Looking to buy a lawnmower

[ive]

Hi all.

I’m in the market for a lawnmower. I had a old coded thing that has lasted forever but I’m sick of the cord.

What’s everyone use? Lawns not that big so I’m looking for battery or?

As always, thank you for the input.

 

[htmdude57]

I bought a Kobalt battery powered mower from Lowes a month or 2 ago. Paid $299US. Love it. My yard is small, front is probably 100 ft x 100 ft. I mow it in less than half an hour. 40 v 5 ah battery will run for over a half hour. Then put on on the charger and 2 hours later it's charged up.

 

[rmsg0040]

My parents got a gas mower pushing 20+ years with minimal maintenance and 3 years on a cordless trimmer & blower, so far so good. Can the batteries do 20 years? Ego 56V batteries ain't cheap either.

 

[Farmall450]

The DeWalt push (2x 20v) seems pretty well received for small yards. You're not going to be mowing the ditch with it all day but it's as light as a feather and rolls very well.

 

[CJM8515]

I prefer honda powered from a dealer. the home center ones are built like **** compared to the dealer ones. or used honda.

 

[jmcf1949]

I know it's not electric, but I've had my Honda Harmony twenty-two years and she's still going strong. Rear wheels, clutch cable, and blades are all I have needed to replace.

 

[MattT]

Can the batteries do 20 years?

Possibly depending on how well engineered and built they are. Use and storage can also affect the life.

I've got Li-ion power tool batteries that are 10+ years old and still good. Had others that didn't last half that long.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Hi all.

I’m in the market for a lawnmower. I had a old coded thing that has lasted forever but I’m sick of the cord.

What’s everyone use? Lawns not that big so I’m looking for battery or?

As always, thank you for the input.

Depending on the type of grass you mow, a battery powered will not have enough power to cleanly cut. Miss a week of mowing in Florida during the rainy season and even the 7.25hp mower bogs down a little.

I purchased a Toro SMARTSTOW 3 years ago. Starts every time on the first pull, cuts clean and folds up neatly out of the way.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Re...ind-Self-Propelled-Lawn-Mower-20340/206509121

 

[Voi]

I've had my gas push mower for around 14 years & recently picked up the original Makita X2 mower. The parts of my lot that I mow aren't particularly large but are spread out & have an elevation change of nearly 30' so having a second mower has been useful.

Of all my cordless electric yard tools the mower is the one I'm least impressed with. We've had a rainy summer & haven't been home enough to mow when dry and/or have the grass short enough. If my gas mower dies anytime soon I'm not sure I'd want to rely on the cordless electric as my only mower.

Maybe the new Makita mower or other, higher voltage electric mowers are better, I don't know. Just wanted to share my minimal experience.

 

[seber]

If you are buying a gasoline engine I would look for Kawasaki motor. That is unless you are going for real high end. Honda has mowers that can be left idling while you walk away.

 

[joseywales]

My brother had a lawn service, cutting less than an acre, then his grandson offered to cut it. Of routes, he didn’t have a mower. He had the EGO 56V system already and grabbed the EGO mower. Two years later and no regerts. I have their handheld blower and you could part the Red Sea with it on turbo. I stand in on spot and clear all leaves around the pool. He has the EGO backpack blower, they should have named it jet pack blower - lead diver shoes recommended ��

 

[gatlibs]

I bought a Kobalt battery powered mower from Lowes a month or 2 ago. Paid $299US. Love it. My yard is small, front is probably 100 ft x 100 ft. I mow it in less than half an hour. 40 v 5 ah battery will run for over a half hour. Then put on on the charger and 2 hours later it's charged up.

What size starts a medium sized front lawn for you?

As far as what to do with your situation, could you figure what voltage d.c. is created by the mower and buy a battery for it from Batteries Plus?

I have always had Briggs & Stratton for engine's on different makes for the decks. I won't buy another mower without a chute and probably not without only one or two levers of adjustment.

 

[jd_1138]

What size starts a medium sized front lawn for you?

As far as what to do with your situation, could you figure what voltage d.c. is created by the mower and buy a battery for it from Batteries Plus?

I have always had Briggs & Stratton for engine's on different makes for the decks. I won't buy another mower without a chute and probably not without only one or two levers of adjustment.

Yeah mowers are dirt cheap. I just gave my basic MTD mower to a disabled friend, but I replaced it with a much nicer Murray that I bought for $75 at a yard sale. This Murray has a rear bag to gather clippings, and it has the option of a side chute (just pop in the side chute in).

I had been using that MTD el cheapo mower for 3 years (has side discharge), so I forgot how nice a lawn is when you gather the clippings. It's like a golf course now. lol. And this nice Murray has a lot of height adjustments.

The Murray was only used one year the lady at the yard sale said. She got sick of mowing and hired a local lawn service.

 

[woodee]

I moved to a smaller yard this year and switched from a riding mower to an EGO 56volt electric mower and love it. Plenty of power and folds up nicely to give me more room in my garage.

