Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

[rbattelle]

What do you guys like in self-propelled (walk behind) mowers? Nothing for commercial use - just residential use on 1-acre or less. Any advice on things to look for / look-out for? Budget is $400-$500.



-Ryan

 

[03 H.O. Police]

look at the hondas they have shaft drive propell. i've had my honda mower since 1984. its smokes a little but man it will climb the fence. they also have a BBC "blade brake clutch, the motor runs and the blade only engages when the bbc handle is held down. if i remember right home depot sells them. as far as i know honda is the only walk behind with shaft drive s/p.

 

[Grunt]

If the terrain isn't level, I'd look at those with the "big rear wheel" option

 

[JDoneff]

I work at a lawn equipment company. I feel the best are the Toro's. For $499 you can get a rear drive self propel, briggs engine, cast aluminum deck and 5 year warranty. Don't get the cheaper model toros with the tecumseh engine. Spend the extra money, its well worth it. Model I am referring to is the toro personal pace model # 20055

 

[rbattelle]

cast aluminum deck

Wow, I really like the idea of aluminum.



In terms of shaft drive vs. belt drive - does anyone besides Honda offer the shaft drive?



-Ryan

 

[bmoeller]

The Briggs is better than the Tecumseh, but they both suck. Like the Honda and Kohler engines better.

 

[MDW]

Here's what I bought:

http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/wpm/proline21/22176.html

 

[Babyfat]

Here's what I bought:

http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/wpm/proline21/22176.html

YEH BUT HIS BUGET IS A LOT LOW FOR THAT, BUT IT WILL LAST HIM FOR A LONG TIME

 

[Grunt]

We have been happy with our Toro mower but have found our Craftsman with front wheel drive and big rear wheels has the advantage in rough areas



Here's a picture of our 1992 Toro (taken last month)... it runs like a new one



#ad

 

[Nate]

That's 14 years old? What the heck, do you even use it? hahahaha.



I just use a mower I got at a yard sale for $30. Works great.

 

[scootergmc]

I have a Snapper deck and Honda engine. Cost more than $500, but well worth it.

 

[The patriot]

I bought a Ryobi It was the only reasonably priced S/P mower I could find with a Honda engine. It's OK. Starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull.

I was given an old Toro with a B. S. engine, and 3 speed S/P. Dad ended up taking that one from me. I actually thought it was a better mower than the one with the Honda angine. It had an aluminum deck. The only thing I didnt like was it had small wheels. I like the large rear wheel.

Eric

 

[rhino_50]

My vote goes to the toro personal pace mowers. I'm not really a briggs fan ,but I have had my personal pace for 7 yrs. It has been used pretty hard and keeps going. Lawn boy is owned by toro. They sell Honda engines on lawn boy mowers with the personal pace. Honda does make good mower,but I don't like there plastic decks. Thanks Rhino50

 

[Dl5treez]

I have a Snapper deck and Honda engine. Cost more than $500, but well worth it.

Been there done that.



Snapper has used the same self-propelled system for over 30 years... why change a good thing?



They're built like tanks, too. New ones are over $500 but used ones are available pretty cheap.

 

[Grunt]

That's 14 years old? What the heck, do you even use it? hahahaha.

Nate... I use the bottom side to do the cutting. . not the topside

 

[WDixon27]

not sure about your area but around here the lowes's here usually have several used mowers out front at sometimes a good deal, i got my troybuilt with a 6. 5 hp briggs for around 1/2 price just make sure the used unit doesn't have a bent crankshaft and that's why they brought it back

 

[03 H.O. Police]

NATE ... . if your refering to my Honda its used every weekend... .

and the only thing done to it was new rear wheel dogs, rebuilt the carb and new blade ... as required. the engine is untouched. i let the engine fully warm up b4 i start cutting.

 

[03 H.O. Police]

mower

you can usually buy used mowers from mower repair shops from customers bringing in mowers to trade for new ones. .

 

[DLausche]

I have 2 self propelled 21" mowers - one Ariens and one Snapper. Both have the swivel front wheels which I will never go without again cause it is so much easier to turn and maneuver around things. The Ariens is 6 yrs old and the Snapper is brand new. I usually use the Ariens because the handle layout is better for easy 180* turns both left and right. Also the way the power drive on the Ariens works is far superior. Both were $500 but I think the Ariens might be a bit more expensive now.



Most people look at me like I'm goofy when they see the swivel/caster wheel mowers. Then they use it once and are converted. Find one with swivel wheels and push it around the store a bit and you will see how much easier it is to maneuver than the fixed wheel mowers.



-Deon

 

[jwgary]

I have a John Deere JS63C walk behind with aluminum deck and caster front wheels. Those casters really help for mowing around things and can be locked to run in a straight line. It has a 6. 75 hp B&S engine with lots of power. 3 forward speeds from crawl to run. The only bad thing I have come across so far is the fuel tank cracked. It's up at the top and I just don't fill up all the way and wait a while before I start mowing the slope on the side of the house. I'll get a new tank one of these days.