Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower: Speed and the Most Comfortable Ride Around 

Share

If you are thinking about buying an electric zero-turn mower, you’re in good company. Zero-turn mowers are some of the fastest and most maneuverable grass-cutting machines for midsize and large lawns. They help homeowners get the weekend chores done fast, and often with a better quality of cut than a lawn tractor. And as consumer lawn care equipment continues to shift toward battery power, zero-turn lawn mowers are following suit. 

In recent years, revered lawn equipment brands such as Cub Cadet, John Deere, and Toro, among others, have poured their resources into developing electric zero-turn mowers with gas-like power and performance. The results have varied. But whether you prioritize extended battery life, low purchase price, durable construction, operator comfort, or any number of other metrics, there is a battery-powered zero-turn mower for you. 

I recently spent a month testing the new Toro 60V MAX 54-Inch TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower in my own yard. In this review, I will highlight the build quality and specifications of the mower and share my observations from testing.

Get the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower at Toro for $7,999.00.

What is the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower?

The Toro MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE is Toro’s newest entry into the residential zero-turn mower category. TimeCutter has been around for a while now, but this new battery-powered mower adds a cleaner, quieter option to the lineup. It mows up to 2.3 acres per charge, powered by six 60-volt Flex-Force removable batteries with a combined 3,240-watt hours (3.24 kWh) of electricity, and equipped with a 54-inch mowing deck.

One of the most noticeable differences between this electric zero-turn mower and the competition is the adjustable MyRIDE suspension system. MyRIDE isolates the entire cockpit platform from bumps and vibrations. The floating platform allows for 3.6 inches of travel. It is equipped with an adjustable tensioning system to accommodate operators of varying weights, resulting in an incredibly smooth, customizable ride.

Like Toro’s gas-powered TimeCutters, the electric model features a heavy-duty frame and 10-gauge fabricated steel deck. The 54-inch three-blade deck is one of the widest available on a battery-powered zero-turn mower. Mulch kits and bagging systems are sold separately. A foot-operated deck-lift system makes it easy to adjust the cut height from 1.5 to 4.5 inches.

Other notable features on the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE zero-turn mower include full-size 20-inch by 20-inch air-filled rear drive tires, 11-inch by 6-inch solid rubber front casters, LED headlights, a digital hour meter, and a 19-inch high-back gaming-style seat. It travels and mows at speeds from 0 to 7 miles per hour. 

I spent a month testing this mower on a 1.5-acre lawn, including an acre of open grass and a half-acre of grass interspersed with structures and landscape beds. It was fun to operate and delivered ample cutting power. The smooth ride and quality of cut outperformed most of the battery-powered riding mowers I’ve tested. However, it might not be the best choice for every buyer. In the sections ahead, I will share my observations from testing.

Battery Performance

The Toro Flex-Force 60V battery system was an excellent power source for the Toro electric zero-turn mower. On my initial runtime test, I mowed the yard 1.5 times for an actual total of about 2.25 acres. Grass conditions were average, and the terrain was a mix of flat, rolling, and sloped ground. I would anticipate additional range if the ground was completely flat, or if the lawn had fewer obstructions. On the other hand, tougher terrain and taller grass would reduce mowing range.

The battery configuration and charging setup was a little unusual. The mower came with five 10 Ah batteries, one 4 Ah battery, and an offboard 6-pod charger. Every other battery mower I’ve tested has had either a built-in battery and charging system or removable batteries with an onboard charging adapter. Removing the batteries to recharge was an inconvenience, and the charger took up quite a bit of valuable space. 

The six-pod charger did not seem to deliver equal current to every battery. When I started charging, all of the batteries had a single charge-level indicator LED lit. After 4 hours (240 minutes), four of the 10 Ah batteries were fully charged, but the 4 Ah battery and one of the 10 Ah batteries were not. I removed the fully charged batteries and replaced the not-yet-charged batteries for another 90 minutes to finish charging.

Cut Quality

This mower’s cut quality was very good and consistent in average mowing conditions. When the grass reached 3 inches, I mowed with the deck height set at 2.25 inches. There are two blade- speed settings to choose from: “high” or “low” (the RPM is not given). The low setting did a good job at slower travel speeds, but it didn’t discharge as far as I like. I preferred to use the high- speed blade setting at all times, even though it depletes the battery faster. With the faster blade speed, I mowed 3.5 to 4 miles per hour and got a clean cut with a wider distribution of clippings.

I also did a field mowing test on 2,000 square feet of grass and weeds that had grown 12 to 18 inches high. I set the mower to its highest setting (4.5 inches) with the blades on high speed and crept through at less than 2 miles per hour. The deep deck produced adequate airflow to lift the extra-long stems and grass blades for a fairly clean cut, and it discharged the clippings up to 10 feet away. The clippings were a bit more clumpy, and the battery drained significantly faster than with typical lawn mowing, but the battery-powered zero-turn mower proved capable of doing that kind of work on a limited basis. 