 

[laser3kw]

Hi all.

I’m in the market for a lawnmower. I had a old coded thing that has lasted forever but I’m sick of the cord.

What’s everyone use? Lawns not that big so I’m looking for battery or?

As always, thank you for the input.

actual size of lawn?
I am hearing users are satisfied with the current battery mowers. But battery life is tied to how long the grass is when mowed. Weekly maintenance knocking off a inch or two will go alot further than waiting till you get a letter in the mail saying "Cut it - or else"
Other than that, I have a front wheel drive self propelled Cub Cadet (gas powered) that I really like. Starts on first pull, easy to walk behind and will tackle long grass if needed.

 

[4xdog]

I have a 20-year old Honda that starts on the first pull. Regular maintenance and superb initial quality are the ticket to long life.

But, if I were buying again, I'd probably go electric. My next door neighbors did a couple of years ago (one of the big-box brands) and they love it. As far as I can tell, it's a fine solution.


Edit: My Honda is a polymer-decked HRB, not one from the commercial line with their higher-built engines.

 

[jobo1004]

I prefer honda powered from a dealer. the home center ones are built like **** compared to the dealer ones. or used honda.

The Honda mowers that you buy at Home Depot are the exact same mowers that you get from a dealer. I own a Honda and I bought it from a dealer, but there is zero difference in the equipment regardless of where you buy it.

 

[CJM8515]

The Honda mowers that you buy at Home Depot are the exact same mowers that you get from a dealer. I own a Honda and I bought it from a dealer, but there is zero difference in the equipment regardless of where you buy it.

No they aren’t all the same. The ones at the home stores are manufactured for a price point and will have similar but different models or parts. Not all of them mind you but some. Honda isn’t as bad as toro or others however.

There’s also a difference between the homeowner models and pro models as well. I can bet you Home Depot ain’t carrying Honda’s pro models

 

[WWShop]

Another vote for Honda here. Didn't realize there was a difference between dealer and box store models.

 

[Skin]

No they aren’t all the same. The ones at the home stores are manufactured for a price point and will have similar but different models or parts. Not all of them mind you but some. Honda isn’t as bad as toro or others however.

There’s also a difference between the homeowner models and pro models as well. I can bet you Home Depot ain’t carrying Honda’s pro models

Wrong. Honda sells HD the exact same HRR and HRX models as a dealer. The only models HD either cant or doesn't sell are the 3 Commercial models. Go ask Honda if you like, they'll tell you the same thing. When it comes to mowers they don't seem to care about exclusivity which makes sense since dealers are few and far in between. Other brands like Toro and Deere are more picky and do actually limit HD to their cheaper consumer line only.


This "box stores has inferior units made" thing never dies.

 

[nastorino]

Wrong. Honda sells HD the exact same models as a dealer. The only models HD either cant or doesn't sell are the 3 Commercial models.


This "box stores has inferior units made" thing never dies.

I think you're correct with the push mowers being the same at box stores and dealers....however when it comes to tractors, the units sold at HD other box stores are very much inferior to that sold by the dealers. They're lawn tractors and they can't even remotely stack up to to the garden tractors at dealers.

 

[Skin]

Yea I did a quick edit to emphasize that but its moot with Honda since they haven't offered a lawn tractor in quite awhile.

 

[eschoendorff]

I’m particularly fond of the old 2-stroke Lawn Boy 21” mowers.

 

[orangeblood]

Honda with the composite deck or Toro with the cast deck. Both are 20 year+ units.

I had a self propelled Toro for 23 years and sold it for $100 and bought a self propelled Honda with a composite deck. Both are very good mowers that most commercial guys in my area choose for reliability, longevity and even cutting. The commercial guys modify the gas tank and make them higher reving but the decks, motors and transmissions are the same.

If you arent a "lawn guy" go with a cheaper Honda (stamped deck).

Just my $0.02.

 

[finn]

Honda with the composite deck or Toro with the cast deck. Both are 20 year+ units.

I had a self propelled Toro for 23 years and sold it for $100 and bought a self propelled Honda with a composite deck. Both are very good mowers that most commercial guys in my area choose for reliability, longevity and even cutting. The commercial guys modify the gas tank and make them higher reving but the decks, motors and transmissions are the same.

If you arent a "lawn guy" go with a cheaper Honda (stamped deck).

Just my $0.02.

My shop mower is a Craftsman with a 1994 date code, that I found at the curb after an encounter with a water shutoff pipe and consequential mangled blade, about 20 years ago, to

The date code makes it 25 years old.

Cost a lot less than a Honda back then, too.

 

[Handyandy23]

I had a cheap MTD with a Briggs and Stratton that was passed down from my dad to me that must have had 20-25 years of cutting on it before I scrapped it. Bought a new Husqvarna with a Briggs and Stratton to replace it, and I'm not nearly as impressed. Already second season it wouldn't start and was all gummed up (probably due to the ethanol content in gasoline). Carb was made in China and all plastic. Runs good otherwise, but I also don't want to spend a couple hours cleaning the carb and filters every spring. The old one fired right up no issues.

