push mower recomendations?

[exalted512]

Looking to get a house, need recommendations for a push mower.

The house's yard we're looking into buying is perfectly flat, nothing real special.


So, with that...comes some questions. It has to be from Sear's. My grandpa is buying it for us as a house warming gift, so he said pick one out at Sear's and he'll put it on his card.

1. Big wheels or small wheels in the back?

2. Front or rear wheel drive?

3. Briggs & Stratton or Honda engine? With that, I'm assuming the Platinum edition engine is better than the Gold series engine from B & S?

4. Brand preferences, or any particular model preferences?

Here's the link to what they offer:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_1...ed+Lawn+Mowers

Trying to stay below $300.

Thanks!
-Cody

[audiobliss]

I vote for staying away from the self-propelled models. But, if you won't listen to the voice of reason, then so be it.

[exalted512]

Maybe I should just buy a bad ass 4 wheeler with a lawn mower attachment :)
-Cody

[wallstreet]

I've been a non self propelled man all my life. My mower was in the shop and I borrowed my neighbors self propelled Honda mower and I was thoroughly impressed. My next mower will be a Honda.

[skrol]

Toro Super Recycler. The drive train is basically the same as their commercial mowers and is beefier than the regular Recycler line. After I got mine 4 years ago I actually looked forward to mowing the lawn (until reality kicked back in).
Stan

[nooshinjohn]

Toro Super Recycler. The drive train is basically the same as their commercial mowers and is beefier than the regular Recycler line. After I got mine 4 years ago I actually looked forward to mowing the lawn (until reality kicked back in).
Stan

+1.... I love my Toro, and so does my neighbor that uses mine more than his own:D

[exalted512]

has to be at sears, has to be less than $320 maximum. Sears doesnt carry toro.

the wife said this was out of the question too:


...as we'd have to buy a 4-wheel too. It was worth a try :)
-Cody

[mmadden28]

I couldn't possibly use a push mower on my lawn--I tried it when I first moved in with the push mower I had from a previous house--3 hours later I said screw that and got a lawn service for the next 2 years. I drive a Lawn Tractor now-wouldn't do it any other way (except I may do Zero Turn next time).

Anyway I believe big wheels in the back is more desirable from what I remember.

Mine (a Crasftman) had a Honda engine--I was very happy with it. Always started and was quite quiet considering the engine size. I always thought that of Honda engines, much less noise. If noise is a concern for you check the dB spec for the engines. Also just like in audio--HP is not just HP (like all watts aren't created equally). All the B&S engines I had were loud--My Craftsmann Snow Thrower is B&S and its quite loud. Of course every engine is not built the same-I'm sure every brand has its louder and quieter models in a lineup.

I had several push mowers in my time, and I absolutely love the self propelled feature. I would never get one again without it. Also that it was variable speed-not all on or all off. Its what I hate that about my Snow Thrower--It has adjustable speeds, but with a lever, not like a trigger that you can vary pressure with-so it was all on or all off at the speed it was set to. My Push mower was variable--made mowing a pleasure actually. I have no idea of the benefits or not of Front or Rear wheel drive.

I bought one with the Mulch option and rear and side discharge. I don't think I ever used the side discharge though-The mulch was enough or I bagged when necessary-I didn't usually bag though-except leaves or when the grass was unusually long.

Hope that helps-That's a nice gift you're getting there--Kudos to Grandpa!!

[PSOVLSK]

I like big wheels in the back, but my lawn is fairly sloped. Not a big fan of the self-propelled, but the Toro personal pace is nice. I'm sure other brands have the save thing but call it something different.

Your Sears should have some customer returns, etc for sale. Basically like an "open box" buy. Definitely recommend checking those out.

[superjunior]

if its a small flat lawn than self propelled is more weight than its worth. bigger wheels are better for push units. honda motors will outlast briggs, but really doesn't make a difference as the frames and welds won't outlast either motor.

[TouchOfEvil]

This thread reminds me i need a mower.....to cut the grass or buy some power cables..... that is the question.

[audiobliss]

if its a small flat lawn than self propelled is more weight than its worth.

I'm in agreement. We have a Toro self-propelled mower that will supposedly match your pace, but whenever I can I sneak out with our 20+ year old mower because I like using it so much mower (hehe).

The Toro won't go as fast as I want to go, is pretty heavy which isn't a huge deal, but it makes it harder to turn around when you're turning a corner at the street, by a flower bed, etc. I much prefer a mower with large rear wheels and a swivel wheel up front.

[exalted512]

I couldn't possibly use a push mower on my lawn--I tried it when I first moved in with the push mower I had from a previous house--3 hours later I said screw that and got a lawn service for the next 2 years. I drive a Lawn Tractor now-wouldn't do it any other way (except I may do Zero Turn next time).

