Toro Vs. Craftsman

[nuttsaboutgreen]

After getting a Toro Recycler (20019) from a neighbor that gave up on it, I now have two push mowers. I bought a 6.75 Craftsman high wheel about three years ago and have been happy with it. I've only used the Craftsman twice this year because we moved to a new house and I've been using a rider. It's nice to have a back-up though. After rebuilding the carb on the Toro, it runs good and is in decent shape. The Toro is self propelled, which is something I would like to have. I'm tempted to keep the Toro and sell the Craftsman. Unfortunately, it's late in the season and I'm not sure how the Toro will cut.

Anyone have any experience with these two brands? I'm thinking I may be better off waiting until next spring to sell one, but the money would be nice to have now.

I'm not trying to start a war here, I'm just wondering if it's worth keeping a slightly older mower with self propelled or the mower with the high wheel?

[Brad]

Hello, Nuttsaboutgreen.

Well, you are going to get lots of thoughts and ideas here. I am not a seasoned veteran on either of the machines, but here's my thought.

You have a rider for the big part of the lawn, just want a trim mower. Seems to me that the Craftsman, with the bigger wheels, would be an easier to maneuver machine. The Toro with self propel is going to be a bit heavier and an overkill for just trimming.

If you asked which machine would be likely to live a longer life and be better for mowing as your main machine, I'd have said the Toro.

[woodsy]

I have a freind that has had both. He said the Craftsman had a better cut than the Toro but he liked the self propelled (personal pace) feature on his Toro. Like Brad said - for a trim mower the high wheel Craftsman is the better choice.

[nuttsaboutgreen]

Thanks for the reply's, those are good points. The mower would only be used for trim work and the Toro is considerably heavier.

[imaLawnBoyFreak]

Personally i would keep the toro. The bearings in the wheels go bad on those big rear wheels and they then wobble very bad. I would also think the toro will last longer. But then again a push model only is nice for trimming

Edit.... Looking at the toro now it looks like a steel deck model with a tec engine . IF that is correct i would say the craftsman would probably be better if its got a briggs

[badfox9389]

I vote Craftsman as well. Especially, if the Craftsman has a Briggs on it. The Toro has a Tecumseh engine on it right? Nobody, get me wrong I don't have a problem with Tecumsehs, but if I had to choose. Sell the Toro in the spring for some good $$$$$.

[nuttsaboutgreen]

The Toro does have a steel deck, which has a few spots of paint bubbling. I figured if I kept it, I could always fix that over the winter and it would be like new. The Craftsman has the B&S motor and I've been happy with it. I'm also more familiar with that motor than the Tecumseh on the Toro. I appreciate the responses, I'm gonna keep the Craftsman and let the Toro go. I wouldn't mind keeping both if I had the room.

[rdaystrom]

Have you guys got a screw loose or what. C'mon...Toro has been the parent company of Lawn-Boy for 19 years. That should at least give a Toro modicum of respect. The subject of Craftsman vs Toro is so bizarre that one would almost expect it to be deleted as blasphemy on a forum predominately inhabited by Lawn-Boy enthusiasts albeit most are fans of older Lawn-Boys for sure.
I have owned several Craftsman mowers one of which was a high wheel model. Here's a list of what broke on it before I got rid of it. No kidding either. The handle broke, the handle mount broke, the drive lever broke, both of the High wheels broke, the front wheel drive quit, the wheel adjustment levers gave out and allowed the wheels to splay out to the side causing the mower to look like it had been sat on by a Hippo. The gas tank leaked , the carb caused surging, the recoil starter broke, and last but not least the deck itself cracked and part of it was about to hit the blade.
Oh and Brad...High wheel mowers are a fad and don't help anything except the pocketbook of the company that makes the replacements.
Anyone who says a Craftsman cuts better than a Toro should have an MRI of the brain. Anyway my advice would be to keep the Toro if it has been cared for decently. It's like comparing apples and acorns. For me I'd eat the apple but then again squirrels do like acorns......just a joke

[nuttsaboutgreen]

Well, if it ever stops raining I'm gonna try the Toro out for myself. I showed my wife the self propelled and she was impressed. I really wasn't trying to start a brand war with this post. I should have posted, "Used self propelled vs. newer high wheel".

[es_bob]

I vote Toro... but I'm kinda biased.

[woodsy]

I don't think anyone was bashing Toro but offering their advice to the OP. I had a Craftsman 6.75 HP High Wheel self propelled mower for 7 years and never had any problems with it - did a great job cutting my lawn as well.

[WDG]

Originally Posted by rdaystrom

High wheel mowers are a fad and don't help anything except the pocketbook of the company that makes the replacements.

Meh. I like the high wheels, myself (LB 10252). They sure seem to make it easier to maneuver steps and curbs.

As for the Toro, the thing I do NOT like about my LB is the tin deck. I guess I'm harder on it than most folks, but mine had to be replaced for getting all bent up at the front and sides. BTW, after the goshawful Toro we had years ago with a Tecumseh, I swore I'd never buy another ANYTHING with a Tecumseh on it. But they're probably much better, now.

[oldtimer]

I'd keep the Toro,but that's just 'cuz I'm old and like the Personal Pacer. I had bought a used one last year w/ tecumseh engine.... it's locked up solid. Thought about replacing the engine, but decided not to. Still, I like the "pacer" so much I just bought a new one @ HD ( B&S engine ) It's a display model,so I saved a few bucks. Not sure if I'll put the old one out on the street for someone to scavenge, or save it for parts. Yeah, it's heavy,but I only follow it, not push it. Yeah, I only use for trim too. under trees,bushes, close to house. No problem. I might end up doing the whole yard though, since we just put the snow blower on the Husqvarna today. Like they say : " Six of one....." just my thoughts on the subject.