Self Propelled Lawnmower

[Number1]

i bought a push mower years ago and dreaded cutting the grass. i had to exert a lot of strength to push over the lawn when it got over 5". i used to wonder why my older neighbors were able to cut with ease. turns out they had self propelled mowers. i really had no idea about this technology until recently. so i just bought the honda model today and cant wait until tomorrow to test it out.

anyone else have one of the HRX series that can comment on it? the reviews seem pretty good so far.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Ou...atalogId=10053

One word come's to mind: WIMP or is it elderly?

Jesus fucking Christ, you have problems pushing a lawnmower trough 5 inches of grass.... How pathetic.

Maybe you are special in the disabled kind of way, you can tell us, it's OK.

 

[BTA]

We had a push mower for a long time and it was fine, although they were always shitty push mowers. We recently got a Toro self propelled from Home Depot (it was a $300 model refurb so it was like $150 or something).

Works great, starts right up every time, front wheel drive so it isn't a pain in the ass when turning.

I wouldn't say it's that much easier than just pushing though. Not for our shitty grass anyway.

Back when I mowed my parent's lawn as well, they have st augustine grass which is like mowing a fucking wet sponge. That without a self-propelled would make me want to kill myself (thankfully that's what they had).

 

[lokiju]

That's the exact mower I have.

Just did the yard today.

I've had it for about a year now.

Prior to that I had a mower that was bound for the dump from someone else that I saved and got running again. Had that for about 4 years and man is this mower night a day better.

There's nothing to prime, there's nothing to choke. I just put stabilizer in the fuel over the winter and 1st pull this spring it started right up, no fuss.

Go onto home depots site and sign up for the moving package and you'll get 20% off emailed to you.

I have zero complaints or regrets getting the mower.

 

[alkemyst]

I bought one of the HRX's this month. The HXA model. Thing starts on the first pull, no need for electric start which also has maintenance to go along with it (battery).

My dad has had a commercial one since 2005-6 I think, right when the new Nexite decks were coming out (they had a different name then). His also starts first pull.

IMHO and many lawn pros, the commerical version is just not worth it for any homeowner. They are way heavier and due to a slightly different engine tune use more gas and are slightly noiser as well. Also the steel deck is more maintenance than the Nexite. The Nexite demo that the lawn shops got was a bare deck and a sledgehammer. They were skeptical as well, but they all swear by them now.

I used to use a reel mower and I did enjoy it. I was about as fast as my neighbor with a basic self-propelled. The problem I have now is I have been traveling alot and often don't want to fuck around with my lawn. The Honda I bought is too fast at times. I think 4mph is the top speed. I went through almost 6" high St. Augustine full path/full speed and it didn't even shudder.

The Home Depot is a 10% coupon good from up to $20. I don't believe in frauding the system to rape a deal.

IMHO finding a lawn mower shop is a smarter move than a home depot on a purchase like this esp. if you are planning to moving into the higher end in other tools.

Unfortunately my Stihl/Echo dealer doesn't carry Honda...I went to another one. Price was the same as Home Depot, they would have delivered it for $20 locally, and I get a free one year inspection and tune up.

As far as difference between my reel mower and this, much less blowing needs to be done. The Honda vacuums up any trash / leaves in the grass giving a nicer finished look. Time is about half now. I did my front and back yard (8000 sq ft lot) relaxed in about 1 hour which included cleaning bowls/feeding the outdoor cats and taking a shower. This used to take an hour an a half rushed.

 

[alkemyst]

why the hell are you waiting until the grass is 5"+ to mow?

In florida if you cut your St. Augustine to the proper 3" or so, that's 1-2 weeks growth in season.

 

[SandEagle]

I bought one of the HRX's this month. The HXA model. Thing starts on the first pull, no need for electric start which also has maintenance to go along with it (battery).

My dad has had a commercial one since 2005-6 I think, right when the new Nexite decks were coming out (they had a different name then). His also starts first pull.

