I have a Toro Personal Pace Self-propelled Lawn mower model 20332. The self-propelled system does not work, wheels will not allow lawn mower to back up (locked up), can push lawn mower forward, however, cannot use self-propel system. When pushing forward, normal clicking of pinions occurs. How do I fix the self-propel system?

SOURCE: Toro Lawn Mower Won't Start

this is a very common problem with these toro mowers. the needle valve in the bowl of the carb. is plugged up with dirt or varnish from the fuel. just under the primer bulb there is the carb bowl. it has a nut under it that holds it on remove the bowl and make sure fuel flows constantly while the bowl is off. push up on the float to stop the gas flow. this could be messy and dangerous. careful with the gas. its flammable. best solution is to remove the carb and soak it overnight in a parts cleaner like gunk. caution small parts inside. this happins every year on mine no matter what i do. seems like the orifice is so small it clogs easily. good luck

SOURCE: toro self propelled 22 inch recycler lawn mower start pull cord is "stuck"

Casey,

My son just bought a new Toro self propelled 22" recycler and has had problems on two different occasions. The mower just bogs down to a stop and when he tried to pull the starter cord, it was very VERY difficult to pull. At first I thought the engine had seized up for some reason (no oil?), but we found the problem.

First, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug (to avoid the engine starting); tip the mower on its side and check very carefully the pulley and transmission belt. In his case, a piece of wood had gotten stuck between the belt and the pulley. Removing it fixed the problem (now he mows a little higher so as not to get so close to any debris). (We did have one further problem after that - the engine would not start - not even fire. After pulling and pulling, checking for gas, and checking that the air filter was cleean, we decided to check if the cylinder was flooded - we removed the spark plug, wiped and dried if off, and replaced it. It started right away.)

This belt 'n pulley arrangement isn't the best idea, if you ask me.

Good luck.

SOURCE: Toro Personal Pace self propel problem.

Your self-propel is probably belt driven. Belts can make an awfully lot of noise when unhappy. Possible it has rolled over and is running on the wrong side of the belt or is worn and just needs replaced. Hope this helps.,

SOURCE: My Toro self-propelled lawn mower,

I'll bet the wheel needs to come off, then get cleaned and lubricated. Either that, or a stick or stone has lodged between the wheel and raising/lowering mechanism. Since the mower is a rear-wheel drive, the traction belt/gears are not the problem.