Name: Husqvarna YTH18542 Lawn Tractor
Brand: Husqvarna
Rating: 8 (1 reviews)

October 24, 2021April 20, 2024

The Husqvarna YTH18542 Lawn Tractor Is An Incredible Mower

The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a heavy-duty 42 inch lawn tractor that can tackle just about any job. Husqvarna has a vast selection of lawn materials, ranging from commercial to residential use. Let’s check out why this is one of the most popular riding mowers on the market.

Today we will review:

Husqvarna’s reputation
Riding vs zero-turn mowers
Husqvarna YTH18542 features
YTH 18542 price
The official review: Husqvarna YTH18542

The Husqvarna YTH18542 Lawn Tractor: Features

The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a name that rolls right off the tip of the tongue. All jokes aside, let’s check out each element of the YTH18542 that makes it so popular for homeowners.

The lawn tractor has a powerful 18.5 HP engine

The power of the Husqvarna YTH18542 is slightly above its competitors. This engine comes with a 18.5 HP engine (compared to John Deere’s E100 with 17.5). The YTH18542 also comes with a Briggs and Stratton Intek engine. Briggs and Stratton makes lawn mower engines for some of the most powerful mowers, including some large push mowers I reviewed.

The 18.5hp Briggs and Stratton Intek engine on the Husqvarna YTH18542.

I have never had issues with this mower and from others that I have heard from, this thing has no issue going up hills. I also love the hydrostatic transmission on this bad boy. Hydrostatic transmissions are awesome for those that don’t love doing maintenance on their lawn mower (umm…everyone). They are smoother and have less moving, clunking parts.

This lawn tractor is moderately comfortable

While not zero-turn, this mower does have a pretty tight turning radius of 16 inches. Similar to most other type of lawn tractors, it does have a forward and reverse function that is foot-controlled.

Also what seems to be standard on lawn tractors is their seat back. I honestly do not like how uncomfortable the lawn tractor seat backs are, but then again I am well over six feet tall. On the older models of the Husqvarna YTH18542, there was a metal spring underneath the seat that clasped it to the frame. The newer models use a plastic one. For heavier folks, this could potentially break over time with use (not your fault).

I do like that the seat is at least adjustable with a lever and lets you drop it closer to the steering wheel if you don’t have freakishly long legs like I do. Another aspect of this mower that I love is the cup holder. I am super easy to please, so having something like this absolutely delighted me.

It requires standard maintenance

Upfront, something I dislike about the Husqvarna YTH18542 is that it does not come with an hour meter. I use an hour meter to know when I should do an oil change and this one has to be purchased separately. It is something easy and cheap that they could easily add, so this is frustrating.

You can buy an hour meter separately, like this one from Amazon.

Otherwise, this is pretty standard lawn mower maintenance. Oil change and air filters occasionally. One thing I noticed that seems odd to me is that the gas tank is under the hood, right next to the engine. As long as you keep the hood on and do not smoke and mow, you should likely not cause the next forest fire.

Further, a small detail I like is the washout port for the deck. A lot of push mowers have this function. Basically you just hook up a hose to this little port and the deck has grooves that will run the water through and clean out all of the grass. This is easy and helps not drag in a bunch of grass into your garage or shed.

The tractor will last you a LONG time

Husqvarna has a reputation for quality and durable equipment. That’s why their products are used for golf courses and national parks. This is demonstrated by a cast iron front axle that simply will not bend under pressure. After about 15 years, this thing may fall apart but that cast iron axle will be there until the day you die.

The Husqvarna YTH18542 does come with a three year bumper to bumper warranty. Any concerns you have about this mower will be fully addressed in the first three years. This is a great warranty, whereas many competitors have a 2 year warranty.

Price

The Husqvarna YTH18542 comes in at just around $2,000. This is relatively standard for riding mowers of this size and horsepower. I will say, if you are comparing this to a rival lawn tractor brand, you can get those at a better price.

The sleek design of the Husqvarna YTH18542.

This is a decent value considering Husqvarna’s reputation for quality and durability. I also think the Briggs & Stratton engine gives it a distinct advantage over John Deere’s comparable lawn tractors in the series.

The official review

Feature	Husqvarna YTH18542	Comparable lawn tractor
Difficulty to use	Less difficult due to tighter turning radius	Average
Durability	Above average durability	Average durability
Maintenance	Average maintenance	Average maintenance
Value	Medium value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Not recommended	Would not fit
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended up to 2 acres	Highly recommended up to 2 acres

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

Husqvarna products

Husqvarna makes chainsaws, blowers, mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, edgers, pressure washers – basically any outdoor tool you would want to use around your home. They stand out with their bright orange color scheme. Commercial landscaping companies love these products, so I guarantee you have seen hundreds of these when you have been driving around.

If you are wondering how to pronounce Husqvarna, you have come to the wrong place. But this company’s 330 year history started in Sweden by manufacturing muskets. In 1919, they began engineering their first lawnmower engines. Since then, they have become a dominant force in all outdoor equipment. I have reviewed one of their trimmers before and it is an absolute beast!

Riding mowers vs. zero-turn mowers

Many people ask us what the difference is between riding mowers (lawn tractors) and zero turn mowers. Simply put, they are both great. Lawn tractors tend to be less expensive than zero turn mowers. Both are great for lawns between 1-2 acres, but zero turn mowers will take you past two acres.

The ideal lawn size for a lawn tractor is about a half of an acre up to two acres. Once you hit the two acre mark, you are going to be out there for a long time. Zero-turn mowers would be overkill for a ½ acre lot and can reach almost double the speed of lawn tractors.

Fortunately, the market for mowers for people with half of an acre to two acres is much larger than the market for people with over two acres. This is why lawn tractors are still so popular.

Oh – and both can pull little lawn trailers as well which is sweet.

October 22, 2021April 20, 2024

The Entry-Level John Deere Tractor That Homeowners Love

The John Deere E100 (now S100) lawn tractor is an iconic mower that is one of their best sellers. I have reviewed a different John Deere tractor and ultimately did not love the price. The price on this lawn tractor is much more affordable. Let’s review some of the features and get started on the below:

John Deere reputation
Lawn tractors 101
The John Deere S100 features
Price of a John Deere S100
The official review: John Deere S100

As an FYI: this mower is being replaced the S-series of mowers by John Deere. You can still buy them used, however.

The John Deere E100 riding mower replaced by S100

Let’s take an up-close look into the features of this mower. While not the most tricked out pony on the market, it certainly has what it takes to get the job done. Here we go!

Comfort

The John Deere S100 riding mower is a very standard lawn tractor. Nothing wild about it. Growing up, we had a similar lawn tractor in our garage that I would play on. It felt exactly the same as this riding mower. It has a seat with a totally standard seat back and a very normal steering wheel. If you are looking for cup holders, storage spots, or any other unique comfort features, you will not find them here.

Similarly, this mower has side-by-side foot pedals that help give the driver control of speed and forward/reverse with their feet. The seat also is able to be modified slightly to accommodate the size of the driver. The steering wheel is fixed and not adjustable, however.

Keep in mind, if you are mowing half of an acre to an acre of land with this mower, then you are not going to be out there for a very long time. Bells and whistles are not needed. This is a bare bones, stock level of mower – and that’s totally fine for most people. The need to turn mowers into the next Rolls Royce is not always functional.