Mobility

Mobility is generally a strong point of zero-turn mowers, and the Toro 60V 54-Inch TimeCutter MyRIDE is no different. The wraparound drive levers, or lap bars, were well calibrated and just sensitive enough to be comfortably responsive but not “hair trigger” sensitive. The build was well balanced for easy 180-degree turns without damaging the grass. There was plenty of side overhang on the wide deck beyond the wheels; this allowed me to cut along lawn and landscape edges without driving out of bounds. Under typical conditions, it easily went anywhere I needed.

Sloped terrain, on the other hand, is a traditional weakness for zero-turn mowers. The 60V TimeCutter is specifically recommended for flat ground. I had no problems running up and down gentle slopes without stopping, but a stop and start when pulling or backing uphill typically led to a minor break in traction. It was even more difficult to change direction when traveling across a slope. In this case, the weight became unbalanced and the unweighted drive wheel would spin freely.

The other challenge to be aware of is the machine’s width. My regular mower has a 46-inch deck and can go anywhere in the yard. The 54-inch Toro TimeCutter deck did not fit through my walk-in gate, so I had to drive around to the double gate. There were also a few other landscape bottlenecks where it wouldn’t fit. I did not take off points for the wide deck or for the lack of traction on slopes since the manufacturer doesn’t recommend this mower for slopes. However, these are factors to consider before buying.

Operator Comfort

While it cuts as well as, if not better than, any other battery-powered riding mower, the biggest advantage that the Toro TimeCutter MyRIDE zero-turn mower holds over its competitors is comfort. It is the most comfortable zero-turn mower around. The MyRIDE system eliminated all of the vibrations and jostling that normally come with mowing the grass. I was able to adjust it perfectly to accommodate my weight, preferred mowing speed, and terrain. The high-back “gamer-style” seat was well cushioned and well structured for back support. If there is any criticism to be made, it is that the seat does not have armrests.

Other comfort-related specifics include the convenient location of the controls and their ease of operation. The proportions and positioning of the lap bars was just right for me. Additionally, the status screen was large and easy to read. And finally, the controls for blade speed, travel speed, headlights, and blade engagement were well positioned and intuitively designed. Operating this mower was a really good experience overall.

Is the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower worth the money? 

To me, the most important characteristics in justifying price are performance, durability, and operator comfort/convenience. Priced at $7,999, the Toro TimeCutter electric zero-turn mower is one of the most expensive models in its class, so the value bar is set high. Compared to an electric zero-turn mower from another top outdoor power equipment brand, I think it’s a fair price.

Starting with mowing performance, Toro’s cut quality is better than most other electric riding mowers, equal to that of the John Deere electric ZTrak zero-turn mower that I tested previously. Both produced strong airflow beneath the mower deck for a clean cut and distributed the fine grass clippings evenly over a broad area. The John Deere model, with its smaller 42-inch deck and 2-acres-per-charge runtime, is priced about $1,600 lower.

In addition to the wider deck and longer runtime, Toro’s MyRIDE system is hard to beat when it comes to a smooth ride. The John Deere model was fairly supportive and comfortable, but the TimeCutter suspension system was customizable, providing for even greater comfort. 

Other notable distinctions include Toro’s 136-pound weight advantage to help with traction, a thicker steel frame and deck material for improved wear resistance, and batteries that are easily replaceable by the owner. 

Is the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower right for you?

If you prioritize paying the lowest possible price for a battery-powered zero-turn mower, this is not it. You may want to consider the Ego Power+ Z6, which I tested before. It lacks some of the comfort and convenience refinement found among the top competitors, but it’s a workhorse that does the job for thousands of dollars less.

If your yard is less than 2 acres and includes bottleneck areas, then a smaller mower may be in order. The John Deere 42-inch Electric ZTrak could be a better option. It’s a highly capable model that mows extremely well and navigates the landscape with ease, including walk-through gates and narrow pathways.

But if your landscape has space to maneuver, and you value durability, mowing precision, and high-end comfort, then the Toro 60V MAX 54-inch TimeCutter MyRIDE zero-turn mower could be right for you. It covers a lot of ground fast and produces a crisp, clean cut. It’s built to outlast its first set of batteries and withstand the rigors of mowing. And beyond that, it offers the most comfortable ride around. 

Where to Buy the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero- Turn Mower

Get the Toro 60V MAX TimeCutter MyRIDE Zero-Turn Mower at Toro for $7,999.00.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor living goods.

 

Practical Gifts They'll Love

Our editors take pride in their gift-giving skills—and these are their top suggestions for DIYers, plant parents, new homeowners, and more.

FIND THE PERFECT GIFT