Homeowners and professionals alike are drawn to the innovation. Choosing the best battery powered lawn mower may be for smaller yards. However, for larger properties or significant time savings, larger pneumatic lawn mowers offer a better experience. From my first ride-on mower to my first reel mower, one question is always the same, does this innovation live up to its claims? After reviewing the Toro 22″ Personal Pace Recycler Lawnmower, we wanted to see what the new 30” model could do. Toro seems to have improved in several areas with their latest Toro 30 among lawnmowers. Branded as Toro The new model of TimeMaster (21199) claims to save you time.I make it my goal to deliver on this claim.
The Toro TimeMaster Rear-Wheel Drive Self-Propelled 30-Inch Walk-Behind Mower offers wider mowing options. A powerful engine supports a wide deck and ergonomic controls make it easy to use. Toro seems to have designed every aspect of the TimeMaster mower, so it lives up to its name.
Toro 30″ TimeMaster Features
Toro TimeMaster mowers are powered by a massive 223cc Briggs and Stratton overhead valve engine. Delivering 10 foot-pounds of torque, the engine provides the power needed to mow nearly 50 percent more per cut than traditional walk-behind mowers.
For mowing on any terrain, the Toro TimeMaster powers a pair of 10-inch diameter rear wheels. These larger wheels provide wider-than-average traction for greater grip and a smoother ride zone.
This combination of power and safety transmission reduces mowing time by up to 40%.
Of course, this forward movement would be nothing without the extensive Dual-Force dual-blade cutting system. Toro mulches 30" mowing decks with two mulching blades.
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The Toro TimeMaster mower can produce very fine mulch using the included rear discharge plug. Unplug, pack a straw bag, and the TimeMaster is a beast. It vacuums up all the clippings and leaves it passes by.
When vacuuming more, you end up dumping the bag more. This is where the Blade Stop system is particularly useful. With it, you don't need to shut down and restart the engine. To engage the blades after activation, simply press the simple blade lever lock, then pull down on the blade lever. Once the blades are engaged, the engine's power roars through to meet the need. When your bag is full, or you need to stop the blade for any reason, simply release the lever to detach it.
Toro Personal Pace Self-Propulsion System
The Personal Pace Self-Propel system on the Toro TimeMaster and the traction assist handle work together to give the operator constant control over the drive of the mower. Push the handle down slightly and the mower will move a little. Push all the way down, and the propulsion speed can reach 4.5 mph. The traction assist handle is ideal for tight corners where only one hand is available. It gives you something to squeeze the "forward" handle on when you can't push behind it.
I found the Quick Stow lever on the Toro TimeMaster mower to be a clear winner. This feature allows for two different operating handle heights. What's more, the lever allows the handle to be at a fixed 90-degree angle to the mower. This cuts in half the square footage needed to store it.
Testing the Toro 30 in a Lawn Mower
For my first time using the Toro 30 in a lawn mower, I used the mulch setting at the E height, which is 2.25". The 2-point height of cut allows for quick adjustments to the deck height, from a low of 1.25" on the G setting to the A setting 4.25" high point below (option between all letters).
Using the Toro 30 for the first time in a lawn mower is a breeze. My small patch of zoysia that normally takes 40 minutes to mow took only 25 minutes. The lawn mower keeps the lawn trimmed and trimmed. I found the Personal Pace Self-Propel system to be easy, even natural, to use. The Traction-Assist handle is an ergonomic and naturally useful feature, but the name doesn't help me understand what it does! I'm guessing "perfectly placed fixed handles for use with the Personal Pace system" isn't the right fit! Combined, they improve the ability to make tight turns without drastically slowing down.
power test
Then, when I lowered the deck to the F setting for a 1.75" mowing height, the Toro 30 in the mower showed its true colors. I scalp my zoysia every season. After the heavy rain, even with bagging, there was quite a bit of grass clipping and the lawn was still too thick. I unplugged the discharge plug on the rear and put the straw bag away. The TimeMaster took up the challenge like a champ, bogging down just the slightest bit when the bag was completely full. And fill the bags it does! Where other mowers struggle to fill the bag with all this material, the TimeMaster doesn't fail.
I was impressed with the vacuum-like action of the lawn mower with the grass bag attached. Even newspaper clippings that would normally just be kicked around the driveway or sidewalk are sucked up with ease. All of my Zoysia lawns cut cleanly and evenly, even with the "scalping". Despite the uneven terrain, the Toro 30" Lawn TimeMaster gave me smooth and level results.
OK
The 30" wide deck plus the power train that propels it as fast as you can walk is awesome! The Quick Stow Lever really does make storage quicker and more efficient use of space in your garage.
bad guy
weight. Here it once again earns the nickname "The Beast". You can't move the 132 lbs with the engine off. Plus, that power comes at a price: thirst. That 223cc engine was thirsty. Toro's own spec is about an hour per tank, my experience is a little less.
Toro TimeMaster Mower Specifications
- Engine: Briggs & Stratton 1000 Series, 223cc
- Engine Type: Carburetor
- Starter: Kickback (electric models available)
- Fuel: Gasoline (0.3 gallon capacity)
- Run time: up to 1 hour
- Drive: Personal Pace rear wheels
- Speed: Up to 4.5 mph
- Weight: 132 lbs
- Cutting Platform: 30 inches
- Wheel Height: 8" (Front), 10" (Rear)
- Deck Structure: Steel Strip Cast Aluminum Frame
- Cutting Height: 1.25 – 4.25 inches (0.5 inch increments)
- Blades: 2 x 15.4 inches
- Price: $1199.00
summarize
How much is your time worth? The Toro 30 in the Mower TimeMaster is a real time (and space) saver. It also does so in an easy-to-use package. The Personal Pace Self-Propel system, 2-point height-of-cut adjustment, Quick Stow lever and flush port combine to save time. But what about the features that win the day? A 30-inch wide deck, an engine that can support it, and the security of a blade stop system make the Toro 30 a good value among mowers. Get more information and find a dealer here.