Toro TimeCutter 42 22 HP 42-Inch Zero-Turn Mower with Toro V-Twin and Smart Speed

The TimeCutter 42 is Toro’s residential zero-turn for properties between half an acre and two acres — a 42-inch lap-bar zero-turn built around the Smart Speed control system that lets the operator change ground-speed range mid-mow without leaving the seat. Where most residential zero-turns offer a single linear ground-speed range, the Smart Speed system gives the TimeCutter three distinct ranges — Trim, Tow, and Mow — each calibrated for a different task. The result is a more usable zero-turn across the full range of typical mowing scenarios.

Power comes from a 22-horsepower Briggs & Stratton Commercial V-twin OHV engine displacing 724cc. The Briggs commercial line is the residential-grade extension of the brand’s commercial engines, sharing overhead valve architecture, full pressure lubrication, and dual-element premium air filtration. Owners running the TimeCutter 42 on a typical weekly residential schedule will see oil and filter changes once a season — essentially the entire engine maintenance routine.

Twin hydrostatic transaxles power the rear wheels independently, allowing true zero-radius pivoting controlled through a pair of lap bars. Top forward speed is 7 mph in Mow mode, dropped to roughly 5 mph in Tow mode for pulling carts and dethatchers, and trimmed further in Trim mode for precision work around landscaping. The Smart Speed shifter is a single dash lever and is the most useful feature in the residential zero-turn category at this price.

The 42-inch fabricated steel deck cuts at seven height settings between 1.5 and 4.5 inches via a foot-lift pedal and pin-locked indicator. Two cutting blades work in side-discharge configuration. The deck accepts an optional Toro mulch kit or rear bagger (sold separately).

Operator comfort centers on a high-back seat with armrests, soft-grip lap bars, and a vibration-dampening foot deck. The dashboard layout is honest and minimal: ignition, throttle, choke, PTO knob, Smart Speed lever, hour meter, fuel gauge. The chassis is welded steel with a corrosion-resistant powder-coat finish, and the fuel tank capacity is 3 gallons.

The standard rear hitch accepts most popular tow-behind attachments — dump carts, broadcast spreaders, plug aerators, and dethatchers all mount without modification. Hour meter and cup holder are factory standard.

For half-acre to two-acre properties where the operator wants meaningful control over ground-speed range without stepping up to a commercial zero-turn, the TimeCutter 42 is among the most pragmatic residential choices. The Smart Speed system is the value story — a feature competing brands have not matched at this price point.