For some, mowing their lawn is just one more weekend chore, but for others, it is something they look forward to all week. The reward for a job well done. To these people, if you are not spending the day with a cold beer and the smell of freshly cut grass, you are not living at all.
However, you cannot be a true mowing enthusiast without a good mower. While shopping for a lawnmower, there is a good chance you will come across the Toro TimeMaster, but should you buy it?
Overall, customers have enjoyed many years of service from their Toro TimeMaster. However, buyers are urged to read reviews and watch for engine and handlebar troubles.
If you are thinking about buying a Toro TimeMaster, continue reading to find out if this is the right mower for you.
Who Is Toro?
The Toro Company manufactures and sells irrigation supplies and landscaping tools, such as lawnmowers, snowblowers, and more. Founded in 1914 as a tractor engine manufacturer, the company eventually expanded into the landscaping market with its push mowers. Since then, Toro has continued to dominate the space, buying up other companies, and pushing into new markets.
Today, although sold under many brand names, Toro is one of the most widely known names in the irrigation and landscaping industries. Their mowers are packed with innovative technology and user-friendly features, which makes them popular among several generations.
What Is the Toro TimeMaster?
Named as an “Editor’s Choice” by Popular Mechanics, this gas-powered push mower is not playing around. The Toro Timemaster is built with a 30’ base, which allows users to cut a wider path on each pass, reducing the overall time it will take to finish cutting their lawn. Additionally, it is equipped with a powerful Briggs & Stratton OHV engine, which gives it the power users need to be the envy of their neighbors.
Should I Buy a Toro TimeMaster?
Although there are several factors that go into deciding which mower to buy, the Toro TimeMaster sports many amazing features, which makes it an excellent choice. Some of those features include:
- 10.00 Ft-Lb Gross Torque Briggs & Stratton 223cc OHV: This powerful engine ensures users will enjoy durability and performance for many years to come.
- Dual-Force Cutting System: This cutting system, featuring two blades, allows users to cut and mulch grass, supplying a healthier, greener lawn.
- 30’ Mowing Deck: This larger deck allows users to cut a larger path on each pass, reducing mowing time by up to 40%. However, this depends on the mowing conditions.
- Personal Pace Traction Assist: This self-propelled system matches the user’s pace, allowing users a better sense of control in uneven areas.
- Spin-Stop Blade Stop System: This system allows the blade to stop spinning without having to turn off the engine, creating a safer environment for the mower.
- Storage Handle: The Time Master’s adjustable and stowaway handle allows users to position the handle in a comfortable spot and makes it easier to store the machine.
- 2 Point Deck Height: Users can quickly adjust the height in this 2-point system, allowing more control over the mowing conditions.
- Hose Port: Users can attach a garden hose to the washout port, allowing them to clean the deck without having to flip the machine over.
Toro TimeMaster Specifications
Lawns come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on where you live, the grass may grow faster or thicker than in other places. Understanding a mower’s specifications will help you pick the best lawn mower for your lawn mowing needs.
Below you can find a list of specifications for the Toro TimeMaster. However, it is important to note that some of these things may vary depending on any customizations you might make and the conditions in which you are mowing.
- Engine: 10.00 ft-lb Gross Torque Briggs & Stratton 223cc OHV
- Fuel Capacity: 1.2 Qt. (About an hour of run time)
- Cutting Width: 30’/76 cm
- Height of Cut: 1.25” – 4.25” / 3.2 – 10.8 cm (about the length of the long edge of a credit card) 2-point
- Guaranteed-to-Start Promise: 3 Year GTS Full
- Starter: Recoil
- Drive System: Personal Pace Rear-Wheel Drive w/ Traction Assist
- Deck Material: Steel Deck with a Cast Aluminum Frame
- Washout Port: Standard
- Mulch, Bag, Side Discharge: Standard
- Blade Override System: Standard
- Ground Speed: Up to 4.5 MPH / 8.0 KM/H
- Handle Type: Quick Stow Storage Handle
- Wheel Height: Front 8”/20.3 cm (about twice the length of the long edge of a credit card), Rear 10”/ 25.4 cm
- Weight: 140 lbs. / 63.5 kg
Does The Toro TimeMaster Have a Warranty?