User experience

As I mentioned previously, this is a very standard lawn tractor. This means the deck and blade engagement system is manual in most versions of this model. The John Deere S100 has the manual levers on both sides of the chair that have various functions.

While some of the more modern and more expensive riding mowers and zero-turn mowers have electronic or dial-operated systems, the S100 is old school. Fortunately, this means less moving parts or things that can break. For those of us that appreciate simplicity, this could actually be a great feature.

Power

This lawn mower boasts a 17.5 horsepower engine, pretty standard for a lawn tractor. I do like the 2.4 gallon gas tank which allows for basically any job to be completed that you would do with a lawn tractor.

The E100 offers the lowest amount of horsepower in the E series from John Deere. As you go up to E110 through E180, the horsepower increases modestly to accommodate a wider deck. The standard deck size on the E100 is a 42 inch cutting blade. The body basically stays the same on all of them, however.

A newer feature of this model is the increased battery power. This is feedback that John Deere received on their older models of the E100. Previously, the mower was difficult to start – the new, larger battery has fixed that issue and increased the reliability of a solid start.

Maintenance

One thing I do love about John Deere tractors are their relatively easy maintenance requirements. The Easy Change 30-second oil change system they created allows for a super quick oil change. Basically, there is an oil canister that you just pop on to replace the oil.

This is an amazing feature.

John Deere E100 oil change – pretty simple cannister changeout.

John Deere S100 price new and used

The John Deere S100 is a more affordable lawn tractor. For a new John Deere S100, you will pay about $1,500 for the machine. For a used John Deere S100, expect to pay around $1,000 or so depending on hours.

A machine with hundreds of hours will bring the price down quite a bit. As I mentioned previously, the low-cost and quick maintenance on these mowers is incredible. Additionally, John Deere mowers have a reputation for being durable and long-lasting.

What’s the difference between the E100 and S100 John Deere mowers?

From what I can tell on the surface, nothing. They have the same horsepower and look basically identical. I’m sure John Deere is rolling in his grave (if he is dead), but these look to be the same. If you are looking between the two, you could probably save a ton of money getting a lightly-used S100 versus chunking out $1,800 for a S100. Totally up to you, though!

The S100 series are available at Home Depot, so you can check the most recent prices here. The E100 are not currently being sold.

The official review: The John Deere S100 lawn tractor

Let’s check out how the John Deere S100 compares to the average lawn tractor.

Feature	John Deere E100	Comparable lawn tractor
Difficulty to use	Average, maybe slightly more difficult	Average
Durability	Above average durability	Average durability
Maintenance	Less maintenance due to easy oil change	Average maintenance
Value	Medium value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Not recommended	Would not fit
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended up to 2 acres	Highly recommended up to 2 acres

Why we review lawn tools

John Deere’s reputation

John Deere is a 180-year old company that has been making things like lawn tractors and large scale agricultural products. While John Deere has a big reputation in the agricultural world, they are also major players in the residential mowing world. They are also featured in the hit country song, “Big Green Tractor” and many other country songs.

In addition to their massive pieces of equipment, they also sell things like Gators. Gators are similar to golf carts but more industrial and can carry things around your property. Needless to say, things like lawn tractors are a walk in the park for them to manufacture.

They make some absolutely sick zero-turn mowers as well!

Lawn tractors: A crash course

Many people who consider a lawn tractor (the traditional riding mower) are considering which option is the best for their yard. Push mowers or even self-propelled push mowers are good for lawns up to about a half of an acre. Zero-turn mowers are great for properties with one or more acres. Lawn tractors fall right in the middle of those.

While lawn tractors can fit smaller yards, they aren’t always a necessary option for those that are mobile and able to push a mower. With larger yards, lawn tractors again can be used and can be great, but will take much longer than a zero-turn mower.

Despite being in a “middle ground” of lawn size categories, lawn tractors are still extremely popular. Many people have between a half and two acres of land, so rely on lawn tractors to get the job done. They are also pretty fun to drive around.

October 20, 2021April 20, 2024

The Classic Honda Lawn Mower That You Can’t Find Anywhere

I don’t know about you but when I think about Honda, I think about the Honda CRV vehicle, not a mower. But Honda has been in the mower game for quite some time now and really makes a fantastic product.

Like most people, I love a fresh cut lush green lawn. I think there are few things in life so wonderful than the smell of freshly cut grass. Man does this mower make that end result easier to achieve than ever!

Let’s review:

The GCV170 engine from Honda
The Honda HRN
Setting up the lawn mower
Features
Our recommendation
Parts and manuals

The Honda HRN Lawn mower engine: GCV170

The Honda GCV170 is a fantastic walk-behind mower. The GCV170 is a self propelled push mower, which is great for medium sized yards. This mower uses a more than capable – 170cc Honda engine. The Honda GCV easily adjusts the mowing speed with the push of a thumb via the Smart Drive Self Propel.

A mower with a similar engine is the Troy Bilt TB160, which uses the Honda GCV160 engine.

Though more expensive than most, it offers features not often duplicated by other push mowers such as an adjustable throttle control, clipping director and an auto choke feature.

Today, we will review the many features offered with the Honda GCV170, a how-to guide and highlight it’s pro’s and con’s.

My thoughts about the classic Honda mower

The Honda GCV170 offers an easy-to-start auto choke system, variable speed throttle and the flexibility to control how your grass is cut with a simple to use clipping director. This flexibility enables you to handle most any job on small to medium sized yards (i.e. simple grass cutting, quick leaf pickup, mulching, etc).

The power supplied by the 170cc Honda engine makes tackling a ¼ to ¾ acre yard a breeze. In addition to the power and flexibility offered, this mower is surprisingly light and easy to handle and store.

Honda 21 in. 3-in-1 Variable Speed Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower with Auto Choke: Set Up

I purchased my Honda GCV170 from Home Depot, basically ready to use. I just had to install the mower handle with a simple tightening of one screw. It’s also important to remember to add fuel and oil to your engine prior to first use. Mowers usually ship “dry” so it’s always necessary to add prior to first use.

Important note – This does not use “mixed gasoline” like a blower or trimmer so remember to add only pure gasoline to the fuel reservoir. The oil should be added to the oil reservoir on the side of the mower.

After you’ve reviewed the owners manual and properly set up your mower, ensure your deck height is uniform across all four wheels and pull the starter cord. It may take a few pulls to get the engine started after it’s been sitting for a while.

Honda HRN Lawn mower grey know that helps you get it set up and adjusts the height.

Features of the Honda HRN Lawn mower

The Honda GCV170 I purchased has a 21 inch mulching blade with the MicroCut® Twin Blades System. This is a fairly standard length for a push mower. The mower also came with a bagger for catching clippings if you don’t want to use the mulching functionality. I rarely use the bag unless I have an excessive amount of leaves during the fall season.

The mower also offers two handlebar heights for short or tall users. To adjust the mower height you just need to twist the two grey knobs on each side of the mower handle so that it swings freely then move the hole to the other setting.

You can see the grey knows of the Honda HRN lawn mower at the top.

Power

As previously noted, the engine used is a 170 cc engine with 6.9 ft – lb torque. The mower engine puts out about 4.4. HP. So that’d be like mowing your yard with four and a half horses right? That’d be interesting! More than enough to get the job done on a flat and slightly sloped yard. The engine is extremely durable and basically hands free.

The awesome GCV engine. Photo cred: Honda engines.

