push style lawn mowers

Hey guys,

I have a 25+ year old Toro two-stroke push mower that I am having troubles with,and I think it may be time to get a new one. I was just at the local lawn supply/tractor shop,and they had Honda,Cub Cadet,and Troy-built which has Honda motors on them.

The Troy-built that I was interested in was $299,wasn't self-propelled,and had a rear bag. The Honda was the same non-self propelled rear bag,but was heavier duty,and was $389. The Hinda seems the better buy,but is it really nearly $100 better? The Troy-built had a Honda engine,but it wasn't the same one on the Honda machine.

Should I shell out the dough for a Honda,or just go get a cheap HD,Lowes,Sears model?

Chris

I just disposed of a Honda self-propelled and got the Troy Bilt with the Honda engine (you can see my goofy blog about it elsewhere on this site). I've noticed that some of the hardware is a little cheaper, but it starts and cuts just as well as the Honda. In particular, the handle seems cheaper. That's pretty easy to fix if it becomes an issue.

that said, I only paid $239 for my TroyBilt w/ Honda at Lowes.

In reply to Per Schroeder:

I have the same TroyBilt mower. I am happy with it. I bought it for the same reasons as Per.

Since you are already used to having a 2-stroke engine, you might look around for your local Lawn Boy dealer. For steep grades and longitivity, it's hard to beat a 2 cycle. Lawn Boy is made by OMC, which also makes Johnson and Evinrude boat motors.. they are a bit pricey, though.

I prefer push mowers over the self propelled ones. The self propelled ones tend to be too slow and I push against resistance. I cracked the handlebar on a rear bagger once because of this.

I use push mowers primarily for trimming and have good luck just buying the lightest, cheapest one that Sears sells. They always start first pull each time and last me about 5 years, which is acceptable, given the price.

With that said, let me say that we have a ton of power equipment at work (fire department) and, in spite of all efforts to check the equipment regularly, some of it gets pushed into service on short notice.

We never have a problem starting anything with a Honda engine, no matter how long it has been sitting. I can't say that for everything else.

Any time I need a piece of power equipment for the house, I check out Honda stuff first. It always appears to be far better made than anything else and is always the most expensive. Often, they are back ordered.

Get one with the biggest bag you can afford. I've got one about 6 months old, and I made the mistake of getting one with a bag that's too small. I have to empty that thing like ten times when I cut the grass. It's ridiculous.

I have a one-size-fits-all mower, MDS or whomver Briggs, bicycle wheels on back and self propelled front. The engines are indestructable, but in my neck of the woods (not Fla.) the deck rots out and then it's curb fodder.

$189 from Tractor Sypply, about the same price from Lowes or a big box. I'm happy with it and will be for eight years til the deck starts bowing.

BTW, my yard is clay and lumpy, the bigger rear wheels really smooth out the bumps.

Dan

my honda is 13 years old and still going....but do not let Econ -o - wise tool rental in Mason, Ohio work on yours - they are jerks

I bought a used-once Bolens off of CL 4 years ago. They guy bought it new, tried to mow his yard, and went and bought a riding mower before he finished. I paid $80 and he had a 2-day old receipt for $380. It's a Briggs and starts every time, even after sitting for 5 months with no sta-bil.

I'd suggest looking for similar used deal. Get the same mower (Troy-Bilt or Honda) that's gently used for less than 1/4 price.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/hvt52-hovering-trimmer/ Hovermower-FTW

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/7021p/ Ok, this one is probly more what you want. Honda power, husqvarna reliability... $270

I have this one for sale...$25. Fueled only by beer, watch your toes

In reply to Grtechguy:

I'd be really tempted to buy that from you. Not because I want to try push-mowing my lawn, but rather I have an odd fetish for those home-crafted bike/mower things & want to build a couple so some friends & I can have races around the yard until we sever an appendage.

neon4891 wrote: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/hvt52-hovering-trimmer/ Hovermower-FTW

a hovering mower that glides on air? If the zombies ever found out about flying lawn mowers, were all berkelyed

I have a Honda-powered Craftsman. Seven or so years later, it's doing just fine. I think I might change the oil this year.

neon4891 wrote: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/hvt52-hovering-trimmer/ Hovermower-FTW http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/7021p/ Ok, this one is probly more what you want. Honda power, husqvarna reliability... $270

I've got a Husqy like that, except self-propelled with the smaller rear wheels. Honda OHV engine. After a couple seasons, I can't fault it, though I've never used the bagger, so I can't speak to that. Bought it at Sears on the (relatively) cheap.

