The Toro Company has renewed its support of the Equine Equipment Savings program, a unique initiative created by Innovative Equine Marketing to support and promote the goals of equine facilities and tracks across North America.

Toro Co. saw sales rise 11.3 percent to $567.5 million as favorable summer growing conditions in key markets helped drive sales after the company faced challenges of late spring weather in the previous quarter.

Heavy snow helped sales in the first quarter, but come spring, earnings are expected to be slightly below analysts' expectations.

The Toro Co. has submitted plans to the city of Bloomington to expand its corporate headquarters with a 75,000-square-foot, three-story addition. The expansion is slated for the north side of Toro's existing 1952-built, single-story headquarters near the intersection of Lyndale Avenue South and 82nd Street West, according to Larry Lee, Bloomington's director of community development.

Toro Co. said its fiscal second-quarter net income rose 14 percent, helped by stronger demand for professional landscaping and construction equipment.

Toro has recalled Toro Z Master Commercial 2000 Series ZRT riding mowers because the idler pulley can rub against the mower's fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.

Toro Co. said Monday it acquired Lawn Solutions Commercial Products Inc., which makes lawn care equipment for the landscape, rental, municipal and golf markets.

The Toro Co. said Tuesday that it bounced back to a profit in its fiscal fourth quarter after a loss a year ago as home owners bought more riding lawnmowers and landscaping professionals gave a lift to its mower and irrigation business.

Toro Co. reported Thursday a 69% rise in fiscal third-quarter profit as demand for its landscaping and irrigation equipment continued to rebound.

Exmark Manufacturing, the rural lifestyle Nebraska-based unit of the Toro Co. says Briggs & Stratton is violating a patent for a mulching mower deck with multiple blades.