I currently own a 7 year old Troy-Bilt rear drive push mower that the transmission has gone out for the second time. The first time was under warranty. I have not had it officially looked at but from some research online and talking to a local OPE repair shop they are familiar with the issue and estimated approximately $200-$250 to fix it. Even though the motor runs great I can’t justify spending that on a 7 year old mower when I could put it towards a new one. I will try to sell it as is so someone can get use out of the motor. Not sure what to ask for it but the motor runs great and has had synthic oil in it since new every year.
So, I would like to get a mower without self-propelled but the wife enjoys having the self-propelled so will probally get another. I am looking at this Honda http://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/models/hrr216vka Can anyone here verify if the transmissions in these are different or better than those that can be found in the MTD line of mowers from the box store? The OPE guy (different store) told me they were different and better, but when I looked underneath it looked identical to the system on my Troy Bilt. Looks like on the reviews they have had some problems too so I am not thinking that just because it is a Honda they are problem free. I am not opposed to other brands either, some body mentioned Husqvarna is good? Snappers? Just thought that the Honda would be good because the Troy Bilt had a Honda motor on it and that has been problem free and starts easy on the first pull. Looking at no more than $400.
Thanks for your input.
Need new mower advice
- Thread starter exploreco
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If your budget is $400, look at this: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/lawn-mowers/hu725awd/
My neighbor has a Husqvarna AWD push mower, and it's a beast. It's a great design and he's had great luck with it. I own a R322T AWD Rider, and it's just an awesome tractor. Husqvarna makes some great products.
I would not have more confidence in the Honda's transmission than the Troy-Bilt's transmission, and the Husqvarna uses not one, but TWO, of the consumer-grade transmissions, and I'd likely skip that one as well. Though I suppose you could assume that each one splits the load, increasing their life span.
I would highly encourage you to consider a premium used mower. They are much better built than the residential-grade mowers.
If you want new, check out the Ariens line at Home Depot (at least they show on the website). And don't overlook your local Toro or other small equipment dealership. They may surprise you with a good deal on something, either new or slightly used.
Geez , if your mower is only 7 years old and you've taken care of it I would get it fixed or do the repair yourself !
$400 will buy you a worse POS .
Get the HRR216VKA, and don't look back.
I owned one before I moved to Wisconsin - sold it to a friend, wish I hadn't. My (now ex-)wife liked it so much, she ended up mowing more often than I did ; )
The Honda engine is great - but that is not the only great feature. The twin blade sytem is superb.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
....and the Husqvarna uses not one, but TWO, of the consumer-grade transmissions, and I'd likely skip that one as well. Though I suppose you could assume that each one splits the load, increasing their life span.
I have this
http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner/Mowe...rsonalPaceHonda
Is hands down the best mulcher I'ver ever seen or used. Nothing mulches better, twin blades or not. I also has a Honda GCV and rear drive. Starts and runs perfect. Aluminum deck.
I LOVE my Toro Recycler mower with the Personal Pace. Best self-propelled system I've ever had, and so far not a hitch or glitch. Frankly it looks like there's hardly anything TO go wrong, since it just uses a fibrous V-belt that slips a little to regulate speed. No clutch or gear selection at all inside the little "transmission." Not what you might call super elegant engineering, but it works! When the belt wears out (hardly worn after 5 years), you just gotta remember to replace it with the correct type because a standard V-belt would be "grabby" and wouldn't vary the speed smoothly.
Toros are available with either Briggs (190cc flathead or OHV) or Honda (all OHV) power. I prefer Briggs because Honda vertical shaft mowers seem a lot louder to me, but either way they're very good engines and good mowers.
Husky is very good ,the new awd thing might be a gimmick ,but in FL with all the grass i've mowed, my husky is 15 years old and still going perfectly with only yearly carb cleaning (spray it out) and one drive belt adjustment ever. The Honda engine is great, lots of abuse commercial /residential everything.
Toro would be a second choice based on price.
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I LOVE my Toro Recycler mower with the Personal Pace. Best self-propelled system I've ever had, and so far not a hitch or glitch. Frankly it looks like there's hardly anything TO go wrong, since it just uses a fibrous V-belt that slips a little to regulate speed. No clutch or gear selection at all inside the little "transmission." Not what you might call super elegant engineering, but it works! When the belt wears out (hardly worn after 5 years), you just gotta remember to replace it with the correct type because a standard V-belt would be "grabby" and wouldn't vary the speed smoothly.
