Ginseng Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Hey there folks, Our 20-year old Craftsman bargain basement walk-behind mower is darn close to giving up the ghost. So we're looking to replace it with a mid-high end self-propelled mower. What do you use? I'd like to hear about your experiences with Honda, Toro, Craftsman, Husqvarna, etc. As for features, I'm not looking for anything fancy. Some speed control, blade clutch, good mulching ability, and easy height adjustment. Your thoughts are appreciated. Wilkey
TexAg Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I've used a Toro. IMO its one of the best self propelled mowers available. I've used the same one or over 7 years. Just take care of it and it will last a long while.
jacktarnold Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I'm with you my craftsman is about to eat dirt. I think I'm leaning towards a Honda. My friend has a 10+ year old Honda that I had to borrow when my craftsman crapped out on me. It being at least 3 times older than mine, performance wise, kicked mine in the shorts, laughed at it and stole its favorite toy.
GernBlansten Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 IMHO, with a walk behind, go with either Toro or Honda (leaning toward Toro, because they're local). Riding mower is hands down John Deere.
investandprosper Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 What kind of grass? We have seashore, which can go pretty short, and our McLane is wonderful. Had it for 3 years.
ptrthgr8 Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Honda for anything less than a tractor. Anything else is simply minor league. ~ Greg ~
Dbone Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I love my Honda mower. The mulching is great, with the hot and dry summer we've had I haven't bagged at all. This keeps the ground cooler and more shaded... makes for deeper roots too. A good mulching mower will leave no trace of grass clippings. The twin blade works wonders. It has the ability to stop the blade without stopping the engine, so you can pick up twig or whatever. The engine starts SO easy, the guy at the Honda store said they built it for a woman to start.. well it's almost ridiculous how slow you can pull to start it. Runs on strait gas, as all Honda lawn and snow equipment. I use premium fuel, 93 octane. The drive system takes a couple mows to get use, but it's total control on how much speed you need instead of just a fixed 1, 2, 3 speed. Steel deck makes it tough, I don't care for the plastic ones. Not really much more to say, I'm happy with mine and wouldn't think of trading it in for something else. Most of all the double mulching blade, easy start, and drive system are what brings value in my book. http://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrr216vya
Ginseng Posted July 22, 2012 Author Posted July 22, 2012 Thank you all for sharing your advice and experiences. The Honda HRR216VYA and HRX217HYA caught my eye. I hadn't seriously considered the Toro line but 20383 looks comparable. Now to find a place where I can get a test drive. Cheers, Wilkey PS. Oh, as for grass variety, I'm not sure. I'm in northern Virginia so maybe some Kentucky Blue and Fescue. Certainly not heat tolerant as far as the hot summers we've been having here these past two years.
Hypersomniac Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 We have a Honda, not sure which one, but it works great.
Nino Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Two Hondas here, a smaller one for around the trees and a larger one for the lawn - quite satisfied.
Habanos2000 Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I have a Toro and it works fine. I also have a Honda snow blower and it's fantastic. If money is not an object I'd buy a Honda, if you want to save a few bucks I don't think you'll be let down by a Toro.
Ryan Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Go organic My wife would be suspicious. With reason. That's a beautiful animal. 50 shades of fur..
asmith Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I live in a unit as I hate mowing lawns, that is my suggestion move the family to a unit.
rfenst Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Honda makes great engines. Try to find one that doesn't require adding oil to the gas. Instead, a 4-stroke should have its own oil reservoir. That is how the four-stroke engines work so that is likely what to look for. Mulching mowers have specially designed decks- any big deck is not the same. sometimes there is a second blade for mulching, but not necessarily. Buy one with an optional bag in case you don't want to mulch every time or want to pick up leaves. By all means, the rear wheel should larger than the front wheels for handling and maneuvering. Rear wheel drive is superior to front-wheel drive. Yardman, Toro and Honda all make good machines...
ptrthgr8 Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I live in a unit as I hate mowing lawns, that is my suggestion move the family to a unit. Smithy, Smithy, Smithy.. just because you hate mowing lawns doesn't mean you need to live somewhere that is sans lawn. You just need to get someone else to do the mowing for you. Cheers, ~ Greg ~ Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2.
TM-US Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 I have a Honda HRR series that I've used since 2005. I love the blade brake clutch and how well it mulches. I had a couple Sears mowers before and they do not compare. Maintenance is easy as well- the only thing you need to do once in a while is clean out the clippings from around the belt drive mechanism once in a while. Also, it helps to hose out the deck after each use so you don't have compacted clippings build up, which can cause the deck to rust. I painted mine with undercoating paint after I cleaned it. Change oil every year and empty the gas after every season.
CanuckSARTech Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Looks like I'm in the minority here. I have a Cub Cadet push mower that I love.
Duane Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 id go for the honda, my father had an body corp maintenance business for 5 years and it never let him down, except for when the alloy plate wore thin from over use no problem just got a new base plate and looked like a new mower again, just keep it maintained and your set with honda.
Fuzz Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Just go the Greek or Italian method.... concrete as far as the eye can see! You'll never need to mow again. Growing up in a mainly Greek/Italian suburb, I always thought we were the odd ones out because we had a front and backyard lawn... that and because we were the only Asians for 5kms in any direction....
PigFish Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Wilkey I like my Honda. I would suggest that with the current blends of fuel that anyone that has power equipment mix a little oil or fuel stabilizer in their fuel. As mowers and other equipment sits, the water in the ethanol can really foul up small carburetors and can cause the death of power equipment before its time. I am putting Marvel Mystery Oil in all my cans now. This helps provide a little protection against the water that is all the gas blended with alcohol now. Just a suggestion. -the Pig
riazp Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 I live in a unit as I hate mowing lawns, that is my suggestion move the family to a unit. THIS LOL
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now