Lawn Mower Recommendations?

[NoCreativity]

I am just ball parking my "back yard" which is actually more of a side yard but enclosed next to my garage. It's much narrower than the garage, but longer. It's some what of an odd shape, but I estimate it to be something like 20 feet wide at it's widest, and about 50 feet deep. However, plants/trees take up about 2-3 feet as a border around the area, so all in all, actual grass to cut does seem like 500 sq ft +/- 100.

I have a front lawn which is smaller than the back/side yard. I would say overall grass from all yards is below 1,000 sq ft.

That's reel mower territory right there. I'd suggest battery as well but that's probably about double what you are looking to spend. Absolutely no need for self propelled. Heck, I have 10K sq ft and I don't see a reason for self propelled.

 

[Schfifty Five]

That's reel mower territory right there. I'd suggest battery as well but that's probably about double what you are looking to spend. Absolutely no need for self propelled. Heck, I have 10K sq ft and I don't see a reason for self propelled.

Thanks for the input. I am thinking either reel or cordless. Coworker of mine also has a small yard and he bought a Ryobi battery for sub $200 and he says it's perfect for his lawn.

I'll probably stop by a HD to take a look at some of their battery/cordless ones and see if any are within $200.

 

[Moonbeam]

I have a Craftsman with a Honda engine. It's pretty quiet and reliable. Easy to start.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My Troy-bilt 22" cut has a Honda engine on it... It was $329 at Lowe's when I got it, but I bought it in December from the returned/repaired selection out front...it was priced at $275, but I talked them down to $225 on it. It's been going strong for 6 years now.

 

[Elixer]

Well, my trusty 14+ year old $125 MTD side discharge, high rear wheels, B&S 6HP mower is on the way out, deck has cracked causing lots of vibration, and the engine mount is also cracked, so, not safe to run it anymore.

I was looking for a good replacement, and I can't find a push mower with at least 6HP.
I tried a 160cc Honda, and that just doesn't have enough power, it bogs down. I know this didn't have high rear wheels, but, the guy at the shop said you don't need them these days. I told him the ground was uneven, so I gave it a shot.
I looked at lowes, HD, menards, and I can't seem to find something powerful like the one I had that doesn't cost >$300.

What is the story here, where have all the good, powerful mowers gone off to? I don't need self-propelled, don't care about bagging, I just want a solid, steel deck, dependable mower.

That isn't asking for much, is it?

Oh, also, I saw some mowers wanting premium gas now? What is the story with that?

 

[Ketchup]

How about a Craftsman 7.25 HP for $249?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-163c...p-07137237000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[Elixer]

How about a Craftsman 7.25 HP for $249?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-163c...p-07137237000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Actually, that is 7.25 ft-lbs gross torque, 163cc engine, so around 5 1/4 HP.

 

[Ketchup]

Good catch. Didn't even see a hp number after looking again. You think you need more than that? Mine is a 6 HP, but is self-propelled, and don't have any problems unless I get really behind, or it's really wet.

 

[KK]

a pair of scissors for that size yard would be ample.

I just bought a used california trimmer reel mower from craiglist, got it for a very good price. so far its been good but the grass hasn't really grown much. It has the front roller bar, that I think is the most important part of it as the yard isn't 100% flat, keeps from scalping the yard.

 

[Elixer]

Good catch. Didn't even see a hp number after looking again. You think you need more than that? Mine is a 6 HP, but is self-propelled, and don't have any problems unless I get really behind, or it's really wet.

I tried a 160cc Honda, and that got bogged down, so, seems I do need all the power I can get.

 

[Subyman]

$40 per month for lawn service? Sounds good to me

 

[John Connor]

You want a Craftsman. DO NOT get rear wheel drive! You want front wheel drive. More problems with rear wheel. Trust me on this. Go to Sears!

 

[NutBucket]

It really doesn't matter what brand you get. Almost all the big box mowers are made by MTD. Heck, even low end John Deere and Toro are made by MTD.

 

[Bull Dog]

You want a Craftsman. DO NOT get rear wheel drive! You want front wheel drive. More problems with rear wheel. Trust me on this. Go to Sears!

Why would you want a front wheel drive mower? As your bag fills up it will counter balance more and more weight off the front wheels and reduce your traction to almost nothing.