IMHO and many lawn pros, the commerical version is just not worth it for any homeowner. They are way heavier and due to a slightly different engine tune use more gas and are slightly noiser as well. Also the steel deck is more maintenance than the Nexite. The Nexite demo that the lawn shops got was a bare deck and a sledgehammer. They were skeptical as well, but they all swear by them now.

I used to use a reel mower and I did enjoy it. I was about as fast as my neighbor with a basic self-propelled. The problem I have now is I have been traveling alot and often don't want to fuck around with my lawn. The Honda I bought is too fast at times. I think 4mph is the top speed. I went through almost 6" high St. Augustine full path/full speed and it didn't even shudder.

The Home Depot is a 10% coupon good from up to $20. I don't believe in frauding the system to rape a deal.

IMHO finding a lawn mower shop is a smarter move than a home depot on a purchase like this esp. if you are planning to moving into the higher end in other tools.

Unfortunately my Stihl/Echo dealer doesn't carry Honda...I went to another one. Price was the same as Home Depot, they would have delivered it for $20 locally, and I get a free one year inspection and tune up.

As far as difference between my reel mower and this, much less blowing needs to be done. The Honda vacuums up any trash / leaves in the grass giving a nicer finished look. Time is about half now. I did my front and back yard (8000 sq ft lot) relaxed in about 1 hour which included cleaning bowls/feeding the outdoor cats and taking a shower. This used to take an hour an a half rushed.

yep,
i dont believe in messing with the system either. the cashier told me to just sign up for a 2nd home depot card and get the 10% discount and 12 month no interest. made the purchase decision that much easier.

im not a wimp, just getting old and back pains prevent me from cutting all the time. iim still a stud though, dont worry. was hoping to use the mower since i bought it, but its been raining last few days.

 

[dawp]

I waited until mine was waist high(got a letter from the city before I got around to it). My mower died last year and I just got around to ordering a new one last week from Home Depot also.

I had to barrow a mower to cut mine for the first time this year last weekend.

 

[Specop 007]

When we bought our first house I remember talking to the wife abou tmowers. I was leaning towards a non self propelled. Figured the exercise would be good for me. She talked me into a self propelled of all things.

I'm damn glad she did. I didnt like walking behind that mower in the heat and humidity let alone if I would have had to push it!

As for the reel mowers you have to keep the grass short or they dont work worth a shit. Mow every other day and they would be great.

In the end I said to hell with it all.

 

[HeXen]

i think OP needs a riding mower or pay a kid to mow his 5" of grass

 

[Leros]

I had to use a push mower once. It was awful. Self propelled ftw!

The only thing about self-propelled is that you have to walk at a brisk pace or you can't keep up with the mower at full speed. Not fun when its 100+ outside.

 

[MustISO]

I look forward to the exercise I get from mowing. I just have a regular push mower with a Briggs/Stratton engine and with terrible maintenance it's been rock solid for 10 years.

 

[alkemyst]

When we bought our first house I remember talking to the wife abou tmowers. I was leaning towards a non self propelled. Figured the exercise would be good for me. She talked me into a self propelled of all things.

I'm damn glad she did. I didnt like walking behind that mower in the heat and humidity let alone if I would have had to push it!

As for the reel mowers you have to keep the grass short or they dont work worth a shit. Mow every other day and they would be great.

In the end I said to hell with it all.

Those aren't very practical on most smaller landscaped yards. A lot of people around here have all sorts of expensive lawn gear in crappy homes, I can't help to think they stole them (not saying this of you nor everyone that owns them).

I'd like one of those smaller ones you actually ride standing on. Looks like it'd be fun.

As far as my reel mower, I cut to 3"...at taller lengths it was still easy to cut as long as I took 1/4 path passes. Took 4 times as long. I could tough it out during milder months with a 1/2 pass or more, but now with temps of 90+ already and humidity 90+ even the most fit would be cruising for heatstroke.

