Toro Product Reviews and Guides

Since the beginning, The Toro Company based their strategies on the philosophy, “If you value the customer and build a better product, people will buy it.” (#2) 

The name Toro was chosen because of their association with their first customer, The Bull Tractor Company. Founded as Toro Motor Company in Minneapolis on July 10, 1914, the company had to shift focus when The Bull Tractor company folded in 1918.   

They moved from leaders in the farm tractor market to becoming leaders in the mowing industry. Using their farm tractor engine experience, Toro developed the Standard Golf Machine. They mounted five 30” lawn mowers onto the front of a tractor and became the forerunners in creating motorized golf course equipment.  

Today Toro is a global leader in irrigation and maintenance equipment providing customers the means to take care of golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, landscapes, agricultural fields, and commercial and rental properties.  

Toro is an innovative company of firsts. In 1923 they introduced the Sea Serpent fairway sprinkler system. They were the only company offering turn maintenance and irrigation solutions. This was one of 16 patents initiated by company president John Clapper. They were first in introducing the roller-type push putting green mower for bentgrass, the Super Mower, the all-electric powered walk greens mower, electric powered cutting reels for tractors, and the 76” Professional that revolutionized commercial mowing. 

In 1926, Mung Reid “Scotty” McLaren became the first golf course services representative. During his almost 50 years of sales, he became known as “Mr. Toro.” 

Co-founder Henry Clay McCartney became president when J.S. Clapper retired. In 1945 three young World War II veterans, David Lily, Bob Gibson, and Whit Miller, purchased Toro. In 1948 Toro acquired Whirlwind Milwaukee a rotary lawnmower manufacturer.  

Toro is riddled with innovation and taking the lead. In the ‘50s Toro opened an R&D facility in Bloomington, MN that tests new product concepts and conducts agronomic research; the first of its kind in the world. Dr. James R. Watson, a living legend in the turf industry, joined Toro leading a team of 25 scientists.  

Toro introduced the first homeowner snow thrower, riding mower, and bagging mower. Changing its name to The Toro Manufacturing Corporation, Toro was the first lawn and garden industry company to advertise on television, resulting in The Power Handle representing 25% of company sales.  

In the 60s Toro introduced the first successful lightweight snow-blower for consumers; acquired Moist-O-Matic, Inc., an irrigation and equipment manufacturer; and helped prepare the field for Super Bowl, a partnership that has thrived for decades. John Singleton joined them and Toro Brand became the most widely used automatic irrigation for golf courses in the 70s.  

During the 70s Toro changed their name to The Toro Company. In 1978 the company traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange and made the Fortune 500 list in 1988. In ’86 Toro acquired Wheel Horse, a manufacturer of riding products and in 1989 they bought Lawn-Boy, their long-time rival in residential mowers.  

In the 90s Toro launched the Irritrol brand after acquiring James Hardie Irrigation. They also acquired Exmark Manufacturing in 1997, a professional turf care equipment manufacturer. 

Between 2001 and 2008 Toro added debris blowers to their commercial line when they acquired Goossen Industries, Inc.; acquired Hayter, Ltd in the UK; hosted the first annual WaterSmart Symposium; and acquired Rain Master Irrigation Systems, and Turf Guard Wireless Monitoring Technology. Mr. J. Hoffman became president and CEO of The Toro Company in 2004.  

After celebrating 100 years in business in 2014, The Toro Company acquired Boss’ Professional Snow and Ice Management Business.  

Present in more than 125 countries globally, with more than 5,300 employees the public company sales in fiscal 2018 was $2.6 billion dollars. The current chairman, CEO, and president, Richard M. Olson, made $5.07 million the same year. (#3) 

In 2019 Toro purchased Charles Machine Works, (#1) known as “The Underground Authority” for about $700 million. A family of companies—including Ditch Witch, Subsite Electronics, DW/TXS, HammerHead, Radius HDD, American Augers, Trenco, and MTI Equipment—provide globally the most advanced equipment for underground construction.  

Toro lawn and tractors are manufactured by MTD, owned by Toro. (#4). The warranties on product vary from 1-year to 5-years. (#5) 

The Toro Brand has a proud history and it seems like its sticking to their purpose, vision, and mission.  

OUR PURPOSE 
To help our customers enrich the beauty, productivity, and sustainability of the land. 

OUR VISION 
To be the most trusted leader in solutions for the outdoor environment. Every day. Everywhere. 

OUR MISSION 
To deliver superior innovation and to deliver superior customer care