Can I Hang My Push Mower: All You Should Know
If you have a lawn and take care of it yourself, you must have a couple of tools that you store in your garage or wherever you have some space. But some items can take up plenty of space and will add up fast (if you don’t know how to store them optimally). If you are trying to save some room and improve the effectiveness of the usage you make of your space, you might be wondering: “Can I hang my push mower?”
And there is nothing wrong with this question. After all, some objects are bulkier than others, and you might want to look for ways to optimize your space.
And if you have a lawnmower, you know it can occupy a lot of room. But will it store it in a vertical position ruin it? And what other options do you have at your disposal that you must consider?
You are in the right place to find out! Indeed, here we collected our recommendations to store your push mower to optimize your space (and avoid damaging your mower in the process). Are you curious? Keep on reading then!
Storing a Push Mower: Our Tips
We all know that lawnmowers are bulky. And if you don’t have much space at your disposal, hanging it somewhere might be your best option to optimize it. However, the vertical storage of this kind of equipment might damage it. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations.
The disadvantages of hanging up your mower
Unless your push mower is suitable for hanging, avoid doing it. Storing your mower in a vertical position might cause fuel and oil to drip into the engine, which might cause you plenty of headaches when you need to use it.
Should You Store a Weedeater Vertical or Horizontal?
You might experience difficulties starting the machine or even deal with potential engine damage that might (in the long run) ruin your mower.
Mowers that can hang
But if you have a mower that does well vertically, go ahead. Examples include the TORO Smart Stow lawnmower: its storage also reduces leaks and minimizes the product’s footprint.
The sample applies to the electric Snapper XD. We recommend you to store your mower vertically only if the owner’s manual states it.
How to store your lawnmower
If it doesn’t, you should store your mower on flat ground. But if you don’t have other options, you can drain all the liquids to avoid leakage and then hang it.
However, it is always better not to do so because you might encounter problems.
Storing outdoors
But what if you don’t have enough space to store your push mower in your garage? You may be able to place it outside, but you’ll need to take precautions.
Don’t forget that mowers aren’t weatherproof: you must store them somewhere you can protect them from moisture. Locating it under a shed (or indoors) is a better idea.
But if those aren’t options for you, put it under a patio or a gazebo, better if on an elevated location. You will have to add extra protection against snow and rain (if necessary).
Use a heavy-duty cover to protect your equipment against the weather elements. But don’t forget to leave some ventilation to prevent the formation of mold, mildew, or rust.
Putting your mower away for winter
If you are storing your mower for the winter, you must take other measures. To begin with, add some fuel stabilizer to the tank to prevent the gas from spoiling (yes, even gasoline has a shelf life).
Before storing, run the engine for at least five minutes to make the product circulate. If you don’t want to get a stabilizer, empty the fuel tank: turn on the mower until it goes off and keep doing that until your mower won’t start: that’s the saying you have drained all the gas from it.
If you own an electric push mower, take the batteries out and charge it completely. Don’t forget to clean your mower to remove the dirt and debris.
Wipe the exterior with a moist cloth to ensure it stays clean over the winter. Also, don’t forget to lubricate your mower: check your product’s instruction manual to learn how to do it properly.
Ensure the air filters aren’t clogged and replace them if you need to. Minimize possible damage by tightening loose bolts and fasteners.
Can I Hang My Push Mower: The Bottom Line
So, in essence, you shouldn’t hang your push mower: it will unnecessarily damage it. Always follow the instructions you find in the manual and store them in a cool and dry place to minimize risks.
Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Review
Caring for a 1/4-acre zoysia lawn may not seem very demanding—but I care about cut quality. Using the Toro 60V self-propelled lawn mower gave me the opportunity to compare against both gas mowers and other electric models. Having used both types on the property, I have certain expectations. The Personal Pace Self-Propel System and simple handle lock set the Toro 60V mower apart as uniquely painless to use. Compared to most, its innovative, trouble-free utility makes this worth the up-front price difference inherent in battery-powered lawnmowers. For medium to small yards, this battery-powered mower is a worthy replacement for your gas model.
Key Takeaways
- Personal Pace self-propel system works very well
- Adequate run-time for 1/4-acre lawns or more
- Plenty of power to cut zoysia and even tall weeds
- Compact vertical storage
- Priced from 499 to 699 depending on whether you buy the bare mower or the maxed out kit with 7.5Ah battery
Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Build Quality
When I first picked up the 60V Max Toro Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower I was surprised by how light it was overall despite the 22” metal deck. After ensuring the battery had a full charge I set my sights on my neighbor’s overgrown 1/4 acre back yard. The metal deck and the weight that does come with it was helpful in keeping the machine on track through the thick weeds.
