Caring for a 1/4-acre zoysia lawn may not seem very demanding—but I care about cut quality. Using the Toro 60V self-propelled lawn mower gave me the opportunity to compare against both gas mowers and other electric models. Having used both types on the property, I have certain expectations. The Personal Pace Self-Propel System and simple handle lock set the Toro 60V mower apart as uniquely painless to use. Compared to most, its innovative, trouble-free utility makes this worth the up-front price difference inherent in battery-powered lawnmowers. For medium to small yards, this battery-powered mower is a worthy replacement for your gas model.
Key Takeaways
- Personal Pace self-propel system works very well
- Adequate run-time for 1/4-acre lawns or more
- Plenty of power to cut zoysia and even tall weeds
- Compact vertical storage
- Priced from $499 to $699 depending on whether you buy the bare mower or the maxed out kit with 7.5Ah battery
Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Build Quality
When I first picked up the 60V Max Toro Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower I was surprised by how light it was overall despite the 22” metal deck. After ensuring the battery had a full charge I set my sights on my neighbor’s overgrown 1/4 acre back yard. The metal deck and the weight that does come with it was helpful in keeping the machine on track through the thick weeds.
Earlier electric mowers, with plastic decks, might float a little and cause an uneven cut. While heavier than plastic, the mower is still nimble enough that my 12-year-old son took a few laps with it and remarked at how light it was. The steel deck will also last longer than plastic, which wears faster and breaks easier.
Height Adjustment
For the overgrown weed lawn I used the chute with the Bag-on-Demand lever set to the recycling position. This lever makes it super-easy to switch between bagging and mulching. This feature—in our opinion—should be standard on all mowers. Imagine not having to store (or lose) another removable mulch plug!
I set the cutting height to 1 3/4 inches. The cutting heights available range from 1 inch to 4 inches with seven stops/half stops between. Each wheel is independently adjustable which is a slight downside when you are as lazy as me. The upside is durability increases as there are less moving parts to break.
This Mower Starts Much More Easily Than Gas
Starting up the Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower was somewhat intuitive and assisted by the quick start guide on the handle.
After inserting the battery, I held the blade control bar and pressed the electric-start button and off it went.
Much more natural is the Personal Pace Self-Propel System. It is a feature across the Toro line up of self-propelled mowers. As you push forward/down on the handle it propels the mower forward. The harder you push/the further down you push, the faster the mower goes. Simple and effortless speed control makes it so easy!
How It Feels (Power) Compared to Gas
The Flex-Force power system was seamless in its power delivery when the weeds got really thick. The system is always sensing the resistance the blade is encountering and ramps up the RPMs for the tougher stuff and dials them down to conserve energy when the terrain is easier to cut. The transition from low to high RPMs was smooth and I never felt a lag—even going into the 12” high mess in my neighbor’s backyard.
How is the Battery Life?
Pro Tool Reviews regrets not having had this mower in time for their best battery-powered lawn mower article, but it can still be compared to what we know about existing models. For example, battery performance impressed me when cutting through nearly 1/4 acre of weeds. After using it for that tough 30 minutes, the battery still had 1/2 life remaining. This model came with the 6.0 Ah battery which has a 150 minute charge time and Toro rates as being able to handle 1/3 of an acre. That seems believable based on my use and assuming you keep your lawn maintained.
Mowing a 1/4-acre Zoysia Lawn
I wanted to use the Toro 60V lawnmower next on my 1/4 acre zoysia lawn which called for the bagger. I took the chute off and moved the bag-on-demand lever to the bagging position by pressing the button on the lever in and moving it downward. Lifting the rear deflector up and putting the bag in place was easier than most – the brackets where the bag pins hang are well defined—so it just drops right in place. The Toro handled the zoysia lawn like it wasn’t there. Granted it is easy to mow, but the RPMs and deck were like a perfect vacuum—sucking up the leaves and clippings efficiently. The 1/2 charged battery lasted through the whole yard. While the grass itself is an easy cut (the Flex-Force never felt the need to up the RPMs) It is worth noting that I had to empty the bag twice and the mower was carrying that load itself.
Easy Handle Adjustment
The Washout Port is an ok feature that works modestly well. The weeds that I mowed were dry so the deck didn’t get too dirty. The port just cannot accomplish what lifting the deck up and hosing it out can. What’s more, putting the mower in the vertical-stow position is ideal for hosing out the deck. In this position the mower handle is folded forward onto the mower, locked in place and the mower is lifted to sit on its back. Disengaging the handle locks is easy and makes it convenient to adjust the handle height or put it all the way forward for the vertical-stow position.
Price
The Toro 22” 60V Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is sold both as a bare tool and as a kit. Here are the various configurations:
- Base config: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Push Mower (Bare Tool) – $349
- Base Self-propelled model: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow Personal Pace High Wheel Push Mower (Bare Tool) – $399
- Kit 1: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Push Mower Kit – $499
- Self-propelled kit: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit w/6Ah battery – $559
- Maxxed out self-propelled kit: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit w/7.5Ah battery – $699
Kits include a charger and one (in our case) 6.0 Ah battery for $559. The price is competitive for the 22” deck and performance. For $100 more you can get the same kit with the 7.5 Ah battery. There are multiple retailers carrying this mower, including Home Depot, Ace, and Acme Tools.
Final Thoughts on the Toro 60V Mower
The Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is easy to use, lightweight and durable. The Personal Pace Self-Propel System and simple handle lock set it apart as uniquely painless to use. Compared to most, the innovative, trouble-free utility makes this worth the price difference. For medium to small yards, this is a worthy gas mower replacement.
Thanks for the detailed review, quick question regarding that “personal pace” system. Is it similar to the variable speed trigger found on some of the honda hrx mower, the so-called “smart drive” system?