Toro Proline 220 Possible Purchase

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

I might go look at this Toro 220 Proline mower.  It has the 20 hp Onan engine, 52 inch deck.  I'm a bit intrigued with these front mount mowers like this Toro.  I believe this one was made around 1993 or 1994.  Anyone here ever run across one of these Proline mowers or Groundmasters from Toro?

[ebinmaine 67,578]

@19richie66

Anything you've dealt with? 

[19richie66 17,508]

We had them at Disney for a while. Good little mowers if kept up. I can’t remember but I think it has the sundstrand pump/drive axle. Has the better pto box on the deck. Been a while since I had worked on them. 

[19richie66 17,508]

Check the play in the pto engagement set up. I know on the larger groundsmasters they had a swinging set up and sometimes the shaft walks forward and throws the pto belt alignment off. Make sure the pto belt is still together and not split into two separate belts. If I remember correctly, it should be a thick 2v single belt. 

Edited July 27 by 19richie66

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

I was supposed to take a look at it this afternoon, but the seller still hasn't given me his address, so......

[wh500special 2,184]

That one has the same 52” deck shell that found its way under the 260 series, 5xi, and 600-series. I don’t know what else was shared, but it’s a nice mowing deck. 
 

I looked at and drove one once when I was looking for a faster mowing machine.  I liked it and the Deere F935 orwhateveritwascalled equivalent.  But found I liked a zero turn more for better maneuverability and higher speed. 
 

I am under the impression that the Groundsmasters are meant for years and years of 8-hour per day service.  They are heavy and durable.  Can also get diesel power and some of the oldies even used the same Renault engine used in the D250 (different bellhousing though).  But popularity and ubiquity of the zero turn format has kind of relegated this style mower to niche use.  
 

Might be fun to play with. 

steve

 

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

6 hours ago, wh500special said:

That one has the same 52” deck shell that found its way under the 260 series, 5xi, and 600-series. I don’t know what else was shared, but it’s a nice mowing deck. 
 

I looked at and drove one once when I was looking for a faster mowing machine.  I liked it and the Deere F935 orwhateveritwascalled equivalent.  But found I liked a zero turn more for better maneuverability and higher speed. 
 

I am under the impression that the Groundsmasters are meant for years and years of 8-hour per day service.  They are heavy and durable.  Can also get diesel power and some of the oldies even used the same Renault engine used in the D250 (different bellhousing though).  But popularity and ubiquity of the zero turn format has kind of relegated this style mower to niche use.  
 

Might be fun to play with. 

steve

 

I was late for a 220D Groundmaster before this one.  The 220D has a Mitisubushi diesel engine on it and is very similar to this 220 Proline.  The 220 Proline has a 20 hp Onan.  Luckily you can download some manuals from Toro.

Toro 220 Proline 52 inch deck parts catalog.pdf Toro 220 Proline 52 inch deck OM.pdf Toro 220 Proline OM.pdf Toro_220_Proline_Parts.pdf

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Bought it.  Runs pretty good, steering tires aren't the greatest.  Uses little oil and smokes a bit when cold.  But, this thing is neat to drive and a beast to mow with.  52 inch deck, 20 hp Onan engine, hydraulic lift on the deck, etc.

[ebinmaine 67,578]

Very cool! 

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Oh, and the seat is in the running for ugliest seat contest.  It may not win, but may get honorable mention.

[6wheeler 603]

Here is a little tip for you. Put narrower tires on the rear. It will steer 100% better. The steering is sort of a mickey mouse setup, the long rod is fairly easy to bend. As was mentioned watch the pto belt alignment. I have a Groundsmaster 327 with the Conti/renault engine. Mine has a 72" deck. Very easy to hang it up. If you go through a relatively deep ditch with it? The deck will hit the other side and high center the machine lifting the drive wheels off the ground and you are hung. I don't know about yours. But, mine is very heavy and hard to push. It takes a relatively equal in weight machine to pull it out when it gets hung or stuck. I usually use my D-250. If it all works right? You will like how it mows. I have a big zero turn and 60" and 48" decks on my 520 and C-160 respectively. But, in all fairness? I really like the way the Groundsmaster mows the best. Another thing? Check the roller under the hydro pedal. The rubber wears and then it will be hard to keep the pedal consistent. It will rock forward or reverse when you don't want it to. If your safety switch is connected? You may have to rock the pedal back or forward to get the starter engage. Good Luck...

[kpinnc 12,082]

I have one of these myself. I don't know how I missed this thread....

 

Mine had a 61 inch deck, and I used it for several years. It was a freebie, so I never worried about it having 2500 hours on the meter that never worked while I used it.  Mine has an oil cooler, and I'm sure I added at least 500 hours to it before the deck literally fell apart. 

 

The only issue I ever had was that the belt for the PTO is a double (side by side) V. When it gets a little wear, it is bad to slip. There isn't much adjustment available, so be sure to get an extra one or three. 

 

They are really good mowers. Since my deck is no longer usable, I've kept the tractor with the idea of making a loader setup on it. Supposedly the transaxle is rated for some serious weight. Given the rear steering setup, I thought it would make a very useful loader. Oh well, maybe one day... 

Edited August 16 by kpinnc

[ebinmaine 67,578]

51 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

the belt for the PTO is a double (side by side) V.

*****

, so be sure to get an extra one or THREE.

 

 

That's it??

Not like 16 or 47?