Export thread

See some new Toro Z mowers using a Toro branded engine. Anyone know how is making these for Toro ?

I tried to get this information searching everywhere a few weeks ago, and all I esbatlished is that they are a Chinese model copy of an unknown engine. Read some stuff about some of the carb's on certain Toro equipment with the Toro branded engine having some leaks. Exmark is also using the same engine on some of their stuff, just called Exmark instead of Toro.

If it were me, especially being that they are so new, I'd opt for a proven brand and see how these work out 5 years from now.

The Chinese engines which Toro is using are built by the Loncin corporation in Chongqing, China.

Homer1- Thanks, I'm very satisfied with my 2014 (100 year Toro anniversary) Z running the Kaw engine. I was just curious. Dealer said "Toro makes them". :laughing:


Rivets- Thank You as well. Glad I have what I have now. craftsman went to chinese engines & I hear lots of issues.

To be honest with you when Toro first came out with these engines, I would not have given you a plug nickel for them. Lots of issues. To Toro's credit I feel they listened to the techs and made some changes. Now five years later I feel it may be a very good engine. Only time will tell, but the only issues which I have seen are with carbs, and they are not limited to this engine.

Rivets- I had no idea these engines were around that long, I thought they were new to market. Least I was told that.

I have a friend that owns the smaller zero turn with a small deck and recycler kit put on it. He has used it or a couple years now on a fairly good sized yard. It runs real good with the Choro engine. The Super Recyclers have the Chinese engines on them as well as of a year or two ago. The snowblowers have had them for several years. They all seem to run good except for the carb problems that seem to be fixed. MTD had the same trouble for a time. They have the same engine on one of their lawn tractors as the Toro zero turn and some lawnmower engines as well. All branded by them of course and they all at least claim to have a large investment in the China factory and have their own engineers looking after their interest over there. Craftsman likes to put their name on their branded snowblowers as well. Their salespeople will tell you the engines are made by Craftsman as well.

possum- That is interesting. I have only heard of bad issues of those engines on craftsman mowers. (Course not many post to say good stuff).

The jury is still out as far as I'm concerned. I have a new machine anyhow with a sweet Kaw on back.

I'm glad we've finally got a thread going on the entire internet with info about the Toro made engines. I looked a while to find something and never could. Good question!

I'm sure you will love your mower. Just remember to maintain her, and always check your oil!

Couple of things you might not know about the Toro engine. First, it has a cast iron cylinder sleeve. Second, they have replace the crank mag bushing with an old fashion bearing. Third, the recoil is fully serviceable. The one thing I don't like about it is how they have designed the carb linkages, seen more like an after thought, and pain to service.

Sounds like they are improving it.. I believe they are 2 bbl carbs.

Talked to head-wrench at Local Dealer today, he said the Toro* engines 'seem' to be doing ok, had a couple with carb leak issues (warranty fixes tho). But he also said many would prefer a Kawasaki or Kohler. Guess it will take some time.

i wonder if these toro engines are still designed with nylon camshaft gear or if its been changed to steel gear.. that is what bothers me

i know Loncin uses a steel cam gear in their 210cc engines

Rivets said:

Couple of things you might not know about the Toro engine. First, it has a cast iron cylinder sleeve. Second, they have replace the crank mag bushing with an old fashion bearing. Third, the recoil is fully serviceable. The one thing I don't like about it is how they have designed the carb linkages, seen more like an after thought, and pain to service.

Click to expand...

Rivets, I have heard that the Toro consumer products are being made by MTD and the Loncin is actually the MTD engine made in China.

7394 said:

Homer1- Thanks, I'm very satisfied with my 2014 (100 year Toro anniversary) Z running the Kaw engine. I was just curious. Dealer said "Toro makes them". ?


Rivets- Thank You as well. Glad I have what I have now. craftsman went to chinese engines & I hear lots of issues.

Click to expand...

Toro makes them is not a total lie. Toro is responsible for parts, service, warranty similar to the MTD Chinese engine is parts, service, warrantied through MTD, and just like the LCT engine on Husqvarna is serviced, warrantied, and parts through Husqvarna.

i would like to se a video of an over haul or pictures of the oil pan removed. of all the videos on youtube, im surprised to not see one 708cc video. toro is responsible for the air system. these motors are the same as harbor freight 708 predator but with a different air filter system. the vertical shaft models do not have roller bearings on the crank.