Earlier electric mowers, with plastic decks, might float a little and cause an uneven cut. While heavier than plastic, the mower is still nimble enough that my 12-year-old son took a few laps with it and remarked at how light it was. The steel deck will also last longer than plastic, which wears faster and breaks easier.
Height Adjustment
For the overgrown weed lawn I used the chute with the Bag-on-Demand lever set to the recycling position. This lever makes it super-easy to switch between bagging and mulching. This feature—in our opinion—should be standard on all mowers. Imagine not having to store (or lose) another removable mulch plug!
I set the cutting height to 1 3/4 inches. The cutting heights available range from 1 inch to 4 inches with seven stops/half stops between. Each wheel is independently adjustable which is a slight downside when you are as lazy as me. The upside is durability increases as there are less moving parts to break.
What Is Toro Recycler Smart Stow Lawn Mower?. Ace Hardware
This Mower Starts Much Easily Than Gas
Starting up the Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower was somewhat intuitive and assisted by the quick start guide on the handle.
After inserting the battery, I held the blade control bar and pressed the electric-start button and off it went.
Much more natural is the Personal Pace Self-Propel System. It is a feature across the Toro line up of self-propelled mowers. As you push forward/down on the handle it propels the mower forward. The harder you push/the further down you push, the faster the mower goes. Simple and effortless speed control makes it so easy!
How It Feels (Power) Compared to Gas
The Flex-Force power system was seamless in its power delivery when the weeds got really thick. The system is always sensing the resistance the blade is encountering and ramps up the RPMs for the tougher stuff and dials them down to conserve energy when the terrain is easier to cut. The transition from low to high RPMs was smooth and I never felt a lag—even going into the 12” high mess in my neighbor’s backyard.
How is the Battery Life?
Pro Tool Reviews regrets not having had this mower in time for their best battery-powered lawn mower article, but it can still be compared to what we know about existing models. For example, battery performance impressed me when cutting through nearly 1/4 acre of weeds. After using it for that tough 30 minutes, the battery still had 1/2 life remaining. This model came with the 6.0 Ah battery which has a 150 minute charge time and Toro rates as being able to handle 1/3 of an acre. That seems believable based on my use and assuming you keep your lawn maintained.
Mowing a 1/4-acre Zoysia Lawn
I wanted to use the Toro 60V lawnmower next on my 1/4 acre zoysia lawn which called for the bagger. I took the chute off and moved the bag-on-demand lever to the bagging position by pressing the button on the lever in and moving it downward. Lifting the rear deflector up and putting the bag in place was easier than most – the brackets where the bag pins hang are well defined—so it just drops right in place. The Toro handled the zoysia lawn like it wasn’t there. Granted it is easy to mow, but the RPMs and deck were like a perfect vacuum—sucking up the leaves and clippings efficiently. The 1/2 charged battery lasted through the whole yard. While the grass itself is an easy cut (the Flex-Force never felt the need to up the RPMs) It is worth noting that I had to empty the bag twice and the mower was carrying that load itself.
Easy Handle Adjustment
The Washout Port is an ok feature that works modestly well. The weeds that I mowed were dry so the deck didn’t get too dirty. The port just cannot accomplish what lifting the deck up and hosing it out can. What’s more, putting the mower in the vertical–stow position is ideal for hosing out the deck. In this position the mower handle is folded forward onto the mower, locked in place and the mower is lifted to sit on its back. Disengaging the handle locks is easy and makes it convenient to adjust the handle height or put it all the way forward for the vertical–stow position.
Price
The Toro 22” 60V Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is sold both as a bare tool and as a kit. Here are the various configurations:
- Base config: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Push Mower (Bare Tool) – 349
- Base Self-propelled model: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow Personal Pace High Wheel Push Mower (Bare Tool) – 399
- Kit 1: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Push Mower Kit – 499
- Self-propelled kit: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit w/6Ah battery – 559
- Maxxed out self-propelled kit: Toro 22″ 60V MAX Smartstow High Wheel Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit w/7.5Ah battery – 699
Kits include a charger and one (in our case) 6.0 Ah battery for 559. The price is competitive for the 22” deck and performance. For 100 more you can get the same kit with the 7.5 Ah battery. There are multiple retailers carrying this mower, including Home Depot, Ace, and Acme Tools.
Final Thoughts on the Toro 60V Mower
The Toro 60V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is easy to use, lightweight and durable. The Personal Pace Self-Propel System and simple handle lock set it apart as uniquely painless to use. Compared to most, the innovative, trouble-free utility makes this worth the price difference. For medium to small yards, this is a worthy gas mower replacement.
