Flex-Force Power System™ 60V MAX 21in Recycler® Lawn Mower with SmartStow®

This rotary-blade, walk-behind lawn mower is intended to be used by residential homeowners. It is designed primarily for cutting grass on well-maintained lawns on residential properties. It is not designed for cutting brush or for agricultural uses.

It is designed to use Toro Flex-Force lithium-ion battery pack Models 88660 (provided with Model 21356); it can also use battery pack Models 88620, 88625, 88640, 88650, or 88675. These battery packs are designed to be charged only by battery charger Models 88602 (provided with Model 21356), 88605, or 88610. Using these products for purposes other than their intended use could prove dangerous to you and bystanders.

Model 21356T does not include a battery or a charger.

Read this information carefully to learn how to operate and maintain your product properly and to avoid injury and product damage. You are responsible for operating the product properly and safely.

Visit www.Toro.com for more information, including safety tips, training materials, accessory information, help finding a dealer, or to register your product.

Whenever you need service, genuine the manufacturer parts, or additional information, contact an Authorized Service Dealer or the manufacturer Customer Service and have the model and serial numbers of your product ready. Figure 1 identifies the location of the model and serial numbers on the product. Write the numbers in the space provided.

Important: With your mobile device, you can scan the QR code on the serial number decal (if equipped) to access warranty, parts, and other product information.

Figure 1

1. Model and serial number location

This manual identifies potential hazards and has safety messages identified by the safety-alert symbol (Figure 2), which signals a hazard that may cause serious injury or death if you do not follow the recommended precautions.

Figure 2

Safety-alert symbol

This manual uses 2 words to highlight information. Important calls attention to special mechanical information and Note emphasizes general information worthy of special attention.

For assistance, please see www.Toro.com/support for instructional videos or contact 1-888-384-9939 before returning this product.

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING—When using an electric machine, always read and follow basic safety warnings and instructions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury, including the following:

I. Training

1. The operator of the machine is responsible for any accidents or hazards occurring to others or their property.

2. Do not allow children to use or play with the machine, battery pack, or the battery charger; local regulations may restrict the age of the operator.

3. Do not allow children or untrained people to operate or service this device. Allow only people who are responsible, trained, familiar with the instructions, and physically capable to operate or service the device.

4. Before using the machine, battery pack, and battery charger, read all the instructions and cautionary markings on these products.

5. Become familiar with the controls and proper use of the machine, battery pack, and battery charger.

II. Preparation

1. Keep bystanders, especially children and pets, out of the operating area.

2. Do not operate the machine without all guards and safety devices, such as deflectors and grass catchers, in place and functioning properly on the machine.

3. Inspect the area where you will use the machine and remove all objects that could interfere with the operation of the machine or that the machine could throw.

4. Before using the machine, ensure that the blade, blade bolt, and blade assembly are not worn or damaged. Replace any damaged or unreadable labels.

5. Use only the battery pack specified by Toro. Using other accessories and attachments may increase the risk of injury and fire.

6. Plugging the battery charger into an outlet that is not 120 V can cause a fire or electric shock. Do not plug the battery charger into an outlet other than 120 V. For a different style of connection, use an attachment plug adapter of the proper configuration for the power outlet if needed.

7. Do not use a damaged or modified battery pack or battery charger, which may exhibit unpredictable behavior that results in fire, explosion, or risk of injury.

8. If the supply cord to the battery charger is damaged, contact an Authorized Service Dealer to replace it.

9. Do not use non-rechargeable batteries.

10. Charge the battery pack with only the battery charger specified by Toro. A charger suitable for 1 type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.

11. Charge the battery pack in a well-ventilated area only.

12. Do not expose a battery pack or battery charger to fire or to temperatures higher than 68°C (154°F).

13. Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack outside of the temperature range specified in the instructions. Otherwise, you may damage the battery pack and increase the risk of fire.

14. Dress properly—Wear appropriate clothing, including eye protection; long pants; substantial, slip-resistant footwear (not barefoot or wearing sandals); and hearing protection. Tie back long hair and do not wear loose clothing or loose jewelry that can get caught in moving parts. Wear a dust mask in dusty operating conditions. Use of rubber gloves is recommended.

III. Operation

1. Contact with the moving blade will cause serious injury. Keep your hands and feet away from the cutting area and all moving parts of the machine. Keep clear of any discharge opening.

