Reliable Gets The Job Done
It’s nothing fancy really, but it gets the job done. It is pretty simple in terms of how it all works, so that is one of the bonuses to not having some fancy lawn mower. And really it only has one job to do anyway. Tight turns aren’t too difficult at all either, and the wheels are pretty solid for that. It can be bumpy, but that may just have more to do with my yard than the actual product. Handles well and won’t cause too much or s truggle for you.PerformanceNo problems here, just try not to go over too much wet or tall grass.HandlingThe handling works pretty well, as it has one of those automatic push handles when going straight that will help you if you want. Probably not the best one for bumpier land, but that wouldn’t be expected from this kind of model really.DurabilityHas worked fine even after hitting a few bit sticks and such.SafetyNo problems if you’re careful as with any mower.Ease of UseIt is straightforward and shouldn’t be a problem for anyone.Engine PowerIt is fine for what you’re paying. It can sometimes just randomly stop depending how tall the grass is, but you can adjust the wheels and such.
Elevation2
Bad Toro Safety Switch
Your Toro lawn mower may use several safety switches designed to keep the operator safe. The manufacturer installs safety switches to prevent the mower deck to run without the operator present.
It also has a safety switch involved to not start when your parking break isnt engaged. If these safety switches fail, your mower may not start.
FIX: Test the switch using a multimeter or you can temporarily bypass the safety switch to identify a bad switch. Do not operate a mower without the safety switch.
Never run a mower when a safety switch is bypassed. You never know when you will encounter a situation where the safety switch can save you from serious injury.
The Toro Personal Pace Lawnmower Is One Solid Piece Of Machinery
This is by far the BEST walk behind I have EVER used. There are several reasons I love this mower. Everything from the quality parts it is made out of, to the ease of use of the super-unique self propelled option, to the fact that it is rear-wheel drive , and the fact that the engine is absolute TOP quality.I don’t know if it was the fancy lawn-green color or the name-brand mystique, but I used to be a strict John Deere guy. However, they do command a price. My dad was looking for a nice mower for a reasonable price so he decided to buy one of these Toro mowers. He was so convinced that he pushed and pushed for me to get one until I finally did. Result – best mower I have ever had.You would think that the unique style of self-propelled mower this is that it would be a pain to use. But it is quite intuitive. It works just by pushing on the main handle-bar. The harder you push the faster it goes. No need to bother fiddling with a speed knob or whatever. This is wonderful.Additionally, the engine. This uses a Briggs and Stratton engine which, in my opinion, is top in its class. These engines are hard to kill, but if you do run over a patch of high grass and it dies it takes nothing to start it up. 95% of the time it only needs one pull to get it started, with an occasional need for a second. Very tough engine.Highly recommended!
franzcatch
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Bad Toro Ignition Switch Or Ignition Coil
You insert the key into your ignition switch and turn it only to find your Toro doesnt start or even turn over. The ignition switch or ignition coil could be the problem.
Repair: You can use a multimeter to test the ignition switch. Replace the switch if bad. After you have check your spark plug is working, check the continuity of your ignition coil using a multimeter. Replace the ignition coil if you find a break in the continuity.
Incorrect Toro Operating Procedure

Toro implements safety precautions with their lawn mowers that require certain steps to be followed when starting and operating the lawn mower.
FIX: Refer to your Toro operating manual to ensure you are operating your lawn mower correctly, so you dont set off the safety features that shut off your lawn mower.
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Reasons Your Toro Lawn Mower Wont Start
Once you own a Toro lawn mower long enough, youll eventually run into a time when your mower just wont start. There are so many different factors and parts that can cause your mower starting problems. So many that it can be a little overwhelming to know exactly what to check and where to start.
Toro lawn mowers wont start when there is a lack of fuel or air to the engine a bad spark plug or a failure in the electrical system. This can be caused by blockages in the fuel system, a bad gas cap, dirty carburetor, plugged air filter, bad battery and more.
This post may include affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may provide a commission for us, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operators manual prior to diagnosing, repairing or operating.Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.
Great Quality And Easy To Use
Bought this mower earlier this summer and had a easy time in mowing grass that was a foot or taller the first time. After we got that under control, the mower has been easier to use in the rest of the yard. The self propel allows for ease of use along with the rear wheel driven motor. I prefer to use the chute to allow the clippings to come out, but it doesn’t leave the yard messy or unkept. Still provides a great clean appearance. On days when the grass is short or I’m cutting it taller than normal, the mulching feature proves to be handy as it keeps the yard healthy. Easy to start and also easy to maintain. I have been able to change the oil and air filters, and I’m not a very handy person. Proving to be a good quality product in my 2nd summer of ownership. Good quality product that performs up to my standards.
jkrunxc
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Toro Has A Blockage In The Fuel Line
The same substances that can clog your fuel filter can also clog your fuel lines. Youll want to check sections of your fuel hose for blockages by removing the end of a hose and placing it in a container.
