Need a new lawn mower

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: isaacmacdonald
self propelled sucks. We got one from home depot recently. I wish we hadn't. it weighs substantially more than the normal mowers. I'd either go rider or regular, no sense in going in between.

Like AUSM said, I really think it depends on how big and/or hilly your yard is. My yard is about an acre, but due to woods and other natural areas I only have to cut about 40-45% of that area and most of it is relatively flat (except in the back yard where I've got a long, gradual slope.) Even though I'm young and in good shape I went with a self-propelled for ease of use and because in the 90+ degrees and 80+% humidity I have to mow in half the time I wouldn't mind the extra pull; it's only about $100-$150 more and I'll enjoy that benefit over at least the next 5 years+, well worth the cost IMO. My neighbors yard is fairly similar. He has a nice riding mower with a "tight" turning radius, yet I can always get my yard mowed in nearly half the time he does. Granted, I don't bag and neither does he, but the various landscaping and obstacles in most yards this size (which are pretty decent sized lots compared to most new homes) really don't allow a riding mower to show its benefits. But he enjoys the manly factor of owning it and I must admit it's fun to whiz around on. It just doesn't easily do the fine detail work you can do with a push/self-propelled mower and since it's not very tiring using the self-propelled mower I can mow the yard in no time flat.

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: Parrotheader

Originally posted by: isaacmacdonald
self propelled sucks. We got one from home depot recently. I wish we hadn't. it weighs substantially more than the normal mowers. I'd either go rider or regular, no sense in going in between.

Like AUSM said, I really think it depends on how big and/or hilly your yard is. My yard is about an acre, but due to woods and other natural areas I only have to cut about 40-45% of that area and most of it is relatively flat (except in the back yard where I've got a long, gradual slope.) Even though I'm young and in good shape I went with a self-propelled for ease of use and because in the 90+ degrees and 80+% humidity I have to mow in half the time I wouldn't mind the extra pull; it's only about $100-$150 more and I'll enjoy that benefit over at least the next 5 years+, well worth the cost IMO. My neighbors yard is fairly similar. He has a nice riding mower with a "tight" turning radius, yet I can always get my yard mowed in nearly half the time he does. Granted, I don't bag and neither does he, but the various landscaping and obstacles in most yards this size (which are pretty decent sized lots compared to most new homes) really don't allow a riding mower to show its benefits. But he enjoys the manly factor of owning it and I must admit it's fun to whiz around on. It just doesn't easily do the fine detail work you can do with a push/self-propelled mower and since it's not very tiring using the self-propelled mower I can mow the yard in no time flat.

I realy need self propelled because I'm old and slow and I live in Jacksonville Florida where the Summer Temp an Humidity are often the same number.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Tomorrow my son and I are going to hit Snapper, John Deer and Sears. Wish me luck.

 

[RossMAN]

Check out Toro and Honda as well.

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Check out Toro and Honda as well.

Roger that Mr Ferengi person. And thanks for the link.

 

[Ornery]

Don't go another season without a decent mower. You can get a Snapper 281022BE Rear Engine Rider for about $1,000.00 at Walmart. If you want bigger than 28" deck, or rear bagging, it's available... for a price. Snapper is a great company to go with. They've been in business forever, and stock parts just as long. Hell, if you're going to buy used, buy the Snapper rider. Like I said, parts are always available to keep it rolling. If your used Snapper dies, you can get a new 12.5HP replacement engine for $335.00 shipped!

You only live once. Spring for a nice one with all the bells and whistles. You'll own it for a LONG time. I've had my similar beast since 1986. Just for the hell of it, I priced out a REALLY nice Snapper setup at a local hardware store. It had a 33" Hi-Vac deck, 15 HP Kohler ( 331523KVE ) for $2,249.00. That's a quality unit there!

 

[billandopus]

Demo an electric model if you like to stay fresh smelling after mowing a lawn (assuming you have a regular sized lawn). Of course, there are pros and cons.

