Keeping It Green: Toro’s Spirit Of Innovation Lives On

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Toro has continually evolved “wing” deck design, and today, many modern Groundsmaster series mowers have the flexibility to engage specific decks for precision trimming and easier transport. (Photo courtesy of Toro.)

Following its wildly successful transition to designing and manufacturing turf equipment in the 1920s and early ’30s, Toro continued to lead the charge toward better tools for professional groundskeepers. The company also acknowledged that increasing numbers of homeowners had begun using its power mowers on their lawns at home, and in 1938, the company unveiled its first power mower just for home use. In 1940, Toro gained notoriety among turf care specialists with the 76 Professional, a 76-inch power mower with hinged reels—aka “wing” decks—that were adept at hugging the contours of a course. The 76 Professional remained for sale until the mid-1970s, and today’s Toro Groundsmaster models feature a similar design. Speaking of the Groundsmaster series, Toro introduced it in 1973; the first Groundsmaster models were notable for utilizing an all-hydraulic design.

Fast-Forward

Over the last two decades, Toro has carried on its tradition of developing industry-leading products. The Greensmaster 1000, released in 1989, is a good example; it incorporated what Toro claims were four industry firsts—features that would eventually become standard on greens mowers. These included its loop-style handle, its “Dual Klick” bedknife adjustment mechanism, a front weight bias to offset operator weight placed on the handle (which helps the mower follow contour height), and a wide kickstand to make it easy to switch transport wheels on and off.

Of course, today’s Toro turf equipment is, in general, faster and more capable than machines of the past. For example, in 2008, Toro released the Groundsmaster 5900 series, rotary mowers that could mow an entire acre in less than five minutes. Two years later, Toro launched the Groundsmaster 360 mower with all-wheel steering for ultimate maneuverability.

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The Greensmaster 1000 revolutionized greens mowing with several innovative features, and it’s still one of Toro’s best-selling models. (Photo courtesy of Toro.)

Precision Irrigation

Toro also returned to its leadership position in the area of irrigation; in 1962, the company acquired Moist-O-Matic, a company that manufactured underground irrigation systems. Toro introduced the Moist-O-Matic system to golf courses, and then in 1966, Toro developed the Valve-In-Head Sprinkler system, which drastically reduced the time it took to install and maintain underground sprinkler systems.

Toro’s irrigation products now benefit from Internet connectivity, and the latest technology helps golf course groundskeepers save water and energy. Modern irrigation systems can use Toro’s in-ground sensors to measure and report on soil moisture, temperature, and salinity using Toro’s Guard Wireless Monitoring System. Customers can even remotely control irrigation using Toro’s Lynx Central Control System. When fertilizing, Toro’s new sprayers can take advantage of the GeoLink Precision Spray System, which uses GPS location for consistent coverage.

Leading In The Lab

Toro likely wouldn’t be where it is today without the investment the company has made to research and development. Agronomist James R. Watson, in particular, helped make Toro a pioneer in turf science and water management. Watson joined Toro in 1952 and worked with a team of 25 scientists to study turf care, including best practices for water usage and fertilization. The team also studied grasses and soils to find the best approach for controlling invading grasses, diseases, and pests. The backyard of Toro’s headquarters would eventually become the Dr. James R. Watson Research and Development Proving Grounds.

In 1998, Toro created the Center for Advanced Turf Technology (CATT), a facility that was inspired by Dr. Watson’s research. The CATT team works to develop creative solutions that can solve customer problems, as well as ways to design more environmentally friendly turf technology. Toro indicates, for example, that CATT has helped develop technology for better water management, alternative fuels, and increased labor productivity.

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