A lawn mower that drifts left or right isn’t just annoying, it can leave your yard looking uneven and make mowing take longer than it should. If your mower feels like it has a mind of its own or your handles just don’t sit evenly, you’re not alone. These common problems bother both new and experienced operators. The good news is, dialing in the tracking and speed of your zero-turn mower is easier than you might think. With just a few basic tools, a little patience, and this step-by-step guide, you can save yourself a trip to the repair shop and mow like a pro.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know for adjusting the tracking and handle speed on the popular Toro TimeCutter Max 50 Zero Turn lawn mower. These instructions also help troubleshoot similar zero-turn models. Let’s make sure your mower moves the way you want it to.

If your mower veers left or right, or if you notice your mower’s handles are out of line, you’re dealing with a tracking problem. It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that something major is wrong, but often the fix is simple.

Most mower tracking issues come down to one or more of these:

• Uneven handle alignment : Handles don’t sit evenly when pushed forward, making it hard to steer straight.
• Drifting while mowing : Mower pulls to one side, even when handles feel even.
• Operator habits : Many people “peg out” the handles (push them all the way forward to the frame) instead of “floating” them evenly in a comfortable spot.

There’s a myth that your zero-turn’s handles must always rest against the frame while mowing, but that’s not true. Pushing handles all the way forward at all times actually makes it harder to control your mower. Each side’s drive transmission wears in differently, so the perfect straight path you want is always just a bit of a moving target. No zero-turn runs perfectly straight forever. Even the way you hold your shoulders or grip the handles can cause a slight drift.

Pro tip: Before you grab any tools, check your steering habits first. Are your arms relaxed? Are your shoulders even? Sometimes a small change in posture fixes the problem before you make any wrench turns.

If your mower handles aren’t lined up, you’ll have trouble mowing straight, no matter what else you adjust. Uneven handles are a visual clue that your mower may veer or require constant corrections. This is the first thing to check and fix when troubleshooting tracking.

You won’t need anything exotic from the toolbox:

• For newer models : Adjustable knobs under each handle (built-in)
• For older models : 9/16-inch wrench or socket (for the bolts)

A Toro TimeCutter Max 50 has easy-to-turn knobs, but older versions use bolts on a slotted bar.

1. Loosen the Adjustment Points
   • On new mowers: Grab the adjustment knob under each handle.
   • On older mowers: Use your 9/16-inch wrench to loosen the handle bolts. You’ll see these along a slotted metal bar.
2. Push Handles to the Frame
   • Slide both handles forward until they “bottom out” against the mower frame on both sides.
3. Line Up the Handles
   • With both handles pressed forward, check that they sit even with each other. You can eyeball this or use a level for perfectionists.
4. Tighten Handles Securely
   • Tighten the knobs or bolts to lock the handles in place. The cast iron adjustment teeth or the locking bar will help keep everything lined up while you do this.
5. Double-Check for Evenness
   • After tightening, look again to be sure both handles match up.
6. Test
   • Hop on and push both handles forward again. They should hit the frame at the same time and sit evenly.

Quick tip: Even when handles are lined up, your mower may still drift slightly. That’s normal, and now you can make finer adjustments if needed.

It’s tempting to think you’ll get the smoothest ride by always holding the handles at max forward, but that’s just not how zero-turns work. You should float your handles in a relaxed, comfortable spot—not jammed forward. Your arms and shoulders act as the real steering fine-tuners for best mowing results.

Don’t force the handles all the way against the frame at all times during mowing. Let them float where you find it easiest to keep a straight line.

Sometimes, even with handles perfectly lined up, your mower still drifts left or right. This usually means one side’s drive transmission is moving faster than the other. Over time, a little wear, or mowing in the same pattern, or even being left- or right-handed, can create these speed differences.

When this happens, you can use a small Allen wrench to adjust how far each handle moves forward, slowing down the “faster” side just a touch.

• Mower drifts left: The right side is moving too fast.
• Mower drifts right: The left side is moving too fast.

It’s a bit like steering an RC car—if it wants to pull to the left, you need to slow down the right.

Most new zero-turns, like the TimeCutter Max, have a handy adjustment screw on every handle.

What you’ll need: A 3/16-inch Allen wrench.

Here’s what to do:

1. Identify the Adjustment Hole
   • Find the small hole near the base of the handle. This is where the Allen screw sits, limiting how far the handle travels forward.
2. Insert the Allen Wrench
   • Place your wrench into the hole on the side that runs too fast.
3. Turn Clockwise (Tighten)
   • Tighten (righty-tighty) the screw. Each turn pushes a bolt into the frame, which limits the handle’s forward reach.
   • As you turn, you’ll see a small gap form between the handle and the mower frame when it’s pushed all the way forward.
4. Check the Effect
   • Test the handle movement. Slowing this side should make your mower track straighter.
5. Repeat if Needed
   • Make small, careful adjustments. It only takes a little to make a difference!

Small changes here go a long way. Think of this like a “trim” on a remote-control car—a few turns click everything nicely into place.

Some operators love to run both handles wide open, all the way forward. If this is you, any tracking fixes must slow down the faster side—you can’t speed up the slower side without going into more advanced adjustments.

This fix keeps your top speed close to what it was, while making straight mowing much easier.

If you’ve lined up your handles and balanced the lever speeds but the mower still just won’t go straight, there’s a third adjustment. This is at the rear of your mower, linked to the transmission. It’s a bit more advanced and does affect other performance features, like reverse speed.

This is where most owners call in the dealer, but if you’re handy and careful, you can do it at home.

A  Toro TimeCutter Max 50  and similar mowers have a threaded rod that controls how far each handle's lever can move the transmission "forward." Adjusting this rod changes your max forward speed for that side— but any gain in forward speed comes at the expense of your maximum reverse speed. 

If you’re unsure or your tracking problem is stubborn, reach out to your local shop—they work with these linkages all the time and can save you both time and frustration.

Even after you tune everything, the way you operate your mower matters most. Zero-turn mowers “break in” over the first several months, and the way you steer influences how they continue to track.

• Relax your shoulders and wrists: Gentle control works better than fighting the handles.
• Avoid constant handle pegging: Let the handles float in that “happy zone” where tracking feels natural and easy.
• Give it time: Your mower will break in and change a little over the first six months. Hold off on constant adjustments unless you have severe issues.
• Use wide open throttle: Many old-timers run these mowers at half throttle, thinking it’s kinder to the engine. It’s not! Always mow at full throttle for blade speed, charging, and transmission life.
• Adjust speed with the handles, not the throttle: The engine should run at max; the levers determine your ground speed.

Remember: Even a perfectly tuned mower will drift if your hands and arms aren’t in sync. A little operator finesse beats constant mechanical adjustments.

Fixing your mower’s tracking isn’t just about making straight lines; it’s about cutting your work down to size and getting back to enjoying your freshly mowed yard. With these step-by-step adjustments and a few simple operator habits, your mower will feel like new again. Whatever you do, remember that tracking will change over the life of your mower—so checking now and then is part of the job.

Keep your tools at hand, float those handles, and trust your eyes and shoulders as much as the hardware. For more advice, parts, and expert guidance, visit Main Street Mower or check out their video library with helpful how-to’s .

Happy mowing!

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