Lawn Mower Advice

[TheMadMech]

EDIT: Sorry the earlier post sucked, I added detail and clarity here.

I'm looking at a new lawn mower. I've got a 10,000 square foot lot of which 1/2-2/3 is hilly lawn. I'm looking for a self propelled walk behind and considering the following Troy-Bilt:

Troy-Bilt TB200

The reviews at the site seem good but I was hoping you guys would have some good feedback either on this model or a different mower which would be a better choice. $300 is about what I've got to spend on this.

This is my clever signature.

 

[p_mori7]

You may want to consider a Rear Wheel Drive mower. Front drive ones tend to lose traction as the bag fills with clippings. Disregard if you don't plan on bagging the clippings.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Troy-Bilt was bought by MTD several years ago. The original Troy-Bilt company never built anything except tillers. Thankfully, today's Troy-Bilt tillers are as good as the old one.

MTD mowers have NEVER been know to be top quality.

Buy a Honda or a Toro.

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah, I'd get a Honda or a Honda powered Toro. But it seems to be about $400 for a Honda powered Toro or a Honda branded one.

The one you linked to should be fine also, but I did notice that you can get a Honda powered Troy-Bilt for $300 or so, so if $300 is the budget I'd go for the Honda powered Troy-Bilt.

That said, I did have a B&S powered Craftsman for 10 years and the engine never let me down. The deck rusted out, but the engine was still strong. So a B&S isn't a horrible choice, either.

 

[buckwheat_la]

There is a poly carbonite deck honda that is a great quality mower (all the commercial mower features) for a good price.

 

[drink]

EDIT: Sorry the earlier post sucked, I added detail and clarity here.

I'm looking at a new lawn mower. I've got a 10,000 square foot lot of which 1/2-2/3 is hilly lawn. I'm looking for a self propelled walk behind and considering the following Troy-Bilt:

Troy-Bilt TB200

The reviews at the site seem good but I was hoping you guys would have some good feedback either on this model or a different mower which would be a better choice. $300 is about what I've got to spend on this.

This is my clever signature.

I have owned several push mowers and self propelled mowers during my life. Both types have done a lot of work. Currently I own a regular push mower, a rear drive self propelled mower, and an older front drive self propelled (drive system not working).

The self propelled mowers can be a PITA to keep running properly. Sometimes they have a drive belt to fall off, a drive wheel to strip out, or the propelling gearbox stops working as it should. The self propelled mowers are heavy to lift also. Some mower decks are stamped out of thicker steel than others. My rear wheel drive mower does wheelies when going up hill. It is in brand new condition and it has been sitting in my workshop.

My regular push mower is the mower I have been using the most lately. It starts right up and mows as it should. The push mower is designed to be a mulching mower or side discharge. A bagger came with it also, and it has high back wheels. The push mower is much lighter than the self propelled mowers and the steel is thinner. A lighter mower is not as durable but they are easier to push. Usually I just use my push mower to trim around the hard to reach places in the yard after I use my riding mower to mow the big part of the yard.

Even though there have been times that I had to use a self propelled mower to mow my yard because my riding mower was not running I still like a plain push mower without all the bells and whistles.

I have no experience with the mower you selected. My rear drive mower (picture) retailed for about $500 and my plain push mower cost about $180 tax and all.

 

[tmcahren]

My Honda runs great. Regular maintenance and they just last.

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[cheechi]

Haven't had much luck with Troy Bilt self propelled push mowers.

I have a TB280ES that seems to hate spark plugs. I can start mowing the lawn and by the time I have to fill up the fuel again, it's a gamble if it's going to start again or if the plug is dead. Lowe's thinks this is because of a carb issue and won't repair it. Lowe's is also your gateway to Troy Bilt factory service. You could try a Briggs auth repair but they will first do everything possible to refuse you and have you go to the manufacturer, even for an engine performance issue.

Now I have a Husq riding mower.

