The Toro TimeCutter 77401 has a lot going for it. First and most obviously, it’s a zero-turn lawn mower, which makes more sense than a tractor for those looking to cut down the mowing time for a medium to large property. Second, Toro’s extensive line of mowers and vast dealer network means it won’t be hard to find parts and services for this mower. And finally, it’s reasonably priced, making it an attainable (and enticing) option if you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a riding mower. After putting in some cutting time on my lawn, it’s clearly a worthwhile investment—a strong performer that you’ll be able to maintain and rely on for many years.

Cutting Time is In the Name

Historically, I’ve been an adherent of self-propelled walk-behind mowers, but with a young child at home and roughly a half-acre lot to cut, I no longer have the time to spend hours on lawn care each week. For me, any mower that allows me to save time without sucking the joy out of the process of mowing is worth a look.

The TimeCutter is such a tool, and the 42-inch deck model I tested was perfect for my situation. Not only did it cut my mowing time in half (at least) compared to a walk-behind mower, but the zero-turn setup allowed for faster maneuverability than a lawn tractor, which would be cumbersome to maneuver on my suburban lot. I’d guess that would be true for many other homeowners, too.

By my back-of-the-hand timing, it took me roughly 20 minutes to cut my entire backyard once using the zero-turn. (I often double-cut when the grass is taller to keep it looking pristine). I tend to go pretty slow with each pass on a riding mower, at least compared to the speeds at which I see the pros zipping through neighboring properties. I’m not getting paid by the lawn, and I think you’re likely to get a cleaner cut if you give each blade more time under the cutting deck. But even at my moderate pace on the TimeCutter, it would have taken me about 45 to 50 minutes to do the same job with a standard self-propelled walk-behind mower.

Of course, with a 42-inch cutting deck that’s double the width of most typical walk-behind mowers, you save time by making fewer passes. But even if I were racing myself on a tractor of the same width, the TimeCutter would still have the edge. The key, as you might expect, is in how it turns. I prefer traditional back-and-forth patterns when mowing, and this is easy work with a zero-turn. On a tractor, you either have to use a different mowing pattern or spend more time with each turn.

Running back-and-forth lines on a tractor is a time-intensive and clunky maneuver. I’ve never timed it, but I’d say turning 180 degrees properly on a zero-turn takes maybe 2 seconds. On a tractor, this is drawn out with two gear changes (drive to reverse to drive) and takes at least 12 to 15 seconds each pass. That adds up.

Not Being Exhausted After Mowing is the Game

It goes without saying that it’s less tiring to use a riding lawn mower of any kind compared to walking behind a push- or self-propelled mower. I used to not mind this too much—I’ve always been pretty active and enjoy mowing, so going over my entire yard on my feet was no big deal. But now that I have more on my plate as a parent—never quite staying caught up on a full night’s sleep—sparing myself some time and effort has become a much bigger deal. With the TimeCutter, I can still have enjoyable alone time mowing, but don’t have to expend so much of my limited energy on that mow. Plus, zero-turn mowers like the TimeCutter are genuinely fun to use.

The TimeCutter Is Good at Mowing

This machine gets the basics right. Cut quality is good, as would be expected of any new mower with new blades. While I wish a mulch kit came standard, that’s not typical even on mowers that cost twice as much as the TimeCutter, so I can’t really complain there.

You get around quickly on this mower, as I noted above. There are three ground speed settings—trim, tow, and mow—selectable with a dedicated lever. The mow speed setting is fast, and I found that speed adjustment with the lap bars is a little too sensitive to my liking. I wound up mostly mowing at the trim speed, which still offered enough speed while dialing back the sensitivity of the bars a bit.

The main drawback of the TimeCutter 77401 is the noise from its gas engine. This obviously is not an issue exclusive to this mower or this brand—gas engines are noisy in general. It’s just more apparent in a zero-turn mower than a walk-behind mower because the engine is larger and directly behind the driver’s seat. Quality hearing protection is mandatory, and even then, you’ll still know this mower is loud.

Despite the noise, the 22-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine has no issues keeping up with the demands of mowing thick, heavy grass. Never once did this mower bog down on me, and even though I did not test it during spring or fall with the thick grass and leaves characteristic of those seasons, I’m confident it’d be up to the task.

One small gripe I had with the mower is a lack of height adjustment for the seat—I found myself wishing I was perched a bit higher from a comfort perspective. The model I tested also had no discernible hour meter, meaning you’ll have to actively keep track of your usage to keep up with oil changes. Most manufacturers recommend maintenance on gas engines for mowers like this after they’ve been in use for a certain number of hours.

Should You Buy the Toro TimeCutter?

Reflecting on my experience with the TimeCutter 77401, a lot of what I loved about it applies broadly to gas-engine zero-turn mowers. They’ll all save you time compared to a tractor or walk-behind mower, and they’ll all be pretty loud. Obviously, you could go with an electric zero-turn mower to cut down on the noise, and you wouldn’t have to deal with oil changes or ever having to clean a carburetor, but you’ll pay quite a bit more for the privilege.

That’s where the specifics of this mower come into play. Toro has been making lawn mowers for a long time and is a nationally known company that sells machines and parts at both independent dealers and big-box home centers. This is not the fanciest zero-turn mower you can buy, but it’s a quality machine that you can get for a decent price. If you ever need to replace a belt or a solenoid, the ubiquity of Toro machines means that you’ll be able to find the parts you need for some time, and they won’t cost an arm and a leg. Plus, you can teach yourself how to do basic service and maintenance yourself or have it done at a local dealer or small-engine mechanic.

While this mower is not cheap, it offers a lot for the money and is at the low end of the price spectrum for a zero-turn. If you’re looking to shorten your mowing time, desire easy maneuverability, and want a machine that will likely give you a decent, inexpensive ownership experience, you owe it to yourself to give this mower a look.