Maintenance and reliability

It also is incredibly easy to change the air filter on this. It’s just a square air filter that’s easy to find at most big box stores and online.

The reliability of this machine is honestly pretty astounding. I didn’t use mine for a year or so and didn’t winterize it and it ripped up perfectly fine. I’ve also left it out in the rain and it started up no problem. Heck I bet I could even run this bad boy underwater. The engine just simply will not stop. It also comes backed with a pretty good warranty – 3 year warranty. Pretty much most things that could go wrong with a manufacturing defect will have already gone wrong by the end of year 3.

DISCLAIMER: I forgot to change the oil for over 2 years and it still ran perfectly fine. To engage the blade you must hold down the safety bar above the throttle, once you let go the mower engine will continue to run but the blade will stop.

Where to buy Honda GCV170 HRN lawn mower

You can also grab the Honda HRN from Home Depot (for a good price) like I did.

Our recommendation for the Honda HRN lawn mower

I would absolutely recommend you purchase the Honda GCV170 mower. It is small enough for most adults to handle with ease, yet powerful enough to tackle most jobs.

There are tons of cool features to the mower, such as the easy to use clipping director. At about a $500 price tag, this mower is a tad more expensive than others but it’s incredibly reliable and worth the money in my opinion. I’ve had this mower for many years and have been more than pleased with it. Many of my neighbors and friends have asked me what mower they should buy and this is pretty much always my go to recommendation.

If you like Honda GCV motors, you’ll love Honda’s GCV-engine backed pressure washers.

Why we review lawn tools

How we spend our time – comparing lawn tools!

Manual

https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/db/dbb07ce8-93c7-4858-8f11-85112441b839.pdf

Replacement Parts List

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Warranty Information

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Assembly Instruction

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SDS

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October 20, 2021April 20, 2024

The Toro TimeMaster 30 Mower is a Wide-Bodied Beast

The Toro TimeMaster 30-inch push mower is an absolute workhorse. This mower is one of the more expensive push mowers on the market, but there is a reason. I have reviewed a few Toro products, including their recycler mower and their classic and popular zero-turn mower. My favorite thing about Toro is their focus on quality and the user experience. This mower really does it all and I am excited to share it with you.

Today, we will review every aspect of the Toro TimeMaster and compare it to some of the competition. Let’s get started:

An intro to self-propelled mowers
Features of the Toro TimeMaster 30 inch
The official review

Toro’s TimeMaster 30 inch mower features

Okay – this mower has some features I have never seen before in a push mower and I am excited to dive in. This thing offers some truly sweet, convenient and smart engineering that separates it from all of its competition. Let’s get started.

The Toro TimeMaster 30inch mower is a beast!

Power output is unrivaled

The TimeMaster 30 inch mower boasts a Briggs & Stratton 223cc OHV engine. For context, most push mowers range between 18 and 24 inches. This thing is big and means business. When you think about each pass you make in the yard, the TimeMaster can take an additional 10-12 inches and reduce the number of total passes. Hence, the name TimeMaster.

Not only does this have a 30 inch cutting area (which features 2 blades vs 1 big blade), but it also has a recycler system. As I mentioned in my review of the Toro Recycler mower, Toro has thought through how to have an even healthier yard. For those of us that go bagless, Toro has a patented “Lawn Vitamin” product that takes your grass clippings and grinds them into ultra-fine vitamins for your yard. I am a huge proponent of this feature.

You generally don’t see two blades on a push mower, those are generally on lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers.

The Spin-stop feature is super helpful

The fact that I did not know this feature existed until now shows just how small my mind is. Have you ever gotten annoyed by having to stop mowing to move things in your yard? The worst part is having to restart the mower each time you want to move a stick out of the way. Well, Toro thought of how annoying that was and created a safety stop.

The safety stop feature means that you can stop the mower from moving and step away from your mower. When you step away the blades stop spinning, meaning you do not have to worry about any danger from leaving it unattended. When you come back to the mower to start mowing again, the blades will start back up and you can continue the job. I do not know how I ever lived without this.

Usability and the self-propelled function: Toro personal pace

There has rarely been a more usable push mower. The beautiful thing about this gas powered self-propel mower is that you have total control. The TimeMaster features what it calls “Personal Pace”, which means that you can adjust the speed at which the self-propelled motor runs.

While this is nice for going at your own pace, it’s super helpful for when you get near garden beds or other structures. Changing the pace gives you more maneuverability to trim around the edges of structures and need to be more agile. This is particularly important when you have a mower that is as large as the Toro TimeMaster 30 inch.

The wide front body of the Toro TimeMaster 30.

Maintenance: not really required

Something neat that Toro does with their push mowers is a deck wash-out system. They have a nozzle that you can hook your hose up to, and it does the rest. There are grooves inside of the steel deck that allow for water to run through them and knock off any clumps or fine clippings.

Toro also realizes that changing the oil in your mower is not how you like to spend your weekends. That is why they created the “no oil change” mower. Yep – you just do not change the oil. I guess it just burns off or something, but you just have to simply refill it when you see it getting low. No mess or spills.

The deck washout port on the mower – allows for easy cleaning.

Toro always backs their mowers up with a serious warranty. This one is a 3 year full warranty, not just an engine warranty. They also have a three year guaranteed to start warranty. These are both remarkable warranties that speak to the confidence in the mowers’ ability to run for a long time.

I love that this mower is easy to store as well. One of my concerns with a mower of this size is that it will take up a ton of room in our garage. This thing folds up so that it really only take up about 30 inches of garage space.

This one is a bit expensive

The Toro TimeMaster 30 costs somewhere between $1,750 and $2,000 depending on where you buy it.

Home Depot has it for a great price (check here) and you can buy online and pick it up.

Our overall review: The Toro TimeMaster 30 inch mower

Feature	Rating
Difficulty to use	Less difficult than other gas mowers thanks to self-propelled function at your own pace
Durability	More durable due to size and weight, backed by significant warranty
Maintenance	Easiest to maintain with no oil change required
Value	High value for a push mower
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Less recommended
For lots <1 acre	Very highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Not recommended

We really like this mower for short grass like bermudagrass because it has a super wide deck, is easy to use, and bags a ton of clippings.

Why we review lawn tools

Self-propelled mowers

Self-propelled push mowers do exactly that – they creep along so that your pushing force is minimally needed. When you reach a hill or other incline, it will help provide additional thrust so that you are not having to lean in and haul the mower uphill. These mowers can be found in both electric and gas styles.

The downside with electric self-propelled mowers is that the mower burns through battery life when this functionality is on. While helpful, you may not be able to complete your yard in a single trip.

October 20, 2021April 20, 2024

I Tested Out Toro’s New TimeCutter ZTR with MyRIDE

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 is a zero-turn mower offered by Toro. The “SS” in the name refers to Smart Speed – a dynamic speed setting controlled by the handle levers. SmartSpeed allows for more maneuverability in making sure you get every last angle of your lawn.

More on that later, though. The TimeCutter is one of the best-selling residential zero-turn mowers on the market and also one of the most affordable.

The bottom line about the Toro TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower:

The TimeCutter is the Honda Accord of zero-turn mowers – affordable, reliable, nice
This mower is super easy to use and has some cool features – like the deck wash-out
It is available for a great price from Home Depot

Let’s check out why! Jump ahead to:

Toro and the Zero-Turn mower
Features of the TimeCutter SS4225
Criticisms of this mower
The cost and value analysis
The Official review of the Toro TimeCutter SS4225

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 Zero-turn mower features

The TimeCutter was aptly named because it boasts cutting your lawn mowing time by 50% when compared to a normal riding mower or lawn tractor. Yep, take back your Saturdays and spend more time watching football (or shopping with your wife). Let’s look at some of the features that make this thing special.

