Lawnmower question

[The patriot]

I'm in the market for a lawn mower. Nothing special, walk behind, big rear wheel,self propelled isnt necessary (but would be nice) something with some power, mulching.

I got a mower from wallyworld that I was told was a B&S engine, I get it home and it's a Tecumpseh. I havent heard any good on these engines, so it's going back.

I'd like to keep it around $200. 00.

Suggestions?

Eric

 

[illflem]

A Lawn Boy from Home Depot has worked well for me for three years. I paid a little more than $200 though because I opted for the Honda engine option, you should too unless you like pulling on ropes.

Good decision dumping the Tecumseh, I don't recall ever having one that didn't start giving me problems in the first year.

 

[The patriot]

Thanks Bill. I was to Home depot, Lowes, Sears, and BJ's.

I didnt see a one with the Honda for anywhere near that price.

I really like, and prefer the Honda, but being I cant find them for under $400. 00, I didnt even mention it in my first post.

Maybe I'll call around.

Eric



PS Does yours have the big back wheel?

 

[lschultz]

Knock on wood. I bought a Lawn Boy from Lowes back in 98 and it has the dreaded Tecumseh engine on it but it has not failed to start yet usually on the 1 -3 pulls. That said now when I cut grass it probably want start. Son got him a Honda mower back in May and it cuts nice. Starts the 1 pull. I have heard some good things over on http://www.tractorbynet.com/ under Lawn & Garden and Rural Living about the Toros.

 

[mikel]

My advice is to get a self-propelled unit. I got exactly the mower you're taking about, came from Lowes as I recall. That son-of-a-gun will flat out suck down to the lawn and it is a real bear to move when the mulcher is installed. It's not too bad when you're not mulching, but I'm to the point of considering doing something mean to it so I can get one that pulls itself along.



I've had it three years or so and it is a MTD (I think) with a Briggs motor and *always* starts on the first pull if you pump the primer 4 or 5 times. It's real annoying, cause it just won't give me a reason to replace it. It does have the big rear wheels.



Hey, I'll make you a heck of a deal on a mower that runs great and starts every time!





Mike

 

[JSmith]

I care for my self propelled lawn mower like I care ffor my CTD.

It has 18hp, 42" deck, only runs on syn oil.

 

[parcher]

The Tecumseh engine on my snowblower is 27 years old and has never let me down.

 

[bigkid59]

I am still using a Lawnboy I bought about 18 or 19 years ago. Of course it is one of the two cycle ones, being that old. I bought it because Lawnboy was part of OMC and I really liked the Evinrude and Johnson outboards they made.



The primer bulb finally hardened and cracked a few years ago and the fuel valve leaks thru, but it still runs good and the self propelling mechanism still works. I can almost always start it on the first or second pull even without the primer. It can sit all winter and will still start on less than five pulls.



I guess that the old two stroke Lawnboys are a thing of the past now,but my experience with this one has proven to me that they made a quality product.

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by bigkid59





I guess that the old two stroke Lawnboys are a thing of the past now,but my experience with this one has proven to me that they made a quality product.

No not really. I went to home depot again... . along with almost everyone that sells mowers within a 50 mile radius of me.

Depot had Lawnboys, but only in two cycle. I believe it was a 6. 5HP "commercial duty" engine. There wasnt any call out badges on who the manufacturer was.



Good new is, I did find a self propelled with the Honda 5. 5hp engine, it's $299. 00.

Bad news is, even though I called the store first to see if they had it, and traveled 40 miles to get it... . they were all gone when I got there. I was a bit PO'ed.

The store "up the road" (over 30 miles away) had a few, but it was 15 minutes from closing time. Guess I'll kill a 3rd day with this tomorrow.

Thanks for all the replys.

Eric

 

[big jake 1]

I just happen to look in the want ads a year or so back and an older gent was selling a year old Honda mower self-propelled 21 inch for $150 as he had decided it was time to employ the services of a gardener, this thing is sweet!!!!!!!!



Got it with a brand new bag and also some Honda motor oil as well.





Look in the want ads and you just might get lucky!!!!!