My lawn is small and I've been seriously considering the Ryobi 40v, or 2x 18v. I have Ryobi 18v trimmer and blower that has been awesome.

 

[Paul93]

My lawn is medium-sized. I use EGO 56 volt. Powered by battery and keeps charge for a long time. I'm pleased.

 

[Relax]

I purchased a Toro SMARTSTOW 3 years ago. Starts every time on the first pull, cuts clean and folds up neatly out of the way.

I absolutely LOVE the Smartstow feature for the floor space savings, but can't justify the cost of a new mower when I already have one (actually 3) that works fine.

 

[Relax]

Yea I did a quick edit to emphasize that but its moot with Honda since they haven't offered a lawn tractor in quite awhile.

The ultimate Honda lawn tractor:

 

[bpjr]

For a small lawn with a short mowing season I'd look at an electric or a basic $150 gas push mower from a big box store. My 19 yr old murray push mower with B&S engine is still going strong at 500+ - hrs (based on 40 cuts a yr x 40 minutes a cut) Maintenance has been routine like any mower and the only parts I've changed are a primer bulb, governor spring, spark plug, air filter, blade and throttle cable.

Maybe spending big bucks for a gas mower that lasts 20+ yrs was a good idea 20+ yrs ago for home use...but electrics are taking over and I suspect you won't find parts abundant for many home size gas mowers 20 yrs from now. We're already seeing batt powered electrics taking over gas string trimmers, hedge trimmers, blowers and chain saws.

 

[Relax]

I had a cheap MTD with a Briggs and Stratton that was passed down from my dad to me that must have had 20-25 years of cutting on it before I scrapped it. Bought a new Husqvarna with a Briggs and Stratton to replace it, and I'm not nearly as impressed. Already second season it wouldn't start and was all gummed up (probably due to the ethanol content in gasoline). Carb was made in China and all plastic. Runs good otherwise, but I also don't want to spend a couple hours cleaning the carb and filters every spring. The old one fired right up no issues.

My non-name Briggs-powered (Dynamo?) from the early 80's that my in-laws handed down to us is just as reliable. When I first got it, I forgot to add fuel stabilizer before winter storage, but it started right up on the first or second pull the following year, so now I don't bother. Once, I ran out of gas but had a jug of all the old gas I drained from my bikes - fired right up! Only reason I don't use it anymore is because it's side-discharge only, and the side bag and mount are long gone.

I got a used Husqvarna 7021p with a Honda GCV160 motor which is fine when running, but I find it's a pain to start compared to the Briggs because of the manual choke and it seems more finicky with the gas.

 

[Steve_P]

This guy is looking for a new mower and half the posts are "my great 20 yr old gas mower that I found and you can have it when you pry it from my..." For more irrelevance, I have a 40 yr old lawn boy. But if I had a small yard I'd go battery for everything.

 

[Relax]

I don’t see where the OP said it had to be new.

 

[Relax]

Besides, this is GJ - aren’t vintage tools the best?

 

[redmondjp]

Besides, this is GJ - aren’t vintage tools the best?

Well, I'm a bit of a mower fanatic, and I'd say that we hit "peak lawnmower" in the late 1980s to early 1990s (much like "peak Japanese" 4-cylinder Accords and Camrys in the mid-1990s that will go 400K miles). Today's mowers are too bulky and heavy, as compared to the alloy deck machines that used to be made. Plus, you can't have both great bagging and mulching in the same machine - it is a compromise. If you want maximum suction and the best bagging, you need a deck dedicated to that purpose.

I'm daily-driving a 1980s Homelite Super Bagger walk-behind, along with a John Deere F510 3-wheeled front-deck rider that was built in 1990. Superb machines that make me smile every time that I mow the lawn.

If the lawn is under a 1/4 acre, I'd totally go electric these days. I was an early adopter of a Black & Decker CMM1000 cordless almost 20 years ago that I ran on the original batteries for about 7 seasons. I gave it away because I didn't want to spend the $ for replacement batteries.

 

[Skin]

Nothing wrong with the new stuff if you're still after quality. You just pay more for it. The $400 mowers of yesteryear are now more like $700-$800. Too many people treat consumer goods like the price shouldn't have changed between 1979 and 2019 and then act shocked when said item isn't built as well as it was for the same price 40 years ago.

 

[eaglefan1]

I have a Snapper with a 8.75 briggs on it. Dam things a animal! With the hi-lift blade it doesnt miss any clippings. Rear drive, so when the bag gets heavy more weight on the drive wheels. Bag empties so easy to get rid of clippings.
After 14yrs I put a new carb on it but had to take it to get the valve lash adjusted. I borrowed a friends Honda mower. Snapper is a way better mower, actually its not even close. The honda seemed to run a little bit smoother, but bogged down more. Honda was way slower also.
Honda isn't a bad mower at all. But the Snapper just does everything better and faster