The nice thick rear tires on the TimeCutter.

Power output

The Toro TimeCutter SS 4225 boasts a 22.5 HP V-twin Toro engine (I think that is where the 225 in the name comes from). From what I can tell, Toro used to offer a Kawasaki or Kohler engine, but has made the switch to in-house engines. The 22.5 hp engine is marketed as a “commercial” engine, which is actually accurate. This is a powerful engine that goes above and beyond what you see in normal residential mowers.

With forward speeds up to 7mph and reverse at 4pmh, you can save a ton of time on your weekends by moving quickly. This thing means business and has a 42 inch deck. For scale, most push mowers are anywhere between 18 and 24 inches. This means that each pass you make is basically double the width of a push mower and (depending on how fast you move), three to four times faster. The 50% speed reduction is super conservative in my opinion.

Maneuverability

Something lovely about the Toro TimeCutter SS is the “SS” or SmartSpeed. The SmartSpeed functionality allows you to slow down when making tight maneuvers so that you can make sharp, smooth cuts around garden beds.

Once you get used to using a zero-turn mower, you will understand how this works. You can simply pull back the levers slightly during tight squeezes and be precise with your cuts. Controlling the TimeCutter is super easy because this technology adjusts to your pace. This is a highly maneuverable mower, even for beginners.

Comfort is best in class

Again, a thing I love about Toro mowers is that they begin with the driver in mind. They truly think through the driver’s experience and craft their mowers to accommodate them. One of these features is simple – a cup holder. It is great to have nice cool water (beer) while mowing the lawn. Competitors have not figured out this simple amenity.

Another great feature is the high back seat. This is an 18 inch seat back, which I believe is the highest I have ever reviewed. Seat height and comfort are some of the most important elements to me because it makes a world of difference. I love being able to lean a little further back and rest my arms on the levers.

As mentioned previously, they have truly thought through everything and are appealing to experienced mowers that have requested these types of features.

Maintenance schedule

Maintenance on the Toro TimeCutter SS 4225 is pretty standard for a zero turn mower. The two most common things you will have to do will be the oil change and air filter replacement. The hydrostatic transmission is another feature that helps improve the longevity of zero-turn mowers.

The air filter is super accessible – just flip it open and replace it with ease. Likewise, the oil change just requires a quick empty and refill through the oil drain tube. Some other mowers I have seen, particularly standard riding mowers like the John Deere I reviewed, have easier to maintain features, but none of this is too cumbersome.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 comes with a three-year, unlimited hour warranty. This is also the first time I have seen an unlimited hour warranty – which means Toro is not messing around with their confidence in this mower.

Don’t like maintenance? Check out the electric version that comes with a bunch of big batteries that don’t require maintenance.

Potential downsides of this mower

While I love nearly everything about the Toro TimeCutter, I don’t love absolutely everything. One thing I dislike is the height adjustment for the deck. So many other decks have sophisticated systems where you simply twist a knob.

The Toro TimeCutter SS series has you cranking one of those metal levers to the desired blade height. Something that most people don’t mind, but an area where Toro has not yet innovated.

Sadly, this mower also does not have an hour meter or front lights – features that many other zero-turn mowers do have. An hour meter can be purchased separately, but you are on your own when it comes to lighting.

Cost and value

Okay – now that we have reviewed all of the features I love and paired them with some of the criticisms I have, let’s talk cost. For context, most zero-turn mowers of the same size range between $3,000-$4,500. Basically mini cars.

The Toro TimeCutter SS 4225 comes in just under $3,500 at Home Depot – making it a ridiculously good deal. I think this is a high-value mower for those with residential, mid-sized properties.

We compare this mower to a popular competitor, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 – check out our comparison post here or the John Deere Z315E comparison.

The official review

Feature	Toro TimeCutter SS4225	Comparable residential ZT mower
Difficulty to use	Easiest	Average
Durability	More durable	Average durability
Maintenance	Less maintenance due to hydrostatic transmission	More maintenance
Value	High value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Would not fit	Would not fit
For lots <1 acre	Probably overkill but is fun and looks cool	Probably overkill but is fun and looks cool
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended	Highly recommended

Why we review lawn tools

Toro equipment reputation

Toro is a well known company that serves lawn equipment for homeowners. They are also one of the preferred products for golf courses, sports fields, and agriculture. They clearly know what they are doing.

I’ve reviewed other Toro equipment, like their recycler push mower. One thing that stood out to me in that review is their engineering. I truly believe they have quality equipment and there’s a few ways to tell. The first is how heavy and solid their equipment is. Their quality stands out to me as top tier.

Another thing I noticed when reviewing the recycler mower is the attention to details. The mower just grinds and grinds and grinds until it produces a fine consistency that feeds your lawn. Other mower manufacturers do not put considerations like this into their products. They even have a patent for the fine grass clippings that nourish your yard.

Zero-turn mowers

Zero-turn mowers have blown up. Everybody wants the most powerful zero turn mower now, even those with smaller lawns. They are cool as heck, save a ton of time, and are straight up fun to ride. Once you figure out how to use one, you get hooked.

Zero turn mowers like the Toro TimeCutter 4225 are powerful and fast. People love zero turn mowers because they are generally faster than your traditional riding mower or even electric lawn tractor and provide much more agility. Zero turn mowers are especially popular for commercial lawn mowing companies as they provide much more speed and power, have larger gas capacity, and are more nimble than the traditional lawn tractor.

October 20, 2021April 20, 2024

The Cadillac of Zero-Turn Mowers: The Arien IKON series

The Ariens IKON XD 52 is a zero turn mower that is an absolute beast. Ariens IKON XD series has a range of different options they offer depending on your yard size and goal, but the 52 inch is one of the most popular.

If you have a larger yard and are wanting to cut your mowing time in half, then you have stumbled upon the right review. There are a lot of things people love about these mowers, so let’s jump right in.

Today we will cover:

A history of Ariens lawn mowers
What to look for in a zero-turn mower
Feature of the Ariens IKON XD 52
Where to buy
The official Ariens IKON XD 52 review

The Ariens IKON XD 52: Reviewing the features

Now that we have a good understanding of zero turn mowers and the American-made IKON series, let’s check out some of the features.

The Ariens Ikon XD 52 is sleek and powerful.

The steel frame of the Ariens IKON XD 52

When it comes to durability, the steel frame matters. There are some inexpensive zero turn mowers that I have reviewed and looking at some of the comments – the thing is cheap. I have heard about the frame SNAPPING. Yep, these mowers are heavy as all get out, carry a lot of power, and drive vibration through the steel frame. For those that skimp on the frame material, you may end up with a totaled mower.

The Ariens IKON XD 52 has a tubular steel frame with thickness that will give you comfort. Looking up close at the thicker steel deck on the IKON then comparing it to a rival, you will notice a distinct difference. Other mowers will feel like simply sheet metal or recycled metal.

When I first stepped foot on this mower (and I am 6’ 7”), the first thing I noticed was how it didn’t rattle around or shake. It truly felt like stepping onto the bed of my truck – a solid, unmovable, heavy beast.