A good lawnmower often comes with a hefty price tag, and while investing in a lawnmower is important if you want your lawn to look its best, users also want to make sure they are covered should anything go wrong.
The Toro TimeMaster, like many other Toro products, comes with both The Toro Warranty and the Toro GTS Starting Guarantee.
The Toro Warranty
The Toro TimeMaster comes with a 3-Year Full Warranty. Although the terms surrounding this agreement may vary, you can find a basic outline of this warranty below.
| Parts | Residential Use | Commercial Use |
| TimeMaster and Attachments | 3 Years (Full Warranty) | 45 Days (Limited Warranty) |
| GTS | 3 Years (Full Warranty) | None |
| Engine | 3 Years | 90 Days |
| Battery | 1 Year (Full Warranty) |
Source: Toro
Commercial Use
If the machine is used in more than one location, is used for institutional purposes, or is rented out to others to use, it is considered commercial use and the commercial warranty will apply.
Residential Use
If the machine is used in just one location, and that location is the same location as your home, it is considered residential use and the residential warranty will apply.
The Toro GTS Starting Guarantee
According to The Toro Company, “The Toro Company and its affiliates, Toro Warranty Company, […] guarantee that your Toro GTS engine, when used for residential purposes, will start on the first or second pull for two (2) years from the date of purchase (provided that routine maintenance needed in the Operator’s Manual has been performed) or we will fix it free of charge.”
You can learn more about Toro’s warranty policy and what it covers/excludes here.
But Should I Buy A Toro?
Honestly, the best way to assess the quality of something is to ask those who have already bought it. However, since we cannot track down every buyer who has spent their hard-earned on a TimeMaster, we look to the reviews instead. Below you can find ratings, both good and bad, from real people who have bought and used a Toro TimeMaster.
According to homedepot.com, the Toro TimeMaster mower has a rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 and has been reviewed by 2,861 buyers. However, 32 Amazon customers rated it much lower with a 3.4 out of 5.0.
What a mechanic says
I’m a mower technician, and I can tell you from experience the Toro Timemaster is a good solid reliable mower. It’s a heavy-duty mower with a timed twin-blade mower packing plenty of oomph to take on most yards.
While I am a fan of the Timemaster they are not without issue. Major failures are rare but I have seen a few recurring issues. These are not major issues and I believe some of these are caused by operator misuse. But don’t let the following issues put you off, all mowers have weak areas no matter the brand.
Common Timemaster issues:
Faulty kill switch – The kill switch wiring comes loose and prevents the mower from shutting off. It’s a minor fault and can easily be fixed by the owner. I wrote a post about exactly that here “Toro mower won’t turn off”.
Broken spindle pulley – The pulley above each blade is plastic and under heavy near commercial levels of use may break.
Blade slip – Timester not cutting grass is a common complaint, customers may say blades seem to stop turning when they hit grass. The fix is a quick adjustment of the blade engage cable. Tightening the cable allows for greater tension on the cutting belt. This is more of a missed maintenance issue than a fault, but it is a common complaint.
Broken timed blade belt – Toro employs a timed toothed belt to keep the cutting blades set, when the blades impact stump etc, it can cause the belt to break. This is an operator failure rather than an equipment fault.
Bad gas – Other issues with Toro’s and all small engines are no starts after the winter hibernation. The root cause is stale gas. The issue is easily prevented by using a gas stabilizer in the fuel when winterizing. I covered fixing a no-start Toro in this post “Toro mower won’t start” and you’ll find a video covering mixing and adding a gas stabilizer here.
You’ll also find a mower winterizing video here.
You may find the following posts helpful:
Should I buy a mower or pay someone?
Should I buy a used lawn mower?
- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer at Lawnmowerfixed.com.
He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and shares his know-how and hands-on experience in our DIY repair guides.
Johns’s How-to guides help homeowners fix lawnmowers, tractor mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, power washers, generators, snow blowers, and more.