OT: lawnmowers

[l_bilyk]

Not really on topic... but i guess it's sortof a tool

So what type of mower do you own? Do you like it?

We're in market for a push mower. Don't know what features to look for, or how much power it should have. The old one was a 4.5 briggs and was a little weak sometimes.

 

[kartracer55]

This one is a snapper, about 15 years old and still going strong. No problems with anything really. The carb hasnt been cooperating lately, so Im going to overhaul the engine. Rings, valves, carb etc. Should be going for another 15 years. The next one will be a toro though, based on the experience with the snow blower. This mower is a 3.5 briggs, and honestly, I have never had a problem with the power of it. The most popular mower I get are the snappers and toros with briggs 5hp engines. Many of them about as old as I am. That'd be my choice.

Self propelled mowers are nice but they add to the cost and there is obviously more to go wrong.

 

[l_bilyk]

It doesn't seem like anyone up here carries snapper. Toro is common but seems a little on the expensive side. 90% of the mowers in my price range have briggs motors. The old one is a briggs so I don't question it's relibility.

Also, it seems the majority is made in canada. I havent looked at the craftsmans yet but i will probably go tomorrow... i got a few questions though

How bad are the self-propelled in terms of relibility? How does the drive mechanism work?

& what is the point of that huge rear wheel on some of them?

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

I just parked the Scotts 6.5 HP 21". What did I replace it with?

20" Push reel mower. Easier on the allergies for me and a better quality cut

 

[Rickster]

15 years for an overhaul? My old Toro's at 24 or 25 and just starting to burn a little oil in the last couple of years. Last year I donated it to my Dad for use on his farm (it's where all our old mowers go to finsh out their lives - kind of a hospice for lawnmowers). I upgraded to a Toro mulcher with the personal pace thing, should be set for another 25 years hopefully.

 

[Michael]

The John Deere push mowers have a 2 year warranty. That is better than anything they sell around here. The big wheels make them easier to push. I don't know about other brands but John Deere self propelled holds up real well. It's not uncommon to see a 5 year old mower with the original belt on it.

 

[mleichtle]

Ariens ZT48 zero turn 48" Deck. Got it two years ago to replace an old Murry lawn tractor. Took a couple weeks to get used to it. Parking it the hardest part now. No sarcasm, Its really hard to go in a strait line, so to get through the opening while trying to work the throttle, I've hit a few things.

 

[kartracer55]

Self propelled mowers are still reliable, you just have to make some belt and cable adjustments to them. The thing to remember is that a self propelled mower will have a gearbox of one type or another. Some are simple one speeds, others are variable speeds. The more complicated this gets, of course the more expensive. Some units are direct driven with a shaft and use a hyrdostatic coupler (namely honda) almost like a torque converter in your car. Others are as simple as a belt with a cheesy manual clutch driven off the crank, which goes right to the gearbox (Craftsman). One thing you need to remember with self propelled is that they will need a higher HP rating because they are not only cutting, but propelling the mower too.

Craftsman mowers are made by MTD, at least around here. MTD markets alot of mowers under tons of brands, and they are pretty much big box store types. Alot of them use tecumseh engines, and this combination is a surefire way to piss me off. I have read about and experienced on two occasions tecumseh sidedraft carbs getting so gummed up they are damn near impossible to clean, and your better off just buying a new carb because of the intricate passages inside. I dont like how tecumseh engines use the 2pc intake system either. Its just 2 more gaskets to leak and **** air. I am a firm believer in simplicity when it comes to mechanical things lol

Jim

 

[kartracer55]

Oh damn, sorry about the late reply... I got side tracked. In reading other posts... I believe most of them have 2 year warranties. Just look around, and Id avoid big-box stores. Support your local guy

Rickster... We had a little mishap with the gas. Somehow the 16:1 racegas was being added for a few weeks and it gummed up the carb and possibly the valve guides as well. Eitherway, it hasnt run right since then. Maybe its my fault, maybe it was his. Who knows

Jim

 

[Jared]

We have a husqvarna thats about 10 years old, self propelled briggs 5.5 or something. As far as the self propelled part being reliable , we haven't had one problem with it. If you can go with the self proppeled do it! makes mowing soo much easier

 

[Coach James]

I've got a 5 year old Craftsman(Murray). 6hp with big wheels on the back. They make it a lot easier to push the mower over uneven ground. I got it for $100 off the regular price as it was on closeout. I change the oil, air filter and spark glug each year and no problems so far. Where I live, the Sandhills of North Carolina, mower air filters get very dirty so I clean the filter after each use.

I did not buy a self propelled specifically because I did not want it to be easier to push. It's another form of cheap exercise.
Coach

 

[RWD]

when I first bought a house 16 years ago, I really didn't have a lot of money to spend on a mower. I went to the local big box and bought a Wheeler (store brand) with a B&S engine. It was the cheapest model at around $115. I changed the oil and spark plug and cleaned the air filter once a year. Still going strong.
Last year I wanted a self propelled mower so I bought a Honda on the recommendation of a neighbor. VERY nice product! Starts on one pull even after the winter storage

 

[l_bilyk]

Self propelled mowers are still reliable, you just have to make some belt and cable adjustments to them. The thing to remember is that a self propelled mower will have a gearbox of one type or another. Some are simple one speeds, others are variable speeds. The more complicated this gets, of course the more expensive. Some units are direct driven with a shaft and use a hyrdostatic coupler (namely honda) almost like a torque converter in your car. Others are as simple as a belt with a cheesy manual clutch driven off the crank, which goes right to the gearbox (Craftsman). One thing you need to remember with self propelled is that they will need a higher HP rating because they are not only cutting, but propelling the mower too.