Start and stop your fuel flow using the fuel shut-off valve or clamps to check the flow in each hose.
Repair: To clear a clogged line, remove the fuel line, spray carb cleaner into the tube and use compressed air to blow air through the tube until the line is free of debris and gummy residue.
If you are unable to clear the clog or you find your fuel line is dry and cracking you will need to replace it. You can find fuel line online or at your local hardware store.
Toro Gas Tank Is Empty
You know your gas lawn mower wont run if you dont have gas. I only mention it because, when youre frustrated and not in the right frame of mind, you may forget this obvious reason why you Toro wont start.
Ive been yelled at by a customer because his new lawn mower wouldnt start only to later find out, when I picked it up for repair, he had run out of gas. Now, this customer is a very intelligent man who became so upset he didnt take the time to check his gas tank. Forgetting to check the gas tank can happen to anyone.
Repair: Add fresh fuel to your gas tank.
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Faulty Charging System On Your Toro Mower
While the charging system isnt the main reason your Toro mower wont start, it can contribute to a weak battery that prevents the mower from starting.
When the charging system fails to charge the battery, the battery may not be able to start the mower the next time you go to use it.
A bad stator or alternator can be the problem along with several other electrical parts. Read this article to test your charging system here using an ohm meter.
FIX: Have your local Toro dealership check your charging system to isolate the problem. If you dont have experience with charging systems, you will most likely just be replacing electrical items until you find one that works.
This can get very expensive because most parts stores wont let you return electrical parts if you find a part your purchased doesnt resolve your starting problem.
This Is The Best Mower Ever I’ve Never Had A Problem
I have gone through a few mowers, but in the 20 years that I’ve owned this house, this is only the second mower I have had to buy. The tires didn’t strip, , it does actually go as fast as I want to walk, , being disabled, the electric start is a true blessing, and you can choose to blow, bad, or mulch your lawn, and the transition between the 3 is only an open flap. I stand behind the Toro, and so should you.
expense
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Using The Wrong Type Of Gas Or Old Gas In Your Toro Mower
Right Gas for a Toro Lawn Mower
Using the wrong gas in your lawn mower cannot only make your lawn mower not start, but it can cause significant damage to your engine. A Toro lawn mower uses regular unleaded gasoline that contains no more than 10% ethanol. The less ethanol in the gas, the better.
In addition to watching out for the correct of ethanol content level, you must make sure your gasoline has an octane rating of 87 or greater. 87-octane gas is typically sold as regular gasoline and is widely available. Check the label on your fuel pump for the octane level and ethanol content.
For more information on selecting the right kind of gas for your Toro lawn mower and ethanol-free options, read my article, This is the Kind of Gas to Use in Your Toro Mower.
Use Fresh Gasoline in a Toro Mower
Old gasoline can cause clogging problems in your fuel system that can prevent your engine from getting the fuel it needs to start. Gas only lasts for about 30 days before it begins to break down.
The ethanol in the fuel collects moisture. When this moisture evaporates it leaves behind a gummy substance that can clog components of your fuel system. Ethanol can also be the cause the parts in your fuel system begin to degrade.
Repair: Drain and flush the fuel tank. Add fresh fuel that includes a fuel additive to stabilize and clean your fuel system like Sea Foam. Read more about the advantages of using Sea Foam Motor Treatment in your Toro.
Bad Spark Plug Or Loose Connection On Toro Mower

A spark plug that is excessively dirty from carbon and oil buildup can foul out causing your engine to misfire. A spark plug that is not properly gapped and doesnt make good connection can also contribute to the starting problems with your Toro.
Repair: Remove your spark plug and inspect it for signs of carbon buildup or cracked porcelain insulator. Replace with a new spark plug. Make sure they are correctly gapped.
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Clogged & Dirty Carburetor On Your Toro
The carburetor on your Toro mower regulates the mixture of gas and air needed to create a combustion in the engines cylinder.
When the carburetor is no longer able to do its function because blockages have formed in the carburetor, your Toro may not start. The carburetor must be cleaned and any failing components replaced.
Repair: If you are a little mechanical you should be able to handle cleaning your carburetor. Clean the carburetor by taking it apart and using carb cleaner to clean the carburetor including the float bowl and needle.
You can find steps for cleaning your carburetor here. If your carburetor is too dirty to clean adequately, you should replace it.
Toro Recycler Mower With Electric Start
- A Mower That Adjusts to You No knobs, no levers, no messing around. Grab the easy-to-steer handle and go with Personal Pace Auto-Drive.