Anyway I believe big wheels in the back is more desirable from what I remember.

Mine (a Crasftman) had a Honda engine--I was very happy with it. Always started and was quite quiet considering the engine size. I always thought that of Honda engines, much less noise. If noise is a concern for you check the dB spec for the engines. Also just like in audio--HP is not just HP (like all watts aren't created equally). All the B&S engines I had were loud--My Craftsmann Snow Thrower is B&S and its quite loud. Of course every engine is not built the same-I'm sure every brand has its louder and quieter models in a lineup.

I had several push mowers in my time, and I absolutely love the self propelled feature. I would never get one again without it. Also that it was variable speed-not all on or all off. Its what I hate that about my Snow Thrower--It has adjustable speeds, but with a lever, not like a trigger that you can vary pressure with-so it was all on or all off at the speed it was set to. My Push mower was variable--made mowing a pleasure actually. I have no idea of the benefits or not of Front or Rear wheel drive.

I bought one with the Mulch option and rear and side discharge. I don't think I ever used the side discharge though-The mulch was enough or I bagged when necessary-I didn't usually bag though-except leaves or when the grass was unusually long.

Hope that helps-That's a nice gift you're getting there--Kudos to Grandpa!!

Thanks for the review!

I dont care about how loud it is really. Really, I just want something thats easy to start and wont have any engine issues...everything else is just icing on the cake. This lawn is nothing like the lawn I had when I was living with the rents before college. That was a huge lawn that took me about 6 hours to mow on a riding mower. That has made me absolutely dread mowing, so I just want something as easy as possible.

I'm not going to let the grass get high at all, so it doesn't need a whole lot of power either.

Some of the newer ones do come with a 'deck wash' option that I really like. Basically, you hook the lawn mower up to a water hose and it washes the whole thing out. That would probably be a deal breaker if it comes between one or another.
-Cody

[Toxis]

Always go RWD. FWD is a royal pain in the ass if you have any sort of hill. You really only need big back wheels if you have a rocky/rough terrain. I have a fairly smooth yard and my regular sized wheels are fine. But with a slight hill, RWD just makes it so much easier. I tried a FWD on it and it was three times more difficult to go up a hill. I too wanted to stay around 300 but once I tried a Honda mower (not just mower), I realized the extra value of a quality mower with double blades. It mulches like a champ. I went for the $600 model at Home Depot and used the financing to pay it off over time. I could not be happier if I wanted. I don't have a huge lawn so a push mower is good enough. I love using it so much, I mow my neighbor's yard for free just to help her out as she lost her job and couldn't pay anyone to mow it anymore. And I get to use my Honda mower just that much longer. I grew up a yard mowing kid and I still enjoy it today... thanks to my Honda... :)

[exalted512]

There's absolutely no hill, not even a ditch on this property. Everyone I've talked to has said the same thing about rwd and hills, but I dont really have to worry about it. Some people have said FWD makes it easier to turn.

Reason why I'm staying around $300 is my grandpa is buying it for us. I wouldn't mind giving him more money for the difference for a better mower, but I have more important things to spend my money on at the moment...and I genuinely dont think I'll appreciate the difference enough to justify the cost for this yard.
-Cody

[mmadden28]

What about a "reel" mower?
Never runs out of gas, engine lasts forever. Self propelled (self being yourself)

[exalted512]

I want this one:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rd=robot+mower
-Cody

[mmadden28]

Yeah, if you have that flat yard, and HATE mowing--go robot. Kinda like the Roomba-And hey look, $700 off right now.

[Demiurge]

I just bought a new house, and since I'm not in a condo anymore I needed a mower.

I bought this Toro. It's f'ing awesome:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...egoryID=540176

You won't be disappointed. Yeah, it'll cost you $50 more...but it's worth it.

[Kex]

I've got a John Deere, and I love it, 'coz it feels like owning a Combine Harvester, which appeals to my farmer instinct (and besides, green and yellow is much cuter than red and whatever else is out there. It improves my sex appeal no end).

No really, I have no idea, but, I did use a mower with a B&S engine for years, and years, and years (I'm ancient, and I started young!). It was a bit noisy by today's standards, but you just could not kill that thing no matter what you did. It just went, and went, and went forever ... with or without oil changes. The mower died before the engine ever did, IIRC.

My brother had a Honda, self propelled with electronic ignition. He liked it, and it was quiet, but he did have some problems with it, so he ended up borrowing mine once in a while.

I have never had an issue with the J.D. It seems quiet to me, so I don't wear headphones (and this is from somebody who frequently listens at reference level, BTW!). Starts easily (pull cord, not push button). It is self propelled, but works well, with five speeds. The motor, apparently, is Kawasaki (6HP). But hey! This is L.A., so the lawn is not that big. When I had the B&S, the lawn was huge.

