What is a good walk behind lawn mower brand?

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Jimmy9190

Jimmy9190

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Clermont, Florida
My old Huskee (MTD) mower has seen better days. I need to get a new walk-behind push mower, preferably with a 22" mulching blade, no bagger needed. I have mostly a flat front yard but a tough downhill slope to mow in the back yard, so I need a rear high wheel mower with at least 5.5 hp.

The grass area I have to mow is probably 1/3 of an acre, maybe less. I do not have room to store a riding mower and I prefer the walk behind mower anyway. My old mower lasted 10 years so I am trying to find another one in the $150.00 to $200.00 range that will last at least that long and is made in the USA.

Lowe's, Home Depot, etc all seem to have the same stuff. I saw a Murray 22" high wheel mower at Walmart today for $169.00 but it was still in the box, no way to see the actual mower.

I have been reading up on mowers online but I appreciate and trust any info from you guys on here. Thanks.
 
In 2011, I bought a Toro with a B&S Engine.
It's their Personal Pace Mower. That I like ALOT.

Almost from day one its leaked oil.

Year One, I never suspected a NEW mower engine to leak oil.

Long story short: I hate the B&S engine.
Reasons:
1) Cheap O-Ring (at base of filler tube)
2) Poor machining (at base of engine) where O-Ring seals
3) I also had to replace oil Seal at upper crankshaft.

I've really been trying to fix the oil leak since Spring.
What helped a lot is putting the "dye" in oil and checking with UV Flashlight.
 
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Honda is an obvious answer, and if you're lucky you might be able to find another brand that's cheaper but has a Honda engine in it.

Some Husqvarna mowers have Honda engines.

Kohler would be my second choice.
 
This probably isn't the most popular answer, but I've got a 2 year old Troy-bilt with a B&S 6.75 on it and I absolutely love it. It's been the best mower I've had yet, and I've had some really expensive mowers over the years. Maybe I just got lucky on this one, but it's a keeper.
 
If appropriate for your yard, you might want to look into a corded electric mower. I have < 1/3 acre and have used the same mower for 17 years.

I've purchased electricity and 1 washer.
 
Best for price is Briggs best for the best is Honda 200 dollars you can't go wrong with a Briggs they are tough and simple but Honda is better at a higher price point
 
Got a Black and Decker electric mower,works great.No gasoline,no ethanol problems,no smoke,no oil,no pulling starter cords...and its quiet.
 
I love my Toro personal pace, I got it new, circa 2000, not sure of the current build quality.
In this price range $150-$200, I would look on craiglist for either HONDA or [censored] engine on 3-6yr brand name mower like Toro, Honda, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Ariens. Just view the garden section on cl so see what's available. Since you are buying used there is no guarantees. Check cl often, good deals disappear quickly.
 
I have a Toro Super Recycler with a Honda engine. It was a little expensive, but to me it has been worth every penny. It does a great job and I like the personal pace. The Honda engine is amazing. For two years now it has always started on the first pull, even the first time of the year. I have even pulled it really slow to see what would happen and it still starts. It's pretty quiet too.
I bought mine from a certified dealer. They adjusted the personal pace for me before I left. He had me try it before and after and the difference was night and day. He said the ones from the big box stores are usually not adjusted.
 
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This probably isn't the most popular answer, but I've got a 2 year old Troy-bilt with a B&S 6.75 on it and I absolutely love it. It's been the best mower I've had yet, and I've had some really expensive mowers over the years. Maybe I just got lucky on this one, but it's a keeper.


I have the same one from Lowe's. I believe is was about $200. 5 years in and it's been flawless. Garage kept though, which i think helps a lot. My dad's mowers that stay on the back porch definitely kick the bucket much sooner than mine.
 
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I have an electric too.

Small yard the size of a postage stamp...

No gas, no oil, no air filter, and no spark plug. Starts every time.

Mine is the Black and Decker 18 inch mulcher, no bag, with a plastic deck.
 
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I love my Toro. Neighbors all have Hondas (which I love too) but several have had transmission problems. My Toro/Briggs combo is on its seventh year pushing 400 hours with zero problems.
 
I like the composite deck Hondas, but when I bought my house, I bought the 21" craftsman special for like $100. Flathead b&s, starts first pull every time, and burns any junk fuel I feed it.

Could use a bit more power in high grass, but that's manageable. Some day when I have more dollars than sense, I'll buy one of those composite mowers just because they're awesome.
 
Thanks for the info. After looking at mowers at Lowe's and Home Depot I think I will just go with the Murray 22" mulcher from Walmart:

http://www.murray.com/us/en/LA-US-push-mowers/M22500/

It has the same Briggs engine and the high rear wheels as a lot of other mowers I have seen yet it costs a lot less than other mowers with the same engine/wheel configuration. The price at Walmart is only $169.00. Murray is made in McRae, Georgia and has a 2 year warranty. It is said to be a very light weight mower which will help with cutting the hill in my back yard.

No offense to anyone here but I do not like personal pace or self propelled mowers. Honda, Snapper Commercial and Toro are out of my price range and most of them have features I do not want. I will sleep on it and check the sales ads in the paper tomorrow but it looks like the 22" Murray will do just fine.

Thanks for your help here.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I like the composite deck Hondas, but when I bought my house, I bought the 21" craftsman special for like $100. Flathead b&s, starts first pull every time, and burns any junk fuel I feed it.

Could use a bit more power in high grass, but that's manageable. Some day when I have more dollars than sense, I'll buy one of those composite mowers just because they're awesome.


I like the composite deck Hondas as well, seem durable and will not rust, will be my next mower, and my last. (if I ever wear out this MTD Yardman!!)

Seriously, I do not believe you can possibly buy a *junk* new push mower. They are all good.
 
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