Toro 20353 - User Manual

This document describes the Toro 22in Recycler® Lawn Mower, Model No. 20353-Serial No. 316000001 and Up, a rotary-blade, walk-behind lawn mower designed for residential homeowners. Its primary function is cutting grass on well-maintained residential lawns. It is explicitly not designed for cutting brush or for agricultural uses.

Function Description

The Toro 22in Recycler® Lawn Mower is a walk-behind machine that cuts grass using a rotary blade. It is powered by an engine and offers a self-propel drive system to assist the user during operation. The mower is capable of recycling grass and leaf clippings back into the lawn, bagging them for collection, or side-discharging them.

Usage Features

General Operation:

Starting and Stopping: The engine is started by holding the blade-control bar against the handle and pulling the recoil-start handle. Releasing the blade-control bar stops the engine and blade within 3 seconds.
Self-Propel Drive: The machine features a self-propel drive system, allowing the user to walk with their hands on the upper handle and elbows at their sides, and the machine will automatically keep pace.
Traction-Assist Handle: For more precise speed control, especially when turning tight corners, going up hills, or mowing at maximum speed, a traction-assist handle is provided. Squeezing the two handles together adjusts the ground speed, and releasing it stops the traction assist.
Cutting Height Adjustment: The cutting height can be adjusted as desired, with front and rear wheels set to the same height. The settings range from 25 mm (1 inch) to 102 mm (4 inches).
Handle Height Adjustment: The handle can be raised or lowered to one of two positions for user comfort.

Clipping Management:

Recycling Clippings: The mower is factory-ready to recycle grass and leaf clippings back into the lawn. If the grass bag is attached and the bag-on-demand lever is in the Bagging position, it must be moved to the Recycling position. If the side-discharge chute is on, it must be removed.
Bagging Clippings: For collecting grass and leaf clippings, the grass bag can be installed. The bag-on-demand lever must be in the Bagging position.
Side-Discharging Clippings: For cutting very tall grass, a side-discharge chute can be installed. If the grass bag is on and the bag-on-demand lever is in the Bagging position, it must be moved to the Recycling position.

Operating Tips:

Mowing Conditions: It is recommended to clear the area of debris before mowing and avoid striking solid objects. Mowing should only occur in dry conditions, as wet grass or leaves can cause slipping and contact with the blade.
Grass Cutting Technique: Cut only about a third of the grass blade at a time. For tall grass (over 15 cm or 6 inches), mow at the highest setting first, then mow again at a lower setting. Alternate mowing direction for even fertilization.
Leaf Cutting: For cutting leaves, ensure half of the lawn shows through the cut leaf cover. For more than 13 cm (5 inches) of leaves, set the front cutting height 1 or 2 notches higher than the rear. Slow down mowing speed if leaves are not cut finely enough.

Safety Features:

Safety Decals: Important safety and instructional decals are located near potential danger areas.
Guards and Safety Devices: All guards and safety protective devices, such as deflectors and/or grass catcher, must be in place and working properly during operation.
Blade Safety: The blade is sharp; users are warned to keep hands and feet away from moving components and to disconnect the spark-plug wire before servicing.
Thrown Object Hazard: Bystanders should be kept at a safe distance, and the engine stopped before leaving the operating position. Debris should be picked up before mowing.
Slope Operation: Mow across the face of slopes, not up and down. Extreme caution is advised when changing direction on slopes. Avoid excessively steep slopes, drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
Fuel Safety: Fuel is extremely flammable and explosive. Users are instructed to fill the tank outdoors with a cold engine, avoid smoking or open flames, and store fuel in approved containers out of reach of children.
California Proposition 65 Warning: The product contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, and the engine exhaust contains such chemicals.
Spark Arrester Warning: The engine is not equipped with a spark arrester muffler, and its operation may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation. Local fire agencies should be contacted for regulations.

Maintenance Features

Recommended Maintenance Schedule:

Before Each Use or Daily: Check engine-oil level, ensure the engine stops within 3 seconds of releasing the blade-control bar, and clean grass clippings and dirt from under the machine.
Yearly: Service the air filter (more frequently in dusty conditions), replace or sharpen the blade (more frequently if the edge dulls quickly), clean the air-cooling system (more frequently in dusty conditions), and refer to the engine owner's manual for additional yearly maintenance procedures.
Yearly or Before Storage: Empty the fuel tank.

Specific Maintenance Procedures:

Engine Oil: The engine does not come with oil but includes a bottle. Max fill is 0.53 L (18 oz) of SAE 30 detergent oil with an API service classification of SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, or higher. The oil level should be checked before each use and added as needed. Changing the engine oil is not required but can be done by draining used oil from the oil-fill tube after warming the engine.
Air Filter: The air filter should be serviced yearly. This involves un-clipping the cover, removing the filter, inspecting it (replacing if excessively dirty, otherwise gently tapping to loosen debris), and then reinstalling.
Blade Replacement: The blade should be examined whenever gasoline runs out and replaced if damaged, cracked, dull, or nicked. A torque wrench is required for proper installation. The curved ends of the blade must point toward the machine housing.
Cleaning Under the Machine: For best results, the underside of the machine should be cleaned soon after mowing. This involves lowering the cutting height, washing out the area under the rear deflector with a garden hose attached to the washout port, running the engine to clear clippings, and then running the engine for a few minutes to dry the underside.
Self-Propel Drive Adjustment: If a new self-propel cable is installed or the drive is out of adjustment, the cable tension can be adjusted using the knob. Pushing the cable toward the engine increases traction, and pulling it away decreases traction.

Storage:

Preparation for Storage: On the last refueling of the year, fuel stabilizer should be added. Any unused fuel should be disposed of properly. The machine should be run until it stops from running out of fuel to ensure the tank is dry. The spark plug wire should be disconnected, 30 ml (1 oz) of oil added through the spark-plug hole, and the starter rope pulled slowly several times to distribute oil. The spark plug is then loosely installed. All nuts, bolts, and screws should be tightened.
Removing from Storage: Check and tighten all fasteners. Remove the spark plug and spin the engine rapidly to blow excess oil. Install and tighten the spark plug. Perform any maintenance procedures. Check the engine-oil level. Fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Storage Location: Store the machine in a cool, clean, dry place. Do not store gasoline for more than 30 days or the machine near an open flame. Allow the engine to cool before storing.

Toro 20353 Specifications

General

Drive System	Rear-Wheel Drive
Deck Material	Steel
Mulching Capability	Yes
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Start Type	Recoil
Engine Type	4-Cycle
Cutting Height Positions	9
Bagging Capability	Yes
Side Discharge Capability	Yes
Cutting Width	22 inches
Cutting Height	1.0 - 4.0 in (2.5 - 10 cm)
Wheel Size	Front: 8 in (20 cm) / Rear: 11 in (28 cm)
Fuel Tank Capacity	0.25 gal (1 L)