recommend cheap lawnmower with honda engine

[1 FMF]

looking to buy a lawnmower as gift.
prefer to get one with a honda engine but don't want to pay the price for a honda lawnmower if possible,

considering a husqvarna 22" from ace hardware for `$350.

requirement is it is self-propelled,
preferably rear wheel drive but frnt wheel drive ok if price is good,
be light-weight, if it has durable plastic deck great but not required.

 

[Spazdog]

Ahhh! the Honda mower mafia here on BITOG got to you too.

This is about the least expensive I've seen:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_336015-270-12AVB29Q711_4294820782+4294965774_4294937087_?productId=3278797&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_TroyBilt_4294820782%2B4294965774_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=Troy-Bilt.

But just out of curiosity, why not a B&S or Kohler powered mower?

I saw an ad for a Kohler Powered Husqvarna at Sears for $199. Pretty sure it was not self propelled though.

My small engine shop guy swears by Toro's warranty network for consumer lawn equipment. They are overwhelmingly B&S powered.

One of my Briggs and Strattons is a '96 model. The other is a 2006. The '06 still looks, runs, and cuts as well as the day I got it. The '96 was given to me after sitting outside all winter. Drained out the water/gas solution in the tank and refilled with fresh gas, changed the plug, oil, and the dry rotted filter, and gave the carb a shot of DeepCreep and it's been running ever since.

 

[660mag]

the hrr216 vka from home depot is only 50 bucks more, and honda service centers are easy to find.

 

[dwendt44]

You are going to have to go shopping for this requirement.

Many makes use a Honda engine in one or more of their models.
The Husqvarna is probably the cheapest around here.
Even Toro has a Honda engined model.
The best price is where you find it.
Even a left over from last year would be fine me thinks.
The engine doesn't know it's a year old.

 

[2KBMW]

1 FMF. I don't know where you live but up here in Canada
Canadian Tire has Troy Bilt (push) with a Honda engine & bag
for $320. If I was looking for a mower, that would be on
the top of my list. The mulcher goes for $300. If your in
the States it will be cheaper.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Have a look at the Black Max mowers at Sam's Club:

http://reviews.samsclub.com/1337/prod910818/reviews.htm

It meets your criteria for a cheap mower with a Honda engine. But as you can see by the reviews, a cheap price equals a cheap deck and cheap controls. The engine is still fine, but things like driveline durability and design are apparently poor. The deck looks like a typical AYP (American Yard Products) stamping. They also stamp decks for Poulan, Craftsman, Yard Man, etc.

I bought a similar Craftsman back in 2003 for the Honda engine. I ended up giving the deck to someone else and keeping the engine, but I won't make that mistake again...buying a cheap machine just for an engine. I like Honda engines also, but I'd rather get a better deck.

In your price range, I'd recommend the Toro Recycler model 20332 or 20331. They're good mowers with RWD for a decent price.

Back to Honda engines, if the Husqy at Ace is like this one at Lowe's, I think it'd be a good buy:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_352978-63311-HU7...antity_sold%7C1

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
...
Even Toro has a Honda engined model.


Yeah, but if I recall correctly, that Toro is about $100 more than a steel decked self propelled Honda.

It's a nice machine to be certain. Cast aluminum deck, personal pace, etc....but there isn't anything cheap about it

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44

Even Toro has a Honda engined model.


Yes...for about a $100 price bump. No thanks, my B&S commercial-grade engines have all lasted 20+ years and/or longer than the mower decks they're attached to. I see no need to pay 20% or more extra for the Honda name and then be saddled with more expensive service parts.

 

[mechanicx]

I would focus on getting the better mower with a Briggs engine. I wouldn't put the focus on the engine (I don't even consider Honda engines better to begin with), but on the rest of the mower and drive system. With that being the case I'd look for a good price on a Snapper or Toro. Basically I think you can get a better overall mower with a Briggs engine at a better price.

 

[Johnny]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I just posted this in the for sale section.

Lawn Boy 22260 Commercial Mower

 

[1 FMF]

I suppose a B&S or kohler would be ok,
I say honda engine based on it being overhead valve and more power per displacement and more quiet versus the side valve B&S engines that I'm used to seeing. I know B&S and other makers have overhead valve engines so if the mower has that then ok.

