Looking for push mower recommendations

[Lawn_Care]

Take your choice. They all run great, cut well, paid for a long time ago, and just need a bath.

1) A John Deere 14SB with a Kawasaki FC150V engine.
2) A Husqvarna HU-700F with a Honda GCV160 engine. (sold this spring on CL)
3) A Honda HRR216VKA with the Honda GCV160 engine - twin blade (quadracut system).

 

[KD0AXS]

As long as there are people selling perfectly good mowers for dirt cheap on Craigslist, I see no reason to buy a brand new one.

I got this John Deere 3 years ago for 75 bucks. Starts on the first pull every time, and I've done nothing to it but change the oil and sharpen the blade.

 

[userfriendly]

That is soooo depressing. I have two of those.
1. 8.75 HP with the zero turn deck.
2. 7.0 HP, also 190 cc engine.

With tax both for $1,300.00 new.

I wouldn't want to buy anything stolen, but sometimes
the police have auctions. on un-claimed recoveries.

 

[stchman]

I have the Honda HRR216K9VKA. Got it at Home Depot for $400 and it has been a great mower. I am not the biggest fan of the self propel handle, but it works. The GCV160 engine is a real workhorse as I have seen that engine on MANY mowers(not Honda) and a lot of pressure washers.

The thing starts on the first pull darn near every time.

Eveything I have read is that if you maintain the Honda mower, it will last 15+ years.

Oil changes are simple, take the dipstick out and tip it over until it has drained. I turn the gas off and let the engine idle until the float is dry. I use Supertech 10W-30 synthetic oil from Walmart. Home Depot has the spark plugs and air filters in stock.

I know this is well above your $200 price ceiling, but IMO $200 lawn mowers become a POS after a couple of seasons. Get a Honda and you'll have it for a LONG time.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21-in-3...K9VKA/203709643

 

[stchman]

Originally Posted By: horse123
Ever since I've used one of those little mechanical push mowers (the ones with the horizontal cylinder of blades), I've never understood why people buy smaller non-propelled mowers.

They cost less, require no oil changes or fuel, only need to be sharpened about as often as a gas one, they're like 10-15 pounds vs 50-100. You can get some pretty wide ones.


You mean a reel mower? They seem to be gaining popularity from the green earth crowd. I have never used a reel mower.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: stchman
Eveything I have read is that if you maintain the Honda mower, it will last 15+ years.


I'll let you know in a year or two. I have two Honda mower engines -- one's a 2001 HR215K1SXA with a GXV140 engine and my other is a 2003 GCV160 that came on a Craftsman mower, that I now have on a different deck. So I'm at 14 years with the GXV, and 12 years with the GCV. The GCV always starts on the first pull -- the GXV usually takes two or three. Neither have had ANY repairs done to them. Even the very nice high quality silicone fuel lines are original.