Mulching lawn mower

[vincentshah]

Hi all,

My current lawn mower has given up on me. Bought it 3.5 years ago and to be honest, it did its job (including mulching) pretty well.

So I'm on the lookout for a high quality mulching lawn mower to handle a 1500 square foot back yard. Looking for a model that would last at least 10 years or so. Are these mowers built to last that long, and if so, any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[CJM8515]

Honda, period. There is none other to consider unless you want to go commercial.

 

[metlmunchr]

I've got a 15 yr old Honda that's still got the original spark plug and blade. Runs as good as the day I bought it. Only thing I do regularly is turn it up on its side after use and wash the grass out with a water hose to keep rust from starting.

Mine is a single speed self propelled. If I bought another one, I'd get the 2 speed model because the single speed is too fast in some areas and too slow in others.

 

[ken w.]

I love Honda mowers. I'll pick up any Honda at the curb I see. Most of the time it's a $ 12.00 clutch or throttle cable that broke. They are not cheap new , but I think their worth it.

 

[vincentshah]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like Honda is the mower of choice between all 3 answers, I was hesitant between Honda and Black & Decker, but I'm edging towards Honda more and more.

Do you have any specific model suggestions? According to this mulching mower review page, the Honda HRR216K9VKA is highly rated. I had a look on Amazon.com for Honda mulching mowers but reviews and price wise, none seemed to beat the HRR216K9VKA. I'm thinking that's the one I will opt for, unless someone has any other suggestions?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Craftsman wasn't bad, just not great.

 

[vincentshah]

Craftsman wasn't bad, just not great.

Would you recommend a Honda as well then? What was the model number for the Craftsman mower you had?

 

[SMKS]

I have a new Honda and I only like some things about it. Their speed control is a pretty dumb design. I like the lever used by competitors like Husky. FWD is better than RWD for maneuverability, so this one is harder to maneuver than the Husky-made Craftsman I had to sell. I had to sell my Craftsman because the handle wasn't adjustable. As I've aged I need a higher handle.

The engine is powerful and the build quality is good, but the ergonomics and use of it aren't as good as some competitors.

I sort of wish I would have got a Honda-engined Husky or something else, but we will see how I feel in the future.

 

[fivespdcat]

1500 sq ft? I went with cordless electric for my 10k and don't regret it one bit. Wouldn't even think of gas for a lawn that size.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[Cf mtn]

if you're not bagging you can't go wrong with a toro recycler.

 

[vincentshah]

I'm going to have to do more research into the topic as its quite a hefty investment. At the moment the Honda one is top of the list, but i'll let you know which one I end up buying. Thanks for all your help!

 

[amalik]

I've got a 15 yr old Honda that's still got the original spark plug and blade. Runs as good as the day I bought it. Only thing I do regularly is turn it up on its side after use and wash the grass out with a water hose to keep rust from starting.

Mine is a single speed self propelled. If I bought another one, I'd get the 2 speed model because the single speed is too fast in some areas and too slow in others.

Please tell me that blade has at least been sharpened.

And a spark plug is so cheap, why not replace for the hell of it after that long?

 

[NewShockerGuy]

My vote would be a Honda.

Funny thing my father just purchased a new Husqvarna lawn mower. He gave me his 9 year old Huswvarna 7021r. It has a Honda gcv160 engine on it. Only thing he's ever done was change the oil/blade. Same 9 year old spark plug and filter. I bought around $180 worth of stuff, like new wheels, bearings, springs, bag, spark plug, filter misc things to overhaul it. It's a nice lawnmower. I imagine that it should last as long now that I am taking care of it and actually doing proper maintenance to it...lol

My wife bought a cheapo Bolens mower that has a B&S engine at Lowes for $130 back in 09'. It's still running perfectly fine now. In fact had I not gotten my dad's mower I'd still be using that one. It's not the backup mower just in case.

I have found that not cutting the grass when it's wet or hosing the entire mower off GREATLY affects how long they last.

-Nigel

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

Toro super recycler with a honda engine and cast aluminum deck. In my experience honda brand mowers are not the greatest mulchers that's why I recommend the toro, also only get the toro with the honda engine the toro branded engines are not nearly as nice.
https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/walk-behind-mowers/21-personal-pace-honda-20382


Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[kngelv]

I have a Toro Super Recycler with a B&S engine that I purchased new in 2006. No complaints. Still runs like new. I cut my parents lawn with their 30 yeat old Honda. Starts on the first pull every time. I don't like the Honda blade controls but it starts with easier than my Toro.