 

[NutBucket]

AWD is where it's at LOL

 

[Elixer]

$40 per month for lawn service? Sounds good to me

$40? Last quote I got from 3 different places was, $380, $399, and $435 + fuel charges.
This is just a mow, anything extra (like fertilizer or whatever) is $50 more.

For self-propelled mowers, I think you need rear wheel if you have lots of hills, front wheel if not.
However, I still think self-propelled sucks, since it steals power from the engine, so, unless they make a 8-10HP mower, no thanks!

 

[John Connor]

Why would you want a front wheel drive mower? As your bag fills up it will counter balance more and more weight off the front wheels and reduce your traction to almost nothing.

Because rear wheel had nothing but issues.

 

[NetWareHead]

Was at Home Depot yesterday and saw mowers that do not need an oil change! My guy instinct is to not trust it and speculate it is marketed towards homeowners who dont want to get their fingers dirty changing oil. Any experience with these?

 

[bunker]

Was at Home Depot yesterday and saw mowers that do not need an oil change! My guy instinct is to not trust it and speculate it is marketed towards homeowners who dont want to get their fingers dirty changing oil. Any experience with these?

My 13 yr. old Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton engine) has not had an oil change since I bought it. Still running great. Yes, I'm too lazy to change it since it doesn't have any type of lower drain and it has to be tipped over to drain.

 

[Subyman]

Practically anything below $400 is made by MTD. We bought a Honda self propelled and blade clutched mower 15+ years ago for around $700 and we still use it now. It is in great shape. Never had to do any carb work until this year. It has a cast iron deck. If you want longevity then pay for it and buy a Honda (not just the engine, the entire mower.) It will serve you well for a long time.

If not, then buy the cheapest junker because it doesn't matter lol.

 

[bamx2]

What is the story with the Powemore engines on MTD products. Are thgey better or worse than B&S engines (now made in China too). It seems that B&S engines are still being used on some other brands of mowers (eg- Murray).

 

[Blain]

My 13 yr. old Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton engine) has not had an oil change since I bought it. Still running great. Yes, I'm too lazy to change it since it doesn't have any type of lower drain and it has to be tipped over to drain.

:thumbsup: Get a Topsider oil extractor.
It's the best thing since sliced bread for oil removal. I've used mine for antifreeze, engine oil, transmission fluid, lawnmower oil and generator oil.

 

[NutBucket]

Practically anything below $400 is made by MTD. We bought a Honda self propelled and blade clutched mower 15+ years ago for around $700 and we still use it now. It is in great shape. Never had to do any carb work until this year. It has a cast iron deck. If you want longevity then pay for it and buy a Honda (not just the engine, the entire mower.) It will serve you well for a long time.

If not, then buy the cheapest junker because it doesn't matter lol.

There's nothing wrong with MTD per se. It just means they're all the same with different engines and such. I have a "Troy-Bilt" with a Honda engine (push) that was about $250 or so at Lowe's. I foresee no issues with it for the next decade or two.

 

[pmark]

:thumbsup: Get a Topsider oil extractor.
It's the best thing since sliced bread for oil removal. I've used mine for antifreeze, engine oil, transmission fluid, lawnmower oil and generator oil.

or you can just get a large tin cooking pan and tip the lawnmover so it drains into the pan....a couple of dollars vs. $50...hmmm...

 

[Elixer]

This really blows chunks.
I have tried, a honda, 2 different craftsman (B&S and Kohler engine ), cub cadet (B&S), husqavana (honda engine), and a troy bilt (B&S), and they are horrible compared to my old 6.5HP B&S mower.
Seriously, each one of these mowers have issues with bogging down over thick grass that my old mower went through like butter. I tried both bagging and side discharge, made no difference. Price range was from $320 - $460.
They use lots of plastic now, you can't height adjust the bars, the self-propelled front wheels are a joke. They just spin and spin.
I am sick of returning these things.

I have looked at all the ones that are shown here http://www.mowersdirect.com/stories/695-Top-Rated-and-Best-Selling-Push-Mowers.html and without a doubt, those are all JUNK. Not enough power.
The max they seem to make is 190cc these days.

Sigh.

What, must I look at the black market and find a mower that has the same power as before? Why did they get to be so under-powered now?