4cylndrfury wrote:

neon4891 wrote: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/hvt52-hovering-trimmer/ Hovermower-FTW

a hovering mower that glides on air? If the zombies ever found out about flying lawn mowers, were all berkelyed

Flymo's been around since the mid 1960s. We have some at work to mow a very steep hill that drops down to a building. The operator ties a string to the mower and walks along the top of the hill, pull up 22" and turns around.

Cool machine until you hit the tree roots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flymo

neon4891 wrote: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/lawn-mowers/hvt52-hovering-trimmer/ Hovermower-FTW

I didn't know they still made Flymos!

I used to have one of these for mowing round the pool. It was easier to push it than it would be to skim out all the grass clippings. It was really light, too.

I have a 25+ year old Toro two-stroke push mower that I am having troubles with

Welp. That kinda says it all right there. I have a really hard time paying full price for depreciating assets, especially a motor with some wheels and a blade on it that I can't drive to work. And as far as NEW mowers go, it seems you have to spend a fortune (all relative I suppose) for something that's going to last.

Pretty sure you can't buy a NEW lawn-boy with a 2-stroke. If I'm not mistaken, the lower-end models are basically "re-badges" of the bottom-of-the-line Toro mowers....I know this because I just bought a well-priced (compared to a new one) used Lawn Boy after hearing everyone say they're the greatest thing since sliced berkeleying bread. It starts every time, will almost rip your arms off at full-bore, cuts well, but feels cheap. I really wish I would've bought something older, weird as that sounds.

I've been pretty lucky with the local small engine repair guys; specifically one retired guy who just tinkers for fun. My 20 something year old craftsman that I bought for $35 FINALLY quit after about 6 years of hard service (Big, steep yard.) That thing was a berkeleying tank. Only problem I ever had was the plastic wheels breaking because they couldn't handle the berkeleying tire-smoking awesome power. (Actually, back to the steep yard thing.) Once I "modified" the deck and replaced all the wheels with steelies, she was good to go...till I snapped one of the axles and said "fuggit, time for a new used mower." I probably should just booger weld that berkeleyer back on and keep her as a backup.

My advice: Go out and spend 50 bucks or less on a solid used mower from a small engine repair place; the more remote and creepy the better. If you can find one with an old Tecumseh motor (preferably mid-90's or earlier,) buy it.

I'm in the same boat. Unfortunately I was able to fix the mower. Wanted a new one, but the wife baulked. I'm 36 years old and used this mower during high school and before....so it's had a long healthy life. It's got some serious negative camber on the front wheels, I'm not sure how much life the chassis has in it.

OK. petegossett,

Come and get it. or maybe we can find a way through the GRM network to traffic it to you.

I have an electric mower, and the right size yard for two electrical cords.

Maybe think about one of those?

sachilles wrote: It's got some serious negative camber on the front wheels

Dude, that'd be awesome for the mower-cross!

Sorry, I had to. I'll go back to my corner.

I have ~this one~.

$135 at Wally-World (I paid less a few years ago).

I have no idea what engine it has. It cuts the grass, so I don't really care.

We bought a new house last week. It's on an acre and comes with a new 46" rider, so I guess I'm movin' on up!

Oh, a somewhat-related shameless self-plug - I've got one of those robomowers for sale for $250. Has the instruction manual, video & everything else. Worked fine when last used.

poopshovel wrote: My advice: Go out and spend 50 bucks or less on a solid used mower from a small engine repair place; the more remote and creepy the better. If you can find one with an old Tecumseh motor (preferably mid-90's or earlier,) buy it.

A-men! I went to the local hole-in-the-wall mower shop today to get my blades sharpened. They did in 5 minutes while I perused the tanks of old mowers they had for sale. Luckily mine is all steel so no breakage (yet).

And a huuuuge +1 to Tecumseh motors. That's what's in my gokart.