Toro 21565 Owners Manual

The Toro 21565 is a high-performance walk-behind lawn mower featuring a powerful engine, durable steel deck, adjustable cutting heights, easy-start system, mulching/bagging/side-discharge capabilities, ergonomic handle with controls, and rear-wheel drive. Designed for residential use on medium to large lawns. Below are key sections for safety, features, assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Assembly Instructions 3. Safety Information 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Operation 6. Cutting Height Adjustment 7. Mulching & Bagging Setup 8. Maintenance Schedule 9. Storage & Winterization 10. Warranty Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Steel cutting deck, Briggs & Stratton engine, Rear-wheel drive system, Height adjustment lever, Mulching plug, Grass bag, Handle with control cables.

Feature	Description
Engine	Briggs & Stratton 190cc OHV engine with easy-start system
Cutting Width	21-inch steel deck
Drive System	Rear-wheel drive with variable speed control
Cutting Height	Adjustable 1-4 inches (6 positions)
Cutting Options	Mulch, Bag, or Side-discharge
Handle	Ergonomic fold-down handle with control levers
Wheels	8-inch rear wheels, 7-inch front wheels
Fuel Tank	1-quart capacity
Starter	Recoil start
Warranty	Limited 2-year residential warranty

Assembly Instructions

Unpack all parts from box. Verify contents against parts list.

Attach handle: Insert lower handle into deck brackets, secure with provided bolts and wing nuts.
Install control cables: Route cables along handle, connect to engine and drive engagement lever.
Attach grass bag: Slide bag frame onto rear deck hooks, ensure secure latch.
Install mulching plug: Insert plug into rear discharge opening when mulching.
Add oil and fuel: Fill engine with SAE 30 oil (check dipstick), add fresh unleaded gasoline.

WARNING! Wear gloves during assembly. Ensure all fasteners are tight before operation.

Safety Information

Read all instructions before operating. Always wear appropriate safety gear.

Clear mowing area: Remove stones, toys, and other objects that could be thrown.
Check equipment: Inspect for loose parts, leaks, or damage before each use.
Operate in daylight: Only mow when you have clear visibility.
Keep bystanders away: Especially children and pets.
Stop engine: Before unclogging, adjusting, or crossing gravel drives.

DANGER! Never operate without discharge chute, bag, or mulching plug in place. Keep hands and feet away from rotating blades.

Specifications

Model: Toro 21565
Engine: Briggs & Stratton 190cc, 4-cycle
Cutting Width: 21 inches
Cutting Height Range: 1 to 4 inches (6 positions)
Deck Material: Powder-coated steel
Drive: Rear-wheel, variable speed
Wheels: 8-inch rear, 7-inch front
Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline (87 octane minimum)
Oil Type: SAE 30 (summer), 5W-30 (winter)
Weight: 65 lbs (approx.)

Controls and Operation

Handle Controls: Drive control lever, Blade engagement lever, Height adjustment lever.

Starting: 1. Push primer bulb 3 times (cold engine). 2. Set throttle to FAST. 3. Pull recoil starter cord. Stopping: Release drive and blade controls, move throttle to STOP.

Operation: Squeeze drive control lever to handle to move forward; release to stop. Engage blade control lever to rotate cutting blade. Adjust speed with throttle control. Always mow across slopes, not up and down.

Cutting Height Adjustment

Adjust all four wheels evenly for level cut.

Stop engine and wait for blades to stop.
Locate height adjustment lever near each wheel.
Pull lever outward, move to desired height setting (1-6).
Release lever to lock into position.
Check all wheels are at same setting.

Tip: For first mow of season, set to highest setting. Never remove more than 1/3 of grass blade length.

Mulching & Bagging Setup

Mulching: Install mulching plug in rear discharge opening. Ensures clippings are cut finely and returned to lawn. Bagging: Attach grass bag frame to rear hooks. Empty bag when full (indicator visible). Side-discharge: Remove both mulching plug and bag; attach optional side-discharge chute.

Note: For best mulching, mow when grass is dry and keep blades sharp.

Maintenance Schedule

Interval	Task
Before each use	Check oil level, inspect for damage, clear deck of debris
Every 25 hours	Change engine oil, check air filter, inspect spark plug
Every season	Sharpen or replace blade, lubricate wheel axles and cables
As needed	Clean underside of deck, replace air filter, check tire pressure

Blade Sharpening: Remove spark plug wire. Tip mower on side. Use file to sharpen cutting edge evenly. Balance blade before reinstalling.

Storage & Winterization

End-of-season preparation prevents fuel system damage.

Add fuel stabilizer to tank, run engine 5 minutes to circulate.
Drain or run engine until fuel tank is empty.
Change engine oil (drain while warm).
Remove spark plug, add 1 tablespoon oil to cylinder, pull starter cord slowly, reinstall plug.
Clean entire mower, especially underside of deck.
Store in dry, covered area.

CAUTION! Never store with gasoline in tank over 30 days without stabilizer.

Warranty Information

Toro Limited Warranty: 2 years for residential use, 90 days for commercial use. Covers defects in materials/workmanship. Does not cover normal wear, misuse, lack of maintenance. Proof of purchase required. For warranty service, contact authorized Toro service dealer or call 1-888-384-9939. Register product at www.toro.com.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine won't start	No fuel, old gas, clogged air filter	Add fresh fuel, clean/replace air filter, check spark plug.
Poor cutting performance	Dull blade, low engine speed	Sharpen/replace blade, set throttle to FAST.
Mower vibrates excessively	Unbalanced blade, loose parts	Stop engine, check blade balance and tightness.
Won't drive forward	Drive cable loose/disconnected	Adjust drive cable tension per manual.
Grass clumps under deck	Wet grass, deck clogged	Mow when dry, clean deck after use.

Service: For repairs, use genuine Toro parts. Find dealers at www.toro.com or call 1-888-384-9939.