IMHO, the Toro SR is one of the best mulchers on the market but might be a tad heavy for your liking. The Honda Quadracut works well but tends to clog in thick grass, the clippings get jammed between the blades.

Thanks canguy, mulching tall grass and leaves is the main objective. Does the Toro SR require a special blade for mulching, or same blade for mulching, bagging and discharging?

'It feels like itÂs froze up when I try to start. I have to break it loose, then it leaks gas out the exhaust and air filter when I pull to start. Once it frees up, it starts.'

Maybe the carb float is stuck and it's leaking gas down into the engine, resulting in hydraulic lock.

'It runs good, smokes more than normal and uses more gas.'

It's a 2-cycle Duraforce. This is typical of an engine running too rich. Again, stuck float and/or clogged inlet valve. It's getting too much gas which makes more smoke because the gas contains oil. If you overhaul the carb, you can probably keep using it.

'I drilled out the main jet'

If that was poorly done, it may be contributing to the over-rich condition.

Ken, the SR doesn't require a blade change for mulching.

Ditto what canguy said about it's mulching capability. Also, at 84 pounds, it's lightweight for a self propelled unit, especially compared to the Honda HRX (about 100 lbs.) and most commercial 21" mowers (over 100 lbs.). I can push mine manually in tight spaces with no trouble.

Hope this helps.

I looked on online at the Toro 20090, 20092, and the 22155. They looked real tempting. Maybe IÂll get one next year (wants vs need).

I ended up getting a new carburetor for the LB. ItÂs back with the same surge as when I purchased it. I did replace the pilot jet with one I had order a few years ago and that helped. At full throttle it runs at 3900 RPM with no surge but IÂll keep it down to 3400- 3600 for normal use.

I may order new jets, float, governor spring, gasket for the old carburetor and drill out the main jet one more time. The surging is a bit annoying on a light load but it doesnÂt surge in a heavy load. I also may just leave it the way it is and use it, or sell next year and try a Toro. It mulched some tall grass today so I know it will get me through fall.

The good news is that it does have compression and is not leaking gas through carburetor or exhaust, and will mulch through heavy grass maintaining its RPMs.

Thanks for the advice.

Ken

The best mulchers I have ever had are 20yr+ old Toros. I think I may have gotten into the 90s with my most recent 20622. Too clunky with RWD to make a good trimmer. But for a small yard , it would be great. I have no clue about newer stuff. But nothing I hear is good. I had a 2 stroke Toro on a steel deck pusher that was great until the coil went. My little LB trimmer is perfect. I mix rich then dose the fuel with MMO, so the smoke smells good.

Kenmc5,

I too have your same Duraforce engine in my two Lawn Boys. I have a LB 10552 (everyday mower) and a like new, LB 22261 (commercial mower in storage, in case the EPA conficates my everyday mower). Also with a Gator blade.

My recommendation for the hot smells: Use one of the synthetic 2 cycle oils to reduce both the smell and smoke. I'm using from my stash of Mobil 1MX2T and Mobil 1Racing2T. It is discontinued but you may be able to find some leftover stuff at AutoZone or your local ExxonMobil Distributor. If not, I have heard others had good success with Amsoil's 2 cycle oils.

I found the Toro Super Recycler mulches excellent but weighs a bit more than you are used to. I traded my Super Recycler in to get the second LB, because my Briggs powered Super Recycler did not have enough power for tall and thick grass. Mine kept stalling out in places the LB's did'nt break a sweat (or rpm).

The perfect mower for me would be a 2 stroke Duraforce engine on a Super Recycler Deck.

I have to say it's tackled some very long thick grass. It leaves a few stragglers but the grass that is cut is chopped into small pieces. It does not bog down. With leaves I actually pull it backwards to chop the leaves better.

Just for fun I still may look around for a good used Toro to see if I like them. Does anyone know if the Toro in this add has the mulching (or atomic) blade?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Toro-Lawnmower-super-recycler_W0QQitemZ270462300926QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef8cf32fe&_trksid=p4011.c0.m14

'but it doesnÂt surge in a heavy load'

Then there's no problem. It's running as-designed.

IÂm actually ready to try something different and IÂm not necessary satisfied with ÂIt's running as-designedÂ. I spend a lot of time mowing by choice. Our lot is 136 x 300 and I push it for exercise and a stress break. Overall this has been a very good mower and I donÂt plan on getting rid of it unless I find another mower that will perform with heavy grass and leaves as this one does.
I have tried the Amsoil oil. The only concern I have with this oil is that you have to make sure it is mixed well. I used a glass mason jar to mix a tank. It took a lot of mixing/shaking to get oil from not sticking to the glass.

The best all around premium residential mower is the Toro SR - I have an earlier SR - the 20038 with an Intek engine. Great mulching combination as it has plenty of power to blast through tall, thick grass. No blade change to switch to bagging. I used my SR for bagging leaves. It works well - but a Snapper Hi-Vac would do a better job. However mulching was my #1 consideration and the Toro was a better deal since it comes ready to mulch and bag.

Personal Pace is not everyone's cup of tea - I like it. I mow alot of grass now and it does not really seem like work to just march along behind old "Big Red".

Unfortunately - you can't get an Intek on a Toro SR any more. But the deck is good enough the Quantum should be fine for almost all applications.

The Intek has one quirk I have read from alot of owners. It is a pain to start hot, especially after 2-3 years of use. Since I mulch 99% of the time I just make sure I don't have to stop....lol.

Jim