Toro Smartstow Recycler 22-Inch 60V MAX Electric Lawn Mower Review
In the summer of 2020 I reviewed the Toro 22 (56cm) 60V MAX Electric Battery Smartstow Personal Pace High Wheel Mower (20363) over the course of a couple of months. That’s an extremely long name for such a simple piece of machinery, but absolutely necessary when it comes to the testing of a tool that can take considerable wear and tear damage over time. With the Flex-Force Power System (plug-and-play rechargeable batteries and charger), 22-inch blade for mowing, and a tenacious yard of summertime grass, I ran this mower through the paces more than a few times.
Lawnmower on Batteries
Before I got this lawn mower in from Toro, they sent over a leaf blower that uses the same battery system. Both devices have the same connection points for the battery system, and both come with the same battery charger. The battery for the mower is quite a bit larger than that of the blower, but both batteries work interchangeably between machines.
I have approximately 0.17 acres of grass to cut every week – sometimes I can stretch it to a week and a half. With this mower’s 60V battery, I can cut this area of land without a recharge – just so long as the battery is fully charged before I begin. Toro suggested that I should be able to mow a full 1/3 acre with a full battery charge – and that seems about accurate, based on my couple of months of tests.
This lawn mower’s wheels can adjust to several different cut levels, as all good personal lawn mowers should. The system with which each wheel is adjusted is rather rudimentary. If this mower were as heavy as your average gas mower, adjusting the wheels might be a bit more of a chore. Since this mower is surprisingly light, adjusting each of the wheels is easy enough for any adult to handle.
While the mower feels light, it’s largely made of steel and tough plastic. The entirety of the deck is steel, each of the wheels is plastic. Every part of this mower feels like Toro hit a sweet spot: not too light as to feel cheap, rugged enough to stand the test of time.
Fold up and clean cut
This mower can fold up and sit upright. With Toro’s SmartStow Technology, the company’s engineered the mower so the handle folds down and the entire machine can sit upright, like a dog begging for a treat. This mower requires a LOT less space in the garage than any other mower I’ve ever worked with before.
The bagging system with this mower works great – but it’s the bagless mowing setup that makes me feel like this mower is a true winner. Toro’s got a special feature brand for this, too: Toro Recycler Cutting Technology. Whatever it’s doing, it’s doing right.
Recycler in effect
With the back door closed, I’ve mowed my lawn for weeks without needing any substantial mower cleaning. I grew up using a Toro cutter released in the early 1980s, and even when bagging, grass buildup was an occasional issue. Toro seems to have worked out all the kinks in the past several decades – this mower cuts both cleanly and efficiently.
The mower works with a Personal Pace Self-Propel System, which means it’s able to travel at several speeds. Pushing the mower feels natural to the point that it almost feels like the machine is weightless.
This, too, is a major improvement over early self-propelled mower madness. Back when I was a kid, a self-propelled mower meant you’d start the mower, pull up the bar, and hold on for dear life. The mower I used as a kid went ONE speed: Too fast. Here in modernity, Toro’s self-propelled mower system adjusts based on how hard you’re pushing the handle, so it all goes according to your own pace.
Enjoyment Factor
Perhaps the most important part of this entire situation is the mower’s entertainment value. This is of the utmost importance if you’re considering buying a lawn mower that you’ll be convincing your kids to use. Imagine their surprise when they find themselves enjoying the experience, from pushing the big blue start button to replacing the beastly battery to folding the machine up to sleep in the shed.
Battery Life for Larger Yards
If you have a yard larger than 1/3 acre, you might want to consider buying a second battery. OR, if you’re in the market for any other yard equipment, there’s a bunch of other Toro machines in the same Flex-Force Power System. Charge one battery while you’re mowing with the other and you’ll never run out of battery.
If only the battery charged up a bit faster. That’s probably my only major issue with the mower: The speed of the battery charger. It’s not particularly fast. It’s likely my perception of a fast battery charge is largely skewed thanks to smartphone companies pushing speeds for their tiny mobile batteries to the limit – but a faster charge would be nice, nonetheless.
The Flex-Force Power System battery charger included with this mower has light indicators and its own built-in fan to keep the system from overheating. A combination of this charger, plugging in batteries with the mower, and the blower, the entire Flex-Force Power System made me feel like a Ghostbuster.
Wrap-up
If you’re considering spending up to and including the price this lawn mower costs in stores today, you’ll get your money’s worth. At the point at which this review was first published, the Toro 22 (56cm) 60V MAX Electric Battery SMARTSTOW Personal Pace High Wheel Mower (20363) had a price of MSRP 570 USD. Assuming this mower will last you a half-decade at least, that price is right on the money.
With a brushless motor under the hood and no indication that any of the parts are anything but rugged enough to last for years, this mower is easily one of the best pieces of outdoor power / lawn equipment I’ve ever used.