Author Topic: need a new mower - recommendations? (Read 4475 times)

sparty · « **on:** March 23, 2009, 05:29:38 AM »

Hey gang,

I am looking to buy a new walk-behind grass mower. I don't need all the bells and whistles, but would like a great mower at an affordable price. I did the consumer reports thing, but I value the opinions on this site the most. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Sparty

Steve F · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:48:27 AM »

Not just because this is a Honda based forum, but because I have had a Honda mower for....let's see....(talking to myself here) I bought the house in '85, and the mower in '87 so the Honda mower is now 22 years old (new) and starts first pull EVERY FRIGGIN' TIME!
I've had others that have the Briggs and Techumseh motors in them before that, and you could expect 10 years tops out of those. Look for a mower that has a die-cast deck/housing and not some POS stamped sheetmetal, and a mower that has the blade on it's own spindle and not attached directly to the crankshaft....you'll understand why the first time you hit something hard enough to stall the engine!
I know Honda's are expensive, but you buy them half as often or even less. I am one completely satisfied owner!

martino1972 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:01:32 AM »

been a small engine mechanic for many years now i have to agree with steve.....honda for sure.....!!!!!!!!!!

tramp · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:09:08 AM »

toro push mowers have a guarantee to start on the second pull
mine always has
change oil and plug in the spring and away i go
large rear wheel helps over rough ground

Chester345 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:16:10 AM »

+1 on honda engines. If you don't want to drop the extra coin on an all honda mower, I have seen honda engines on other decks. Didn't have drive or anything, but the 1st pull reliability was amazing. I think it was sold thru Costco or Sam's...

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:41:24 AM »

Once I ditched the lemon I got from Home Depot the Honda I have now is great.
Harmony series, has self-propelled option but I don't use it for the extra workout.

mmtsquid · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:52:52 AM »

I bought a Troy-Bilt last season, and I believe it has a honda motor - It runs great, no probs whatsoever.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:35:03 AM »

I'm sure Mike would be glad to help a single cylinder Honda too

bwaller · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:45:36 AM »

Quote from: Jerry Griffin aka Rxman on March 23, 2009, 11:35:03 AM

I'm sure Mike would be glad to help a single cylinder Honda too

Ya Sparty it would then likely blow the clippings right outta you yard.....bonus.

Some of the Honda mowers with a drive are heavier so if it's just for trim work, you may want something as light as possible, otherwise... you know the story.

I bought a Honda rider in 84 with a twin cylinder liquid, the thing is way way over-engineered.

chrislib · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:46:41 PM »

I have a 12 year old Snapper that refuses to die...no matter how much I neglect it, it`ll prob need a drive belt soon otherwise it works great.

333 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2009, 02:49:24 PM »

Ditto on the Hondas. But be careful when buying a Honda "powered" machine. If you go to buy a blade or something not Honda from a Honda dealer, you will have an unsatisfactory experience.

The other thing I would point out is there is a slight difference between a Honda bought at Home Cheapo, and a Honda Power Equipment dealer. You'll pay a bit more at a Power Equipment dealer, but you'll get a better machine (and warranty).

Jonesy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2009, 03:35:26 PM »

Coming from a former Honda small engine mechanic here, +1 on the Hondas. The HR-215 was an awesome mower. However, other models can work well too. Here are some of my observations.

I like the fact that Hondas have the BBC, rather than direct-drive to the blade, and the self-propel (which is a godsend for lugging around that heavy cast-aluminum deck) is powered via a small driveshaft with u-joints- no belts to wear out!

I don't know about the ones they are building now, but the Honda HR-216 a.k.a Harmony (10 years ago) wasn't a very good mower. They had issues with the early self-propel transmissions, and were recalled. The plastic fingers on the steering handle that hold the cable ends were prone to breaking off, and they had jetting problems with the carburetors (maybe not a problem for you as you've gotten practice rejetting KeiHin carbs on your monster bike!). The plastic deck is a plus, though as grass clippings aren't as prone to sticking and it's much, much lighter than the cast decks. Also, if you are going to buy a Honda mower, I'd recommend buying through a Honda power equipment dealer. The Home Despot price might be a bit better, but you'll get better service and have an easier time with warranty issues buying direct. (the local Honda motorcycle dealer I buy parts from also sells Honda lawnmowers and generators.. maybe you could get a volume parts discount if your local dealer does the same?)

The Toro mowers are pretty good too. They also have a blade clutch, but use belts and idler pulleys. The covers for the belts and BBC can be tough to remove after many years as the cast aluminum decks tend to corrode (they can't seem to keep the paint from peeling off the aluminum quickly) and the steel bolts weld themselves to the aluminum casting.

Snapper mowers are good, but the funky turntable system they use for the drive tends to eat bearings and make a lot of racket.

For many cheap mowers, they figure the engine will last 10 years with minimal care, and use steel that will rust though in about the same timeframe. If you take care of the engine, i.e. change the oil yearly, clean it off, service the plug and filter a Briggs engine will last just as long as a Honda. It may outlive the mower it's bolted to, though...