Comfort and rideability

As I just mentioned, I am a tall person. I have to slouch in just about every chair and get back problems pretty easily. This chair almost looks like one of those gaming chairs. Its got a nice plush seat-back with arm rests (which are an absolute must), with grooves that fit your body perfectly.

The higher handlebars allow for maximum leg room as well, not crunching your legs into a weird position or making you extend your arms out too much. The Ariens IKON is one of those mowers that you can just sort of chill, rest your arms, and have your arms comfortably grasped onto the handlebars.

The Ariens IKON XD 52 has comfortable armrests.

Power

If you have not been able to tell, I like this mower a lot. But owning a lawn mower is a lot more about a nice heavy steel deck and a comfortable chair. You need to get the job done as fast as possible. That’s why the Ariens IKON XD 52 comes with a big ole commercial-style deck. It truly offers a professional grade cut with 13 cutting positions that are adjustable in ¼ inch increments. That is pretty dang precise.

The Ikon XD 52 comes with either a Kohler or Kawasaki engine. The Kohler is a 7000 series engine with 725cc of displacement and 24 horses. These things can run up to 7 miles per hour and can go about half of that in reverse.

The Kawasaki is a FR691 engine with 726cc (an extra cc) of displacement. It has 23hp and otherwise offers the same speed.

Maneuverability and cutting experience

Something I love about this mower is the Hydro-Gear EZT transaxles. That’s a ten dollar phrase right there, but these things are so smooth. They offer a good bit of torque and make the mower simple to control. Hydrostatic transmissions respond quickly and require less maintenance than your standard automatic transmission. Like most zero-turn mowers, this thing moves easily and smoothly across my lawn.

Another consideration on this model is the easy to use and simplified control panel. I mentioned the dial-operated height adjuster earlier, but this needs to be said again. Remember the days when you had to jam and crank the gear on the side to the desired blade height? You would pull it out and it would just start falling, or go into the wrong setting. This is not my life anymore. Just spin the knob and the adjustment is made. One of my favorite features of this mower.

Cost and value

These bad boys run you about $4,500 but I promise you that they are worth it. This price tag is comparable with other mowers that are much lower quality. I am actually surprised to see it priced this low.

The Ariens Ikon XD 52 will make you feel like a badass. It is simply the top tier zero-turn mower in the game.

Where to buy Ariens Ikon XD52

Believe it or not, you can buy it on Amazon and have it shipped to your house for a pretty insane price.

Do not waste your time with other zero-turn mowers – you have found the best-in-class, American-made mower of your dreams.

Official review: The Ariens Ikon XD 52 zero-turn mower

Feature	Ariens IKON XD 52	Comparable residential ZT mower
Difficulty to use	Less difficult	Average
Durability	More durable	Average durability
Maintenance	Less maintenance due to hydrostatic transmission	More maintenance
Value	High value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Would not fit	Would not fit
For lots <1 acre	Probably overkill but is fun and looks cool	Probably overkill but is fun and looks cool
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended	Highly recommended

Why we review lawn tools

Ariens lawn mowers

Ariens is an American born and made company that has been creating gas-powered lawn tools for almost 100 years. With its home in Brillion, Wisconsin, they have always stayed true to American made products. With the durability (more to come) and comfort of these mowers, you can tell the American-made difference.

Ariens has a suite of zero-turn mowers as well as a smaller line of push mowers. They also sell things like snow blowers, power brushes and more.

Zero-turn mowers

People love zero turn mowers because they are generally faster than your traditional lawn tractor and provide much more agility. Zero turn mowers are especially popular for commercial lawn mowing companies as they provide much more speed and power, have larger gas capacity, and are more nimble than the traditional lawn tractor.

Zero turn mowers have continued to grow in popularity but are still intimidating to others. While lawn tractors have a steering wheel similar to any other automobile, zero-turn mowers have large handles that stick up and meet in the middle of the mower. To operate the mower, you push forward and use the individual horizontal handles to either push the mower to the right or to the left.

Ariens is the parent company of Gravely, who also makes great zero-turns.

What to look for in a zero-turn mower

Zero-turn mowers are all about comfort and size. If you are a commercial landscaper, you will likely want a mower with a large deck. The deck houses the blades and the wider the deck, the wider the blade.

For us residential mowers, we will want to take into account yard-size into our selection process. For those with less than one acre of land, I don’t often recommend zero-turn mowers. They take up too much space for smaller lots and are difficult to store. For those with more than one acre, zero-turn mowers are great. The larger the acreage, the wider the deck you will want.

October 19, 2021April 20, 2024

Dewalt’s 60V Chainsaw Provides Raw Power: My Experience

The DeWalt 60V Chainsaw comes from of the most trusted tool brands in American history. The company has been around since WW1 so you know they put out a good product.

DeWalt is actually owned by Stanley Black & Decker. All these companies are intertwined somehow.

This 60V chainsaw incorporates DeWalt’s new FLEXVOLT battery technology. Basically the interchangeable battery back “flexes” it’s voltage to the appropriate setting for the particular type of tool it’s attached to. So the same battery that runs this chainsaw can also run your drill or grinder but at a reduced voltage. Saving you tons on runtime and energy on the jobsite. How about that!?

Here is what we will review today:

Chainsaws 101
Dewalt 60V Chainsaw Power
Maintenance and chain system
Criticisms of the Dewalt chainsaw
The official review of the Dewalt 60V chainsaw

Dewalt has a few other products we have reviewed including their 20V hedge trimmer and their 20V lawn mower as well as their Dewalt Air Compressors.

Dewalt Chainsaw Review: Features

On to the product review itself… Man I thought there was no way an electric chainsaw would stand up to the likes of Stihl or Husqvarna but this buddy ain’t no joke! This saw cuts about 70 6×6 inch logs per charge.

Is that enough? Seems like a lot to me.

Power and cutting ability

For the average homeowner or small-scale professional this should be ample power! If not, you could buy another battery pack. This uses a lithium ion battery so there should be no power drain, basically you keep cutting at the exact same rate until the battery runs out. That’s pretty cool man.

Chain system operations

This chainsaw comes stocked with a tool-free chain tensioning system. This is big. If you’ve ever tried to adjust the tension of a chainsaw with a tool you’ll know what I’m talking about. Last year I took down a Bradford pear (these stupid trees should be illegal in my opinion) in my front yard and spent half the dang time adjusting the tension. It was very obnoxious.

At this point, we were already sold – so we got it on Amazon. You can check the price by following this link.

Maintaining the Dewalt electric chainsaw

A pretty much standard function on all chainsaws now is the auto-oiling system for chain lubrication. Honestly, I didn’t even know you had to put chain oil in chainsaws when I first started. I thought it was like oil for your car that you just changed out periodically. Burned up a good Stihl chain that way. Whoops. You live and you learn.

This product is not extremely light like you’d think it would be for an electric saw. It weighs just over 12 lbs which isn’t light. I guess I could use the workout but after a while my arms would be worn out.

Downsides to this chainsaw

Some of the cons I’ve seen in other reviews are the chain cover is made of plastic and easily slips around. This causes you to need to tighten the bar and chain constantly.

For a small job I don’t think this is a huge deal. I’ve also seen quite a few complaints about the oil reservoir being too small. Every chainsaw I’ve ever used has a small oil reservoir. That’s pretty par for the course honestly.