2. Using this machine for purposes other than its intended use could prove dangerous to you and bystanders.

3. Disengage the self-propel drive (if equipped) before starting the machine.

4. Do not tilt the appliance when starting the motor.

5. Prevent unintentional starting—Ensure that the electric-start button is removed from the ignition before connecting the battery pack and handling the machine.

6. Use your full attention while operating the machine. Do not engage in any activity that causes distractions; otherwise, injury or property damage may occur.

7. When you release the blade-control bar, the motor should shut off and the blade should stop within 3 seconds. If not, stop using your machine immediately and contact an Authorized Service Dealer.

8. Stop the machine, remove the electric-start button, remove the battery pack from the machine, and wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, servicing, cleaning, or storing the machine.

9. Remove the battery pack and electric-start button from the machine whenever you leave it unattended or before changing accessories.

10. Do not force the machine—Allow the machine to do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

11. Stay alert—Watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating the machine. Do not use the machine while ill, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

12. Operate the machine only in good visibility and appropriate weather conditions. Do not operate the machine when there is the risk of lightning.

13. Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine toward you.

14. Keep proper footing and balance at all times, especially on slopes. Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down. Use extreme caution when changing directions on slopes. Do not mow exceedingly steep slopes. Walk, never run with the machine.

15. Do not direct the discharge material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction; material may ricochet toward you. Stop the blade(s) when crossing surfaces other than grass.

16. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could cause you to lose your balance or footing.

17. Wet grass or leaves can cause serious injury if you slip and contact the blade. Avoid mowing in wet conditions or when it is raining.

18. If the machine strikes an object or starts to vibrate, immediately shut off the machine, remove the electric-start button, remove the battery pack, and wait for all movement to stop before examining the machine for damage. Make all necessary repairs before resuming operation.

19. Stop the machine and remove the electric-start button before loading the machine for hauling.

20. Under abusive conditions, the battery pack may eject liquid; avoid contact. If you accidently come into contact with the liquid, flush with water. If the liquid contacts your eyes, seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery pack may cause irritation or burns.

IV. Maintenance and Storage

1. Stop the machine, remove the electric-start button, remove the battery pack from the machine, and wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, servicing, cleaning, or storing the machine.

2. Do not attempt to repair the machine except as indicated in the instructions. Have an Authorized Service Dealer perform service on the machine using identical replacement parts.

3. Wear gloves and eye protection when servicing the machine.

4. Sharpen a dull blade on both edges to maintain balance. Clean the blade and ensure that it is balanced.

5. Replace the blade if it is bent, worn, or cracked. An unbalanced blade causes vibration, which could damage the motor or cause personal injury.

6. When servicing the blade, be aware that the blade can still move even though the power source is off.

7. Check the grass collection bag frequently for deterioration or wear, and replace a worn bag with a Toro [replacement] bag.

8. For best performance, use only genuine Toro replacement parts and accessories. Other replacement parts and accessories could be dangerous, and such use could void the product warranty.

9. Maintain the machine—Keep cutting edges sharp and clean for the best and safest performance. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. Keep guards in place and in working order. Keep blades sharp. Use identical replacement blades only.

10. Check the machine for damaged parts—If there are damaged guards or other parts, determine whether the machine will operate properly. Check for misaligned and binding moving parts, broken parts, mounting, and any other condition that may affect its operation. Unless indicated in the instructions, have an Authorized Service Dealer repair or replace a damaged guard or part.

11. When the battery pack is not in use, keep it away from metal objects such as paper clips, coins, keys, nails, and screws that can make a connection from 1 terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals may cause burns or a fire.

12. Check the blade and motor mounting bolts frequently for tightness.

13. When you are not using the machine, store it indoors in a dry, secure place out of the reach of children.

14. CAUTION—A mistreated battery pack may present a risk of fire or chemical burn. Do not disassemble the battery pack. Do not heat the battery pack above 68°C (154°F) or incinerate it. Replace the battery pack with a genuine Toro battery pack only; using another type of battery pack may cause a fire or explosion. Keep battery packs out of the reach of children and in the original packaging until you are ready to use them.

15. Do not dispose of the battery in a fire. The cell may explode. Check with local codes for possible special disposal instructions.

SAVE THESE

INSTRUCTIONS

Safety and Instructional Decals

Safety decals and instructions are easily visible to the operator and are located near any area of potential danger. Replace any decal that is damaged or missing.

