Toro 30' Timemaster - A Homeowners Perspective After 2 Seasons

Toro Timemaster - A homeowners perspective after 2 seasons.

This is my look at the Toro Timemaster 30" lawn mower of using it for a little more than 2 seasons.

Enjoy!

[knighthawk]

Great video.
I service many of these Timemasters, both the 8.75/ 20199, 8.75/ 20200, and the new 10.00/ 21199, 21200.
I have been working on a bunch of them over the years, no matter which one you get.
The biggest problems with them, from being a small engine mechanic, is they like to blow their head gaskets a lot, they only have 4 small head bolts that's why, and I mean all of them, 8.75 series, and the new 10.00 series, also another issue is the pulleys, cheap bearings, you can do the exmarks upgrade on the bearings/pulley, but that is quite expensive, 200 dollars, and finally the muffler likes to loosen, and or the bolts strip out, only way to fix it is buy a 1/4-20 helicoil kit, and rethread the holes.
I own the 21200 keystart version, with the 10.00 series briggs, I have a few videos on my channel, about the timemaster, and how to replace the head gasket, and other goodies on the mower. Again great video, and keep up on the mower, and it will last you quite a few years, if you take good care of it.

[nhaz]

Let me first say I could watch you mow your lawn all day with enough refreshments. The other thing, back about 10 years ago on Mothers Day I went out and got a Honda mower. When I got back from the store the wife ask where I was. I told her that I got her a nice silver and red Honda rear wheel drive. Then when I told her that it starts with one pull of the cord, well lets just say the look on her face changed a lot. Still got the mower and after almost five years of not being used it started with just two pulls. By the way, she still hasn't tried it out yet.

[antwoinecoleman]

The mower wash was just the best… the blower and tire shine… great video for me,

[andrethegiant]

That diagonal cut is the move. Looks gangster af.

[lMTAl]

Now that's how you take care of a lawn mower!! Good job!!

[donnynguyen]

Love how you care for your equipment!!!

[mellowjammer]

I bought the first year model 20200 and still use it today. A couple of years ago I removed the 190cc Briggs and put the Kohler CV224 engine on. Major power improvement and it's nice having an adjustable throttle to turn down while emptying the bag, etc. I also replaced all the pulleys with the heavy duty Exmark parts and put the Exmark's blade brake arm assembly on too (much more solid). The timemaster blade brake arm assembly is poorly engineered. I Heli-coiled all the aluminum threads in the deck, and made custom bolts for the belt cover that are easier to remove. I removed all the useless blue plastic at the top of the handle and modified the handle position assembly by creating a position between the high handle setting and the low handle setting that works perfect for my height (5'10"). I put an oil drain hose on the engine, and recently replaced my spindle bearings with higher quality SKF C3 bearings. Replaced wheels once, transmission once, tranny belt once, blade drive belt 4 times, plastic grass flap that drags on the ground once, and a broken spring. I did not waste my time painting my deck black or plasti-dipping my wheels or any useless bull$hit like that. I've tried many blades and have determined that for me on northern grass (TTTF), I run the low lift Atomic blades in the spring and mulch with them until about mid-late May. Then I switch to the High lift Atomics (mulching all the time unless over grown, wet, etc.) In fall I need to bag up my leaves as they are the little Honey Locust leaves which get matted down in the lawn so I use the Ballard Hi-Lift blades for bagging (fantastic). I've tried Gator G5 & G3 blades but G5 is really too big and heavy for that mower and causes too much blowout from under the deck. G3 did not cut as clean or mulch as good as the Toro atomic high lift, but I ran them without sharpening first. I will try them again after grinding the rounded powder coat off the blade edge first. They also left a few more stragglers. Oh well enough of my novel about this mower. I still like it...tried 2 battery mowers (Ryobi 40V crosscut and Toro 60V recycler) and neither have the power to cut my very thick lawn without leaving grass on the top of the lawn. I actually find the bigger Timemaster easier to use anyway...really!

[robertrich]

I've owned a 30" Timemaster for 9 years. I paid just under $1, 200 for it, and I have paid just OVER $1, 200 in repairs during that time. When it works it's great, but it's in the shop a lot, and it's not cheap to repair.

[matthewvanselow]

The Toro Timemaster is a great mower. I had mine for 10 years and it’s still going strong.

[AugustusMcCrae_LD]

I'm 42 years old, and have been mowing since I was 10 years old. Have always used a Toro 22 inch or smaller (can't remember how wide they were back in the day) Just ordered a Timemaster last week, and I'm pretty excited to start using it. I suspect it will save me a lot of time (no pun intended) on the yards I do. Thanks for the video

[charlesherron]

I bought a Timemaster 6 months ago. Hands down the best mower I ever owned and I have been cutting grass for nearly 60 years. Saves 1/3 of time vs. The old 21" super recycler.

[AlpineWarren]

Blue handle is for pushing up hills so you can keep a more consistent speed and nut push the personal pace bar all the way to fast.

[ghostlithium]

This is the best video for the Timemaster I have seen. You’ve covered everything I needed to know. Thank you! 👍🏽

[williamcarl]

I ran one pro for a season. I liked it. Fast, light, but not built for lawn butchers who abuse their machines. Takes a gentle touch.

[David-nzst]

I remember when these were $999 at HD a few years ago. Now they want almost $1500. That's nuts for this mower. You can buy THREE ( $479 each in May 2022) of the 22 inch Personal Pace for the same money. I have a TORO 22 inch PP mower (also pulls a stripping roller) that's now on year seven and works great. I would recommend anyone with that mower buy a inline fuel filter and install it.

[seanbrown]

Bought one Sunday at HD for $1700 (minus 10% off coupon.) Mowed once. Did a good job. It is a lot faster. Weighs 135 lbs. Feels heavy . Cannot manhandle it like a 22" . FYI: 233cc= 6 HP. Wish it were an 8 HP.

[jantheman]

I painted my wheels black and it looks sweet!

[WinterFallout]

Quick tip. Tape off small section around the rubbing areas then use a few coats of Plasti Dip spray in that area it’s flexible and will help prevent wear.

[nickcase]

I am a Toro guy, the thing about them is the cut they give. Honda is close, but Toro gives the best cut.

[dubs]

Interesting note about the blue foam. I have the same mower and have had it for many years. I don’t have blue foam in my tank.
I love this mower. I can let it sit all winter, pull the cord and it starts.
The only thing I don’t like is that it doesn’t “pull” when I’m walking up a grade. I find myself having to push the mower.