Thanks Saxman for all your feedback. Got my interest going for more research and questions. I also want to find a dealer where I can check one out. I think the Heavy Duty models are a bit more than I really need especially if I keep my LB for tough areas. After a significant amount reading on the internet sounds like the Toro SR is a great recycler especially if you are keeping up with the growth. I am also looking at a Toro 22155 with the 8 in wheels and high dome deck. The 22156 (or LB version) has good reviews from this site and commercial cutters. I've never had a self propelled mower. My side yard is narrow and when I mow east/west I push forward and pull backwards. My yard is flat. I don't think I've had an 83lb mower before. My LB weighs 70 lbs and I have no problem pushing it as my yard is flat. I would think with 8 inch bearing wheels it would not be bad. I am still pondering a Toro SP vs. push and my question is, if I went with a Toro self propelled personal pace (SR) or a variable speed (SR or commercial), is there a difference between the 2 drives if you want to push/pull the mower for a section of lawn? If you manually push/pull is there more resistance on the SP drive wheels? Any chance on damaging the drive when manually pushing/pulling? Thanks in advance, Ken

My Toro self propelled 22" recycle mower will lose power as I am mowing. Grass is NOT tall and it has new plug and air filter. Electric start will start but not fire up to speed at once, needs to gradually gain RPM. When I begin to mow, as I do reach a little taller grass it does begin to power down. It just doesn't seem to compensate for the load. This happens both in recycle mode and while using the bag. Mower deck has been cleaned and still loses power under load. (Is there a fuel filter ?) Any suggestions are very appreciated.

My first thought is that your primer button isn't working right. Try a very short burst of carb cleaner spray into the carb with the air filter OFF. If it starts right up, you have primer problems. It's been my experience that the Tecumseh carbs mounted on the left side of the engine can be a problem for cold start gas supply. You can remove the bowl nut and nothing comes out. Gently bang the front wheels and the flow starts. Weird problem. Next time it won't start, loosen the bowl nut and see if gas comes out, more gas than just what's in the bowl, I mean.

Fabulous, thanks! The info is greatly appreciated. Now I can rest easy. This is exactly why Gardenweb is just the best place on earth for these kinds of questions. :-)