[MarkAguglia]

First, really want to keep my mower and continue using it. It's a 1990 Toro VacU-Power that was my grandfather's. He died many years ago and I now live in his house and enjoy caring for his lawn. The mower is awesome and still starts on the first pull every single time.



The problem is, it cannot mulch and it cannot mow tall (3" max). I'm constantly filling garbage cans of grass, 5-6 a week!

I've been considering getting a Super Recycler new and upkeeping it for the next 30 years..or..I found this tonight on Craig's.

https://buffalo.craigslist.org/for/d/toro-mower/6604580489.html

Can I get some thoughts? Its killing me!

 

[g-man]

Get that one and keep the other one.

 

[MarkAguglia]

I would. But.. once I start mowing at 4" and mulching I'll have no use for my baby! Haha I get it...seems ridiculous, but it's my favorite thing I own and love using it. So that's really why I question is mulching THAT important? Could I just add one more app of fert yo make up the difference that mulching adds? The 3" height does look nice I just wonder how the lawn would be if it was 4" or so.

 

[g-man]

Use the old one in the fall. Have you tried mulching with the old one? Just take the bag off and see what happens.

Is it that important to mulch? It depends on your soil and desires. Mulching returns nitrogen, p and K to the soil plus OM. You could replace these with fertilizers. I prefer to mulch since my OM is low.

 

[MarkAguglia]

I tried to mulch with the bag off and it cant keep up with the growth and just clumps and clogs. I mow every other day too! Last summer I was able to mulch with it no problem.

 

[TN Hawkeye]

I agree with g-man. Get a new mower that cuts tall and use your baby in the fall and spring when the mows are around 3". I can tell you that the difference between 3" cuts and 4" cuts will greatly reduce weed pressure and give you a healthier turf. You may need a fungicide if you don't already apply one as that dense turf will keep the soil and canopy moist.

 

[JohnP]

I'm sentimental with things too, sometimes to the annoyance of my wife. So. Two options I can think of.

First is what she would likely tell me, "Your grandpa would probably tell you to treat yourself to a new mower."

If it were me I'd use that mower until either I physically couldn't stand it anymore or it was too financially costly to maintain. Then I would clean it up, take an awesome final picture of the mower in front of my house and get a small copy printed and framed for my desk or wall.

 

[ericgautier]

I tried to mulch with the bag off and it cant keep up with the growth and just clumps and clogs. I mow every other day too! Last summer I was able to mulch with it no problem.

Hmmm... I think spraying PGR is the solution to keep your baby!

 

[Turf Jitsu]

@MarkAguglia That's a nice Toro mower and looks well maintained. I would keep that old one. The Recycler is a great option too. I love mowing with mine.

 

[BC7269]

Why can't you just take the bag off and put a mulching blade on it? :?

 

[Miggity]

I can't tell from the picture, but do you have the clearance to swap out the wheels for larger diameter ones? You would gain half of the diameter increase to your height of cut and keep grandpa's mower. Nice job on maintaining it by the way.

Edit - I missed the self-propelled sticker. Nevermind.

 

[Turfguy93]

I'm sentimental with things too, sometimes to the annoyance of my wife. So. Two options I can think of.

First is what she would likely tell me, "Your grandpa would probably tell you to treat yourself to a new mower."

If it were me I'd use that mower until either I physically couldn't stand it anymore or it was too financially costly to maintain. Then I would clean it up, take an awesome final picture of the mower in front of my house and get a small copy printed and framed for my desk or wall.

+1

 

[MarkAguglia]

I like these ideas. I do need to look into PGR! Using the mower in the spring and fall while mowing taller and mulching in the summer with another mower makes a lot of sense to me! As for the framed photo...I may just frame that photo, hang it up in the garage but still keep using the mower. 😆 I treat this mower like a show car but she's got limitations. Its like having a Bel Air and wanting to win on the drag strip. I can't have it both ways! Lol

 

[social port]

Mark, it sounds like you are already moving in the right direction. Here's my input.

1. That mower is pristine. It is absolutely beautiful. And you got it from your grandfather. You've got to keep it. No room for debate here.
2. Normal people automatically think that one mower is all that is needed. They assume that if you've got one mower, then the need is met. But we know differently, don't we? Mowers are just tools. And tools have a specific purpose; which is to say that you will be in situations in which that tool is the perfect solution. With its low cut and its bagger, that baby is the perfect tool for prep work when overseeding. Isn't that something you will be doing -- perhaps even annually? I think that the Vacu-power is your overseeding and reno mower. Now all that you need is the super recycler: Your lawn maintenance workhorse.
3. The world is best when you have the best of both worlds.

 

[JohnP]

I like the idea of using that mower for specific tasks or events. Maybe before family comes over, first and last mows of the season etcetera.

 

[Colonel K0rn]

That mower was made back when things were quality built, and don't break within a year of buying them. There's a reason why it's still around and in as good of shape as it sits. You should send a picture of it to Toro, and ask them to send you a Super Recycler to compare the cut quality of old vs new. Hell, if they can sponsor LCN, why not you?

@MasterMech tagging you so you see this beaut.

 

[JohnP]

"I'd like to write a detailed review comparing the two mowers built 28 years apart." With the backstory. I'd read that review/watch that YouTube video and likely share it too.

 

[Cory]

I don't have an answer for you but that mower looks amazing for being 28 years old! Hard to believe it's even been used :thumbup:

 

[nclawnguy]

I have that exact same mower from 1989. Was my grandmothers and then my fathers. It was also the first mower I used. Unfortunately it is collecting dust in my garage, hasn't been used by anyone in 10 years. OP is correct, it is great at bagging, but cannot mulch or mow higher than 3". Mower has great sentimental value.

 

[MarkAguglia]

I have that exact same mower from 1989. Was my grandmothers and then my fathers. It was also the first mower I used. Unfortunately it is collecting dust in my garage, hasn't been used by anyone in 10 years. OP is correct, it is great at bagging, but cannot mulch or mow higher than 3". Mower has great sentimental value.

That's awesome. Fixer up! 😁