Craftsman mowers are made by MTD, at least around here. MTD markets alot of mowers under tons of brands, and they are pretty much big box store types. Alot of them use tecumseh engines, and this combination is a surefire way to piss me off. I have read about and experienced on two occasions tecumseh sidedraft carbs getting so gummed up they are damn near impossible to clean, and your better off just buying a new carb because of the intricate passages inside. I dont like how tecumseh engines use the 2pc intake system either. Its just 2 more gaskets to leak and **** air. I am a firm believer in simplicity when it comes to mechanical things lol

Jim

It seems like just about every mower i looked at uses a tecumseh engine. The honda ones are much more expensive

 

[sjsfire]

I've always owned Lawnboy mowers, I currently have a 21inch, self propelled 6.5 hp 2 cycle.......

 

[dboat]

I currently have a 21inch, self propelled 6.5 hp 2 cycle.......

+1

I have had mine for about 7 years now.. The new ones are 4 cycle but mine is the prior 2 cycle engine.. nice thing is you just change the plug and air filter.. there are no oil changes.. runs like a champ.. When it comes time, I will just have the engine overhauled and keep it going.

Dana

 

[kartracer55]

Lawnboy=toro

My personal preference is briggs engines, I just dont like tecumseh. I invited a guy from another site to join up here, hes a power equipment mechanic. He knows his stuff, and does alot with tecumseh, so he could probably answer any questions if he chooses to register.

Id stay away from 2 cycles. They are loud and polute alot... not what you want for a nieghboorhood. I dont even know if you can still buy 2 cycle mowers! The most common thing I have to fix are small chainsaws/trimmers and occasionally a snow blower. Most of the time the carbs are just gummed up really bad because trimmers sit over the winter, and snow blowers sit over the summer. All I can say is proper care when storing these things is the most important thing! What *I* do is drain the tank, so the only fuel left is just alittle bit in the hose. I pull the plug, pour in some marvel mystery oil to coat the inside, then run the thing dry real quickly. This gets alot of the gas out of the carb and helps to prevent it from sticking. The marvel mystery oil lubricates it as it runs dry. Depending on how long it ran, Ill pour a little more in and turn the engine over by hand a few times to get everything coated. Its ready for storage. Sometimes you need to rebuild the carb with a new pumper depending on how cold it was and how long it sat, but other than that you wont need to pull the needles and clean passage ways like you would if it sat with fuel. Much better tradeoff. I follow this procedure every raceday with my 1500$ racemotor...

Oh yeah, and did I mention it smokes like youve never seen? lol But if you pour too much in, it may be hard to start

Jim

 

[dboat]

Kartracer,
I do run mine dry but havent done it with MMO. I generally put some Stabil in the gas and run them dry (after I use a turkey baster to get most of the gas out)... you are right that you cant get 2 cycle anymore, but I still like em..
The nice part is that they are easy to overhaul.. just a hone, and some rings.. you are usually good to go.

Dana

 

[l_bilyk]

Ok guys i've narrowed it down to 2

1) A craftsman, simple front wheel drive system, and a tescumeh engine
and 2) a poulan, push mower, with a honda OHC

both mulch, and have the bigger rear wheel

I am leaning towards the poulan, and I am thinking of fabricating a caster setup for the front wheels.

What do you guys think?

 

[eschoendorff]

I've always owned Lawnboy mowers, I currently have a 21inch, self propelled 6.5 hp 2 cycle.......

Those older Lawnboys were the best! The 21" 2-cycle 4hp models with the cast magnesium decks and the offset wheels are my all-time favorite - lighter than air! Now they are all stamped steel... just like everything else.

 

[sjsfire]

Those older Lawnboys were the best! The 21" 2-cycle 4hp models with the cast magnesium decks and the offset wheels are my all-time favorite - lighter than air! Now they are all stamped steel... just like everything else.

I think you can still get the magnesium deck, at least you could a few years ago. Man those thing were light as a feather. Those 2 cycle lawnboys were tough!!!! I had some problems with a old 18 inch model that was about 23 years old. It would die out in taller grass and loose power. A old guy showed me how to clean the exhaust ports of the carbon buildup. It was like you had a new engine. I hope the newer Lawnboys can last as long as their old brothers.......

 

[AndrewM]

I have a rear wheel drive self propelled Craftsman 5 hp / 22" blade that I bought when I had a 1/4 acre lot. Then I moved to a smaller lot, and it was all the better. I had to go through the rear drive after the first year and re-lube it to get the clutch working properly again. But after that, it worked fine.

Then I moved to a 3/4 acre lot. It took over 3 hours to mow with the Craftsman. A buddy of mine talked me in to buying a 15 hp 48" SCAG with a 2-wheel Velke standing platform. I *love* my SCAG. I can mow my yard in 45 minutes now. Neighbors look at me funny as I ski the front yard in 5th gear, but that's OK.