My parents last push mower was a Troy Bilt also, from Lowe's also, not top tier but toward the upper end of their offerings. I think it worked most of two summers, and they've had it repaired thrice since for a total of four years.

Now they have a Husq push mower.

 

[mech-tech]

Haven't had much luck with Troy Bilt self propelled push mowers.

I have a TB280ES that seems to hate spark plugs. I can start mowing the lawn and by the time I have to fill up the fuel again, it's a gamble if it's going to start again or if the plug is dead. Lowe's thinks this is because of a carb issue and won't repair it. Lowe's is also your gateway to Troy Bilt factory service. You could try a Briggs auth repair but they will first do everything possible to refuse you and have you go to the manufacturer, even for an engine performance issue.

How does the plug look when you pull it?

 

[Skin]

I'd avoid the cheap Briggs OHV motors if you can help it. Just too many lean issues. A whole lot of plastic too. Its an engine that was built to meet to EPA regs and replace the antiquated 10k series which basically was the $100 mower engine of choice.

For your lot size it wont matter what you get by much, pretty much anything will last you a good amount of time. Only real advantage you might notice on a higher end brand in the $300 price point is better cables, for the most part everything else is a wash. Im not a big fan with plastic deck extensions like the one in your link though. Seem to be only good at filling with grass.

 

[drink]

Some of the new mowers have plastic parts on them. I would prefer mine to be made out of steel.

 

[oldldh]

I've got a Husqvarna HU700H rear drive, with Honda power...

Great mower...

Less than $ 400.00 at a bunch of places...

Wish I'd bought mine about 5 years ago...

 

[Wamsutta]

The Toro heavy duty model is real popular with the gardeners for some reason.

 

[TheMadMech]

After hearing feedback I'm going to take a look at this:

Honda 21" Mower

It's $100 more than I was wanting to spend right now but it sounds like it'd last a long time. Any new feedback?

This is my clever signature.

 

[DemoFly]

I would honestly buy a Husqvarna with a Honda GCV160 from Lowes.

Whatever mower you buy, for an engine I'd highly recommend the Honda GCV160 or GCV190 over any other offering.

For a good budget mower with a GCV160, take a look at Cub Cadet's lineup. Very stout mowers for a good price.

 

[maydaymike]

Try to find an older Honda HR214. The new ones are junk. I inherited one from my dad that he bought used in 1991. I got it out this week and it started on the second pull with two year old gas in it. Aside from a cable or two, blades, and some replacement wheels (and the occasional oil change!) nothing has ever been done to it. My neighbour bought a new Honda from Home Depot last spring, and had a lot of trouble out of it. He ended up using ours more than his new one.

 

[Ford Farmer]

I bought a Toro "Personal Pace" self propelled mower with a Briggs in 2008, paid $300. Fresh oil and an air filter at the beginning of every season, new blade and plug at year 6. As of last summer it still ran perfect. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future, but I'd look at them again if I ever needed to replace it.

 

[Wamsutta]

My neighbour bought a new Honda from Home Depot last spring, and had a lot of trouble out of it. He ended up using ours more than his new one.

Was it the automatic choke system being the problem?

 

[BillK]

Mad,
The only drawback I see is the "comb" type front piece. I dont know the climate where you are but if you plan on using it as a mulching mower, and will have leaves to go over in the fall, then think twice. A few years ago when I killed the crankshaft on my old Yard Man, I bought a Troy Built similar to the one you are looking at, but not self propelled. It did great for the rest of the summer but when the leaves started coming down it was not work a darn. It blows air out through the front and as you try to go over leaves to mulch them, it blows them out of the way I ended up taking the engine off it and putting it on the old Yard Man and I am still using it to this day. I scrapped the Troy Built deck.

