Get your Toro commercial mower running again

[@tomlewis3658]

I just found this video today, and it was an excellent save. It reminds me of my 1987 Snapper Hi-Vac mower, with a B&S Max engine. It was abandoned in the mid-90's (and I have had it ever since). It was hard starting, for the same reason as this Suzuki engine - the last part of the travel of the throttle control has to flip the choke plate completely closed, or else starting it will be a lot of trouble. After several years of cleaning & keeping the linkage and cable lubed, I finally just replaced the throttle cable assembly. Stens had one that is a very good match to the original, and ever since, the cable has enough force to push the choke plate closed consistently, just like this repair. It's a nice bonus when you find one like this and can make such a big improvement.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Tom Lewis and yes, sometimes replacing the part, is the best option.

[@lukeWiz44]

Another video on this old commercial? Awesome!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

This is a different one. Thanks for the comment I appreciate it

[@RussellBooth1977]

I would clean the transmission for peace of mind because that's just me,I tend to like keeping my stuff that way !

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

That's a very good idea.

[@dagorithe]

Sitto. My thoughts also.

[@rabbitfootedkitty1339]

INSIDE HOUSE GARAGE I would restore the entire mower: Tare everything down, service every inch, paint it, and put it back together. I love this thing so much.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

@@rabbitfootedkitty1339 how much would that cost do you think?

[@smallengines1018]

No do not clean the transmission if you get water or something inside it it will stop working.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Eric, I would definitely have cleaned under that cover for the same reason that others mentioned - oxidation from retained moisture under grass clippings. I would also have cleaned because I want to examine every part of a machine to confirm there are no fasteners working loose and to lubricate any moving parts. I’d have checked the play on the drive belt pulley as well. Also, since the air filter housing and control cable were off I would have removed, cleaned and rebuilt the carb the carb just to know that this machine probably wouldn’t need any work for quite a while.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make a good point

[@billdeblaey6078]

Yes, clean under the cover, it only takes a minute. Plus, grass, dirt, and twigs can get into places and cause malfunctions. Great mower BTW!!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thanks for the tips!

[@marklang5169]

More important concern imho Is the dirt getting past the foam air filter. Foam appears to not be oiled. Mower sounds like it runs awesome now that you fixed the cable issue.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and yes the foam filter needs to be oiled definitely

[@jeffsnodgrass9747]

Since I had the cover removed I would have taken a few minutes to clean the dirt before re-installing the throttle cable. It looked like the end of the cable went through the dirt when you pushed it through the drive area which may introduce dirt into the new cable. Since you had cleaned the rest of the mower prior to working on it, I would have done the drive area also. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. You asked. :)

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks for your insight.

[@DevonFerguson.]

I just brought a mower like this, it’s a side discharge deck which I think is rare. Ordered a primer, missing the filter cover. Runs good but too fast probably a spring needs adjustment. I might make a mulch plug for it, more likely to use it for mulching.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice purchase!

[@marttrev4279]

The primer bulb is the same as on a Toro snowblower. A good trick is to soak the new bulb in hot water for a few minutes before you put it on. It makes it pliable and easier to install.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks!

[@marklang5169]

Really enjoy your vids!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Mark Lang

[@garymarkham4167]

Gday mate from Australia...Really enjoy your thoughtful videos.I appreciate the base will not rust but while you had access I would have cleaned out the area mentioned...a workshop vacuum and brush would have done the job...I guess you dont want to give a bed to mice and maybe catching alight. Cheers my friend.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Gary Markham, I appreciate the tip. And Hello Australia!

[@MixingGBP]

I would have done a light cleaning...remove whatever I could by hand and then take a leaf blower and carefully blow out whatever I could. Inspect my work and then button it back up. Probably 2 or 3 minutes of work for me. Another reason to clean it is I found that the old grass can be a home for bugs. I cleaned and lubed my wheels today and when I removed the grass from them, about 10,000 of the teeny, tiniest bugs I'd ever seen came out of the grass and started crawling everywhere.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct

[@WJCTechyman]

Those little Suzukis, 2 and 4 stroke were my favourite part of Toro’s mowers, I just didn’t like Toro mowers. Toro’s snow blowers, however I love. Well, the vintage ones.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@999thenewman]

Just make sure the belt and pulley are clear of debris and you're good. Nice job on this repair. Please tell me you're all done with this commercial Toro.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

For the season yes and this isn't the same one from my other channel

[@999thenewman]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Thank goodness! :D I mixed them up. I forgot you had a personal collection.