140-3811

1. Warning—read the Operator's Manual.
2. Thrown object hazard—keep bystanders away.
3. Cutting/dismember hazard, mower blade—remove the key and read the Operator’s Manual before performing maintenance.
4. Cutting/dismember hazard, mower blade—stay away from moving parts; keep all guards and shields in place.
5. Cutting/dismember hazard, mower blade—do not mow up or down slopes; only mow across slopes; shut off the engine, wait for moving parts to stop, and pick up debris before mowing; look behind you when mowing in reverse.

Model 88660

137-9455

1. Read the Operator’s Manual.
2. Keep away from open fire or flames.
3. Do not expose to rain.

133-8061

137-9462

137-9463

1. The battery pack is charging.
2. The battery pack is fully charged.
3. The battery pack is over or under the appropriate temperature range.
4. Battery pack charging fault

94-8072

144-3175

1. Read the Operator’s Manual.
2. To start the machine, squeeze the bar to the handle and press the button.
3. To shut off the machine, release the bar.

137-9461

1. Battery charge status

139-8986

Important: The battery pack is not fully charged when it is purchased. Before using the machine for the first time, refer to Charging the Battery Pack.

Mounting the Battery Charger (Optional)

Parts needed for this procedure:

Mounting hardware (not included)

2

If desired, mount the battery charger securely on a wall using the wall-mount key holes on the back of the charger.

Mount it indoors (such as a garage or other dry place), near a power outlet, and out of the reach of children.

Refer to Figure 3 for assistance in mounting the charger.

Slide the charger over the appropriately positioned hardware to secure the charger in place (hardware not included).

Figure 3

Assembling the Grass Bag

Figure 4

Unfolding the Handle

Warning

Unfolding the handle improperly can damage the cables, causing an unsafe operating condition.

• Do not damage the cable(s) when folding or unfolding the handle.

• Ensure that the cable(s) are routed to the outside of the handle.

• If a cable is damaged, contact an Authorized Service Dealer.

Important: Remove and discard the protective plastic sheet that covers the motor and any other plastic or wrapping on the machine.

1. Unlock the handle locks (A of Figure 5).

2. Move the handle rearward to the operating position (B of Figure 5).

3. Hold the handle while engaging the handle locks to avoid pinching your hands.

4. Engage the handle lock until the pin clicks in place to lock the handle into the operating position (C of Figure 5).

Figure 5

Figure 6

1. Blade-control bar
2. Electric-start button
3. Handle lock (2)
4. Rear deflector
5. Battery compartment
6. Self-propel drive bar
7. Grass bag
8. Cutting-height lever (2)

Figure 7

1. Battery charger Model 88602 (included with Model 21356)
2. Battery pack Model 88660 (included with Model 21356)

Battery Pack

Battery Charger

Appropriate Temperature Ranges

*Charging time will increase if you do not charge the battery pack within this range.

Store the machine, battery pack, and battery charger in an enclosed clean, dry area.

Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.

Before Operation

Installing the Battery Pack

Important: Use the battery pack only in temperatures that are within the appropriate range; refer to Specifications.

1. Make sure that the vents on the battery are clear of any dust and debris.

2. Lift up the battery-compartment lid (A of Figure 8).

3. Line up the cavity in the battery pack with the tongue on the machine and slide the battery pack into the compartment until it locks into place (B of Figure 8).

4. Close the battery-compartment lid (C of Figure 8).

   Note: If the battery-compartment lid does not close completely, the battery is not fully installed.

Figure 8

Adjusting the Cutting Height

Warning

Adjusting the height-of-cut could bring your hands into contact with a moving blade and result in serious injury.

• Shut off the motor, remove the battery, and wait for all moving parts to stop before adjusting the cutting height.

• Do not put your fingers under the housing when adjusting the cutting height.

Adjust the cutting height as desired. Set all wheels to the same cutting height (Figure 9).

Figure 9

During Operation

Starting the Machine

1. Ensure that the battery pack is charged and installed in the machine; refer to Installing the Battery Pack.

2. Insert the electric-start button into the electric starter switch (A of Figure 10).

3. Squeeze the blade-control bar and hold it to the handle (B of Figure 10).

4. Press the electric-start button and keep it pressed until the motor starts (C of Figure 10).

Figure 10

Using the Self-Propel Drive

• To engage the self-propel drive, pull the self-propel-drive bar to the handle and hold it (Figure 11).

