Toro Recycler 21462 22-in 163cc Personal Pace Self-Propelled Gas Mower Review (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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4.5$519Approx. street price; commonly listed around $499-549 at major retailersCheck Price on Amazon →
- Medium to large yards
- Hills
- Self propelled
Toro's Recycler 21462 pairs a 163cc Briggs engine and a 22-in deck with the Personal Pace Auto-Drive that matches speed to your stride, so on specs it suits medium-to-large or gently sloped lawns. The no-oil-change engine trims upkeep, but you still handle fuel, filters, and more weight and noise than a battery mower, and the drive system is a wear item to watch over time.
Pros
- Personal Pace Auto-Drive matches the mower's speed to your walking pace so there are no levers to hold or adjust
- 163cc Briggs engine and 22-in deck give strong power and a wider cut than most 21-in mowers, with instant refueling
- Recycler mulching plus a no-oil-change engine keeps clippings fine and routine maintenance low for a gas mower
Cons
- Still needs gas, air-filter service, and off-season fuel care that battery mowers avoid entirely
- Personal Pace transmission adds moving parts that can wear and is a common long-term repair item on Toro RWD mowers
- Louder, heavier, and emits exhaust compared with a battery push mower, and overkill for a small flat lawn
Specifications
| Power | Gas, 163cc Briggs & Stratton EXi engine |
|---|---|
| Deck | 22 in steel |
| Drive | Rear-wheel Personal Pace Auto-Drive (self-adjusts to walking speed) |
| Runtime | Refuel to run; no battery limit |
| Cutting height | 1-4 in, 9 positions |
| Discharge | Recycler 3-in-1 mulch / bag / side discharge |
| Maintenance | No oil change for engine life, just top off |
| Best for | Quarter acre to 1 acre, gentle slopes |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Personal Pace and how is it different?
- The drive speed self-adjusts to your walking pace — push a little harder and it speeds up — so there are no levers to hold or gears to select. It is the least fiddly self-propel system to use, especially for varied terrain.
- Is a 22-inch deck better than 21?
- It cuts a wider swath, so fewer passes on a medium-to-large lawn, paired here with a 163cc Briggs engine and nine cutting heights. On a small or obstacle-heavy yard the extra width is harder to maneuver.
- What is the known long-term repair item?
- The Personal Pace transmission. It adds moving parts that wear and is a common long-term repair on Toro rear-wheel-drive mowers. The engine itself is the low-maintenance part — it is a no-oil-change design.