My reel mower was much better in smaller sections then the Honda, but I think after a few weeks I will get those figured out to a faster way to cut them. I had my reel mower for 4 years.

 

[SandEagle]

well i just used it and WOW! night and difference. took me 20 minutes vs. 1 hour with the old mower. required about 80% less force and work. i am going to look forward to cutting the grass now get this mower. it does not disappoint

 

[alkemyst]

I look forward to the exercise I get from mowing. I just have a regular push mower with a Briggs/Stratton engine and with terrible maintenance it's been rock solid for 10 years.

I did but now I am busier with work...I bought a mountain bike for exercising now

Lawn work is therapeutic when you have time for it.

 

[l0cke]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202579371/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[BoomerD]

well i just used it and WOW! night and difference. took me 20 minutes vs. 1 hour with the old mower. required about 80% less force and work. i am going to look forward to cutting the grass now get this mower. it does not disappoint

heh-heh...I bought mine last year during the President's Day weekend sale...Had to wait over a month for it to quit raining before I could actually use the thing...

 

[alkemyst]

well i just used it and WOW! night and difference. took me 20 minutes vs. 1 hour with the old mower. required about 80% less force and work. i am going to look forward to cutting the grass now get this mower. it does not disappoint

I bet it's quieter too. It's not library material, but I can hear mowers down the block over mine.

 

[SandEagle]

I bet it's quieter too. It's not library material, but I can hear mowers down the block over mine.

yes, it is extremely quiet. i let my neighbor borrow it and i can barely hear it. its Honda, i am not surprised.

 

[SandEagle]

i guess i should ask what octane gas do you use with your mower? the manual says 86 or above. i put in 87, but my neighbor says go with 93.

 

[BoomerD]

i guess i should ask what octane gas do you use with your mower? the manual says 86 or above. i put in 87, but my neighbor says go with 93.

87 regular. ALWAYS use whatever gasoline the owner's manual recommends.

 

[Number1]

well i just used it and WOW! night and difference. took me 20 minutes vs. 1 hour with the old mower. required about 80% less force and work. i am going to look forward to cutting the grass now get this mower. it does not disappoint

You're so fucking full of shit, 20 min versus 1 hour difference with a self propelled mower, LOL

 

[Number1]

i guess i should ask what octane gas do you use with your mower? the manual says 86 or above. i put in 87, but my neighbor says go with 93.

On a serious note, always use super when using small engines, it makes a world of difference.

 

[alkemyst]

yes, it is extremely quiet. i let my neighbor borrow it and i can barely hear it. its Honda, i am not surprised.

already lent it out? Also a full tank will last a while. You can use the minimum octane they recommend.

Like cars additional octane is bad if not needed.

Another plus with buying at a Lawnmower store vs HD is they usually fill it up.

 

[SandEagle]

already lent it out? Also a full tank will last a while. You can use the minimum octane they recommend.

Like cars additional octane is bad if not needed.

Another plus with buying at a Lawnmower store vs HD is they usually fill it up.

neighbor on the other side is extremely cool. we get along great, helps me out all the time. told him to take it whenever he needs it...

You're so fucking full of shit, 20 min versus 1 hour difference with a self propelled mower, LOL

the mower moves extremely quick, there's no stopping to remove grass caught in blades, no stopping to take breaks. it is that good, Number2. i was surprised at how quickly i got it done too

 

[BoomerD]

neighbor on the other side is extremely cool. we get along great, helps me out all the time. told him to take it whenever he needs it...



the mower moves extremely quick, there's no stopping to remove grass caught in blades, no stopping to take breaks. it is that good, Number2. i was surprised at how quickly i got it done too

My Honda mower will travel faster than I can walk comfortably. Of course, I'm somewhat "mobility challenged," and walking is difficult for me anyway...but I rarely mow at much more than 1/2 speed.
I love having a blade clutch. Start the engine...let it warm up a few seconds...engage blade and off I go. No more stopping the engine to empty the grass catcher...just disengage the blade.