I had a Jacobsen (1975) that was 21", self-propelled, side-bag that I used the hell out of for over twenty years with the original motor and 25-hour oil changes (small hour meters and tachs are available from several sources) on a 3/4-acre lawn. Hand-trimmed around fences and trees, had over 150-yards of concrete edging and sidewalks that 4-stoke edger had to take care of. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when the first Weedeaters came out (1972 or so). Then I moved on to the big yard across the street. And plenty of others (man, teenage energy and stamina).
Nowadays, with a quite-small yard, I simply bought a cheap 4hp push from Lowes, mulch it and leave it pretty much alone. Annual spark plug and filter changes; now use LC and FP along with recommended oil changing 2-3 times annually. Rpm is set to single point.
For $150, I can throw it out after 6-7 years and be well ahead on any shop service. While I dislike the approach, the costs involved made it simple.
The real advantage of a better mower is deck design/ergonomics and the rest. I always felt a little safer with the better quality stuff in the turns and push-pull areas. (And preferred front drive for that reason; that little Jake was a great piece, thick alloy deck and all that however many thousands of hours of grass-cutting finally wore a small hole through).
Gasoline weedeaters and edging the lawn to accomodate "no-stop/no-pull" mowing made much of this an easier decision. Not to mention never bagging, as well as mechanical aeration, to keep fertilizer/water bills down. Mowing twice in a week is easier, faster than one big slogging bag job.
Were I to have a yard big enough to warrant a self-propel again, then the above wouldn't apply as readily.
Much of it depends on your climate/geographical region. Had one LawnBoy and it never worked out for me in re customers with thick, tall Bermuda. A commercial version would likely have been okay.
On a shady lot with St Augustine, it (and everything else) never broke a sweat. I wouldn't buy a commercial mower as they're expensive, heavy and a lot more prone to being stolen. (As a kid, the neighbor across the way had an awesome Yazoo, twin-blade -- cutter and chopper. A monster to walk behind all afternoon. The bag must have held three bushels. All until someone broke in to steal it.
Four-stroke and a reasonable maintenance schedule make it all easy for me. I have at least two blades (one sharp, one on mower), extra supplies and a dedicated toolbox for everything. It gets maintenance done up nice and easily.
[ May 13, 2003, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]
