which self-propelled system do YOU prefer?

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tomcat27

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do you prefer a "personal pace" style where the mower matches your pace? or a (variable) style that "pulls" you along?

I've used both and have no preference. my boys prefer the type that pulls you along.

so my real decision is toro (with a Honda engine! and a cast deck) or Honda.
both are top rated. the honda gets some dings for being heavy and hard to maneuver. ( we have lots of obstacles, and an odd-shaped lawn ) its especially heavy if you get the hydrostatic-drive. the toro gets some dings for (seemingly) not made in the US.
 
I think personal pace could be a good thing; I have a 1 speed mower and a 1 speed snowblower and wish at times I could move at a different speed.

I can't speak of a mower preference, I've had a Scotts when I first moved into my home and it lasted about 10 or so years and I'm on a TORO with a B&S motor (I think) and it's good enough. For me, spending a little less on a lawn mower and buying a new one every so many years is my maintenance plan ... although I did have issues with my Toro, had it repaired and had them install an in line gas filter for any crud ... seems to have done the trick. Small engines seem to have issues with the gas at stations, if you buy an expensive machine you may want to look at the 100% gasline that is sold at HD, Lowes and I guess lawn equipment stores.
 
We have the Honda with the hydrostatic (~10 speed) drive. I think the HRX217HYA. It's a very nice mower. The blade clutch is handy, and it has plenty of power. The 10 speeds are nice to have, I prefer it to the Personal Pace (I use one of those often). The Personal Pace is interesting, and not bad, but I prefer Honda's hydrostatic. The Personal Pace requires some effort to keep moving, but the Honda pulls you along. The Honda engines are excellent (super quiet and good power, start on 1-2 pulls every time). Really, no matter which one you choose, you can't go wrong. Not sure if you've priced the Honda, it's near $800 if that's a concern. If it is, go with a cheaper Honda-engined Toro and I'm sure it'll serve you well.
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
so my real decision is toro (with a Honda engine! and a cast deck) or Honda.


Get the Toro TXP engine. Its a better engine than the Honda, being a sorta copy of the Honda GX which is a far superior engine than the Honda GC one you are looking at. Its also $50 cheaper.
 
Conversely, neighbor at the end of the block has a Toro 20382 or whatever model it was three years ago, and it has been rock solid. Don't know why people knock the GCV engines. Going on my 8th season on mine, and they are made in the USA.
 
The multispeed mower I had for about a dozen years never went fast enough for me, even on the top speed setting.
I have had two personal pace mowers and love the concept, I can bustle along and get the job done fast and it still gives me a hand up the hills.
 
My number 1 favorite mower is the Toro Personal Pace. I prefer the Briggs flat head engine for simplicity. They run forever. I've used a few of the older ones with the Tecumseh 6.75hp engine, and they did seem to have a bit of the edge in torque, but Tecumsehs can be finicky with the carburetors.

The Honda mowers are nice, but I find the "thumb drive" lever on the handle to be a bit awkward compared to the personal pace. The Honda GCV engines are powerful and easy on fuel, but I've seen a few instances of the overhead cam timing belt slipping off. It usually just means pulling the valve cover and sliding the belt back in place with the engine at TDC, but still a bit annoying. There is a new revised OHC cover that supposedly fixes this problem. The drive systems also aren't built all that well. I've fixed a few of those for customers and they get very expensive. More expensive than a new transmission for the Toro Timemaster 30" mower.
 
agreed. I had a thumb-handle honda and an earlier model with the single speed push bar. ergonomically, the push bar was much better to use for me. Both had the same engine, GC which was a joy to use.
 
Toro Super Recycler with personal pace drive would be my choice, or an older aluminum Toro Recycler with the 3-spd.

I have a newer Snapper commercial 21" mower with the disk drive self propel system and a briggs 190cc engine w/ spin on oil filter. The drive system is awesome, but the mower is heavy and awkward to use.
 
Originally Posted By: JTK

I have a newer Snapper commercial 21" mower with the disk drive self propel system and a briggs 190cc engine w/ spin on oil filter.


I have the same mower, but with the Honda GXV160 on it. It's a 7800849-01.

I like the drive system, the steel wheels, and the heavy gauge deck. If durability is the concern, I think it's a pretty good value.
 
I have an older John Deere 14SB with the 5 speed trans. Usually 3rd gear is about as fast as I'll go on it. Not a fan of the Personal Pace style, but that's just me.

L8R,
Matt
 
Originally Posted By: AnthemBassMan
I have an older John Deere 14SB with the 5 speed trans. Usually 3rd gear is about as fast as I'll go on it. Not a fan of the Personal Pace style, but that's just me.

L8R,
Matt


Which style?
 
I have a Honda HRA215 with the shaft driven three speed and a Honda HR215 with the shaft driven Hydro. Both are nice but both my wife and I Prefer the Hydro.
 
Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Originally Posted By: AnthemBassMan
I have an older John Deere 14SB with the 5 speed trans. Usually 3rd gear is about as fast as I'll go on it. Not a fan of the Personal Pace style, but that's just me.

L8R,
Matt


Which style?



The Personal Pace systems where it changes the mower speed depending on how much pressure you put on the handle. It may work great if you have long flat, straight yards, but mine isn't any of those.

L8R,
Matt
 
Originally Posted By: AnthemBassMan
Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Originally Posted By: AnthemBassMan
I have an older John Deere 14SB with the 5 speed trans. Usually 3rd gear is about as fast as I'll go on it. Not a fan of the Personal Pace style, but that's just me.

L8R,
Matt


Which style?



The Personal Pace systems where it changes the mower speed depending on how much pressure you put on the handle. It may work great if you have long flat, straight yards, but mine isn't any of those.

L8R,
Matt


Ahh. Is it silver deck with the Kawasaki? I have an old 12pb with the Lawnboy engine.
 
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