Another issue I’ve seen has been the battery being difficult to remove. I could see that as a pretty sizable annoyance but nothing to cause me not to buy the product.

The Dewalt 60V chainsaw has more power than meets the eye.

My Recommendation: This is a keeper

Ultimately, would I recommend you buy this? If you live on an acre with some moderately sized trees or own a small landscaping company where you’d need to do occasional trimming, yes. I think the power and battery life would more than suffice for your project needs. If you’re doing a lot of big cutting then you’d need something a little more substantial.

This fireman is using it according to Dewalt.

Dewalt has some great 60V lawn tools like their string trimmer, which we reviewed.

Where to buy Dewalt battery-powered chainsaw

Dewalt tools, including this chainsaw can be found online at Home Depot and picked up in store. Check out the price at Home Depot here.

We always recommend grabbing products like this on Amazon because you can check for sales frequently. You can go straight to this product on Amazon by clicking here.

Why we review lawn tools

How chainsaws came about

Chainsaws as we know them today have been around for about a hundred years or so. They started out in California when Samuel Bens was cutting down giant redwoods. Can you imagine cutting down one of those big huge trees with a hand saw? Gotta be impossible, right? There had to be a better way. The original products were actually used by two people and not on a bar like they are today. Talk about danger.

Wow. Dangerous. Photo cred: Antique trader.

Nowadays they’re more compact and used by a single operator. They can be electric or gas powered chainsaws. Most people assume gas is more powerful and rightly so. But the tides are beginning to run as battery technology continues to evolve. People use chainsaws to cut down trees, knock off limbs, harvest wood and scare people during Halloween!

What To Look For In a Chainsaw

A solid chainsaw is one of the most important tools a homeowner can have. Buying the right one is absolutely essential to your kids thinking you’re a cool man or woman. Chainsaws come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, type and models. Most are either gas or electric powered. Depending on your application of course, most people can get away with a 14” bar and chain. Unless you’re cutting up massive trees you probably don’t need anything bigger than that.

In addition to that, most people nowadays can probably get away with an electric model vs a more powerful, smoother cutting gas powered model. But it’s all personal preference. However, honestly I tend to always go with the bigger more powerful engines because I think they’ll last longer. So far that’s proven to be true, but I could just be wasting money.

Just make sure your chainsaw at least has a kickback reduction feature. This prevents you from losing one of your precious fingers! You only have 10 of them ya know! Kickback reductions can be in the form of the chain or bar itself. Basically these just prevent you from cutting too aggressively which prevents your saw from bouncing back on you. Or a chain brake which causes the chain to stop when it hits something hard or moves too abruptly

Other features that are nice to have are more comfort-centric. These include tool-less tensioners, mufflers, anti-vibration, automatic chain oilers, etc.

To summarize, look for:

Bar length
Kicback reduction
Anti-vibration technology
Automatic chain oilers

October 16, 2021April 20, 2024

The Husqvarna 128LD is The Landscaper’s Dream String Trimmer

The Husqvarna 128LD is a straight-shaft gas string trimmer that is a true powerhouse. As one of the more popular gas trimmers on the market, you will see both commercial and residential folks using these.

Often referred to as the “Cadillac of string trimmers”, this weed whacker packs more power than you will need. Husqvarna is known for their quality, power, and durability and this is certainly no exception.

Bottom line: The Husqvarna 128LD is one of the classics (just like these two other classic string trimmers). It is a timeless weed eater that is super popular with landscapers and homeowners alike. You can grab it on Amazon for a really nice price.

Here’s what you can expect as you keep reading:

Husqvarna history
What to look for in a string trimmer
Review: Husqvarna 128LD
The official recommendation

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About Husqvarna products

Husqvarna manufactures chainsaws, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, edgers, pressure washers – basically any outdoor tool you could imagine. They stand out with their bright-orange color scheme. The chances that you have seen a ton of their products when you are out for a drive are extremely high.

Husqvarna is one of the leading product suppliers for commercial lawn care companies including government and public agencies. Ever wonder how a vast open area at a park gets trimmed? It is likely a Husqvarna product.

The Husqvarna 128LD features

The Husqvarna 128LD has some noteworthy features that I will review. Compared to another gas trimmer I reviewed (the ECHO SRM-225), this trimmer has one feature that I absolutely could not live without. Let’s get started.

Usability and handling

The Husqvarna 128LD is lightweight coming in at only 12.7 pounds, which I love handling. It can take me over an hour to do all the trimming work I need to do and it is nice to know that neither my back nor this trimmer will give out.

You can purchase a strap that helps balance it better for more fine lines around your garden or driveway as well.

I have experienced minimal vibration as well. When I check out some of the other reviews online, I see others having the same experience. It is quiet, light, and does not leave your teeth chattering when going through thick and dense brush.

One thing I am seeing over and over again is how easy this trimmer is to start. Husqvarna was extremely mindful of this when they designed it. The 128LD comes with a spring-assist pull-start and has a “SmartStart” system, an air purge, and an auto return stop switch (that keeps it on ON) that all makes cold starts easy.

The feature that I love about this trimmer is its wide shield. The ECHO is another powerful trimmer, but has a tiny plastic shield that will leave you covered in dirt or mulch.

The 128LD has enough power for commercial applications

The 128LD offers 8,000rpm at its highest speed. This imputes one horsepower at 28cc. I know one horsepower sounds small, but it is kind of hilarious to imagine a weed eater providing the power of a horse. I promise this thing eats more grass.

With my electric trimmer, it feels like no matter how much power I put into the line, it simply cannot complete some jobs. The power in this trimmer is the opposite. In fact, I can complete most of my jobs with keeping the trigger between 25 and 50 percent of its maximum output. To be honest, I cannot even remember if I have ever fully maxed it out.

The Husqvarna 128LD string trimmer is powerful and easy to start.

If there is one thing to take away from this review, know that this is a POWERFUL residential trimmer and will take care of virtually any job you will do.

Trimmer line maintenance on the Husqvarna 128LD

If you have ever worked on a trimmer before, you know how frustrating it can be to change the line. A convenient feature we have been seeing on newer-model trimmers is their Tap and Go ability that allows for trimmer lines to be fed through when it gets low. It’s easy to use and nearly universal on all trimmers, the 128LD is no exception.

To replace the trimmer line, simply pop off the head, loop the string into the little hook, and begin wrapping it around. While this does require a manual process, it is so much easier than most line replacements. This does not require any sort of funky pathway to getting it loaded. It is extremely straightforward, which I appreciate.

Smart start system allows for easier starting.

The replacement line needed is their .095 inch line. You can buy any brand of this at Home Depot or Lowe’s or you can go straight to Husqvarna’s website to get their Titanium Force brand. Any of them will do just fine.

Accessories

A somewhat troubling feature of this trimmer is my inability to find any attachments that fit this model. I am not saying that it does not have ANY ability to attach things like edgers or brush cutters, but I can’t find a compatible model on the website.

An edger attachment from an electric brand, EGO.

The trimmer does detach, which makes for easy storage. I simply cannot find an attachment that fits this product.

Cost and value

Coming in at around $200-$250, the Husqvarna 128LD is one of the more expensive residential trimmers on the market. Do not be fooled, however – this is a highly effective, powerful, and usable piece of equipment. I would rate this as highly valuable because of its power and light weight use.

Where to buy

You can actually grab the Husvarna 128LD string trimmer on Amazon for a really good price.

