self-propelled mowers

[rh71]

I only have a push mower that's making me regret going out there on hot days. Do these self-propelled mowers break easily? I had issues with a snowblower drivetrain failure that I couldn't resolve.

I am looking to spend under $350 and found these 2:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_632482-270-12AVB2AQ711___?productId=50328177&pl=1 (Honda engine) - sale through tomorrow.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_632475-270-12AVB2A3711___?productId=50328175&pl=1 (Briggs & Stratton engine)

My current Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton engine) mower has been abused but still keeps on ticking despite not having maintenance for over 10 years (original oil). So I'm leaning towards the B&S, but are they made like they used to? Thoughts?


Please lets keep post such as this where they belong...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[TheUnk]

I've had a self propelled for about 12 years. It's still going strong. All I have ever done for maintenance is change the blade twice.

 

[Markbnj]

I have a Toro that's going on four years. The self-drive slipped a belt once because I hit a root and I had to tear the mower apart to put it back on its drive pulley. Other than that it's been a good unit. It has a variable speed drive that moves faster as you increase walk speed.

 

[Anubis]

I have a self propelled and TBH I should have just purchased a small riding lawn mower

reliability has been fine but its still a push mower

 

[Banana]

How big is the lawn? If it's less than 10,000 sq ft, then another option are corded electric mowers. They are light enough that you can push with one hand! No maintenance needed except for blade sharpening, and not nearly as noisy.

 

[evident]

How big is your lawn? You may want to pay attention to the self-propel speed if it's big, but not big enough for a riding mower.

I have an old self-propelled Troy Bilt from the late 90's w/ B&S engine that's been running fine all these years with regular maintenance. Just really rusty at this point. the Self - propelling feature is slow on it.
so I just got a Honda HRX217 mower which is WAY faster and much nicer. keeping the old troy bilt to mow around the wooded areas that have alot of twigs.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I only have a push mower that's making me regret going out there on hot days. Do these self-propelled mowers break easily? I had issues with a snowblower drivetrain failure that I couldn't resolve.

I am looking to spend under $350 and found these 2:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_632482-270-12AVB2AQ711___?productId=50328177&pl=1 (Honda engine) - sale through tomorrow.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_632475-270-12AVB2A3711___?productId=50328175&pl=1 (Briggs & Stratton engine)

My current Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton engine) mower has been abused but still keeps on ticking despite not having maintenance for over 10 years (original oil). So I'm leaning towards the B&S, but are they made like they used to? Thoughts?

I have the second mower you listed there. If you're going up steep grades it won't cut it but for fairly flat mowing it is fine.

 

[kranky]

I have a self-propelled Craftsman mower with a 4-cycle Honda engine. 18 years old, starts on the first pull after sitting all winter (this makes my neighbor crazy as he has to mess with his expensive 2-cycle LawnBoy for an hour each spring to get it to start the first time). That engine is a winner. It handles steep grades well.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Take care of your shit and it won't break down so quickly.

I've had my Troy-Bilt for ~2 years, and still runs like new. Rear-wheel drive for the win.

 

[zinfamous]

How big is the lawn? If it's less than 10,000 sq ft, then another option are corded electric mowers. They are light enough that you can push with one hand! No maintenance needed except for blade sharpening, and not nearly as noisy.

We just purchased one of these and it works really well on our lawn, once you get used to working with/cursing at the damn cord. It is very light, which helps.

Many years in the past I used self-propelled mowers and don't recall any problems...but dealing with those issues wasn't my responsibility at the time.

But if your target area isn't too slopey then you shouldn't need one. Even so, a lightweight non-propelled electric mower is much easier on sloped terrain than a gas-powered.

...I also like that this thing costs something like ~$4 per month to operate. Or per year, I forget. The gas savings can more than offset the initial purchase difference within the first month comparing the two types.

 

[Midwayman]

Take care of your shit and it won't break down so quickly.

I've had my Troy-Bilt for ~2 years, and still runs like new. Rear-wheel drive for the win.

No kidding. I could probably tow with my troy-bilt

 

[edro]

I got a Honda self propelled. It weighs a ton, so even self propelled it is not simple to maneuver.
I like it, but I probably should have gotten a mini riding mower (.5 ac).

 

[Aharami]

in the market for a mower also. Is RWD preferred over FWD? How about 4WD? I have a relatively flat lot. 0.37 acres

 

[SP33Demon]

Funny you should mention it, I'm getting the new Ego self propelled 7.5ah li-ion battery powered one. Kills the competition in all reviews, downside is that it's $600 so you must be ATOT baller status to acquire it.
https://youtu.be/QW_3hF94LfM

 

[BurnItDwn]

My Toro is self propelled, its from early 1980s. I got it when my grandfather died. A small engine mechanic fixed it when I inherited it (fixed gas leak and replaced the float), its been my only lawn mower since then. This year and the last I have been hiring the kids down the block to cut the grass since it seems like it rains every time Im free to mow, but, grandpa's old mower still works well.