- Supercharged Cutting Machine Weve supercharged the Recycler Cutting System creating a performance boosting machine through Vortex Technology.
- Super Bagger Get the job done more easily than ever with our new Super Bagger, shaped for easier lifting, no-shake pouring and zero-hassle cleanup.
- Feed Your Lawn The ultra-fine clippings created by our Recycler Cutting System are Lawn Vitamins, nourishing your grass.
TORO Personal Pace 22 Electric Start Mower 21464
Sharpes Lawn Equipment offers both Recycler and Super Recycler Toro Lawn Mowers. No more pull starting , get the Toro Electric Start Recycler Mower.
Sharpes Lawn Equipment & Service offers 21 Toro Super Recycler and 22 Toro Recycler mowers. All of our mowers come fully assembled and ready to mow your lawn. Come to Sharpes Lawn Equipment in Statesville to experience it for yourself.
Specifications 21464
- 6.25 ft-lb Gross Torque* Briggs & Stratton® Exi 150cc
- 1.0 4.0 / 2.5 10 cm
- Personal Pace Auto-Drive Rear-Wheel Drive
- 8 / 20 cm Front, 10 / 25.4 cm Rear
- Disclaimer*The gross torque of this engine was laboratory rated at 2600 rpm per SAE J1940 by the engine manufacturer. As configured to meet safety, emission and operating requirements, the actual engine torque on this class of mower will be significantly lower.**See dealer for warranty details.
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Bad Recoil On A Toro Push Mower
If you have a Toro push mower, you may be starting your mower with a recoil where you are pulling a rope to start it. A recoil can fail due to a bad pulley, a loose or missing spring, or broken clips preventing you from being able to start your mower with the pull of the string.
Repair: You can attempt to replace the spring and restring the recoil. If it does not work because other components in your recoil are damaged such as the clips or the pulley, you are better off just replacing the recoil assembly.
Overall Power & Performance
The Toro 21356 60V Mower had solid power that handled all the common mowing tasks asked of it. It doesnt produce a constant, high torque but that is the Flex-Force power system in action. It adapt the torque and power based on the resistance on the blade. Since my yard wasnt overly long it wasnt significantly taxed. That said, I did notice the motor ramp up on the few areas with heavier oak leaf debris. I did most of the mowing in the mulching mode and the clippings were average size with an overall clean cut. The performance of the bagged set-up did leave something to be desired.
Bagging Design
The Toro 21356 60V Mower has a dual-sided catch point design. the metal bag frame is recessed on both top sides to keep the bag in place. The issue with Toros execution of this design is that the fit of the bag against the back of mower isnt well form fitted. Because of this I experienced some leaf blow out where the bag met the back of the mower. Once the bag was partially filled with grass/leaf clippings, then the additional weight improved the seal.
Bag Removed to show Clippings on Top & Left Edges
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Toro Gas Cap Wont Vent
You probably didnt notice there is a small hole in the gas cap to let air pass through so the fuel tank can vent. When your Toro caps vent is clogged, air is unable to pass through the cap and a vacuum is formed in the fuel tank.
This vacuum restricts fuel from flowing out of the tank. Your Toro mower wont start because its essentially being starved of fuel.
So, how do you know your gas cap is plugged? A good indication you have a plugged vent is to remove your gas cap from the tank, start your mower and let it run. .
Now that its running, replace the fuel cap and let it continue to run. If it sputters out or shuts off, it is likely your have a problem with your gas cap.
Repair: Try to clean your gas cap to open the vent. You will have to replace the cap if you cant get it to vent.
Air Filter Plugged In A Toro Lawn Mower
Air is a required to start your lawn mower and keep it running. Because you are using your Toro in the outdoor elements with grass and dirt be tossed in the air while mowing, your air filter can become plugged.
Its important to frequently check and clean your air filters to prevent starting and engine problems. When your Toros air filter is so plugged the engine cant access air, it can overheat.
Overheating of the engine can cause internal engine damage. Read more about the effects oCleaning out your air filter and replacing it when necessary will prevent any serious problems caused by lack of air.
Repair: Remove your air filter from the air filter housing to check for dirt build up. Clean a paper air filter by tapping it against a hard surface to knock as much dirt out as you can.
Check to make sure you can still see light through the paper element by holding up to the light. Youll have to replace your filter if you cant see light shine through the paper.
If your Toro mower uses a foam filter, youll want to replace it with a new filter if it is brittle, torn or has brown spots on it. To clean your foam filter, wash it with a mild dish soap to remove as much dirt and oil as you can get out of the filter.
Rinse the filter until the soap is removed. Squeeze the water out of the filter and lay flat to air dry. Laying in the sun will help it dry faster. Once it is dry, lightly coat the filter with an oil designed for foam filters.
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