My next mower will be electric, for ease of use on a SoCal sized lawn, but if buying gasoline powered, I would want a model that is easy to maintain so that it never needs repair: change the oil, change the air filter, and change the spark plug. With electric, the weight reduction and convenience means that propulsion is not an issue. With gasoline, I prefer propelled.

[mmadden28]

Yeah the Kawasaki Engine-That's the Shiznit--That's what's on my JD. In all my researching for my riding mower within the John Deere brand, the Kawasaki was the most desired engine.

[xj4094dg]

Here ya go. She blows, and mows!

[nooshinjohn]

What about a "reel" mower?
Never runs out of gas, engine lasts forever. Self propelled (self being yourself)

lets not forget it's ECO-FRIENDLY:p

[Toxis]

so you'd have a "green" yard? lol

[ben62670]

On a flat to moderately hilly yard the front wheel drive is much better. You just push down on the handle bar to lighten the front so you can easily make your turn. Hilly yards big wheels and RWD is better. When you push on the control bar it gets better traction. Briggs engines last just as long as Honda. Kolhler last better than both of them, and they are tourque ~M~onsters.

[Sherardp]

My vote for a Deere if you can get your hands on one from Sears or Poulan.

[Jstas]

Briggs and Stratton engines, doesn't matter what "series" you buy, if you take care of it, it will run forever. Literally. I have mowers with B&S engines from the mid 70's and they still start one one pull and will run the tank dry without skipping a beat. The Honda engines are nice too but I really can't justify the cost over a comparable B&S engine when you get similar power levels, similar reliability and similar economy with them.

As far as the Kholer engines go, yeah they are power monsters for their size but I've heard more than a few complaints about repair parts being expensive. Also, if you are getting a push mower, you don't really need a power monster engine so again, save your money and go with a B&S powered mower.

As far as what brand to get, doesn't really matter. The engine is the important part so as long as it's a tried and tested brand, you can get it from anywhere. If you lived someplace with actual rainfall, I'd say to go with a brand that will still sell service parts. Sears' Craftsman brand will sell mower bodies for years after the mower is out of production. My parents have a Craftsman with a B&S engine that they bought in 1984. It's on it's 3rd body and 5th bag. Can't get the body anymore though. But in what neighbors have spent for replacement mowers, my dad has spent about 1/5th as much over the last 20+ years through replacement parts. Can't argue with that. But then again, you live in Texas, the land that rust forgot, except for that wonky bit down by the coast. So regular cleanings will keep any mower you get happy, healthy and shiny for years to come.

I wouldn't screw with the self-propelled though unless you are getting a riding mower. The self-propelled mowers aren't all they are cracked up to be and the drive mechanisms can be a pain to maintain and expensive to repair. My neighbor has one that worked properly for one season. Then the drive mechanism got all gunked up and stopped working. The replacement part was almost the cost of a new, non-self-propelled mower. So he pulled the cogged drivebelt off and just manhandles it around the yard.

But another option is to get a used riding mower. You can pick up stuff cheap, especially if you find a yard equipment place that does consignment. I just picked up a big ass tractor for about $700. The dude was unloading stuff from his yard maintenance company that he can't legally claim the depreciation on anymore. So he was selling them for what was left of the original purchase price value. I picked up a $2500 tractor for $700. You could find a 3 year old Cub Cadet or something that is just a riding mower and get that for your $300 price point quite easily. So take a look at Craigslist or look for a yard equipment company in the phonebook and check out those options. It can be difficult to find a well maintained one but they are out there and typically, if you have a seasonal lawn service company, they will unload their oldest stuff at the end of the season and you can get good deals on stuff that has been maintained and serviced properly, even if it looks rough.

[TNRabbit]

Honda & Toro commercial models will last forever.

[AudioGenics]

Honda... going on +17 years.

reminds me that it is time to change the oil.

[ben62670]

John I agree about the power propelled models being a pain. The belt and pulleys get clogged a lot. I just leave the access cover off on mine. I need one where I am. The Briggs actually last longer than the Honda's as of late. The non OHV engines don't have an oil pump to worry about. They are "splash" lubricated, and the parts are cheap and readily available if you ever need them. The problem is too many people won't do two real simple things to keep there engines running forever.

A) clean the damn air filter good with some gas in a ziplock baggie, and after use another ziplock with some engine oil to to trap the dust better than a dry filter. Those over priced paper filters clog, and are disposable. Not worth it to me.

B.) Put some damn staybil in the gas if it is going to be stored for over a month. The crap gas we run kills carbs. If you are storing it for the winter drain the damn tank you lazy dumbasses. I love getting mowers for next to nothing because they are "broken". Usually it entails just cleaning the tank and the spark plug.

I would like to take the time to thank the people that don't take care of their mowers. I have never had to buy a mower because of them. Just a tire here and there, and blades.
Ben