My 2 cents....

bill440cars · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:11:34 PM »

I can well imagine that Honda powered mowers ARE mighty good, even though I've never had one. My mower is one of those from Sears with a 6hp Briggs engine and the larger wheels on the rear. I've had this one for about 8yrs now and biggest problem has been starting it the 1st time at the beginning of the season and then, it starts pretty easy from then on. That's about all I've ever had any dealings with except the time I gave one with a Tecumseh a shot and, from my experience AND what I've witnessed from others with them, I would not have one of those. My own preference (no offense intended to those who may like the Tecumseh engines.

333 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:59:16 PM »

I love the Briggs engines. They are defiantly #2 to Honda. But stuff happens, like how I got my second Honda. A friend hit a stump remnant and bent the crank. Very easy to replace it on a Honda. I'd hate to try that on a Briggs.

Jonesy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:37:22 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on March 23, 2009, 04:11:34 PM

That's about all I've ever had any dealings with except the time I gave one with a Tecumseh a shot and, from my experience AND what I've witnessed from others with them, I would not have one of those. My own preference (no offense intended to those who may like the Tecumseh engines.

No offense either, but at the mower shop we called 'em Te-junk-seh engines...

The biggest beef I have about those is the carburetor design. They incorporate the main jet into the float bowl bolt- right at the lowest point in the carb, where it can collect all the crap and clog it up! Even after a soak in carb cleaner, it will never run just right.. a new bowl bolt is the only answer.

Tecumseh 2-Stroke engines are pretty good, but I stay away from the 4-strokes.

heffay · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:38:08 PM »

I (and a friend) had a sizable landscape and mowing business in highschool and a few years after...
140 lawns per week was what we maxed out at, ranging from the majority being 15-20 dollar lawns but another 20% that exceeded $100. for that type of load you need a lot of mowers and good equipment.
its been a while but i think designs are pretty much the same.
Snapper! all the way.

but, when you say walk behind do you really mean a walk behind or do you mean self propelled/push mower? walk behind mowers are the big ones that you can often attach "silkies" to. (basically a chariot for your machine)

back then... we were paying 3-5k for a walk behind snapper depending on cut width and bells and whistles.

heffay · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:41:08 PM »

Quote from: Jonesy on March 23, 2009, 05:37:22 PM

Quote from: bill440cars on March 23, 2009, 04:11:34 PM
That's about all I've ever had any dealings with except the time I gave one with a Tecumseh a shot and, from my experience AND what I've witnessed from others with them, I would not have one of those. My own preference (no offense intended to those who may like the Tecumseh engines.

No offence either, but at the mower shop we called 'em Te-junk-seh engines...

never once had a problem w/ those motors installed in my snappers (very excessive hours/usage)... except for the time i lost one into a flooded drainage ditch.

just do the maintenance.

Jonesy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:45:37 PM »

Quote from: heffay on March 23, 2009, 05:38:08 PM

but, when you say walk behind do you really mean a walk behind or do you mean self propelled/push mower? walk behind mowers are the big ones that you can often attach "silkies" to. (basically a chariot for your machine)

Er.. don't you mean "sulkies"? Or did they deliver a "silky" smooth ride?

heffay · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2009, 05:47:26 PM »

yes... precisely!

silky smooth... until you cross a ditch thats just a bit too deep and the bar of the mower swings down and pins your legs! you learn some pretty sweet acrobatic moves.

Kevin D · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:33:33 PM »

I recently went inside the engine of my umpteen year old Toro to fix an oil leak and found a plastic camshaft! I was a little concerned when I lost the cam timing marks but it started on the second pull. I'm not sure what kind of motor it has - Toro/Briggs/Suzuki? The BBC needs regular cleaning and a new belt once in a while.

Jonesy · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:43:08 PM »

That's a Briggs Camshaft.

They've been using those for many, many years. From the picture, you're timing marks are dead-on.

heffay · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:58:18 PM »

many honda small engines (and others) run plastic parts inside too.

very common.

shacolaid · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:09:11 PM »

I currently have a Toro mulching mower that is self propelled. Have had it for 3 years. I did not want the self propelled, but anymore, you cannot get a decent mower without it. Sure you can buy an MTD or low cost Craftsman, but I do not believe they are as good.
Too bad that Lawn-Boy is not the same as they used to be. Those 2cycle mowers run forever. Most landscapers in my area seem to still run the Commercial grade Lawn-Boys. As everyone else has said, you can't go wrong with a Honda.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:13:29 PM »

Hey Art, You've seen my lawn and Mike can vouch for it. Pay for me to come over and I'll cut your grass grass for free plus a few beers.

Sam.

heffay · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:47:42 PM »

my favorite push mower was the oldest one we had... a little lawn boy "scamp"... very lightweight and was good for hilly pain in the ass grandma lawns.

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Author Topic: need a new mower - recommendations? (Read 4475 times)