Two Mower Choices: Pros & Cons?

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Is the lawn boy an aluminum deck?

Isnt kohler more Heavy Duty and longer lasting than the Honda OHC? I thought Honda OHV is the better one in their line.
 
I believe the deck on the Lawn-Boy is metal. I wasn't sure about the quality of the Kohlers. From what I've done through some internet snooping is that the Honda is the bee's knees. However, whether those bees are powered with an OHC or an OHV Honda, I'm not sure.
 
I have a five year old MTD Pro, with the honda 160 ohc. This is a little gem of an engine , very fuel efficent and quiet. What i like about mine also is the ball bearing wheels and stainless steel deck. I don't see ball bearing wheels on either of the two mowers you are looking at, but myself i will never go back to cheap plastic wheels if i can help it
 
The Honda is no doubt a OHC, but still a good engine...

I'd be more concerned about the MTD deck rusting out in five or six years... If you give it a good coat of rust preventive paint before using for the first time and clean it regularly, it'll likely last far longer...
 
As someone who was weaned on Lawn-Boys, my sentimental leanings are with those. However, reading the customer reviews on Home Depot are maybe shifting my way over to the Honda/MTD. Of the 30 reviews for this particular Lawn-Boy, a whopping 14 of them give it a 1 star, and 4 give it 2 stars. The predominate theme of the disgruntled is "didn't star less than a a year old".
http://www.homedepot.com/Featured-Produc...ustomer_reviews
 
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Honestly, both are low end. Honda is the better engine. The Kohler is a Chonda clone. Both have steel decks. Between the two, I would get the MTD just because the engine will run better longer.
 
Lawn Boy's reputation with me was with my aluminum deck 2-stroke. Light, fast and powerful. Since they got bought out and can't make 2-strokes any more, there is nothing left to be loyal to.

I'm looking in the other thread at a higher price point. I think youll ultimately be disappointed in any $200 mower.
 
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Lawn Boy's reputation with me was with my aluminum deck 2-stroke. Light, fast and powerful. Since they got bought out and can't make 2-strokes any more, there is nothing left to be loyal to.

I'm looking in the other thread at a higher price point. I think youll ultimately be disappointed in any $200 mower.


So what you're saying is that I should get the gas leak fixed in my bagless, '91 Lawn-Boy 2-cycle and tell my wife to deal with the grass clippings that I track in the house?
crackmeup2.gif
 
I know it's more, but what about one of the plastic deck Hondas? Seem pretty awesome, if they had a non-self propelled version with the blade clutch and plastic deck, I'd buy it.

I've always had great luck with steel deck, flathead B&S mowers. Upgrade the wheels, keep it tuned, and it will burn anything v and just run. Maybe not the most powerful, but besides that, good and cheap.
 
I'm a huge LawnBoy fan but the new ones are pretty cheap. most users like them until they wont start or until the cylinder cracks. The "Kohler" engine is a cheap China unit....
 
Originally Posted By: Pat in Speedway
I'm guessing anything with a Briggs & Stratton would be no better? Worse?


Well I dunno about the newer B&S engines but a Honda on the same Snapper deck will literally run circles around the old flathead B&S... I'm not exaggerating either, the '04 OHC Honda I have will devour grass that half the height will kill a 3.5Hp or 4Hp flattie B&S...
 
I have a 6 year old Toro with a B&S engine. I love it. It cuts and mulches the grass even when it's really tall. My neighbors have even made comments about how impressed they are that my mower can cut the overgrown grass. I paid about $500.00 for it because I wanted it to last 20 years. I see no reason why it won't.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I know it's more, but what about one of the plastic deck Hondas? Seem pretty awesome, if they had a non-self propelled version with the blade clutch and plastic deck, I'd buy it.

I've always had great luck with steel deck, flathead B&S mowers. Upgrade the wheels, keep it tuned, and it will burn anything v and just run. Maybe not the most powerful, but besides that, good and cheap.


I really had doubt when I bought my plastic deck Honda HRX. But my youngest has trimmed a few sprinkler heads (stuck up) and and relocated some rocks with the quad-cut blade. Has not cracked/broke in the few years use. Maybe it gives and bounces back (I dunno) but it has survived so far.
I was told it also is harder for grass to stick & build up under the deck especially if it gets a spray of Pam. I don't know about that, but it does seem easier to clean up with a garden hose taken to it once in awhile.
 
Maybe look on craigs list for a used lawnboy , or sometimes yard sales or auction that are local, you never know what you might find.
 
I'd pick the Lawn Boy. It's a steel deck, but pretty strong and a good design.

The MTD has that stupid plastic axle housing they like using so much now. The engine is the best part about it and it's not really any better than the Kohler engine on the Lawn Boy.

There were issues with the carbs on the early versions of those Kohler engines, but I think they have been resolved.
 
buy a solid used one is the BEST advice. Get ballbearing wheels for sure. Makes a huge difference. As far as that rear drive Toro, i had one recently and the bearing grenaded (Chinese) and smoked the plastic pinion gear. They are a PITA to replace too. I upgraded to a USA bearing and new pinion and sold it as it pushed harder (even self propelled) than my Craftsman high wheel ball bearing equipped push model. Best decision ever. If you are gonna get Toro, buy the uber expensive PRO line stuff.
 
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