James

 

[JazzBlueRT]

if you're not bagging you can't go wrong with a toro recycler.

The Toro also has the highest cutting height of the self propelled mowers at 4 inches. Very important if you have to maintain a St Augustine lawn.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I got this one, but it was on sale for like $289 at the end of last year's mowing season.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-22-...C-_-NavPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-205026227-_-N

 

[67King]

1500SF? Is that a typo? That's like 40' by 40'. For that, I'd just get a manual reel lawn mower.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Hi all,

My current lawn mower has given up on me. Bought it 3.5 years ago and to be honest, it did its job (including mulching) pretty well.

So I'm on the lookout for a high quality mulching lawn mower to handle a 1500 square foot back yard. Looking for a model that would last at least 10 years or so. Are these mowers built to last that long, and if so, any recommendations?

Thanks

What is wrong with your current mower, 3.5 years is a very short life for a mower.

 

[Stevenn1]

Got Toro electric-start self-propelled walk behind mower. Retail $399. I like it.
Honda does make good small engines for generators, mowers, power washers....

 

[doctordirt]

What no lawnboy fans. I personally love the lawnboy line of mowers. And I agree, the hondas are great mowers too. The honda I had was a little heavy though.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

Lawnboys are great if you have a older 2 cycle unit the new 4 cycle stuff is junk.

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[Danno1]

.



I bought a Toro w a BS in 2003. $300 at HD.

The drive gears and the deadman mechanism are shot. Bit it still starts on the 1st or 2nd pull. Chg the oil every year.

It's on its 2nd blade and SP, both due for replacement this fall.


Oh, and while I have rinsed it w the hose once or twice, usually I just scrape out the heavy wet grass under the deck w a plastic putty knife type of thing. After every use. It lives in an unheated shed when not being used. No rust of any kind on it.


.

 

[Billy Jack]

Lawnboys are great if you have a older 2 cycle unit the new 4 cycle stuff is junk.

As the owner of both 1997 and 1986 vintage 2-stroke Lawn Boys that I plan on keeping alive forever, I agree.
I'm sure they still make better stuff than what I see in the stores, but I believe today's better LB's are just Toro's with green paint.

Bill

 

[MShaw]

I have a Toro recycler and the personal pace drive system is pure ****. It worked for the first year and then started locking up and dragging the wheels when the mower was pulled back. Then it got to the point that if you adjusted the belt tight enough to drive it would not release and when loose enough to release it only partially drove. $150.00 for parts later it still does not work. I leave the belt loose and push it.
I wrote the factory and they sent an explanation based on an earlier model even though I had given them the model and serial number to them. When I pointed this out they did not reply. Four additional letters with no reply.
My dealer confirmed that they have let all the support personnel that knew anything go and even the dealers cannot get any help from the factory.
Stay away from Toro.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

Don't discount toro totally, the recycler and the super recycler are two very different machines, the recycler is a price point machine mainly for box stores the super recycler is better quality and is a dealer only unit that utilizes a much better drivetrain than the recycler along with a aluminum deck.

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[Sam'sAutoParts]

I bought a Honda from Jack's this year and have been impressed. It has been great, I usually use the mulch function but the bagger and discharge settings work good as well.

Considered a Toro with a Honda engine but ended up going with the Honda because of the plastic deck.

We had a Toro we bought in the early 90s and it finally lost the battle to rust about 2000 of so.

The Honda replaced a vintage Snapper that I loved but the Tecumseh was so tired I had to fill it with oil halfway through mowing. The new snappers look nice but they are above my price range.

Have not owned a Lawnboy since I found one curbside about 1993. I tuned it up, and promptly sold it to our UPS driver for $30.

 

[amalik]

Lawnboys are great if you have a older 2 cycle unit the new 4 cycle stuff is junk.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

Im not sure I agree.

I mow and mulch with a 4 stroke lawnboy and I love it.

But, its all I've ever used so I have nothing to compare it to.

