacturer Specifications
- Yard size – ½ to 1 acre.
- Start type – Pull cord(21199), Electric(21200)
- Engine – Briggs and Stratton.
- Engine torque – 10 ft-lb.
- Engine displacement – 223 ccs.
- Fuel tank capacity – 0.3 gallons.
- Drive Type – Rear-wheel drive.
- Deck material – 13 gauge steel.
- Deck type – Stamped.
- Cutting width – 30 inches.
- Blade length – 15.4 inches.
- The number of blades – Two.
- Cutting height options – 7 positions.
- Cutting height range – 1.25 to 4.25 inches.
- Washout Ports.
- Product weight – 140 lbs.
Advantages
There are several things that this mower does right, and we have listed a few of those below.
- A more expansive deck covers more ground with each pass.
- Significantly cut down mowing time.
- Self-propelled with variable speed makes it an excellent fit for everyone.
- Various cutting options.
- Blade-stopping system to avoid restarting the engine.
- Wash out port for easy cleaning.
- No oil change.
Disadvantages
Be it isolated events or some design elements that were not appropriately thought about, there are some places where this mower runs short, and we have attempted to list them below.
- The mower is relatively expensive compared to regular walk-behind models.
- A small fuel tank capacity of 0.3gal may require you to take a few stops to refill.
- There have been events where the self-propel feature stalls the engine at times.
- People also complained about the flimsy quality of various components and frequent trips to the store for a replacement.
- Several issues with blade engagement due to loose wires.
See Also: Scotts Elite Spreader Review
Customer Insights | Toro Timemaster
Both the Toro Timemaster models are incredibly popular with customers. Every product has hits and misses, so some information from certified buyers is essential in making a decision.
This gentleman has been using the mower for quite some time and has had a good experience. As they say, “My Timemaster is six years old. I haven’t faced any issues aside from usual maintenance. According to the property insurance person, my yard is around 3/4 acres and slopes 30 to 40 degrees for most of it. The remaining portion rises to 63%. Although larger lugs on the back wheels would be good, they are not a problem when properly adjusted. This lawnmower has been a blessing.
After going through all of the reviews, I have a few observations. First, ensure your pace adjustment cable is set correctly, and second, maintain the deck tilted. I set mine to “C” on the front and “D” on the rear. Consequently, the height adjustment minimizes clumping in the damp grass. I’ve owned several mowers, but this one is the finest overall.”
While on the other hand, another buyer owning the mower for a long time found themselves in a not-so-pleasant situation. They say, “We mow roughly between 1/4 and 1/2 an acre. Small slope in the front yard once a week. Toro Timemaster has only ever had problems. I maintain and service my mower regularly. Now that the drive line has broken and the cheap plastic pieces for the self-propelled drive have cracked, the shop suggests that it might be the transmission as the vehicle still lacks power (self-propelled system).
It has numerous problems and is six years old. It had to have been constructed after lunch on a Friday. Toro, please take the initiative to put things right! It’s been in the store for seven weeks!”
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FAQs | Toro Timemaster Reviews
How to start Toro Timemaster?
Depending on the model, you must pull the cord or press a button to start. This will start the engine, and you need to turn a lever on the handle to engage the blades.
What kind of oil for Toro Timemaster?
The no oil change feature requires you to keep an optimal level of oil at all times, and they also suggest using an SAE 30 engine oil. More details can be found on the official website and owner manuals.
Is the Toro Timemaster a commercial mower?
The brand does offer many commercial units, but the Toro Timemaster is a residential one that is catered to homeowners with a medium to large yard.
Does Toro Timemaster go on sale?
The Timemaster and other series of products go on sale during the Toro days sale in April/May.
Closure
The Toro Timemaster is a mower that gives you the best of both worlds and offers some unique features with a very reliable build, power and performance. Excellent warranties and a brand that works on innovating and employing technology to your advantage. We have brought this review to give you a clear idea of everything this series does right and the places it misses. And as this is one of the more expensive products, it is up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons. We encourage you to do additional research to be informed buyers and have a great shopping experience.
Please feel free to reach out to us for any queries or doubts. We would be happy to help.