 

[zinfamous]

Funny you should mention it, I'm getting the new Ego self propelled 7.5ah li-ion battery powered one. Kills the competition in all reviews, downside is that it's $600 so you must be ATOT baller status to acquire it.
https://youtu.be/QW_3hF94LfM

That sounds like a small battery, especially for a self-propelled model. When I was comparing those, it seems like most batteries last about an hour on a full charge, which is fine if you can get the job done in that time, but it also takes 12 or more hours to charge the things. I think that was for non-propelled models, though.

 

[rh71]

I only have a quarter acre and not too much grass but it's a lot of turns since the grass is not just square in shape. Heavy would be bad too. No slopes... I guess the good thing is I can always return it if it's not much better.

I won't go corded - I know what that's like with other tools reaching across the lawn.

 

[notposting]

Got our Toro self propelled in 2014 - just a belt driven system so not a lot to go wrong. You can get full schematic and part listing for these things online so you can do any of the work yourself.

Add regular small engine maintenance, a little time & effort should keep it running fine for years.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't like self propelled mowers. They end up being a pita to maneuver cause the wheels want to go forward, and I want to do something else. Might be fine for very long straight paths, but I don't have much of that. Currently using an old Deere rider, but when it goes up, I'll most likely replace it with a pushmower.

I used to use a reel mower, but I have a lot of trees, and it gets old fast having the mower stop dead from a stick in the blades, and getting the bars slammed into your stomach. Real old... I threw my old reel mower a few times. Finally broke it, and got another :^D Glad I have it though. I've used it on other people's lawns when it would be inconvenient to tote a gas mower, and I always know it'll work. They punish laziness though. If you let the grass get too high, that'll be the last time you let the grass get too high. The blisters will be just about healed when it's time to mow again, and you won't likely put it off :^D

 

[evident]

I don't like self propelled mowers. They end up being a pita to maneuver cause the wheels want to go forward, and I want to do something else. Might be fine for very long straight paths, but I don't have much of that. Currently using an old Deere rider, but when it goes up, I'll most likely replace it with a pushmower.

I used to use a reel mower, but I have a lot of trees, and it gets old fast having the mower stop dead from a stick in the blades, and getting the bars slammed into your stomach. Real old... I threw my old reel mower a few times. Finally broke it, and got another :^D Glad I have it though. I've used it on other people's lawns when it would be inconvenient to tote a gas mower, and I always know it'll work. They punish laziness though. If you let the grass get too high, that'll be the last time you let the grass get too high. The blisters will be just about healed when it's time to mow again, and you won't likely put it off :^D

i've never had that problem w/ my self propel mowers... i 've always had models where i can disengage the self propel and move it where i want to move it.

 

[SP33Demon]

That sounds like a small battery, especially for a self-propelled model. When I was comparing those, it seems like most batteries last about an hour on a full charge, which is fine if you can get the job done in that time, but it also takes 12 or more hours to charge the things. I think that was for non-propelled models, though.

The ego batteries charge in an hour or less for 7.5ah. The 2.5 on the weed wacker charges in 20ish minutes. The cool thing is that if Ego comes out with a larger battery next year, they make all of them backwards compatible. So a new 9ah released in 2018 would fit on my 2016 mower if I needed the extra firepower. Most people can get their lawns done in an hour though, and just charge it (and finish later) or buy another battery if you can't.

 

[JTsyo]

Forget self-propelled, hold out for self-driving. Waiting for the Roomba of mowers. Instead of random, you should guide it the first tie and then from then on, it should follow that path.

 

[SP33Demon]

Forget self-propelled, hold out for self-driving. Waiting for the Roomba of mowers. Instead of random, you should guide it the first tie and then from then on, it should follow that path.

This would be nice to save time, for sure. I enjoy the walk around the lawn when mowing though, great cardio since there are some slopes. I'd just get fatter with a Roomba. Or maybe I'd put that extra time NOT mowing as an extra hour at the gym. hmm.

 

[Midwayman]

Forget self-propelled, hold out for self-driving. Waiting for the Roomba of mowers. Instead of random, you should guide it the first tie and then from then on, it should follow that path.

They already exist and have for years.

 

[waggy]

I have a roughly 20 yr old toro self propelled. Well worth the money on having one.