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[MikeF2316]

I agree, 1500 sq. ft. isn't much. I have more, if you add front and rear. I bought a Murray with B&S engine back in 1994. I've only changed the oil (I use synthetic) and sharpened the blade. The fuel is always stabilized. Currently the primer bulb is not working properly, I need to fix that. But one thing I never did is cleaning the grass off the bottom. The deck is starting to rust out, there's a large hole on the left side that is currently duct taped. I'm thinking of ditching this mower and getting a different one. Some of the cordless ones look like they may suit my needs, something that didn't exist back in 1994.

I also use mine with the bag to mulch and collect leaves in the fall, and to pick up hedge clippings, which is a little rough on it at times.

 

[FMC1959]

I have a new Honda and I only like some things about it. Their speed control is a pretty dumb design. I like the lever used by competitors like Husky. FWD is better than RWD for maneuverability, so this one is harder to maneuver than the Husky-made Craftsman I had to sell. I had to sell my Craftsman because the handle wasn't adjustable. As I've aged I need a higher handle.

The engine is powerful and the build quality is good, but the ergonomics and use of it aren't as good as some competitors.

I sort of wish I would have got a Honda-engined Husky or something else, but we will see how I feel in the future.

OP, if like SMKS, you do not like certain aspects of the Honda mower, definitely check other brands with Honda motors. A very large percentage of Honda lovers has a lot to do with the motor.

Toro, Lawnboy, and many other brands usually have at least one model with a Honda motor. Usually a premium and more expensive model.

I haven't used a Honda mower, but looking at them in the store, they look good to me. I have a generator and a vibrating plate with Honda motors, both start and work great.

When you go to rental shops, there's a good reason why most of their gas powered equipment run Honda motors.

 

[MUD DAWG]

... I was hesitant between Honda and Black & Decker, but I'm edging towards Honda more and more.

Honda is an excellent manufacturer of quality automobiles, motorcycles, generators, ATVs, snowblowers, and a myriad of small engines. They're obviously more expensive than cheap brands, but are excellent value in the long run.

Black and Decker can't even make a decent coffee maker. At one point I was lured by their prices, but no drill, coffee maker, toaster, leaf blower, or string trimmer I bought lasted more than 2 years of home owner use. Nothing but low quality garbage, and a terrible bang for the buck.

I have a 15 year old Craftsman push mower, and the previous owner left me another 20 year old Craftsman push mower, and 25 year old Craftsman riding mower. All 3 of them aren't exceptional by any means, but still get the job done, and receive very little maintenance. I'd be a little hesitant to recommend Craftsman now due to the bankruptcy and all.

If I had to buy a mower now, I'd go with the list by Consumer Reports . Even if you pay $400 for a quality push mower, that'll easily last 20 years, then you're talking just $20 a year. Definitely not worth getting a cheap brand.

 

[shawhite]

Honda HRX with hydro static cruise control. I’ve had mine for 10 years very little maintenance and always starts on 1st or 2nd pull. The plastic deck makes this mower lighter than a lot of mowers on the market and comes with a lifetime deck warranty.

 

[FMC1959]

Honda is an excellent manufacturer of quality automobiles, motorcycles, generators, ATVs, snowblowers, and a myriad of small engines. They're obviously more expensive than cheap brands, but are excellent value in the long run.......

On a side note to what you mention, years ago I heard a trivia question on the radio that took many calls for someone to get right.

The question was who was the largest MFR of internal combustion engines. People said GM, Ford, Toyota, Izuzu, Briggs & Stratton, till someone finally mentioned Honda, the correct answer.

Made sense, Honda has been in the top car MFR's for years, but they have many motorcycles, marine inboard and outboard, lawn mowers, snow blowers, all kinds of specialized machinery found at the rental shops, generators.... and the list goes on. They might not be the leader in any specific category, but make internal combustion engines for just about anything needing a motor.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Hi all,

My current lawn mower has given up on me. Bought it 3.5 years ago and to be honest, it did its job (including mulching) pretty well.

So I'm on the lookout for a high quality mulching lawn mower to handle a 1500 square foot back yard. Looking for a model that would last at least 10 years or so. Are these mowers built to last that long, and if so, any recommendations?

Thanks

What did you have previously? What happened to it that you need to replace it? Can it not be repaired? If satisfied with it buy another and use the old one for parts. I have a pair of Poulans one for home and one for the lake. Do not recommend this brand. Wish I had my old 2 stroke LawnBoys but my wife used straight gas in one and gave them to the neighbour kid as a project.