If you are not planning to mulch or do not have leaves, it is not an issue.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd recommend Honda with Honda motor from a mom n pop shop. Not lowes or Home Depot. They're not the same. They also offer 3 year warranty. The Honda mower decks are extremely thick and durable. A Husqvarna/Honda/Troy Built mower dealer told me Honda trumps Troy and Husqvarna in every way. The husq even uses Honda motors. My father has had a Honda push mower for almost 10-15 years and never had a major problem. I bought mine last year and use it commercially to mow a church and day care. It's been excellent. Has mulching blades and bagger that I used all fall to mulch up leaf piles mixed with litter and sticks. This is the one I bought. I highly recommend it. http://www.electricgeneratordepot.c...6x3T83S-fBr2cQX1Fz62KnKO3gliERVdKphoC-YLw_wcB

 

[dogdad]

Troy-built is trash...if you want something that is going to last, whether a mower, trimmer, edger, or blower....go to lawnmower shop where they sell and service professional equipment such as toro, snapper, shindaiwa, red max.......more $, but will last for years...

 

[rr1963]

I would honestly buy a Husqvarna with a Honda GCV160 from Lowes.

Whatever mower you buy, for an engine I'd highly recommend the Honda GCV160 or GCV190 over any other offering.

For a good budget mower with a GCV160, take a look at Cub Cadet's lineup. Very stout mowers for a good price.

This. I've had my Honda for 14years and it stills runs like a champ. Bought it from Home Depot.

10,000sq foot yard. I would get a riding mower.

 

[maydaymike]

Was it the automatic choke system being the problem?

I think it may have been some of the trouble. Sometimes it would start easily, sometimes you could pull it until your arm falls off without any hint of even trying to start. Even if it started easily the first time, it would usually just quit within 30 minutes, and not restart. When he returned the first one and got the second one, the behaviour was exactly the same. Even fresh out of the box, It never ran for more than 30 minutes at a time.

 

[TheMadMech]

I'll need to look up a shop on break at work today and go talk with someone there. I may have a budget but I want the money spent to be worth it.

 

[GSMotorrad]

it's gettin' to be about that season

 

[ambenz]

I've got this but it is front wheel drive and it does start loosing traction when the bag gets full.
Having said that, a easy lift on the handle stops any wheel slippage.

Part are a BIG PLUS as they are relatively inexpensive if you have to fix something.
Damn thing starts first pull everytime after 6 years of service.

You can see my preventative maintaince thread here... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315342&highlight=mower

 

[bfm336]

Happy with my Cman's Briggs and Stratton engine that has lasted 20 years (so far, the deck on he mower is rusting though).

Also a fan of front wheel drive on hills because you can lean the mower back, pick up the front to make a tight turn, and leave the wheels engaged the whole time.


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[shoot summ]

I buy used mowers...

I get a lot of service out of them.

I've bought old HR214's for as little as $10 and run them for a couple of seasons.

Current mower is a Snapper commercial with the Kawasaki 180 motor on it. I've had it 7 years now. Bought it used for $125. While there are differing reviews on the Kaw180 motor it is a beast, and has a spin on oil filter/pressurized oil system and has provided great service for me. I want a new mower, I hate the Snapper bagging system but it works good most of the time and I don't bag that much. Mulching with the gator blade it's a beast.

I see used Honda's all the time on CL for good prices. As much as I want a brand spanking new mower, I will probably just buy another good used one when this one finally dies.

 

[drink]

I've got this but it is front wheel drive and it does start loosing traction when the bag gets full.
Having said that, a easy lift on the handle stops any wheel slippage.

Part are a BIG PLUS as they are relatively inexpensive if you have to fix something.
Damn thing starts first pull everytime after 6 years of service.

You can see my preventative maintaince thread here... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315342&highlight=mower

I have a high wheel push mower that looks kind of like yours. Mine has a mower deck stamped out of thin steel and it is easy to push around. The Briggs engine is really easy to start and it has been easy to start for many years like yours. I think I paid about $180 tax and all. It has been a good mulching push mower. Do you was and wax your mower?

