Looking for a new lawn mower

[jims5600]

Hi All, looking for a new lawn mower. Not certain if i want self propelled or push.
I do have a Cub Cadet tractor so this would be for trim work and excersize. Being I
really like my Cub tractor wondering how their mowers are? Is the Kohler engine as
good as the Briggs? Everyone suggests a Honda mower but I had one a few years
ago. I sold it because every spring it would not start. Toro?
Thanks for your advise

 

[Nessism1]

The reason everyone suggests Honda, is because they are the best. I posted a thread a short while back, where I was able to get a top of the line homeowner grade Honda for $699 from Home Depot. And it's grand slam fantastic, I might add.

Thread 'Honda Gas Mowers Still Available'

Dec 31, 2024

Here I was, minding my own business shopping on HomeDepot.com, when my past viewing history triggered some algorithm in the software, and before I knew it, I was staring at a brand-new Honda gas mower available for next day delivery. Blade brake clutch, hydrostatic drive, $699 (MSRP $1100). So, being the weak person that I am, I bought one.

California outlawed the sale of new gas mowers produced after Jan 1, 2024, but since this unit was made prior to that, it's green light. No doubt, this machine fell prey to the camshaft recall debacle. The HD website states "235 available". I...

• Nessism1
• Replies: 41
• Forum: Lawn Mower and Small Engine

• 

I still see these units for sale, but the price is creeping up since they are the last of the breed. They were way under MSRP a couple months ago.

Regarding not starting after storage, I've had great luck running Stabil Marine, and following the published storage guidelines. Never a problem with stabil in the tank.

 

[harbor]

Toro or Honda

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ehind-mower-you-would-buy-today.391552/unread

 

[97prizm]

Hi All, looking for a new lawn mower. Not certain if i want self propelled or push.
I do have a Cub Cadet tractor so this would be for trim work and excersize. Being I
really like my Cub tractor wondering how their mowers are? Is the Kohler engine as
good as the Briggs? Everyone suggests a Honda mower but I had one a few years
ago. I sold it because every spring it would not start. Toro?
Thanks for your advise

Toro super recycler. I've got alot of summer on my Briggs&Strattons on my yard machines but the newer ones have a goofy proprietary air filter that looks like an air cleaner assembly on an old muscle car. Then supposedly they have some weird wax plug for some reason. Other than that make sure the blade isn't belt driven as it's one more thing to deal with. Whatever you get pick up some mower deck spray and coat the bottom very well. Nothing will stick to the underside.

 

[PontiacHO]

Maybe I bought a cheap Honda but for what I paid for it, it shouldn’t be cheap. Plastic tires like a toy. The thumb drive to engage the self propelled feature is annoying. I’m either pushing it or chasing it. The thin plastic deck shroud busted after I unfortunately mowed over a few pieces of pine bark mulch. Had to trim the busted piece out because the blades were hitting it. Get a Toro Personal Pace and you are good to go. I wore one out prior to the Honda purchase. The tail end of Covid and no Toros to be found, hence the Honda.

 

[skyactiv]

If you're able bodied I assume a self propelled mower would be a hinderance for trim work. I assume doing trim work will require you to pull back on the mower and deal with obstacles more than you think and self propelled mowers kinda suck in that regard.

The only issue is most of the non self propelled push mowers your find at stores are cheap junk. Just get a Toro 21311 and don't overthink it.

 

[Nessism1]

If you're able bodied I assume a self propelled mower would be a hinderance for trim work. I assume doing trim work will require you to pull back on the mower and deal with obstacles more than you think and self propelled mowers kinda suck in that regard.

The only issue is most of the non self propelled push mowers your find at stores are cheap junk. Just get a Toro 21311 and don't overthink it.

My self propelled mowers pull back easily. Just disengage the drive, and pull backwards. No compromise.

 

[jeepman3071]

My self propelled mowers pull back easily. Just disengage the drive, and pull backwards. No compromise.

+1

If it is just for trim maybe something without self propel would be lighter, but I've never had an issue trimming with a self-propelled mower, even a RWD Toro Super Recycler. I tend to like the Toros, since they are a good value and cut quality without the Honda price tag. Briggs or Kohler are fine, I'd generally avoid the Chinese engines, and just make sure you run it out of fuel at the end of the season.

 

[gasman556]

I've only heard good things about Toro, but never owned one. I have a Honda HR....X? It's good so far, but the first one had some issue with its carburetor that a small engine guy I called knew all about when I told him which Honda mower I had. He was all about fixing it for around $200 - which may not have been a bad price, but it was a NEW mower! Thankfully, I was within the 30 day window after buying it from lowe's/HD and they took it back on exchange. The next one I've owned for an uneventful 3 years so far.

 

[Dave P.]

I just got my first self-propelled Toro push mower last summer after having had a Snapper pusher serve me well for about 20 years.
I love the self-propelled aspect. I'm still getting exercise, although, mostly from walking more than pushing. For trim work, I just disengage the handle but the gearing does make it much harder to push than a regular pusher. One oddity, I find that it doesn't cut nearly as well on the pull back as it does on the push so I generally just do my pullback in the same path as I just cut and then move over for the next push.
The Toro also states that it is guaranteed to start on the first pull which, so far, it has done.
They also state that the oil NEVER needs changing. Obviously, if I follow that direction I may be banished from this sight so I'll be ignoring that and changing it in a couple of weeks before the first cut of the season. I may pass on the UOA though. Sorry guys!

 

[SC Maintenance]

My dad had a self propelled thing growing up - I hated it - too heavy to turn and pull back.

My first mower was one with the big rear wheels - was OK but still heavy.

Last one I bought was the cheapest, lightest one Lowes had. Its a Toro with a briggs. Says to never change the oil. . I tip it upside down every spring and drain out the fill tube. Its 12th season this year - never a problem. Doubt there still as good.

In the past at least there was no need to spend $800 on a gas mower for a homeowner. If your making a living with it, then that is a different story.

 

[Dave Hess]

Is a battery powered mower a choice or possibility ?

 

[Propflux01]

I have used both the TORO recycler and the Honda. I prefer the Honda. Both mowers seem good, but I prefer the way the Honda self propel operates better then the handle slide the TORO uses. Seems to me the TORO gives a 'slinky effect" when using it. Both mowers seem great in quality. I've never had an issue with the now 10-year-old Honda as far as the first season starting. I run it out, then use Trufuel in it as a winter preservative. At the beginning of season, I just fuel it, and it starts like I ran it yesterday.

My preference: Honda.

 

[02zx9r rev2]

Troy bilt

 

[Wrenchturner44]

I ran across the attached video that I thought may be helpful for any of you researching your next mower purchase.



I was not aware that Honda has exited the market, and so has Snapper. Like the video blogger mentioned, I am amazed that the gas engine mower choices are getting smaller and smaller in the big retail box stores.

For those of you living in California, what is the state of the industry for commercial mower retailers? What brands are they now offering?

 

[Donald]

I have a Toro. Best mower I every owner short of the Case 60" Finish Mower I had on the back of a Kubota tractor.

It's got the bar where you push the bar a little and it's creeps along, push it harder and it goes faster. Pull it back and mower goes backwards.

Mine is needing some new parts as things wear. But still a great mower.

 

[Jmoney7269]

I have had this mower since the 90s. Its on its second engine because it was slap wore out. But if you can find one like it, it'll last forever