Lawn Mowers

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retrofive

retrofive

rɛtrəʊ
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New home calls for new needs. Been trying to research lawn mowers. We have a front and rear lawn. Its not giant yard, and completley flat with no real obstacles or anything. Have a budget of around $200. Which seems to be sorta of hard price point. Is it worth the extra $75 to $100 for a better quality mower (or so they appear), or is at just marketing?

here are some Im looking at:

Toro Low Wheel Walk Power Mower - 20330 at The Home Depot

TB110 Walk-Behind Push Mower from Troy-Bilt

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...agement&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

The Troy-Bilt is cheaper, but haven't been reading very good reviews since I guess they are now made by MTD?

Briggs & Stratton VS. Honda engines?

They are all the 6.75tq 190cc.

Thoughts? Other brands to consider?

Thanks!
 
the plastic gears on the toro front wheel drive suck replaced twice on my dads in the last year...i just bought him the troy-bilt with the honda engine rear wheel drive but have not test drove it yet....
 
I've had a cordless electric mower from Home Depot for a year and it works great- Homelite 20 In. Cordless Electric Mower - UT13122 at The Home Depot It costs a bit more than the ones in your links but it's close. The nice thing is there's no maintainance required- you just have to plug it in. I have average city sized lawns and I can mow the front and back twice before I have to recharge the battery. The only downside I've found so far is that it doesn't have a smart battery charger- you can't just leave it plugged in or it can hurt the battery. Aside from the one issue I'm more than happy with it.
 
Good info :) Thank you. Hadn't really considered an electric. Probably because 15yrs ago the last one I used couldn't cut crap (not powerful enough). Obviously things have advanced in techno world so....
 
It can get bogged down if you let the grass get too long- more than 2 weeks of growth- and try to go too fast. But the rest of the time it has no problems.
 
So I have been asking around abit today with some guys that run yard maintenance companies, and they have all said go with one with a the Honda engine.
 
Honda builds a good engine and a price point engine. Not to over symplicate it but the good Honda engines on 21" walk behind mowers have a spin on oil filter.

Do you or your neighbors have trees? Leaves to consider?

Are you going to bag, mulch or simple discharge the clippings?

How long do you expect the mower to last with reasonable maintenance?
 
We have some decent size (50' pine) trees in the backyard. As well most the neighbors have similar pine type tress. No real "big" foliage so to speak of. Pretty low maintenance yard in the grand scheme of things.

Pretty much was thinking bag. Yard debris disposal is free in my case, not a lot but have a good size container picked up every other week.

As far as the mower to last, tough call. I know my "price point" is low and don't mind some maintenance; but would like to at least start with a mower I can rebuild or fix a couple years down the road if need be.

Or is that not a good option in the sub $300 range. $100/yr mower?
 
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I would look at a used Snapper at a dealership junk pile or at a yard sale. Put a new engine on it and drive disc if it has the self propel feature. The are the FJ 40 of Lawn Mowers by being built like a tank.

Get one with the rolled lip on the bottom of the deck. When new, they would suck a quarter off the pavement on the #3 setting on the wheels. The quarter could be as far as 4" away from the edge of the deck.


If you go with a used one or before you buy a used one, make sure the lower handle bar brackets are in good shape and there are no stress cracks on the deck. Look where the front and rear wheel bracket mounts are fastened to the deck.
 
Thanks for the advise. I'll poke around and see if I can find a good used platform.
 
I have a 21' 160cc Husqvarna with a Honda engine and I love it. The motor is quiet and very powerful. The only regret I have is that I would have gone with the self propelled.
 
:) thanks steve, if I were closer I'd take that offer up and do a little fishing.


Well I ended up BS'n with a local store and the guy matched the online price + I had some store credit, so ended up picking up the Husq'y like the link and 85FJ got for under $200 with a 3yr warranty.

Chopped up the lawn today. Worked fine. I think it will fit my need just fine. I did poke around for some used stuff but didnt find anything to enticing.
 
I'm looking at these mowers as well. I don't have the money for a "real" Honda. I currently have a Honda on an MTD deck that has been a headache every year (runs fine one week, not the next). I'm done spending money on it, it'll be on CL here in a little bit.

Kohler engines any good? HD has some Ariens with Kohler engines.

Seriously, I'm really leaning towards the Troy-Bilt model. I haven't ready much bad (other than a few folks got duds out of the box).
 
If you never listen to me ever again DO NOT buy a Troy Bilt. I was given one and it still wasn't worth it.

Kohler motors are good but I'm really leary of anything from Lowes or HD, they spec everything down to s***. Look on CL for some better quality used stuff.
 
The Kohler Command series needs the correct weight oil in them to start and run correctly. If you put the wrong oil in them, the hydraulic valves collapse and you will drain the battery trying to start it every week when you go to mow the grass. Drain and install the correct oil for the season and it solves the problem.
 
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