Need a new mower.. Suggestions on my picks..

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Johnny248

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It's time to buy a new mower. I don't want to spend a ton of money on one, but I want something that is decent and self propelled. I am looking around the $300 range, and I've found a couple in some sales flyers that I'm looking at.

My last mower was a Honda, which was powered wit a GVC160 which is the same engine my power washer has. The GVC 160 has been super reliable, and starts fast, runs smooth, does not smoke etc. However, I think it may be a little under powered, and I'd prefer the 190, but not the extra cost. I've never been a fan of Briggs engines, but in all fairness it has been many years since I've owned one. I've read here and there over the past couple of years that their newer engines are quite better than the older ones. Anyway, here are the three I was looking at.

Snapper 22" Briggs 190cc $299.99 at the Sears Outlet

http://www.sears.com/snapper-22inch-rear...mp;blockType=G6

Husqvarna 22" Honda GVC 160 $339

http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=49653

Husqvarna 22" Briggs 725ex $289

http://www.truevalue.com/product/Lawn-Ga...ntValueIds=4699
 
Yea the 160 Honda is a bit underpowered but the newer Briggs are a POS, IMO. I had constant carb problems with my last Briggs 190cc, not so much with my current Honda mower. In fact, so long as you keep the fuel fresh it usually starts on the first pull. It's 8 years old now and still runs like a dream, so long as you feed it non stale gas
wink.gif
 
Run some Mobil 1 Extended Performance 10-30 in the honda and sharpen the blades to maximize what you got.
 
Why does the link to the Snapper on Sears say $427? If you can get it for $299, that's a steal. I'd pick the Snapper of the three. It's RWD and the single adjuster for all wheels is nice. The other two are FWD (unless that's what you want) with individual wheel adjusters. Also the second one with the GCV has tall rear wheels and I don't like that look.

These Briggs&Stratton series engines are flatheads although improved upon. I like them and have the same series and like it better than the GCV. They run fairly quiet and smooth and seem to have more power than the GCV, but they might run just a tad louder and vibrate a little more and use a little more gas than the GCV. My GCV has had problems that yours haven't while I've had good results with several Briggs.
 
I picked up a Troy Bilt at Lowes a couple of seasons ago. Honda engine (don't recall which one), and RWD for about $300. It runs great and has plenty of power even at 5000'+ elevation.
 
I have a Briggs powered Toro, and I really like it. I just pulled the mower out this spring, checked the fluids, and it fired right up. I bought it in 2007. I looked at Hondas, and thought the Toro was a better mower for the money. I think they have one of the best self propelled systems.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Why does the link to the Snapper on Sears say $427? If you can get it for $299, that's a steal. I'd pick the Snapper of the three. It's RWD and the single adjuster for all wheels is nice. The other two are FWD (unless that's what you want) with individual wheel adjusters. Also the second one with the GCV has tall rear wheels and I don't like that look....


Yep!
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$299 is WalMart Snapper 21" price. The WalMart Snappers have hand controls that are indiscernable from Murray. Just from the picture, that looks like a much nicer machine.
 
Snapper makes a better mower than husky IMHO. I've got the snapper with the 875. The react propel system works very well. I'd also recommend a toro.
 
Had a Honda mower a few years ago. The motor fragged it's self during the 4th mowing season. I am now running a Toro with great results. I would suggest taking a look at Consumers Reports and see what they think. I like what they have to say on most everything except cars.
 
I wouldn't touch any MTD built front driver model with a long pole, drive system is so-so at best and decks rust out in a few years... Also when the bag is nearly full the front wheel drive is mostly clawing at the air... Not familiar with with that snapper model but it doesn't appear to be anywhere as well built as the older ones(of course that style are like $650 at the least these days)...
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
It's time to buy a new mower. I don't want to spend a ton of money on one, but I want something that is decent and self propelled. I am looking around the $300 range, and I've found a couple in some sales flyers that I'm looking at.


I'd strike the Snapper. It has a side-valve Briggs engine. On the basis of that alone, I would personally pass. If you can find a Snapper like that with an OHV Briggs, I'd consider it.

Both of the Husqvarna mowers look good, and I'd prefer a Husqvarna over a Snapper due to better perceived build quality. It looks to me like the second Husq also has a side-valve Briggs. Again, I'd avoid a side-valve Briggs. I know you can buy a Husq with OHV Briggs engines, and they're good engines. The first Husq link you provided has the Honda GCV160, with which you're already familiar. Of just these three, I'd certainly buy the one with the Honda engine, because it's an OHV/OHC engine. If you included other choices with OHV Briggs engines, I would consider those also.
 
I've got a 98 craftsman pushmower powered by Honda gvc160. Starts on 1st pull almost every time. My parents toro (b&s powered) is 2 years old and is severe pain to start. Oh yeah... b&s calls that easy start. No primer or anything. Its a joke.
 
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The mower I am replacing is a Honda mower. The transmission took a [censored] on it, and the wheels don't stay at their height anymore. The 160 engine just seemed to big down And stall out on tall grass. My yard slopes down to a river, and it seems like the the river just wicks up through the back yard. The back yard grows at least 2x as fast if not more, and much thicker. If I wait more than a week, that Honda just couldn't cut it.


The snapper that is 427 from sears is new in the box at the seaea outlet for the 299 price. I just want something that is more powerful than the Honda 160, and one that isn't going to fall apart oil
 
If you want something more powerful than a 160 Honda, a 190 side-valve Briggs isn't it. You'll have to find a mower with a pro-grade Briggs or Honda 190 on it.

Also: consider side discharging if you are mulching now. The conditions have to be right for mulching, and if you're trying to mulch very tall and/or wet grass, no vertical shaft engine on a lawn mower will do very well.

Also x2: if your yard is large, you may need to upgrade to a riding mower, or something like a Toro TimeMaster.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-30-in-Ti...20199/203068788
 
I bought a big rear wheel Snapper with the Briggs 190- 7.25 tq less than a year ago, it runs, cuts, bags and mulchs very well. But, the belt fell off and got shredded, both rear wheels have broke, it doesent propel all that well and it weighs a ton. So I had to replace the belt, I flipped the rear wheel brackets so they take a small wheel now- replaced rear wheels with small wheels. The mower it replaced was a 15 year old Troybuilt with the Briggs 190 and never had anything replaced except the sparkplug, its still being used by my FIL.
If I had to do it again, I would go to Home Depot and buy a rear wheel drive Toro with the Briggs.
 
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