Lawn Boy vs Toro Lawn Mowers
In the market for a Lawn Boy or Toro lawn mower? Then it might interest you to know that both mower brands are owned by the same company (Toro Company).
The American-based company manufactures a wide range of outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers.
In this article, we attempt a head-to-head comparison of Lawn Boy vs Toro lawn mowers, paying attention to metrics such as cost/price, warranty, design and cutting power.
Ready? Let’s dive right into it:
The Lawn Boy Brand
Lawn Boy products were originally manufactured by the Evinrude Company in 1934 before the takeover by Toro in 1989.
The company is based in Bloomington, Minnesota. Apart from lawn mowers, they also produce tillers and snow blowers.
Since its acquisition by Toro, Lawn Boy has introduced a new lineup of walk-behind mowers and a new category of Zero Radius Turning mowers.
Due to engine emission regulations, Lawn Boy had been forced to stop using their 2-stroke engine that was well-known for its lightweight and simple operation.
Features
Cutting Deck
Lawn Boy mowers are equipped with durable and sturdy cutting decks for efficient mowing on small and medium-sized lawns. The deck sizes of Lawn Boy mowers range from 20-to 50 inches.
Collection, Mulching and Discharge
Lawn Boy mowers can side discharge, mulch or bag via the 3-in-1 option.
Accessories
Lawn boy mowers support a full line of accessories such as a rear bag kit, mulch plug to increase the usability and productivity of the mower.
Easy to Operate
They are easy to use and assemble. For instance, the Lawn Boy 17730 comes with an easy height switching mechanism and quick-start feature for easy mowing operation.
The 17732 model features an operator-centric design that offers user-friendly maintenance.
Cutting Height
Most Lawn Boy mowing machines such as Lawn Boy 17730, Lawn Boy 17732, Lawn Boy 17734 have six cutting heights which can be adjusted from 1.25-3.75 inches to suit your varying needs.
Pros
- Lawn Boy mowers are easy to use.
- They are lightweight and highly maneuverable.
- They are budget-friendly and easy to start.
Cons
- Some users complained about the front height adjustment mechanism of some of their walk-behind mowers.
- A user complained that one of its zero-turn mower (Z320H model) stalls in lush grass
Toro Lawn Mower Brand
Toro is an American company based in Bloomington, Minnesota.
The company designs, manufactures, and markets lawn mowers, snow blowers and irrigation system supplies for agricultural, commercial, residential, and public sector use.
Founded in 1914, the Toro Motor Company was established to manufacture Toro engines for an agricultural tractor manufacturer named The Bull Tractor Company.
The company has built a great reputation for its reliability, durability and exceptional mower design. They are best suited for residential and commercial lawn maintenance.
Toro offers a wide range of lawn mowers such as push lawn mowers, self-propelled mowers, ride-on mowers and mulching mowers.
Features
Capabilities
They have side discharge, mulching and bagging capabilities for a healthy-looking lawn.
Cutting Deck
Toro offers a wide range of deck sizes which range from 22 to 50 inches. This enhances exceptional grass cutting performance on lawns.
Innovative Design
Toro walk-behind mowers are marked by certain features such as a washout port, and quick-stow storage handle for exceptional mowing performance.
Some of its ride-on mowers such as the ToroTimeCutter SS series have additional features such as an automatic parking brake for safety, a dual-drive system and a cup holder.
Wide Variety of Accessories and Attachments
Toro lawn mowers support a host of accessories such as lawn mower cover, lawn striping kit (30”), Toro maintenance kit, twin bagger, mulching kit, bucket holder, additional lights and trimmer mounts.
Engine
Toro lawn mowers are powered by ZX, Honda, Kohler and Kawasaki engines. The horsepower of their engines ranges from 15 HP to 38 HP.
Warranty
Toro lawn mowers come with a 3-year warranty.
Pros
- Toro mowers perform efficiently on uneven terrain.
- They offer commercial-grade, residential-grade and heavy-duty mowing operations.
- They are affordable and long-lasting.
Cons
- Toro mowers can stall in the thick and long grass.
- They do not have adjustable handles.
- Toro models have weak wheel drivers.
Lawn Boy VS Toro Lawn Mowers
Below is a head-to-head comparison of both lawn mower brands:
Average Cost/Price
The price of the Lawn Boy mower ranges from $299 to over $2000.
On the other hand, Toro lawn mowers cost from $269-$20,000. This shows that Toro lawn mowers are more expensive than Lawn Boy mowers.
Design
Lawn Boy walk-behind mowers are equipped with features such as an electric starter, easy height switching mechanism, rear and discharge guard while their zero-turn mowers feature hour meters, Electric PTO clutches, safety interlock switches for optimum mowing performance
Toro’s product design seems to be more attractive as they offer a wide range of features to suit customers’ needs.
They also offer a variety of features for commercial-grade, residential-grade and heavy-duty mowing options.
For instance, Toro 22-inch Personal Pace self-propelled model features a recoil starter, washout port, one-piece adjustable height handle for a smooth mowing experience.
Toro’s electric push mowers come with RunSmart software and an Automatic Drive system to enable you to mow at your pace.
Its ride-on mowers are marked by features such as a suspension system, engine guard, automatic parking brake and cup holder.
Cutting Performance
Most Lawn Boy mowers have a cutting deck size of 20-50 inches while Toro lawn mowers also offer different deck sizes that range from 20-50 inches. Both brands offer similar deck sizes.
Capabilities
Both brands have side discharge, mulching and bagging capabilities.
Warranty
The main difference is their warranty. Lawn boy lawn mowers are backed by a 2-year warranty while Toro mowers are backed by a 3-year warranty.
Weight
Toro lawn mowers are a bit heavier than Lawn Boy lawn mowers.
Conclusion
Both lawn mower brands could be the ideal choice for you, depending on what suits your mowing needs.
Toro has a better warranty package and innovative design. Lawn Boy mowers, on the other hand, are cheaper and lighter.
If you can afford the extra cash, you can go for Toro mowers, especially if you require a high-power output for your heavy-duty mowing job. However, if you have a small budget, Lawn Boy mowers will guarantee you a smooth mowing experience.