Bought a new Toro super recycler

[nbpt100]

I threw out my 22" Toro in November when it wouldn't start. I tried rebuilding the carb on the Briggs & Stratton motor (for the second time) and broke it while I was rebuilding it. I was so frustrated with that thing not starting that I threw it out.

Thinking about a new 21" mower instead since my yard is pretty small, but don't want to spend $600 and don't want an electric or battery mower. I just used a Honda GCV mower when I was helping out my grandparents and would love to have a mower that nice. But it looks like I'm gonna be out $600 or $700 for something like that.

What do you all think about my predicament? I think I have about 4-5 weeks until the grass is going to be growing here.

Depending on where you live you can likely find a decent used Honda or Toro SR. Pricing is very regional oriented. Where I live you can generally get them in the $200-300 range. If you are handy you could probably find one that is not running or looks a little beat up for under $100. Roll of the dice if you do not know what to look for. If you know what to look for it can be quite a good buy.

IF you are going to buy new look at a Toro dealer and see what they may have. You will get the best warranty service from them.

 

[Lubener]

You made a good choice. I have an older Super Recycler from the 90's, it's a fine piece of machinery.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Congrats. I've become very fond of the previous Super Recyclers. I've rehabbed many and flipped them. Personal mower is a Time Master but the SR4's aluminum deck always held a sweet spot for me.

The all black colorway makes me want one of the new ones too. If only I can find one on the curb.

 

[JoeDirt41]

I buy, sell and repair mowers on the side to make some cash when I can (poor college student struggles). I’m very partial to Toros. They are mostly all put together the same way, parts are easy to get (sometimes a bit pricey, but typically not outrageous), they are easy to work on, and they are built well enough to be worth fixing. I get very few comebacks with Toro mowers. And personally I think they are enjoyable to operate. When people ask me for a mower recommendation, Toro is always my first suggestion.

 

[iahawk]

Here's a Toro oddity I found funny. When I scanned the IR code to register the purchase of my new super recycler, at the bottom of the online form in very small print was a box to check if you wanted a discharge chute shipped to your address free of charge. Sure! I don't mind if if do. It got dropped off at my door today via UPS straight from the Toro mother ship. It's a big bulky thing that hangs in the same manner as the bagger and allows for a rear, left discharge option.

yep, that's the only way you can get a side discharge chute on a new Toro...register your mower with Toro and then they'll send you the chute.

Compared to my older Recycler, that discharged on the side, this new discharge chute is terrible. I even removed one of the plastic baffles in the chute to try to speed up the airflow...but it didn't really make any difference. This new chute just drops the clumps right next to the mower.

 

[wag123]

yep, that's the only way you can get a side discharge chute on a new Toro...register your mower with Toro and then they'll send you the chute.

Compared to my older Recycler, that discharged on the side, this new discharge chute is terrible. I even removed one of the plastic baffles in the chute to try to speed up the airflow...but it didn't really make any difference. This new chute just drops the clumps right next to the mower.

At one time I had a side discharge chute for my old aluminum deck Recycler. I used it once and never used it again because the mulching performance/appearance was far superior, even in very tall wet grass.

 

[jkasch]

At one time I had a side discharge chute for my old aluminum deck Recycler. I used it once and never used it again because the mulching performance/appearance was far superior, even in very tall wet grass.

Same here. Still have the discharge attachment. Probably should just pitch it.

 

[JTK]

I have no intentions in using the discharge chute adapter. I just figured that registration process was my one time to get a free one sent to me. I'll stow it away along with the bagger i'll likely never use.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Speaking of, I just reclaimed my old SR4 from a family member. Sat in the garage unused for years. Needed general maintenance and a carb cleaning. Time to teach my teenager to mow.

 

[JTK]

I've only used my new SR once at this point. We had a few warm, dry days, allowing me the chance to rake a bunch of leaves out of my landscaping and mulch them into the lawn. It did the job as great at you'd expect a Toro SR to do. It did great and the engine never ran out of power. I really like the personal pace system as well.

 

[andyd]

Granted, I've had to fiddle with it more than usual this spring, but I'm sticking with my 1988 Suzuki engined Toro 20611 walk behind with a 3speed transmission. Nothing makes me happier than hearing it start on the 2nd pull. I picked up another one for parts so I'm set for a walk behind

 

[JTK]

I estimate I have somewhere around 5hrs of use on my new Toro SR at this point. It's been excellent. Always starts on the 2nd pull. I absolutely love the personal pace self propel system. I give the underside a quick scrape after each use, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies that collect clumps. Anything left behind will quickly result in white powdery corrosion. The "aluminum" they use today isn't what it used to be IMO.

I'm sure the personal pace system isn't heavy duty like the old 3 speed SRs are, but I like it so much better than the old 3spd we have in the family, or the other self propelled units I've owned in years past (Snapper disk drive, Honda single speed).

 

[wag123]

Anything left behind will quickly result in white powdery corrosion. The "aluminum" they use today isn't what it used to be IMO.

Yes, the aluminum decks WILL corrode, just like steel. Toro has used this lousy aluminum alloy formulation for many years. The last time that they used a quality aluminum alloy on residential mowers was back in the 80s. Beginning in the early 90s they started importing their residential mower cast aluminum decks from a 3rd party foundry in Mexico. They have always used the better more durable aluminum alloy on their heavy commercial 21" mowers whose decks are cast by a different company in Nebraska.
On my 1994 aluminum deck Recycler (they didn't start calling these Super Recyclers until after the steel deck models were introduced) I started having severe corrosion problems about 15 years ago. I have been able to keep it going by cleaning all of the corrosion off down to the bare metal underneath, applying a skim coat of fiberglass reinforced Bondo (body filler), priming, and then painting it with epoxy paint. This has bought me substantially longer use, although it is pretty much worn-out now (the Quantum is tired and using a lot of oil) but I'm still using it.