Toros are available with either Briggs (190cc flathead or OHV) or Honda (all OHV) power. I prefer Briggs because Honda vertical shaft mowers seem a lot louder to me, but either way they're very good engines and good mowers.
if the budget fits get a honda HRX with hydrostatic drive, self propeller rear bagger, its fantastic, or for less $$ home depot has the typical rear drive honda, still works good and never clogs because of its design, the standard double blades cut great!!! i treat mine to Amsoil 4 stroke engine oil as well
Toro personal pace mowers also use the junk transmission. The gears are made from plastic (nylon...whatever). Mine went out after 3 years of gentle use. I took it apart, the teeth were rounded off. Bought a trannie from fleeceBay for $72, but "Gosh" only knows what a OPE shop would charge.
$400? Forget about it. Double that and get a commercial.
Why spend $400.00 for a mower that might last less than ten years?
Buy an inexpensive push mower and enjoy years of trouble-free use.
We have around 20,000 square feet of grass.
Everyone else who lives her has a tractor or a ZTR.
I still have the Tecumseh powered MTD I bought in 1994 for $180.00, although I mostly used the smaller MTD I bought on clerance from Target for $70.00 in 1997 until I retired it to the curb last summer.
Tell your wife that a push mower gives her a nice workout and be sure to comment on how toned she looks after a couple of push mower cuttings.
This will work and you won't be entirely lying.
Originally Posted By: Nayov
Toro personal pace mowers also use the junk transmission. The gears are made from plastic (nylon...whatever). Mine went out after 3 years of gentle use. I took it apart, the teeth were rounded off. Bought a trannie from fleeceBay for $72, but "Gosh" only knows what a OPE shop would charge.
$400? Forget about it. Double that and get a commercial.
Thank you for all of the good replies! I have looked at the Toro Pace setter and it looked nice. The salesman said it had a Toro engine on it made by Toro. He said that Toro had just recently started making their own engines again. They had another Pace setter that had a Honda motor on it too. The mower looked pretty solid though.
I have thought about trying to fix it myself too or just removing the old transmission out of the old one and just using this one as a push mower. I think that might be possible but need to look at it. Would still be heavier than a lighter weight push mower but it can still be used.
I appreaciate all of the suggestions and will give them all a look. I really am leaning towards the idea of just going to the straight push mower route as this yard does not have near the hill as our last house did, which is why we bought the self propelled last time anyways.
Originally Posted By: 123Saab
Originally Posted By: Nayov
Toro personal pace mowers also use the junk transmission. The gears are made from plastic (nylon...whatever). Mine went out after 3 years of gentle use. I took it apart, the teeth were rounded off. Bought a trannie from fleeceBay for $72, but "Gosh" only knows what a OPE shop would charge.
$400? Forget about it. Double that and get a commercial.
My standard advice is buy a used Lawn-Boy with a staggered wheel deck. Even with self propel, they're lighter than many push mowers and the Lawn-Boy transmissions are all metal. It's okay if you don't like 2-strokes; they made 4-stroke models as well.
OP, here is one such mower:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/grd/4562686634.html
It has the bagger and mulch and side discharge plates. It has a pressure-lubed Tecumseh engine that should run just about forever. And the quality of the deck and hardware is better than what you'll find on a box store mower. And it's less than $200. That's actually a pretty square deal.
Craigslist, Craigslist, Craigslist!!
Op. I've bought about 100 lawn mowers in the past 3 years off of Craigslist for resale. 95% of them are in good working order with lots of life left in them.
What you want is an ALUMINUM deck Toro Super Recycler. This is a premium mower, originally sold for $550-$650. Has heavy duty components, heavy duty transmission with steel gears. They are 25 year mowers, seriously. And you can find them all day long on Craigslist for $50-$200 depending on condition.
I will browes Craigslist tonight. I am not opposed to a good used one either. The Lawnboy is sold already and the only Lawnboys I can find that are new appear to be sold at Home Depot??
Originally Posted By: exploreco
The Lawnboy is sold already and the only Lawnboys I can find that are new appear to be sold at Home Depot??
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