[TORO logo]
8111 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55420-1196
612/888-8801                                FAX 612/887-8258

AT THE TORO COMPANY:

INVESTOR RELATIONS                                    MEDIA RELATIONS       
Stephen P. Wolfe          Stephen D. Keating          Don St. Dennis
Vice President, CFO       Assistant Treasurer         Director, Public Relations
(612) 887-8076            (612) 887-8526              (612) 887-8960


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

              THE TORO COMPANY DECLARES REGULAR QUARTERLY DIVIDEND;
                 ADOPTS NEW PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS PLAN

BLOOMINGTON,  Minn., (May 20,1998) -- The board of directors of The Toro Company
(NYSE:  TTC)  announced it has declared a regular  quarterly cash dividend of 12
cents per share payable July 13, 1998, to  stockholders of record June 22, 1998.
As of May 20, 1998, the company had 12,843,503 common shares outstanding.

          In other action, the board of directors adopted a new Preferred Share
Purchase Rights Plan, designed to protect shareholder value in the event of a
takeover attempt. The 1998 Rights Plan replaces a plan authorized in 1988, which
is set to expire in June.

          "The new Rights Plan assures that shareholders will receive fair and
equal treatment if efforts are made to gain control of the company without
paying all shareholders proper value," said Kendrick B. Melrose, chairman and
chief executive officer of The Toro Company. "The new Rights Plan does not
prevent a takeover, nor has it been adopted in response to any specific effort
to acquire control of Toro. It is intended to enable shareholders to realize the
long-term value of their investments in the company and to assure the ability of
the board of directors to protect the interests of all shareholders."

                                     -MORE-


          Under the 1998 Rights Plan, one right for each share of common stock
outstanding will be granted to shareholders of record on June 14, 1998. These
rights will become exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15 percent or
more of Toro's common stock or announces a tender offer that would result in the
ownership of 15 percent or more of the common stock. Each right will then
entitle the holder to buy a one one-hundredth interest in a share of a series of
preferred stock at an exercise price of $180.

          The 1998 Rights Plan also allows the Board of Directors to redeem the
rights at a cost of one cent per right at any time before a 15 percent position
in Toro is acquired by any person or group.

          If a person or group acquires 15 percent or more of Toro's outstanding
common stock, each right entitles its holder (other than the acquiring person or
group) to purchase the number of common shares of Toro having a market value of
twice the exercise price of the right. In addition, if Toro is acquired in a
merger or other business combination after such 15 percent acquisition, each
right entitles its holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to purchase
the number of shares of the acquiring company's common shares having a market
value of twice the exercise of each right.

          The 1998 Rights Plan also gives the board of directors the option to
exchange one share of common stock of the corporation for each right (not owned
by the acquirer) after an acquirer holds 15 percent but less than 50 percent of
the outstanding shares of common stock.

          The Rights distribution under the new plan will be made to
shareholders of record on June 14, 1998. The receipt of the rights by
shareholders is not taxable. The 1998 Rights Plan will expire on June 14, 2008.

          Toro is a leading worldwide provider of outdoor maintenance and
beautification products, irrigation systems and nutrients for home, recreation
and commercial landscapes.