My grandfather bought a new Toro and offered me his older one. He, being one to purchase machinery of quality, bought a new recycling model for his yard, which was quite small. That's why I was so pleased to receive the older model, because it was basically, brand new.
The mower was in tiptop shape. I've read different guides to lawnmower care and maintenance and have even ran my own lawn-care company that say you shouldn't, but he swore that by turning it over on its side (oil side up), that hosing the under-deck off with water helped immensely in it's preservation. While he never sprayed the engine (as that could be disastrous on the hot iron cylinder head), he always sprayed it and left it in the sun to dry. I have to admit that I continued this practice when I got the used model.
Toro has been offering high-quality machinery for some time. Newer models, which my grandfather adored, came with a 5-year residential warranty. That's more than double other competitors. And, the newer systems have what's been patented as a Personal Pace Drive System. And, in the small yard, grandpa liked to give back, or recycle, to the grass, which kept it looking strangely like a golf course.
With most of its push mowers cutting around the 21-inch mark with an optional 6.75-horsepower engine, it's no surprise that I got handed the Toro of yesteryear. The deck itself is made of cast-aluminum (as long as it's not the cylinder heads, we're ok with that). The cast aluminum sounds fancy, but it's a roughly durable metal with one thing in- mind, being lightweight. With the engine being a bit bulky, the deck makes up for it and allows the user to push (or use its Personal Pace Drive) with ease.
One thing that I wished the Toro did have was a self-starting system with battery. The recoil system is slowly losing popularity, especially with those who've always stuck by Toro's side and are not quite capable of pulling the starter pulley as they once did.
Again, the old Toro that I've inherited runs like a beauty. I've continued using it for five years, which makes it pretty well an elderly mower. Perhaps it, like me, will be able to retire someday into some well-deserved lawn care company's arms!