If you want a gas model and if you have a bit more money then a Honda or a Toro are great choices.

if you have less money then a Murray will do you just fine.

If you have lots and lots of money then a Honda Commercial mower will do me just fine as a gift.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: FlashG

Originally posted by: Howard
Honda.

(I had to)

Sears has 2 Honda powered 5.5's for $599 & $369. They have more features than the 6.75. The $399 weighs 93 vs 95 but does not have a Brake Blade Clutch. Can I live without that?

don't know if these Hondas are sleved or not. If they are Honda they probably are. No?

The cheaper Honda is not a commercial model, it uses an entirely different inferior engine than the higher priced one. Really no better than a typical Briggs OHV engine, rated for around 300 hours. By contrast, the commercial Honda mowers are rated for several thousand hours life cycle. Whether you need the commercial or not is your choice but do not make the common wrong assumption that the cheap Honda mowers are just as good as the high priced stuff!

 

[Blain]

Lawn-Boys are probably the most hassle free, easiest to use mowers I've found.

 

[flyfish]

Get something with a Honda engine.

 

[kranky]

I want a new mower but my 15-year-old Craftsman won't quit! I haven't changed the oil in three years. DIE ALREADY! I want a new mower!

 

[FlashG]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Don't go another season without a decent mower. You can get a Snapper 281022BE Rear Engine Rider for about $1,000.00 at Walmart. If you want bigger than 28" deck, or rear bagging, it's available... for a price. Snapper is a great company to go with. They've been in business forever, and stock parts just as long. Hell, if you're going to buy used, buy the Snapper rider. Like I said, parts are always available to keep it rolling. If your used Snapper dies, you can get a new 12.5HP replacement engine for $335.00 shipped!

You only live once. Spring for a nice one with all the bells and whistles. You'll own it for a LONG time. I've had my similar beast since 1986. Just for the hell of it, I priced out a REALLY nice Snapper setup at a local hardware store. It had a 33" Hi-Vac deck, 15 HP Kohler ( 331523KVE ) for $2,249.00. That's a quality unit there!

One of the guys at work use to own a landscaping company and he has 3 Snappers. We talked yesterday about new mowers and he said that Snapper was actually cheaper over the extra expected years of ownership.

I agree that they are wonderful machines but the cost is just to great. I got the old Murray working again so thats a good thing. If I was REALLY smart I would save my dollars and look around for a good used one. But I probly would wind up spending it on new living room furniture for the wife and I.

 

[FlashG]

I just wanted to let you guys know something that I found out about last night about Sears. I was picking up a new 7hp pressure cleaner and asked the salesman to explane their lawn mower maintenance policy.

I was concerned about the getting engine parts on their Honda powered machines. Apparantely Sears has a 10 year maintenance policy on everything in the Craftsman line. So parts will be available for Honda as well as Briggs and Stratton for at least 10 years.

BTW, the Honda engine they sell is a residential grade, not commercial. The commercial grade Honda engines start at over $400 all by themselves.

Another tidbit:
Years ago Sears use to use Tecumseh engines in their lineup as well as B&S. Sears had over 80% of their businees and wanted to by them out. Tecumseh said no thanks and went their own way.

Reason I mention this is that I recently saw Tecupseh powered mowers at Ace Hardware and wondered why not at Sears.

Source: Some people in the lanscaping business. BS?

 

[Ornery]

Don't know if it's BS or not, but the Tecumseh on my Ariens snow thrower is still running strong, and it was well used by a cemetary many years before I bought it in 1984.

Hell, the POS, 3 1/2HP, B&S on my $120.00 Sears 22" mower is still running, and I bought that new in 1981. Don't use it very much at all since 1986, but when I use it, it's for cutting down mega high weeds and grass. Gets abused bad! It's hard to start, and always has been, because the primer doesn't suck gas up into the carb correctly. Once the gas is flowing, it runs strong.