Looking for a new self propelled mower.

[KK]

My current lawn mower's self propelled system just failed. So I'm toying around with the idea of buying a new self propelled mower. Things I would like is for it to be able to mow down to 1", be self propelled, larger rear wheels, a good strong engine, be able to bag clippings. That's about it that I can think of. Regarding the rear bagging, I would like one that sturdy, my last two rear bagger mowers had pretty sh1tty design where the welds would break due to the weight of the clipping. I'm looking to spend less than $500.

Any ideas?

 

[lupi]

1. Find a girl
2. Liberal use of alcohol
3. ????
4. Feed and water it for 12 years
5. Profit!!!!

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: lupi
1. Find a girl
2. Liberal use of alcohol
3. ????
4. Feed and water it for 12 years
5. Profit!!!!

Well I'm about half way into that plan, but I gotta get something to hold me over til the end.

 

[imported_weadjust]

How much do you want to spend. This month Consumer Report rated lawn mowers. I have it here on my desk if want some info.

The two CR Best Buys are the Toro 20076 $460 and the Toro 20073 $370.

The top two preformers are Hondas $700 and $630 (kinda pricey for a self propelled)

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: weadjust
How much do you want to spend. This month Consumer Report rated lawn mowers. I have it here on my desk if want some info.

The two CR Best Buys are the Toro 20076 $460 and the Toro 20073 $370.

The top two preformers are Hondas $700 and $630 (kinda pricey for a self propelled)

I found the same thing out when my mower engine bit it last year. Ended up buying a husq rider for only 2-3 times what the propelled ones were getting to. And now it takes about 1/3 or less of the time to cut and bag the yard

 

[rml]

mower is getting cheaper and cheaper

 

[FlashG]

A couple of years ago I picked up a Toro 21? Personal Pace mower from a professional lawn service dealer for about $550. It?s a little more but it?s a much better mower than the type that you get from Sears or Home Depot. The Snappers are a little more. The top line Hondas are around a grand but are sweet.

The retail stores sell a much inferior product. Even the retail Toro?s. They only go for a couple of years before the wheels and everything else either falls off or breaks.

BTW, Consumers usually only test the retail versions not the pro models. They are not comparable.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: weadjust
How much do you want to spend. This month Consumer Report rated lawn mowers. I have it here on my desk if want some info.

The two CR Best Buys are the Toro 20076 $460 and the Toro 20073 $370.

The top two preformers are Hondas $700 and $630 (kinda pricey for a self propelled)

Does it say anything about those hondas having that high grade plastic decks? I just can't see that plastic holding up if a rock somehow get flung inside the deck. As for the Toro's those 2 model numbers are for the recycler models, does that mention anything about the super recyclers, like the 20056 model. they super recyclers have a 5 year warranty and the recyclers just have a 2 year.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: FlashG
A couple of years ago I picked up a Toro 21? Personal Pace mower from a professional lawn service dealer for about $550. It?s a little more but it?s a much better mower than the type that you get from Sears or Home Depot. The Snappers are a little more. The top line Hondas are around a grand but are sweet.

The retail stores sell a much inferior product. Even the retail Toro?s. They only go for a couple of years before the wheels and everything else either falls off or breaks.

BTW, Consumers usually only test the retail versions not the pro models. They are not comparable.

My "retail" Toro purchased from Home Depot in 2001 is still going strong, despite *heavy* abuse. Toro mowers just rock.

Dave

 

[imported_weadjust]

No mention of construction of any models.

They list the Toro 20055 Super Recycler $520 as the third best rated mower behind the two Hondas listed in the previous post.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: weadjust
No mention of construction of any models.

They list the Toro 20055 Super Recycler $520 as the third best rated mower behind the two Hondas listed in the previous post.

what's some of the pro and cons of the 20055 they list?

 

[imported_weadjust]

Toro 20055 Super Recycler $520 #3 on CR list
Eveness very good
Mulching very good
Bagging very good
Side Discharge excellent
Handling very good
Ease of Use very good
Overall Score 82
Rear wheel drive with infinite speeds. Toro is a reliable brand.
No other info pro or con.

Hondas #1 Overall Score 87
Hondas #2 Overall Score 83

Lawn Boy is now made by Toro; Time will tell whether the brands reliability improves.

 

[FlashG]

Hondas run quieter and are lighter than the Toro?s. They also cost almost twice as much.

The differences between Pro & retail Toro?s is ball bearing wheels, drive grease fittings, a higher grade B&S motor with a better ignition. This becomes important if your mowing season is long like it is in Florida. I believe they share the same heavy aluminum deck.

Mine is a recycler model 20036 which is guaranteed to start foe 5 years.

 

[Eos]

I have a Toro Personal Pace mower and I despise the propel system. I would prefer different "speeds" and a lever to hold down and engage motion. Pushing the Toro propel lever forward leads to uneven speed for me.

I used to have an old Craftsman with different speeds and it was great. Loud enough to need earplugs though. The Toro is much quieter.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: eos
I have a Toro Personal Pace mower and I despise the propel system. I would prefer different "speeds" and a lever to hold down and engage motion. Pushing the Toro propel lever forward leads to uneven speed for me.

I used to have an old Craftsman with different speeds and it was great. Loud enough to need earplugs though. The Toro is much quieter.

How does that, the propel system, actually work? How does it lead to uneven speeds?

 

[Mloot]

Can't help you out, unfortunately. I now use a self-propelled ("self" refers to me) old-school push reel mower.

 

[Evadman]

My tractor does wheelies. You can't do that on a self propelled mower.

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: eos
I have a Toro Personal Pace mower and I despise the propel system. I would prefer different "speeds" and a lever to hold down and engage motion. Pushing the Toro propel lever forward leads to uneven speed for me.

I used to have an old Craftsman with different speeds and it was great. Loud enough to need earplugs though. The Toro is much quieter.

How does that, the propel system, actually work? How does it lead to uneven speeds?

You engage the propel by pushing forward on the highest bar you can see in this image.

mower

 

[Howard]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail-order_bride

 

[BriGy86]

I like Honda mowers myself. My dad has one that has run flawlessly for 18 years.

 

[OutHouse]

i love my john deere. the things i like about it the rear wheel drive, rubber wheels, and the speed control.

the things i dont like about it is the bag is kinda difficult to monkey with.

i got it last year at Lowes for 399.00

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I have a Toro Personal Pace and love it. I guess I'm at a loss to understand the prior poster's objection to it - I have a steep hill in my backyard and feel like the PP system is much easier to use than any conventional dual-speed mower could be on that terrain.

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I have a Toro Personal Pace and love it. I guess I'm at a loss to understand the prior poster's objection to it - I have a steep hill in my backyard and feel like the PP system is much easier to use than any conventional dual-speed mower could be on that terrain.

It's difficult to describe. I guess if I don't follow the mower at the exact same pace, I find that the mower slows because the bar has started to move backward, then I have to be conscious of its position the entire time. I'm trying to concentrate on my path. I'd rather set the speed and pull a lever to start self propel motion. Disengage when I want to stop. bada bing.

The Honda mowers have a gear lever and the engage lever. For clarification's sake, I was not present when our Toro was purchased. I would have vetoed this "Personal Pace" bee ess.

 

[Analog]

Sam's club has a nice generic unit that has a Honda motor on it.

 

[KK]

Anyone ever buy a mower off the internet before. speedwaysales.com has free shipping plus I wouldn't have to pay sales tax.