 

[bareass172]

I bought a Toro personal pace a few years back and have been consistently surprised by how much trouble it's given me. I do all the proper service and maintenance and I still have nothing but trouble. Of course, Toro says the things that break on mine are not covered by warranty. The personal pace drive cable snapped (1 yr warranty) because it has a "belly" in it that holds moisture. So even though I lube it as part of yearly maintenance it still rusted and broke.
The deck was rusting within 2 years because the plastic parts they put on it rub against it too hard. The gearbox is plastic assembled with screws, the screws came loose and stripped the plastic.
The rear drive wheels started "stripping" at the gears so I bought a new gear, from Toro, where the gear was metal instead of the original plastic. The gears meshed so tightly they would not turn (remember, this is a Toro OEM part!). I got lucky and after a ton of digging online with people complaining about the same "stripping" noises from the gears - one guy figured out that what was happening was the wheels are mounted on a piece of sheet metal that is too flimsy. Under load (full bag, thick grass, etc) the metal could deflect enough to let the gears slip. I fixed the problem by adding a couple of shims under the metal so it could not deflect.

I'd buy a Honda if I had to do it again...

 

[TheMadMech]

Honda's are popular. That's really helpful to know, I hadn't considered them.

This is my clever signature.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Have you checked out Ybravo? They're my favorite looking mowers. They come in Kawasaki and Honda flavors, in 21" or 25".

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I would honestly buy a Husqvarna with a Honda GCV160 from Lowes.

Whatever mower you buy, for an engine I'd highly recommend the Honda GCV160 or GCV190 over any other offering.

For a good budget mower with a GCV160, take a look at Cub Cadet's lineup. Very stout mowers for a good price.

I bought a cub cadet with the gcv160 engine 2 summers ago and have been very pleased with it.

 

[CJM8515]

DONT buy it from the home centers! They are a different and MUCH cheaper model line. Go to a real landscape shop and buy one. Honda or toro are the only ones I will buy besides commercial units.

 

[jd_1138]

I bought a Toro personal pace a few years back and have been consistently surprised by how much trouble it's given me. I do all the proper service and maintenance and I still have nothing but trouble.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I'd buy a Honda if I had to do it again...

Wow, that *****. I thought Toro was good. I guess it's a big box store hunk o' chit.

In 2005 I bought a cheap, simple Craftsman 6.5 hp (B&S) mower with no bells or whistles. Didn't even have a throttle/speed control, not self-propelled. Thing was a beast for 10 years and always started on first or second pull.

I maintained the engine well (synthetic oil change every 2 seasons along with a new spark plug) and cleaned the air filter annually. But I never did clean the wet grass off the bottom of the deck, so it rusted out after 10 years. I gave the engine to a neighbor for a generator he built. I am in the market for a new mower now. I'll probably get another simple, non-self propelled one.

 

[Soslow]

If you plan on keeping it a long time, I would get the Honda with plastic deck. I've got one and love it.

 

[Brace1]

I buy used mowers...

I get a lot of service out of them.

Current mower is a Snapper commercial with the Kawasaki 180 motor on it. I've had it 7 years now. Bought it used for $125. While there are differing reviews on the Kaw180 motor it is a beast, and has a spin on oil filter/pressurized oil system and has provided great service for me.

Yea, I was gonna suggest a used Snapper. I've had my Snapper (with a B&S, if I had to do it over again I'd get a Kawasaki) for 11 years now and never had any issues with it.

 

[Yankee]

I've owned one front wheel drive and I absolutely hated it.... When making turns, you have to push the mower... It also wasn't good on hills.

I would go either Honda or Toro...

 

[Hiball]

I just picked up a New Honda HRR216PKA, I've only used it once this season, but it seems to be a solid mower, it has a twin blade (basically offset) and didn't have any issues with some heavy grass the other day.

 

[Ben Jamin]

My Troy-bilt is very similar to the tb200 but w electric start. I bought it 2nd hand 10 years ago for $85! I've not been nice to it and it's been a champ with 1 carb rebuild!

I highly recommend Troy-Bilt!