  Note: The maximum self-propel-drive speed is fixed. To reduce the speed, increase the space between the self-propel-drive bar and the handle.

• To disengage the self-propel-drive, release the self-propel drive bar.

  Note: To reduce the ground speed, increase the space between the self-propel drive bar and the handle.

  

  Figure 11

  1. Self-propel-drive bar

Recycling the Clippings

Your machine comes from the factory ready to recycle the grass and leaf clippings back into the lawn.

If the grass bag is on the machine, remove it before recycling the clippings. Refer to Removing the Grass Bag.

Bagging the Clippings

Use the grass bag when you want to collect grass and leaf clippings from the lawn.

Installing the Grass Bag

1. Lift up the rear deflector (A of Figure 12).

2. Insert the rod ends of the grass bag into the notches in the handle brackets (B of Figure 12).

3. Allow the rear deflector to rest on the bag.

Figure 12

Removing the Grass Bag

To remove the bag, reverse the steps in Installing the Grass Bag.

Shutting Off the Machine

1. Release the blade-control bar (A of Figure 13).

2. Remove the electric-start button from the electric starter (B of Figure 13).

3. Remove the battery pack; refer to Removing the Battery Pack from the Machine.

   Note: Whenever you are not using the machine, remove the battery pack.

Figure 13

Removing the Battery Pack from the Machine

1. Lift up the battery-compartment lid.

2. Press the battery-pack latch to release the battery pack and remove the battery pack.

3. Close the battery-compartment lid.

Operating Tips

General Mowing Tips

• Inspect the area where you will use the machine and remove all objects that the machine could throw.

• Avoid striking solid objects with the blade. Never deliberately mow over any object.

• If the machine strikes an object or starts to vibrate, immediately shut off the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, disconnect the wire from the spark plug, and examine the machine for damage.

• For best performance, install a new Toro blade before the cutting season begins or when necessary.

Cutting Grass

• Cut only about a third of the grass blade at a time. For improved quality of cut, runtime, and bagging, cut grass at a higher height of cut.

• Do not cut below 51 mm (2 inches) unless the grass is sparse or it is late fall when grass growth begins to slow down.

• When cutting grass over 15 cm (6 inches) tall, mow at the highest cutting height setting and walk slower; then mow again at a lower setting for the best lawn appearance. If the grass is too long, the machine may plug and cause the motor to stall.

• Wet grass and leaves tend to clump on the yard and can cause the machine to plug or the motor to stall. Avoid mowing in wet conditions.

• Be aware of a potential fire hazard in very dry conditions, follow all local fire warnings, and keep the machine free of dry grass and leaf debris.

• Alternate the mowing direction. This helps disperse the clippings over the lawn for even fertilization.

• If the finished lawn appearance is unsatisfactory, try 1 or more of the following:

  • Replace the blade or have it sharpened.

  • Walk at a slower pace while mowing.

  • Raise the cutting height on your machine.

  • Cut the grass more frequently.

  • Overlap cutting swaths instead of cutting a full swath with each pass.

Cutting Leaves

• After cutting the lawn, ensure that half of the lawn shows through the cut leaf cover. You may need to make more than a single pass over the leaves.

• If there are more than 13 cm (5 inches) of leaves on the lawn, mow at a higher cutting height and then again at the desired cutting height.

• Slow down your mowing speed if the machine does not cut the leaves finely enough.

Remove the electric-start button and battery pack from the machine before maintaining or cleaning the machine.

Use only the manufacturer’s recommended replacement parts and accessories.

Inspect and maintain the machine regularly. Have the machine repaired only by an Authorized Service Dealer.

Preparing the Battery Pack for Recycling

Important: Upon removal, cover the terminals of the battery pack with heavy-duty adhesive tape. Do not attempt to destroy or disassemble the battery pack or remove any of its components.

Lithium-ion battery packs labeled with the Call2Recycle seal can be recycled at any participating retailer or battery recycling facility in the Call2Recycle program (US and Canada only). To locate a participating retailer or facility closest to you, please call 1-800-822-8837 or visit www.call2recycle.org. If you cannot locate a participating retailer or facility nearby, or if your rechargeable battery is not labeled with the Call2Recycle seal, please contact your local municipality for more information on how to responsibly recycle the battery. If you are located outside of the US and Canada, please contact your authorized Toro distributor.