Recommendations on a Lawn Mower

[thephatp]

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum, but it's worth a shot...

Can anyone make a recommendation (preferably based on personal experience) for a self-propelled walk-behind mower?

I'm looking for something under $500 and has variable speeds. Other than that, I don't think I'll be too picky. I'm just not familiar with the various brands and their durability.

Thanks,

Chad

 

[joesmoke]

I AM THE LAW!!!!

 

[desy]

Toro, Honda, John Deere, Lawn Boy all make good ones

 

[Howard]

/me furiously dials 911 due to death threat

 

[thephatp]

Originally posted by: joesmoke
I AM THE LAW!!!!

Originally posted by: Howard
/me furiously dials 911 due to death threat

What's with the random comments???

 

[Zenmervolt]

Toro or Honda are my choices.

I was decidedly not impressed with the John Deere mowers when I used them while working for the parks department. However, that was several years ago when I was still in college (2002 or 2003, I can't remember). I have an old Toro from the 1980's that still works beautifully and I've really liked the Honda mowers I've had a chance to play around with.

ZV

 

[exar333]

I have had great success with Craftsman brand mowers. They are tough, high-quality, and last a long time. Check out Sears...

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: thephatp

Originally posted by: joesmoke
I AM THE LAW!!!!

Originally posted by: Howard
/me furiously dials 911 due to death threat

What's with the random comments???

Because we answered based on you title.

BTW, nobody is mowing down the law around here, the law has grown quite unruly and will need some trimmings, if you know what I mean.

 

[angry hampster]

Steer clear of the "Sabre" line of mowers from Deere. They are junk and not actually Deere products.

 

[Strk]

Toro is pretty good for the money. Cub Cadet isn't bad either, but they don't have that much of a line on push mowers, last I knew. They tend to use Honda engines on them though.

Hondas are nice, but they are expensive for what you get.

 

[thephatp]

Originally posted by: SSSnail

Originally posted by: thephatp

Originally posted by: joesmoke
I AM THE LAW!!!!

Originally posted by: Howard
/me furiously dials 911 due to death threat

What's with the random comments???

Because we answered based on you title.

BTW, nobody is mowing down the law around here, the law has grown quite unruly and will need some trimmings, if you know what I mean.

That's what happens when I start a thread... D'oh...

 

[woodie1]

Lot of good ideas so far - one warning, stay away from Snapper. Both my dad and I had them and they were junk.

 

[bruceb]

I disagree. I have had Snapper Lawn Mowers since the about 1985 ... they still work. Bag wears out now and then and you also need new blades say ever 5 years or so (as will all mowers as they wear from sharpening and use) .. But a Snapper is very good in my book. If you want top line, go Honda, but they will be about $100 or so more than a Snapper ... FYI .. I also own Snapper for my Snow Thrower .. since about the same year ... Best thing for these machines, lawn or snow is a regular oil change and be sure oil is at proper level before use. Clean air filter once a year and if needed, swap the spark plug.

 

[Turin39789]

what kind of yard do you have?

I went engineless a few years ago, neat little things

 

[NutBucket]

http://www.mclanemower.com/

 

[Mojoed]

Toro Personal Pace at Home Depot. About $350. Decent mower!

 

[SuperSix]

If your lawn is somewhat hilly - look for a rear-drive unit. It will cost more, but perform much better. If you can afford the models with the front swivel/caster wheels, those are much easier to maneuver as well.

 

[slag]

lawn boys (girls) went to crap when they started using 4 stroke engines. Toro's are great, craftsman.... meh, so so, get a used one at sears and save a bundle..

For the money you want to spend, I'd get a good used Lawnboy duraforce powered mower or M mower and save some money, or top of the line toro or middle of the line honda and use it all.

 

[thephatp]

My yard isn't all that big, but the grass gets really thick (St. Augustine), and the whole back yard is sloped down.

In regards to rear-drive, does it matter if the wheels are larger in the back? What's the point of having larger wheels in the back?

Thanks to everyone for the input, BTW!

 

[spaceman]

ive sdasid it b4.
ive run diesel on accident thru my toro personal pace
i have never tuned it up
ive put gas and checked the oil thats it.
i fuckin beat it.
i know as sure as the sun comes up that it will start 1st or 2nd pull
ive never owned a better push mower

 

[Gillbot]

Toro

I've always bought the cheapest mower I could find until this recent one. I decided to splurge on a Toro and i'm very happy I did.

 

[LTC8K6]

Lawn Boy = Toro.

Same company.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Lawn Boy = Toro.

Same company.

yep, today's lawn boys and toros are made all by toro.

When toro bought them they went to either honda or tecumseh 4 stroke engines, but there are some subtle differences in the decks. Both drive systems are the same, personal pace, although it has a different name for lawnboy I think but same drive system.

The older (5 yr ago or older) lawn boys were the real gems with the duraforce engines, or the M engines. I think the current toro recycler lineup is really good also, but get it with the Briggs and Stratton engine or honda engine if they offer it. Stay away from the tecumseh.

 

[Thump553]

Go front wheel drive-it's far easy to turn/revese in tight spots by pushing down on the handlebar rather than picking up the back wheels.

I'd look more to the brand of engine rather than the brand of mower. Basically, mowers are mowers. I used a $100 Briggs & Stratton powered push mower for almost thirty years (went thru several sets of wheels). Ended up replacing it when it rusted through so bad and I wanted to get a propelled mower.

Look at parts costs-mainly spark plugs and blades. Personally, I think Honda is way too overpriced, especially for parts.

Now I'm using a Toro (bought at Home Depot) for the last several years and am happy with it. Tescumseh engine, I think.

Just do basic regular maintainence-change/clean the air filter regularly, run the gas dry in the fall, change the oil, clean and gap the plug and squirt an ounce or so of oil in the piston before replacing the plug and your mower will run for decades. Especially if you rinse out the bottom.

Personally I'd scout out the yard sales/craigslist first.

 

[JDub02]

I like Toros. My brother has a lawn care business and has a 2-stroke Toro that gets the living daylights beat out of it and keeps ticking. The deck has been welded back together several times, though.

For once a week mowing, get whatever is cheap. It's unlikely that you'll ever wear anything out with just home use. Just make sure you get one with a choke and throttle. My dad bought a craftsman "1 pull start" push mower that didn't have a throttle and the default speed was too low causing the motor to bog on thicker grass. The lack of a choke made it anything but "1 pull start". My dad threw it across the yard when it wouldn't start and the starter rope broke. Kind of funny looking back at it.