The official review: Husqvarna 128LD trimmer

Simply put, if you are looking for a powerful trimmer that will last you 5+ years, don’t look any further. The Husqvarna 128LD is light, powerful, and will outlast you in your yard every time.

Feature	Rating
Difficulty to use	More difficult than electric
Durability	More durable
Maintenance	Some maintenance required
Value	High value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Highly recommended
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in a string trimmer

String trimmers can have a few nuances that you should check out before buying. The first one I will mention here is reach. Being a tall person, I have a tough time bending down to trim a straight line across my driveway. Having a straight trimmer with a long shaft saves my back.

Gas powered trimmers are going to deliver more power – hands down. I have an electric trimmer that I use and can tell you from experience, it is simply weak. Gas power will last longer than you do. It will be slightly harder to start and maintain, but will cut time off of your job.

Another thing I examine in a trimmer is how it handles and carries. If it has an odd-shaped handle or feels unnatural, you will have a tough time with a smooth job. Likewise, weight distribution is super important as well for creating a straight line. Look for a trimmer with a strap that can help offset some of the weight and save your back.

If you want to up your game, make sure you’re using the right string trimmer line size, color, and shape.

October 14, 2021April 20, 2024

The Toro Recycler Gas Mower Is An American Classic: Here’s Why

The Toro 22in Recycler Lawn Mower is one of the best selling lawn mowers on the market. The Toro Recycler mower comes with a self-propelled system that will help it march forward. It also comes with a bagger, although you may not need it (more to come on this).

Today we are going to review all aspects of the Toro 22 inch recycler lawn mower and compare it to similar mowers in its class. Let’s get started:

Recycler mowers 101
Toro Recycler mower breakdown
Value and cost of the Toro Recycler
The official review

Quick Spoiler on this Toro mower:

The mower has all the amazing fundamentals – a great cutting deck, solid width, nice brand
The Personal Pace was really distracting to use
I think the ventilation thing here is not as nice as I thought after using it for a while
It will last you forever
It is very good – but slightly disappointing considering Toro’s reputation

Why would I buy a recycler mower?

For those that don’t like to mess around in the yard, the 22 inch recycler mower is great. This bad boy truly takes care of business in the yard and is the most no-nonsense mower I have reviewed.

Recycler mowers, specifically the Toro 22 Briggs and Stratton, cut your grass into extremely fine shreds of grass that can benefit your yard. Toro has trademarked this process as “Lawn Vitamins”. The fine clippings are healthy for your yard and can promote growth in peak season.

So should I use the bag?

I used to be one of those weirdo type-A individuals who liked to put a bag on my mower and make sure that no grass clippings got into my yard. And then I got scolded by our lawn treatment company that this was actually doing damage to the health of my yard.

The beauty and simplicity of the Toro 22in recycler is unmatched.

Now I am one of those weirdo type-A individuals who does not put a bag on their mower, but does not allow for a single blade of grass to get into the street or driveway. I love letting the grass clippings flow into my yard, knowing that I am feeding nutrients back into the soil. In fact, I make sure to blow loose grass clippings back onto the top of my grass – which drives my even weirder neighbors up the wall (to my satisfaction).

The Toro Recycler 22 inch mower: Features and benefits

Now that we have learned about recycler mowers, let’s breakdown the individual functions of the Toro for a better understanding.

If you’re interested in checking out the battery-powered brother of this mower, then read our review of the Toro Recycler Battery Mower.

The durability of the metal cutting deck

The 22 inch steel deck gives this machine great reliability. I love 22 inch mowers because they always provide a neat, clean cut. Smaller blades tend to be more jarring to the grass, whereas longer blades just provide a smooth, wide cut across the yard.

Toro is known for having highly durable mowers. They back this up with a 3-year engine warranty and 2-year full warranty. With the proper maintenance, this thing will last you much longer than 2 or 3 years.

If you take a drive around your neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, you’ll see a bunch of Toro mowers with their classic red look out in peoples’ yards. It is a timeless classic in the lawn mower space. Many of these are 10+ years old. It’s truly the Honda Accord of the lawn mower world.

Maintenance

Another thing I love about the Toro 22 in recycler mower is the lack of maintenance. The first mower I owned required an oil change every season. This required me to spill oil everywhere (including all over the engine) as I tipped it on its side and tried to catch it in some sort of pan.

The Toro Recycler requires no oil change. I’m not sure how it works, but you simply keep an eye on the levels and top the oil off when needed. No mess required.

Cleaning this mower is also a breeze. They have a port at the top of the deck that allows you to hook your hose to. Simply connect your hose, turn on your water, and let the design of the inside of the deck wash away old, dried grass clippings. Due to the fine nature of these grass clippings, you are much less likely to get clumping and more likely to get mounds of fine dust buildup.

Usability

The Toro recycler has a self-propelled function that you can actually control the speed of. Unlike some of the electric mowers I’ve reviewed, you can use this function without worrying about killing the battery.

As much as I enjoy getting a nice forearm and glute workout when I mow, it’s nice to have a little bit of help when I am tired or sore.

Another feature I like about this mower is the 22 inch blade. Having a longer blade is always helpful in getting a cleaner cut and better looking stripes in your yard. The downside of this mower is having a slightly tougher time navigating nooks and crannies.

My backyard is not very large and has pavers, a small patio in the back corner, some tree roots, and a lot of mulch. Navigating a push mower around tends to be a lot of work as each pass I make doesn’t go very far. Having a 22 inch mower will cover more area, but be harder to flip around on a dime.

Front drive functionality

This mower also uses front-wheel drive for the self propelled function, meaning things like hills and uneven terrain are less of an issue. The neat part about the front drive on this Toro recycler is that it will do more of the work for you than rear drive mowers. The front-drive gets more traction and pull because of how the weight is distributed.

Yeah, it walks itself. Photo cred: Ace Hardware.

This is a great feature if you have any a lawn that is more difficult to mow or at an angle. It takes a lot of the load off!

Value and cost

As mentioned previously, this mower is a boss. It is relatively heavy, has a big blade, and is gas powered. It is going to get the job done and provide nutrition to your yard while it does it. For those reasons, I love it.

Looking through the pricing, I am seeing it listed anywhere between $350 to $450 depending on where and when you buy it. If you can get it below $400 then you are likely getting a pretty good deal.

Compared to other mowers of its class, this mower actually comes at a great price. Many other similarly priced mowers lack some of the functionality, power, and blade size that this mower has. For its class, I think this is one of the highest value mowers you can purchase.

Vortex technology

I would deeply regret if I didn’t talk about this. Toro has what they call Vortex technology, which pulls air in from the blade and causes the grass to stick up, ensuring an even cut throughout your yard.

Those little vents pull air in with magic.

Not sure how this is possible other than pure magic. I haven’t seen ANYONE else think like this, which scares me. Toro is way ahead of the game here.

Where to buy the Toro Recycler

You can grab this one from Home Depot, where the price is always changing. You can check out the electric version that we reviewed of the Toro Battery Recycler.

The official review of the Toro 22 inch recycler mower:

Feature	Rating
Difficulty to use	Less difficult
Durability	Most durable
Maintenance	Easiest to maintain
Value	High value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Recommended
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Not recommended

Toro 22in recycler mower parts diagrams and user manual

For a parts diagram to the Toro 22in. Recycler lawn mower check here: https://www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails?id=45022

For the manual to the 22in Recycler, check here: https://www.toro.com/getpub/96573

Why we review lawn tools

October 13, 2021April 20, 2024

I Tested The New Ryobi 40V Brushless Mower: It Is a BEAST

The Ryobi 40V lawn mower is an electric mower that is one of the most popular on the market. I’ll be the first to admit, I have ALWAYS been a gas person. That being said, I am open to changes and trying new things out.