I also prefer a throttle cable,
I hate the single speed carb on B&S engines that only runs full speed all the time, it's terrible in dusty dirty areas where you want to run at slow speed or you know you're gonna chop into the dirt.
I also like the full size carb's on honda engines that have a float, jet, and mixture screw opposed to the dumbed down single circuit carbs that come on B&S engines.
I've also had the exhaust valve seat come loose on two b&s lawn mower engines over the years, they were side valve engines. I basically hate all side valve engines now especially if they have a single circuit carb.

 

[mechanicx]

I see. I've had better luck than that with the side-valve Briggs and actually like the constant speed carbs. I thought Honda would be good, and their GX commercial probably is. So I bought a Honda with GCV160 and found I didn't like them. The carb falls off when you take the air cleaner asembly off so you can't adjust the mixture screw anyway. The carburetor just acted up more, the engine tended to be hard starting and smoked on start up, and the rest of the mower is not that great and pricey. So i went back to Briggs. I guess if you don't like the Briggs side value design it would eliminate a lot of mower choices. Maybe it'd be worth it to pay a little extra for a non-side valve powered mower.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: 1 FMF
I also prefer a throttle cable, I hate the single speed carb on B&S engines that only runs full speed all the time, it's terrible in dusty dirty areas where you want to run at slow speed or you know you're gonna chop into the dirt.


In this price range, I think you'll get a single-speed Honda also. Most of the GCV engines do not use throttle cables, though some do.

Originally Posted By: 1 FMF
I also like the full size carb's on honda engines that have a float, jet, and mixture screw opposed to the dumbed down single circuit carbs that come on B&S engines.


The Honda carburetor is the only one that I've never had any problems with. B&S and Tecumseh carburetors...I quit trying to clean them...seems like they gum up easily and never run all that well. I haven't had an issue out of either of my Honda carburetors, and they're 10 and 7 years old respectively. Never been cleaned, never been drained. They run like clocks.

 

[660mag]

I rebuild at least one of each every day at 65 a pop plus the kit. All three have there up and downs.

 

[yeehaw1960]

The bottom of the barrel Honda engine (160) isn't any better than anything else. It's put on various brands to help move them based on Honda's reputation. Unless you're going to buy the mid range or better Toro, Ariens or Honda, just spend as little as possible for something that has anything but a Chonda on it and be prepared to buy new every 5 years. I must be doing something wrong. I need to make more money for rebuilding carbs and servicing mowers. $65 plus the kit??? Holy cow!

 

[01rangerxl]

I would look at a new Lawn Boy. The 2011 models all have the same Kohler OHV engine. While I'm not a fan of the Courage single cylinder on riding mowers, the little Courage for push mowers/pressure washers is a pretty good engine. It has many similarities to the Honda engine, but seems to have a stronger crankshaft (the Honda's main weakness IMO). Carbs are kind of a weakness, but honestly that's true for every newer mower. I always keep an ample supply of B&S, Honda, and Kohler carbs in stock because we sell them daily.

I think the LB is a good choice because it's reasonably priced ($250 or so depending on features), has a durable deck, is simple, RWD, and parts are always available. They sure aren't what they used to be, but they are a good, basic, reliable mower.

I kind of wish LB still offered a Briggs engine. I still like the simplicity of the old flatheads. The carbs might not be great, but it takes all of 5 minutes to change it out.

 

[dwendt44]

Lawn-boy are now all 19" only. The more basic models in the Toro line.
Mid level B&S engines.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Lawn-boy are now all 19" only. The more basic models in the Toro line.
Mid level B&S engines.


No more B&S for Lawn Boy. Last year's models had them, but they are all Kohler now.

 

[2Fast4U]

Go honda all the way.

I've got a craftsman mower that was given to me in 2000 w/ a Honda engine. Starts on 1st pull every time. Runs smooth as can be and I have NEVER done anything to service the engine besides change the oil. Now, my parents purchased an expensive craftsman self propelled large rear wheel mower in 2008 with B&S engine. Complete pile of [censored]. Shakes/vibrates like you would not believe. Muffler came loose and when I went to tighten up the bolts using barely any force one broke off in the block. No JOKE! Then the steel plate that connects the throttle linkage to the carb broke off causing the carb to rip off completely. It is such a horrible pile of [censored] I cannot even describe it. I have a B&S engine in my push edger that is great but I also have one in a pressure washer. The pressure washer one shakes as well like you would not believe.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
No more B&S for Lawn Boy. Last year's models had them, but they are all Kohler now.


I thought that was interesting. Toro's been all over the place with these modern Lawn-Boys. They've had Hondas, Briggs, Tecumsehs, and now Kohlers. You don't see too many small vertical shaft Kohler engines.