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I have an old Toro Recycler 22 inch self propelled mower. it runs great but the handle bar is way to low. I'm hunched over while using it. Does anyone have any ideas for the best way to fix this? I considered cutting the bars and rewelding them up at a slight angle, but it's a pretty janky way to fix it. Has anyone ever seen a bracket for sale that I could install that would make the bar more vertical?

the page is saying 3 mb photos are too large so sorry i can't post them but it's similar to this 1 as far as how the handle bar is attached to the mower

Download the manual and read it cover to cover. Mower manual should show you how to adjust the bar.

i have not done this and do not know anything about it. Does that some how give me access to an adjustment for the handle bar angle?

jonohoff1988 said:

i have not done this and do not know anything about it. Does that some how give me access to an adjustment for the handle bar angle?

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yes

how does taking the engine shroud off give me access to anything involving the handle bar? they're over 6 inches away from each other. that's my mower. i am totally lost as to how doing this will help me with anything related to the bar. as far as the owners manual, i have no idea exactly which model i have. it's literally over 10 years old. probably 15

jonohoff1988 said:

I have an old Toro Recycler 22 inch self propelled mower. it runs great but the handle bar is way to low. I'm hunched over while using it. Does anyone have any ideas for the best way to fix this? I considered cutting the bars and rewelding them up at a slight angle, but it's a pretty janky way to fix it. Has anyone ever seen a bracket for sale that I could install that would make the bar more vertical?

the page is saying 3 mb photos are too large so sorry i can't post them but it's similar to this 1 as far as how the handle bar is attached to the mower

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Toro-Recycler-SmartStow-22-in-Gas-Self-propelled-Lawn-Mower-with-150-cc-Briggs-and-Stratton-Engine/5015523795?store=&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-ggl-_-PMAX_SOL_000_Priority_Items-_-5015523795-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20288278738&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8_sB9qSDFkPHr-jSCYk3IU2&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMTCBhA-EiwA_-MsmZRvBtpwPJaz08kYQQhRd5BAeTum4QtKAOzCNCLGM4R2GYENAUBe1xoCjCsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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I suggest you take it to a repair shop and ask them or have them do it if possible.

Adjusting the Handle Height​

You can raise or lower the handle in 1 of 2 positions that is more comfortable for you (Figure 11).

Figure 11

1. Loosen both handle knobs until you can push the square edges of the carriage bolts out of the square holes in the handle brackets.
2. Push the knobs until they are loose.
3. Move the handle to the upper or lower height position.
4. Pull the knobs until the square edges of each carriage bolt fits into its related square hole.
5. Tighten the handle knobs as tight as you can.

I once had a similar, but push version, mower which followed the same instructions that OddJob posted in # 7. Even that wasn't comfortable, so I did a custom sized cheat which worked fine. I don't know if you are interested in doing an "out of the box" repair, but here it is:

I removed the handle and used one of my conduit benders to make a new, but longer, handle out of 3/4" EMT conduit. (IMC will work, but be heavier)

The lower ends on the original were flattened to sit against the vertical parts on the deck plate. I flattened the new handle with a bench vise.

Instead of punching a square hole for a carriage bolt, I used a standard (stainless steel) bolt and nylon insert nut.

Then I moved the controls over to the new handle. (For fun & comfort, I wrapped the handle part that I grip with sparkly bicycle handlebar tape.)
Project time was about 1/2 hour, including the goofy bicycle tape.

If you've no conduit bender available, perhaps stop by an electrical shop and ask if they'd bend a handle up for you. It will take about 2 minutes to make the bends.
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Plan B:
If the handle is the same outside diameter as a size of EMT conduit, I suppose you could cut the handle with a tubing cutter and use a rain tight conduit coupling on the lower part. Then put a length of conduit to suit with a coupling for the upper part.
Rain Tight conduit couplings hold very well and don't wobble.

Happy Mowing!
Paul

I took the threaded nob things off the handle bars. but do i need to move some other bolts as well? with the nobs removed the channel that the handle bar sits in is still at that awkward shallow angle. it looks like i need to somehow adjust the angle of the plate that the channel is stamped in

jonohoff1988 said:

I took the threaded nob things off the handle bars. but do i need to move some other bolts as well? with the nobs removed the channel that the handle bar sits in is still at that awkward shallow angle. it looks like i need to somehow adjust the angle of the plate that the channel is stamped in

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Is it possible for you to make an adapter plate that will attach to the existing mounting & let you connect the handle at an angle you like?
Electrical junction box covers provide inexpensive, flat steel if you need a couple of small pieces for the job.

PGB1 said:

Is it possible for you to make an adapter plate that will attach to the existing mounting & let you connect the handle at an angle you like?
Electrical junction box covers provide inexpensive, flat steel if you need a couple of small pieces for the job.

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It isn’t uncommon for mowers to develop slop in the push handlebars over time. Without welding and modification, there isn’t much you can do.