Bought a new mower

[OVERKILL]

The deck was really shot on my B&S powered beast that didn't owe me a penny and on top of that, whenever it got wet, it wouldn't start. I figured it was time to call it quits on the old girl and get a replacement.

Checked Costco and Canadian Tire, the former had a Poulan for $319.00 with a Honda engine, the latter had a Troy-Bilt with a Honda engine for $319.00. The former had a two year warranty, the latter had a four year warranty. I bought the Troy-Bilt.

Troy-Bilt 160cc Honda-powered mower

It calls for 10w30 of SJ spec or better. I filled it with Mobil 1 0w-40

Does a fantastic job, and is a fair bit lighter than the mower it replaced. My yard isn't big, so I just used it on mulch.

 

[hemitom]

I don't know about the rest of the mower , but i'm sure you will like the honda engine, i have one myself and its been flawless since 2007. Very quiet and fuel efficent compared to my old 6.75 briggs.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: hemitom
I don't know about the rest of the mower , but i'm sure you will like the honda engine, i have one myself and its been flawless since 2007. Very quiet and fuel efficent compared to my old 6.75 briggs.


I've got a real fondness for Honda's OPE engines. We've had them in power washers, generators, and currently we have a lovely little Honda 9.9 4-stroke outboard that is just fantastic. I was intentionally shopping Honda engines, which put me in the $300+ range, but is well worth it. This engine is MUCH quieter and much more powerful than the B&S unit it replaced. And I'm certain will use far less gas too

 

[SatinSilver]

You can try it out in my yard if you want. To break it in real well. Then it will run forever. Then drink some Arnold Palmers on the porch.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
I filled it with Mobil 1 0w-40

Like we didn't know that already! Bet the wife is excited to watch you test that oil every Saturday using N/S, E/W alternating patterns

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
I filled it with Mobil 1 0w-40

Like we didn't know that already! Bet the wife is excited to watch you test that oil every Saturday using N/S, E/W alternating patterns

HAHHAH! Am I really that predictable?

 

[hemitom]

Those honda outboards are real gems. five or six years ago when i still had my boat i was ot relaxing on the water when a fishing boat with 25 or 30 h.p ?? went by and he wasn't going fast but what impressed me was the noise or lack of it, all i could hear was water lapping off the boat, not your typical two stroke screaming as it went by.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: hemitom
Those honda outboards are real gems. five or six years ago when i still had my boat i was ot relaxing on the water when a fishing boat with 25 or 30 h.p ?? went by and he wasn't going fast but what impressed me was the noise or lack of it, all i could hear was water lapping off the boat, not your typical two stroke screaming as it went by.


Exactly! Last year I took it trolling for 4hrs and the gas gauge didn't move on the tank, LOL!!! Try that with a 2-stroke!

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
whenever it got wet, it wouldn't start.
why on earth was your push mower getting wet???

 

[BigCahuna]

From mowing swamp grass.,,

 

[Artem]

I kept my Toro outside uncovered for YEARS in Florida hurricanes and never had a problem. The bad boy would start from the first pull, just as the advertising sticker that is coming off of it says.

One day, I had to crank it 3 times before it started. I took it in for service

and told the guy it's been outside for several years uncovered. He yelled at me about how it is bad for it, blah blah blah. I made room for it in the garage after a $150 bill.

9 years and counting...

I want my next mower to be a Honda. I hope it has Vtec.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
whenever it got wet, it wouldn't start.
why on earth was your push mower getting wet???


We tore down our shed, so it was outside, parked under the side of the garage. When it got damp, it was like an old dodge, LOL!

 

[tig1]

I recently gave my 22 year old self propelled, walk behind, Honda to my son. Mobil 1 10w30 and the engine still runs great, but I bought a rider last year so no need for Honda.

 

[Barkleymut]

my 9 year old Briggs powered 6hp MTD mower literally has the front wheels falling off of it. Still runs like a champ. First pull every time. I have no idea why ya'll see the need to pay over $150 for a mower. But to each his own.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
my 9 year old Briggs powered 6hp MTD mower literally has the front wheels falling off of it. Still runs like a champ. First pull every time. I have no idea why ya'll see the need to pay over $150 for a mower. But to each his own.


The back wheels were falling off mine, LOL! Literally, the back left pulled straight through the deck last year and I had to use a large washer to re-fasten it.

I got the mower second hand (did I mention it didn't owe me anything?) and would initially put on one heck of a smoke show. I used Mobil 1 5w-50 in it, which worked to slow and then finally stop the smoke show and consumption. However, it was never a 1-pull mower, even though I cleaned out the carb a number of times.

As I said in my earlier post, we've had fantastic luck with Honda OPE stuff being quiet and reliable. My B&S was reasonably reliable, but it certainly wasn't quiet. Same goes for our chipper, Makita generator....etc. They are all loud. I decided I wanted something Honda-powered, which of course meant I was going to spend a bit more money.

 

[Barkleymut]

Well I guess if you want quiet then B&S is not the way to go

I just mowed my lawn this evening and I want my neighbors to know I am mowing since I do it as infrequently as possible!!

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
From mowing swamp grass.,,
I bet there is lots of that in Ontario

 

[gofast182]

I can't say the engine on my Honda is quiet but it always starts first pull. Good luck with it.

 

[dareo]

Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
my 9 year old Briggs powered 6hp MTD mower literally has the front wheels falling off of it. Still runs like a champ. First pull every time. I have no idea why ya'll see the need to pay over $150 for a mower. But to each his own.

Because it's fast, the twin blades sound cool, and the chicks dig it.

 

[Barkleymut]

Originally Posted By: dareo
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
my 9 year old Briggs powered 6hp MTD mower literally has the front wheels falling off of it. Still runs like a champ. First pull every time. I have no idea why ya'll see the need to pay over $150 for a mower. But to each his own.

Because it's fast, the twin blades sound cool, and the chicks dig it.


Funny you mention that, my neighbors mower broke down and she asked to use mine. After mowing her yard she brought it back and said I don't know how you do it. She was used to a self propelled.