OT - Lawn mowers - I know there have been multiple threads
- Thread starter Fac
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A) Avoid everything with a Briggs & Stratton engine .... look for Kawasaki, Honda, or Kohler power ...
B) avoid self-propelled if at all possible, average sized yard being a quarter-acre to a half-acre i suppose - you don’t need a self-propelled mower IMHO... the first thing to fail on these units will be the drive-mechanisms
C) avoid anything produced By MTD (White, Murray, TroyBilt, Cub Cadet) ... cheap crap you’ll need to replace
D) i am not a fan of Poulan in any way shape or form - even though it’s owned/produced by Husqvarna... and that means all of the Craftsman garbage that is produced by Poulan / rebadged as Craftsman... i’d make the possible exception of a Honda-powered Craftsman....
B) avoid self-propelled if at all possible, average sized yard being a quarter-acre to a half-acre i suppose - you don’t need a self-propelled mower IMHO... the first thing to fail on these units will be the drive-mechanisms
C) avoid anything produced By MTD (White, Murray, TroyBilt, Cub Cadet) ... cheap crap you’ll need to replace
D) i am not a fan of Poulan in any way shape or form - even though it’s owned/produced by Husqvarna... and that means all of the Craftsman garbage that is produced by Poulan / rebadged as Craftsman... i’d make the possible exception of a Honda-powered Craftsman....
I have over an acre now, but in the past I’ve used small and light push mowers. I also hate the big fancy self propelled models as they are harder to maneuver. I had a very basic model from Sears for about 200 bucks that lasted about 8 years before giving out.
Do yourself a favor and spend a little extra $$ on a Honda. I've gone through a number of mowers/equipment over the years and the Honda has run like clockwork vs. the issues that I've had with Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, Briggs and Straton, etc.
Spend the extra $100 and buy a Honda.
In the chain saw world, Husqvarna hypesters all cut with Stihls.
I have a 12' Echo pole saw at work with a 12" bar for high limbs. The thing is a man killer when extended. That's why I borrow the Stihl from a nearby shop if I'm cutting more than a couple of limbs.
Would echo the comments on a Honda and could not disagree more about avoiding self-propelled. Now, not all self-propelled is created equal. But IMHO you will not be disappointed if you spend a little extra on a Honda with it's variable speed self-propelled.
Lawn Boy, once head & shoulders above all other push-mowers (innovative staggered-wheel magnesium deck, super-compact/featherweight 2cycle smoke-belching powerplant with muffler integrated into the deck - unkillable ... unless one straight-fuels it)
is nothing now but a re-badged Toro since the acquisition about 15yrs ago... Toro scrapped everything that made LawnBoy unique (and superior) ...
Here’s my 25yr old Gold Series :
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I have the same one and about the same age.Lawn Boy, once head & shoulders above all other push-mowers (innovative staggered-wheel magnesium deck, super-compact/featherweight 2cycle smoke-belching powerplant with muffler integrated into the deck - unkillable ... unless one straight-fuels it)
is nothing but a re-badged Toro since the acquisition about 15yrs ago...
Here’s my 25yr old Gold Series :
7
Pay no attention to that dangling cord I use to bypass the annoying blade safety-clutch
Pay no attention to that dangling cord I use to bypass the annoying blade safety-clutch
If you buy a Honda, buy one from a dealer. Don’t buy from a big box store. The mowers at a dealer are in fact better built better than the ones at at HD, Lowe’s, etc.
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Yes I will. Thanks and don't you think your avatar should be a picture of Steve McQueen?
I abused the think
I walk faster with my push behind than the fastest setting on any self propelled mower I’ve ever used. Self propelled mowers take me 30% ish longer to mow the same area.
I love my Greenworks electric from Lowe's. Easily cuts a quarter acre with one charge. Super quiet - I have cut the lawn at 7am on a weekend and no one in my family heard it. No filling with gas, no oil changes, no spark plugs, etc. Never going back to gasoline. Very lightweight - does not need power to wheels. Folds to hang up on the garage wall!
Hope you have a heated garage... that battery pack will get chewed up after a few winters unless you take proper steps... even then, i would not want to be replacing a battery pack every x amount if years at 70% the cost of a new unit
Lawn Boy, once head & shoulders above all other push-mowers (innovative staggered-wheel magnesium deck, super-compact/featherweight 2cycle smoke-belching powerplant with muffler integrated into the deck - unkillable ... unless one straight-fuels it)
is nothing but a re-badged Toro since the acquisition about 15yrs ago...
Here’s my 25yr old Gold Series :
More like 30 years ago, 1989.
The Gold and Silver Series were introduced in 1993. Didn't know that product quality had deteriorated, not that I've been paying attention. My Silver Series is kicking along quite nicely. Just needs a new rear grass bag chute, which I can get. Problem is getting the rust -welded wing nut (shown front and center in your picture) off first.
Don’t overthink this.....just get whatever mower your wife likes and will use faithfully!
Interesting place for the Genny pounder. Mine has a 48" deck, a seat, and most importantly a double beverage holder. Cheers!Lawn Boy, once head & shoulders above all other push-mowers (innovative staggered-wheel magnesium deck, super-compact/featherweight 2cycle smoke-belching powerplant with muffler integrated into the deck - unkillable ... unless one straight-fuels it)
is nothing but a re-badged Toro since the acquisition about 15yrs ago...
Here’s my 25yr old Gold Series :
I have a Cub Cadet SC 100, 21 inch deck. I have never owned a better mower and I am old. It mulches and never leaves any clumps, it is really unbelievable.
Agree 100%. Gone through multiple mowers over the years. Current Honda is by far the best.
My favorite mower is paying my HOA fees for lawn maintenance.
I did have a sears craftsman mower my father purchased in 1960, which I inherited in 1987 when my parents moved to Florida. I used it as my ditch and trim mower. The magneto went bad in 1998 so I traded it in for a Toro. The mower shop owner was ecstatic that he got my mower because it was the exact same model he used as a kid (had a wind up starter, not a pull starter). He was so happy he gave me $80 as a trade-in on a $160 mower.
Also had 3 riding mowers over the years. First was a used Montgomery Wards 16hp tractor, then a Cub Cadet made before MTD took them over (all welded frame) and finally a John Deere. The Deere was the best of the lot and I would still have it if I still had to cut my own grass.
I did have a sears craftsman mower my father purchased in 1960, which I inherited in 1987 when my parents moved to Florida. I used it as my ditch and trim mower. The magneto went bad in 1998 so I traded it in for a Toro. The mower shop owner was ecstatic that he got my mower because it was the exact same model he used as a kid (had a wind up starter, not a pull starter). He was so happy he gave me $80 as a trade-in on a $160 mower.
Also had 3 riding mowers over the years. First was a used Montgomery Wards 16hp tractor, then a Cub Cadet made before MTD took them over (all welded frame) and finally a John Deere. The Deere was the best of the lot and I would still have it if I still had to cut my own grass.
I push mow an acre in New Hampshire with a Honda. It rocks. And I have to dodge a bunch of rocks.
Then you haven't used a Honda with variable speed. I'm 6'3" with long legs and on the fastest setting, it is all I can do to maintain a walk and not have to jog. But really, I'm not trying to push anything. If you don't want self-propelled then don't get it. Not sure Honda makes a non-self-propelled but if they do, check it out.