I’ll, Loncin is a brand of Longxin Motorcycle Industry Co., Ltd, their small engine division. My understanding is that Toro is purchasing the engines directly from Loncin and Toro is manufacturing the equipment. I have not hears anything about MTD and Toro working together, but now a days anything is possible. Haven’t seen any changes in Toro products to indicate this is happening, but I’ll try to ask our rep, if I remember, the next time I see him. MTD may be also be purchasing Loncin engines, but I haven’t seen any equipment with them on. Any of the Loncin engines I have worked on have steel cams.

Rivets It looks like the MTD making Toro may be from 2007 and could of changed since then.

I may be wrong, wouldn’t be the first time. Only thing I’ve seen was when MTD built tractors for Toro, and that only lasted a few years. That’s the reason Toro no longer has tractors, MTD quality was not there to meet their standard. Decks for the Recycler and Super Recycler have changed very little since the late 80’s. Maybe Toro is allowing MTD to use their designs and jigs. I have seen where a couple of DIY guys have put PP trannies and systems on the old three speed cast decks. That being said, you must remember I’m a retired instructor, whose job it was, is to make every kid a Rhodes Scholar, and if I didn’t I was a poor teacher. Most people, particularly parents, feel they are smarter than most of their childs teachers.

there must be a reason why someone hasn't posted an engine video. maybe because of the six year warranty plus i think they started using these engines in 2015, which is not that old yet. the only info i found was from looking up exmark information and found the specs for adjusting the valves. i was almost afraid to take the valve covers off because of voiding the warranty. theres plenty of info on how to maintain the hydrostats

Back in 2014 model year when I bought my Toro, I had the option of a toro branded engine or the Kawasaki.
IDK when 1st Toro branded ones were built ?

But my Kawasaki is running great..

<deleted>

Videos on these engines. I have heard the Toro engine is being discontinued next year because of cost - not performance. The V-Twin lawsuit from B&S on foreign made engines, Tariffs, and shipping have all made importing v-twin engines unrealistic at this time.

As I am looking into Tor MyRide one, came across this thread - and this below:

THE TORO ZX V-TWIN Commercial Engine​

We are now in year 8 with the TORO ZX and have become very confident in this engine at B T South after having sold over 2000 pieces of equipment power by the ZX. It's key features include:
‍
➤ Two Barrel Metal Alloy Carburetor
➤ 3 Ring Automotive Style Pistons
➤ Cast Iron Sleeved Cylinders
➤ 5 Bolt Heads
➤ Gaskets on all Engine Seams (in lieu of silicone cement)
➤ Cross Drilled Oil Sump Webbing. Allows more complete draining during oil change
➤ Pressurized Lubrication with spin on oil filter
➤ Easy Oil Change System. No tools required to change oil
➤ Two Stage Air Filtration w/Self cleaning feature to extend air filter life
➤ Cast Alloy Valve Covers
➤ Cast Alloy Intake Manifold
➤ Manufacturer Warranty: Varies based on host machine and maintenance kit promotion participation. Up to 4 Years / 750 Hours Commercial Use.
‍
The TORO ZX 708cc 24.5 HP V-Twin Engine hit the market in Spring of 2015. In 2017 a 22.5 HP version was released which was the same engine with a different carburetor. In 2018 a 24.5 HP version with canister air filtration was released as well as a canister upgrade kit available for the other models. The canister air filter does not filter air any better, but it allows longer service intervals between filter changes which is popular with commercial landscapers who quickly put a lot of hours on their equipment.

These excellent engines continue to be offered across the TimeCutter, Titan & Z-Master lines.
‍
We have become extremely confident in this engine as they can last thousands of hours. Not only are we seeing this success for customers that regularly change their oil and maintain the engine as we recommend. But we are quite frankly amazed by the engines still running past 1000 hours for engine abusive customers that tell us "maybe next time" when we recommend changing filthy oil and soiled air filters. We conclude its durability is on par with other top tier engines like the Kawasaki FX and Kohler Command Pro.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

www.btsouth.com