[@brucecoleman7412]

My OCD kicked in at the sight of the grass and dirt under that cover. It may not hurt anything now, but what if it gets wet? It’s gotta go!

[@BoomeritoBremsen]

Some parts could benefit cleaning, either for heat, wear or corrosion reasons (as grass and dirt retain water). Commercial machines I wouldnt clean it other than necessary components, for regular folks i would detail it with a trusty degreaser and a good buff with fluid film, and spray dry graphite underneath the deck (without Teflon/silicone) so the grass doesnt stick. In other words it is good practice to clean where you have worked, dont forget, the little things add up.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Excellent point

[@BoomeritoBremsen]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE sorry should of clarified, commercial I wouldnt clean the exterior looks. Best of luck in your future ventures.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

@@BoomeritoBremsen thank you I appreciate it.

[@ws6780]

A clean well maintained mower will last longer with less problems.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

true!

[@armyvet4081]

It never hurts to clean stuf

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Yes you are correct about that

[@Dave7160]

that is cool that you found the Toro with the Suzuki engine on it that is my dreams lawn mower to own one day either that or a Honda lawn mower, still great video keep up the great work.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I appreciate it.

[@marttrev4279]

Id like to get my hands on one of these!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too!

[@Patrick4959]

i would have cleaned up the dirt under the belt cover as it will extend the life of the belt and cable to the choke and governor linkage assembly and pulley that is linked the the crankshaft pulley

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

That's so very true.

[@GeneG-wk2mz]

Excellent video where do you get your parts and

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I usually get them from Ereplacementparts dot com

[@unisol2287]

Don’t worry about the answers life is good

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Sometimes I forget about that

[@dominoespizza1756]

I've seen the same problem on Chinese hondas but normally it's the little plate that bends out of shape

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Which model is the Chinese model so i can look out for them?

[@dominoespizza1756]

They're the clone models they are the same as the hondas just made in China they sell them under many different names I know in Australia some names the go by is lawn beetle and sanli

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

okay so it's not a real Honda sold in stores. I'll look up the ones you mentioned. Thanks

[@michaelfowler6007]

You should clean dirt and grass out under transmision

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Yes you're right, I should have cleaned it.

[@pat9112]

Do you ever work on snowblowers?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Unfortunately no. There's not much of a need where I live.

[@smallengines1018]

How many times have you had to fix that mower

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

This is not the same mower from before. The front of this deck had paint missing. I think I worked on this one a year or 2 before.

[@smallengines1018]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE oh OK cause I follow your other channel home garage and I always see those Toro mowers on that channel

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

@@smallengines1018 yes at the age they're at they're getting to be problematic

[@timfoster7979]

I have one of these and have a problem of gas mixture leaking from air cleaner while engine is off and parked. Any thought of what causes this?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure, there might be debris between the seat and needle allowing fuel to seep past and causing a very slow leak.

[@melvinthemechanic]

Can you get back to the old McChulloch chainsaw or maby do a video on a old chainsaw

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'll definitely try but its tough finding parts for them

[@melvinthemechanic]

Yea thanks for the answer

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

@@melvinthemechanic no problem

[@gearhead366]

I would have cleaned the dirt from under the cover. That dirt may have concealed some other problems.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that's a good idea

[@christianlarsen717]

Wouldn't clean it before I knew if it would ever work properly

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

That makes sense

[@williamsnow1531]

I would of cleaned the dirt for the amount of time it would of took.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

That makes sense

[@richardtaylor9798]

I don’t think you were being lazy by not cleaning the trans area because at that point you were still trying to find out what else may needed to be fixed. I would have left it uncovered until the mower was operational and afterwards given it a quick blast with the pressure washer.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Richard Taylor

[@MrSHAUNE55]

I would have cleaned it, it's only a five minute job and then it will take longer for it to build back up again. As it is more dirt will stick to it easier and build up quicker.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

That's a very good point. Thanks for the comment I appreciate it

[@eathans_small_engines8665]

How does the ones with the hole work?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

are you talking about the primer?

[@eathans_small_engines8665]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE yes

[@billylawerance3108]

It would take no time to clean, so my question to you is why not?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Very true

[@mcfriedchicken1972]

Idk why but youtube unsubscribed me from your channel, I was wondering why your videos never showed up on my feed

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thats weird. Thanks for subscribing

[@WeonlyFunkin]

🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thanks for the comment

[@cliffordbaker8016]

Clean it because it can retain moisture and rust over time

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Very true

[@willie2938]

Yeah, I have to say I would have cleaned it to the best of my ability... Dirt and sand, What is the first word in Sandpaper? And what does sandpaper do? It cuts through stuff...

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very true.