( as far as a mower is concerned... ... ... . )



good luck



big jake

THE FORD GUY!!!!!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Can't help with which push mower to buy, but as far as the Techumseh engines go, my father used to always stay away from them and always told me to stay away from them but when it came time to buy a new snowblower I couldn't find anything with a Briggs go I got a 8 HP 24" cut John Deere with a Techumseh. I wanted horse power but wanted it narrow for clearing of the 70' of deck I had (had to drive it up the ramps). In two years it has never failed me no matter how cold it was. My shed is too far from the house for the electric starter so it always get pull started and always starts. My opinion has changed about Techumseh (you know what they say about opinions... ... ... ) It is like anything though, there are different quality of Techumsehs out there, buy the $200 big box mower and you may just get what you pay for. When I buy things I try to buy the best but within reason. If it was me I would find a used $50 lawn mower and save up the $400 for the Honda powered mower that will last for 30 years. Or you can buy a $200 one today and another in 5 years and then probably another one for $300 five years after that and so on. My two cents

 

[Champane Flight]

Snapper

Try to find a older Snapper. I bought one 16 years ago and it was always a good unit, it would suck up dog poop no problem! Last year the clutch on the flywheel gave out and the wife told me to go buy a new one. I bought a new Snapper, $500 worth. It is not near the machine the old one is. I still have the old one and may put a new clutch on it and start useing it again.



I like the BS engines. Had a new Tecumseh on a generator blow up on me. They made it good and gave me a new engine. It has run fine since, except noisy.....

 

[Ncostello]

I bought a Cub Cadet 20" with the Briggs Quantum 5HP. It will cut anything and starts first pull every time. White Outdoor Products, and Yardman have the same model. Its made by MTD. It has a mulching blade but I dont use it. I prefer the side chute. The wheels are about 6 to 8" diameter and have sealed roller bearings so it pushes with ease.



Grandpa has two old OMC lawn boys. The 21" is super lightweight and has ran perfect for 25 years. The other is a commercial with the big tank. Those were real lawnboys. Todays are just a glimpse of what used to be. Kinda like the older IH cub cadets versus todays MTD made Cub Cadets. Much different... still the same colors.

 

[The patriot]

Re: Snapper

Originally posted by Champane Flight

Try to find a older Snapper. I bought one 16 years ago and it was always a good unit, it would suck up dog poop no problem!

Yea, I should have put that down as one of the requirements. The dog owns the back yard. :-laf

I almost bought a Troy Built riding lawn tractor. It's only $860. 00... . just a little more than a good push mower. 16. 5 B&S IC engine, hydro drive, 42" cut deck, etc. etc.

~But really... .

I got to stay away from these " well this one is just a little more, but if I get that one... this one is just a couple bucks more, but sooo much better" deals because it just dont end with me.

I'm sticking to the $299. 00 deal I found.

I just hope it's in stock when I get there.

EricOo.

 

[jrandol]

I would highly recommend Toro mowers. I have had one for probably close to 9 years now that had all the bells and whistles including a blade clutch which is great, dont shut the mower off when taking the bag off. For $200 you wont find one of these new but I'll bet you can find one clean and used for close to that. I would bet a weeks wages this thing will start the 1st pull everytime and it hasnt been babied at all.

 

[Steve M]

My Weber Genesis A gas grill with cast iron cooking grids and our Snapper self propelled 21" mulching mower with 6hp B&S and 6spd easy clutch rear wheel drive are two things I wished I'd have known about years ago. I wouldn't have settled for less. Best $400. 00 twice I ever spent on the lawn and patio.

 

[srenfro]

Hey Patriot, I've been in the commercial lawn business for awhile and I saw this so I thought I'd throw in my . 02.



If you buy from Home cheapo, lowes, Wal-mart, etc, just remember that those mowers are contracted to some dealer in the area for repair and believe me while you may have the warranty and whatnot your mower will be the last to get fixed. Simply put, "you didn't buy it from us, so we'll get to it when we get to it. "



Go to several lawn equipment dealers and find the mower you like, theres not going to be much of a price difference so don't go looking for a deal but determine who'll give the "best service" if your mower breaks. Then purchase that mower, if it ever quits on you, your dealer will treat you as if yu are the only customer he has and he won't put you on the end of the list.



For a push mower my personal preference is a Toro super recycler about $350 - $500 depending on what goodies you get.

 

[E7mack96]

my 2 cents

I own a Craftsman mower. it is a self propelled, 6. 5 hp B&S engine, electric start, 22" cut, mulching kit, and bagger.



Have had it for 8-9 years now. It starts on the first pull (I don't use the electric start, thats for the wife) every time. I do keep it garaged, out of the elements. It was like $350 back then, but worth every penny. It has been a good machine. It is about due for new wheels, though.