I personally have owned and enjoyed their 3-in-1 yard tool that includes a trimmer, edger, and blower. You can tell it’s battery powered and feels slightly weaker than each of those tools individually, but it gets the job done.

Here are my final thoughts on this Ryobi 40V mower if you want to stop reading here:

It is a fine mower, although I wish it had a metal deck
The Ryobi 40V series is great for a ton of tools
I find this Ryobi mower to be a bit overpriced compared to others
I test out the most recent version of this mower in a big video comparison on my Youtube channel

Today, we are going to review the following:

Who should buy this mower?
Battery considerations
Functionality and use
Criticisms of the Ryobi 40V mowers
The official review

Let’s get started!

Why would I get an electric lawn mower?

There are a few benefits to getting an electric lawn mower. For starters, I am an early riser and have often angered my neighbors with mowing the lawn and doing other yard work before 9am. The Ryobi 40V lawn mower is quiet. Surprisingly quiet.

Ryobi perfected the quiet tool space when they created their ultra-quiet and surprisingly powerful Whisper Series leaf blower. They have quickly adapted most of their tools to be quiet.

This has allowed my children to once again trick-or-treat in the neighborhood and minimized the dog poop left in my yard.

Electric lawn mowers also have another obvious benefit – they don’t require gasoline. Not only does this free up some space in the garage, but makes the pain of spilling gas everywhere go away. The other benefit to being electric is the minimal maintenance required. While it can be annoying to sit and wait for your lawn mower to charge, you don’t have to worry about oil changes or other messes.

The cool (to some people) Ryobi 40V lawn mower.

Another benefit to having an electric lawn mower is the lack of air pollution. While lawn mowers aren’t blowing black smoke like your diesel truck, they still put out fumes. My wife will sometimes relieve stress by mowing the lawn, but had to stop while pregnant due to the fumes. A minor benefit, but still noteworthy.

Does the Ryobi 40V mower require a replacement battery?

The Ryobi 40V mower comes with a 40V lithium ion battery that will definitely last for small to medium jobs. At the end of the day, this is battery powered and requires charging just like any other tool in our garage.

Something that is useful to recognize is that Ryobi has built some compatibility with some of their products and this mower. If you have another Ryobi tool with a 40V battery, you can swap them out when your main battery runs dry.

What you should think about the battery system

With the normal Ryobi 40V battery and the backup battery, you can successfully complete any job. Some considerations for battery life include the following:

Yard size for an electric mower

This is an obvious one. If you have a huge yard, you will likely run out of battery because of the sheer volume of grass that needs to be cut.

If you have a smaller yard, you will find that you can likely complete more than one mowing session on a single charge. My neighbor has this exact lawnmower and only charges it about once every three weeks during peak season.

Grass length

Thicker, longer, or wet grass will all deplete your Ryobi 40V battery faster. It takes a lot of energy to push the blade across thick or wet grass. For those of us that like a golf course style trim, you can run through the battery quickly when cutting grass down to that level from a taller level.

Self-propeller function on a Ryobi 40V mower

The Ryobi 40V lawn mower has a self-propelled option, which will creep the lawn mower forward and assist in pushing it across your yard. Naturally, using this option will cut down on battery life and require you to charge more frequently. If you have a large yard, you may want to consider turning this off to conserve battery. Otherwise, purchasing a second battery will help get the job done in one trip.

Breaking down the features of this mower

When looking for a Ryobi electric mower, you have two main options. The Ryobi 40V 21 inch or the 20 inch. Let’s check out the main differences between the two electric lawn mowers:

Design

The design of the 21 inch model looks slightly cooler to me. The deck is steel, similar to a traditional gas push mower, instead of plastic. Both have a neon green and black design which fits the normal Ryobi profile. The 21 inch model has a slightly more prominent light for those who mow at dusk.

The 21 inch model can fit a separate striping kit.

Overall, the design screams “I’m using an electric mower, look at me!”. However, the silence of the mower makes up for it. While I am a traditionalist when it comes to design, others might like the futuristic appearance of both of these mowers.

Functionality

Obviously, the 21 inch Ryobi 40V is slightly larger. Both the 21 and the 20 inch mowers have push-start capability and the same battery. The battery life lasts a little longer (5 minutes longer) on the 20 inch model than it does on the 21 inch model. The battery longevity likely relies on the weight of the mower and the slightly longer blade.

Storage

While both of these mowers easily fold over in the garage, the 20 inch mower takes the cake on storage capability. As the lighter and slimmer model, the 20 inch mower can easily be folded and even hung on the wall. The 21 inch model has the heavier steel deck and larger body, making it difficult for storage. Consider that both will be easier to store than a traditional gas push mower – and won’t leak any gas or fluid either!

A lot of mowers fold in half like this Dewalt one!

Value

Considering both the 21 inch and the 20 inch Ryobi 40V use the same battery, similar blades, and are almost identical – the 20 inch mower is the best value. As I look through a few online shopping venues, the 21 inch mower is consistently over $100 more than the 20 inch mower.

If it were me (and I am cheap), I would go with the 20 inch mower and be okay with getting made fun of by my guy friends.

What I didn’t like about this mower

Electric lawn mowers are new entrants into a long standing, traditionalist marketplace of incumbents. Therefore, they will receive their fair share of criticism. What I see most out of those that have a problem with these mowers is the run time.

Ryobi 40V lawn mower run time

The 20 inch Ryobi mower boasts a 40 minute run time while the 21 inch mower has a 35 minute run time.

Again, there are several factors that will impact run time. Grass length and density will eat through the battery as well as the self-propelled function. If you have two batteries, you should not have a problem getting the job done.

That being said, the battery charge time is about four hours for each of those 35-40 minute uses. If you have a very large yard, it may take a long time to get cut.

Getting a replacement battery

You can order individual batteries to replace the battery on your Ryobi 40V. I have never had a problem with my Ryobi 40V battery for any other of my appliances, but I generally don’t run them as long as I do my mower.

For those with other Ryobi 40V products that have a compatible battery, you can use those in both tools. This is how Ryobi gets you to become loyal to their products!

Where to buy the Ryobi lawn mower

You can grab this one and bunch of other Ryobi mowers from Home Depot, where Ryobi is almost exclusively sold.

The Official Review of the Ryobi 40V 21 inch Lawn Mower

Feature	Ryobi 40V lawn mower	Comparable gas push mower
Difficulty to use	Less difficult than gas	More difficult due to weight
Durability	Less durable plastic deck	More durable than electric
Maintenance	Easiest to maintain	Requires yearly oil changes
Value	Medium value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Highly recommended	Highly recommended
For lots <1 acre	Recommended if willing to use a push mower	Recommended if willing to use a push mower
For lots >1 acre	Not recommended	Not recommended

To summarize our review, the Ryobi 40V 21 inch lawn mower is a great mower for small yards. The ideal electric mower owner will be someone with limited storage space for a larger mower, a smaller yard, does not like to push and strain too hard when mowing, is eco-conscious, and enjoys a quiet mow.