Toro Timemaster - Video Owner's Manual

So, you've got your shiny new Toro TimeMaster. What can you expect to find in the box?

• Side discharge chute
• A bottle of oil
• The owner's manual

Make sure you have all these goodies before you get started!

Let's get familiar with the TimeMaster's controls, starting with the handle.

See that blue lever on the handle? That's your blade engagement. When you start the mower, the engine will be on, but the blades won't be spinning. To engage them, hit the blue lever – it acts as a safety. Pull the lever down, and you'll hear the blades come to life. Let go, and the blades stop, but the engine keeps running.

That blue feature on the handle isn't just for looks! It's for handle height adjustment. Your handle has a low position, a taller position, and even a vertical storage position. This makes it easy to save space in your garage. You can also loosen the handles to fold it down for compact storage or transport. To make it even smaller, drop the wheels down.

See that other blue lever on the handle? Think of it as your "boost" button. If you're tackling a hill, squeeze it for extra power. You won't have to wait for the Personal Pace system to kick in.

Want to change the height of your cut? The Toro TimeMaster makes it easy. Just use the levers on the wheels. This mower can cut up to four and a half inches high – higher than many 21- or 22-inch mowers on the market.

When you change one side in the front, the other side changes, too. Keep in mind there's more weight in the back. You might need to lift some weight off the mower to adjust the rear wheels easily. The rear axle is spring-loaded, which helps.

Not sure what height each letter corresponds to? Check your manual. Most people set their preferred height and leave it there.

Let's talk about the washout port. What is it, and how do you use it? It's a fitting that allows you to connect your garden hose to the mower deck for easy cleaning.

Here's how to use it:

1. Screw the fitting onto your garden hose.
2. Connect it to the deck.
3. Turn the water on.
4. Start the mower.
5. Engage the blades.

The blades will spin the water around, cleaning the underside of your deck.

When should you use the washout port? It depends on your grass type and where you live. If you live in Florida, where the sand keeps things relatively clean, you might not need it as often. But in other areas with stickier grass, it's a great way to prevent buildup. It's better to wash away wet grass than let it dry and harden on your mower deck.

You'll find a white sticker on your TimeMaster with a five-digit model number and a serial number. This information is unique to your mower and is important for ordering parts or getting service.

There's also a QR code on the sticker. Simply use your smartphone camera to scan the QR code, and a link to the online manual will appear.

The engine is made by Briggs & Stratton, while the rest of the mower is made by Toro. If you need engine parts, you'll need the information printed on the side of the engine. When visiting your dealer, it's a good idea to have both the frame and engine information handy.

Let's get your TimeMaster ready to roll with the right fluids.

Adding Oil: Don't Skip This Step!

Your TimeMaster requires 20 ounces of SAE 30 oil. It's crucial to add the correct amount of oil before starting the engine.

Here's how:

1. Use the dipstick to puncture the foil seal on the oil bottle.
2. Pour the entire bottle into the oil fill tube.

Use the dipstick to check the oil level. The bottom of the dipstick has two holes. The top hole indicates the "full" position. Make sure the oil reaches that level.

Why is this so important? Every year, Main Street Mower sees customers with seized engines because they didn't add enough oil. This amount of oil is essential to lubricate the engine and prevent damage. As the engine runs, the oil gets dirty and loses viscosity, so regular oil changes are a must.

Adding Fuel: What About That Blue Sponge?

Time to add gasoline. You might be wondering about that blue sponge inside the fuel tank. Don't worry, it's supposed to be there! It's designed to catch any debris that falls into the tank. Since it's a gravity fed system, it pulls fuel right off the bottom, so the sponge catches any trash that might make its way down there. It doesn't affect the amount of fuel you can put in.

Make sure your air filter is in place. You should replace it every year or more often if you're mowing in dusty conditions. The spark plug, located under a rubber boot, should also be replaced annually.

Starting the TimeMaster is a breeze. Unlike older engines, there's no primer bulb, choke lever, or on/off switch to worry about. Just pull the rope!

To engage the blades, use the blue lever as explained earlier. And to stop the engine, hold down the black stop button until it fully dies.

The TimeMaster offers three options for handling your grass clippings: mulching, bagging, and side discharge.

Mulching/Recycling: The Default Setting

In its default setting, the TimeMaster is a mulching mower. It chops the clippings finely and returns them to the lawn as fertilizer.

Side Discharge: When You Need to Spread It Out

To switch to side discharge, open the side door and attach the side discharge chute. The spring-loaded door will keep it in place. If the chute gets damaged, replace it immediately to prevent high-speed projectiles from flying out.

Bagging: For a Pristine Lawn

If you prefer bagging, close the side discharge chute and remove the mulch plug in the back. You'll find a handle and thumb release on the plug. Then, attach the bag, lining up the ears on the bag with the slots on the mower. The weight of the grass in the bag will help hold it in place.

Want to keep your TimeMaster running like a champ? Perform an annual service. This includes:

• Changing the air filter
• Changing the oil
• Changing the spark plug
• Sharpening or replacing the blades

Oil Change: Keep It Clean

To change the oil, start the mower and let it run until it's hot. Then, remove the oil dipstick and place an oil pan underneath the fill tube. Tip the mower over to drain the oil.

Important: Always tip the mower to the right side (the side with the dipstick) to prevent oil from getting into the air filter and carburetor. If oil gets in there, you'll experience smoking and coughing, and you might need a new air filter.

Air Filter & Spark Plug: Breathe Easy

Replacing the air filter and spark plug is straightforward. Just remove the old ones and install the new ones. Be careful when removing the spark plug to avoid cross-threading.

Blade Maintenance: Sharpness Matters

To sharpen or replace the blades, you'll need to remove them. The bolts are regular thread (righty tighty, lefty loosey). You can use a piece of wood to hold the blades in place while you loosen the bolts. Or, if you want to get fancy, use a lithium-powered impact wrench.

The blades are timed so that they don't hit each other. When you remove the blades, you'll notice a spacer sleeve with two little holes. Make sure to orient the blades correctly when you reinstall them. And if you are going to sharpen your blade, Main Street Mower has additional resources to teach you how!

That's it! You're now equipped with the knowledge to master your Toro TimeMaster. Thank you for reading!

Do you have any questions? Leave them in the comment section below. And don't forget to like and subscribe to the Main Street Mower channel for more helpful videos! Got a product you want us to cover? Let us know!

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