Push mower suggestions

[BBC71Nova]

Time for a new mower again . I had good luck out of the first Toro self propelled push mower I bought at HD. Got about 8 seasons out of it and it was still great after I rebuilt the gearbox and sold it. If not for not being able to wait on parts I should've kept it.

So at that time I picked up another of the same but newer model. Toro had switched from Tecumseh to Briggs "easy start" engine. Now about 3-4 sea sons in it is junk. The drivetrain doesn't work which that I can rebuild. My biggest gripe is it runs like ****. Stumbles, dies, etc. I regularly maintain, etc so bit frustrating. I cleaned carb t ook for trash, etc. So I'm kind of done with Briggs. Not what they built their reputation producing years ago.

So what says GJ? Are the Hondas worth it? What about the lower end commercial models like Gravely?

I just need a good self propelled bagger. Preferably one that lasts if maintained. Not the modern day manufacturing strategy of cheap, land filling buy and toss every 2 years garbage.

Thanks!!! Sorry for rant ha. Just came in from mowing...

 

[jakemac]

A lot of the time the problem isn't the way the motor is made. It's the new gas with ethanol in it. The ethanol eats the fuel lines and seals, causing the carbs to clog with fine grit. So the carburetors don't hold up as well as they used to.

 

[kd3pc]

I have had the $5-600 hondas and such, and other than the parts being 4 or 5 times the price of B&S....they were no better AT all than the $99 on sale B&S. Now all you can buy are "approved" engine mowers and they are junk

I have a 6 month old Craftsman that worked flawlessly for a few weeks and then started to stumble, every time you hit a bump. Warranty center says that is normal for the new carbs, they are so close to the edge ANYTHING will annoy them. I doubt it will last another full season with out a carb and fuel tank. And I only use non E10 fuel in its since new. There is no user choke or push pump or anything to prime it.

I have started collecting the older B&S toro and bolens push mowers and will just repair my 12 year old one, instead of the new buy and junk next year models out there.

 

[Jrican]

Briggs need valves touched up every few years. And I'd second putting non ethanol gas in it..

 

[firebox40dash5]

My family has had Honda (brand, not just Honda powered) mowers for years with mixed success. The old ones from the 80s were built like tanks. THe one my parents had when I was growing up, from about '93, was just an expensive, well built version of a cheap crappy mower... that thing was kinda a POS. My parents and aunt & uncle each have a ~10 year old one now, and they're OK, probably worth the $ if you take care of it... neglect it and you might as well buy the cheapest one and plan on replacing it every year or two anyway.

What's your budget, and yard situation? When I was 18 I thought I wanted to get more seriously into mowing for $, and bought a pretty beat up Scag hydro for $600. It obviously mowed a lot faster than a normal mower, and damned if it didn't run like a top, too. It was a 52", so it wouldn't fit through a normal fence gate, but it could detail to within 3" of anywhere you could physically fit it. Even if you get one that's 'beat' by commercial standards, you could probably get another decade out of it at home. I'd buy one of those again in a heartbeat... I ran it for a year, made some money with it, and sold it for a profit.

 

[bobcatdan]

Buy a used 2 stroke Lawn Boy, as close as engineering ever came to perfection. Clean the carbon out of the muffler every 10 years. About 20 years the wheels will need replacing. Other then that, a spark here or there, good to go. Mine is 40 years old, never rebuilt.

 

[jonjon1]

I have a Honda {Honda brand not just powered}and its been good, we use it for some areas the rider wont go with out flipping over. I have an HRR model, it was like $450 but it starts up first pull, its super easy to use and cuts very nice, plus it came with a 6 year warranty, and since I bought it at the same commercial lawn supply house I buy all my stuff, getting stuff fixed is easy, I bought my Honda and ariens snow blowers there, exmark laser z and Pioneer, multiple stihl units, etc etc etc over the years I had to spend $30K in there, and when I broke the belt in my ariens blower he came out, brought me a loaner picked up my machine, and brought it back when it was fixed, I am sure I could have saved money at Lowes, BUT I am sure I get more than my moneys worth in service...


Anyway, I like the honda it works, I think if I were in the market for a mower that I had to cut the entire lawn with I would go with the s series http://www.exmark.com/products/mowe...cial21/commercial21-s-series?m=ECS180GKA21000 I am not sure what that mower costs, but Ill bet it lasts forever...

 

[TexF18]

I just bought a old lawn boy 10515 2 stroke. Works great have a bag but I just mulch. I think it's a 1994. Got it at a pawn for 125 which was about what they went for on craigslist.

 

[Beaumont67]

IMO, the Ariens with the Kawasaki commercial engine (designed for 2500 hours) are the best new walk behind mower equipment out there.
- I'm still using a free road side find: 1986 to '88 Toro with 4 stroke Suzuki commercial engine
- I have 2 more Toro's personal pace self propelled mowers in waiting ($40 & $50 each, used) but the old Suzuki still won't die
- my last two John Deere garden tractor (current GT262) had Kawasaki engines, and motors always ran perfect
If buying new, I'd go with the one below / brother has the same Ariens with Briggs, but Kawasaki is best:

ARIENS Classic LM21SW, Self-Propelled Mower - Swivel Wheel, Kawasaki
- 6 HP/179 cc Kawasaki FJ180V engine delivers premium power to a premium mower
- swivel front wheels offer the ultimate in maneuverability with little effort
- 14 gauge stamped deck with a rolled lip and 1” round handle bars withstand the test of time
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/cla...2aFKJsxMvGqWBk2ZiVvBjzuu_SC2-V9X01BoCs7Hw_wcB

 

[lat905]

Almost anything that isn't a commercial grade unit is going to be sub-par anymore. The problem is, it's hard to justify a commercial walk behind unless you have a huge lawn, at which point you probably want a tractor anyways.

I had an early 2000's craftsman with a Briggs engine. Engine was ok, everything else sucked. I kept fixing it until the self propelled gearbox locked up.

I then bought a Husqvarna at Lowes about 3 years ago. I picked it mostly because of handle height, most are too low for me. This one has a longer and taller handle. I used it for 2 summers and it was fine (running E-10, no choice here). Last year I was traveling too much and decided to just hire a guy, so I only used it about twice in 2014. But so far so good.

Probably going to hire the service again this year. Only home on weekends anymore and don't want to use all my time on the lawn.

 

[JonnyMac]

All of the commercial mowing guys over here use honda's. They are full honda Hondas units and cost around $1000 they all swear by them.
Ive got a b&s 500 series motor which I share with my neighbor so its done twice the work
Had it 5 years and its taken lots of abuse and still runs beautifully...

 

[SweetD]

Been really happy with my (non-self propelled) Husqvarna bagger with the Honda 6HP motor for about ten years now. Never given me a lick of trouble...

Bought it at a local power equipment co. rather than a box store...

Dave

 

[franzdom]

I have a commercial Honda but is't the base model, not propelled. It is amazing. Starts great every year, I think I have had it 8+ years. It's super heavy duty.

 

[PT Doc]

My Hinda mover from hd was purchased 14 years ago. Starts on the first pull if I remember to put the choke lever in the right place. Has the non metal deck. No issues. Could uses some new year wheels in the next year. I drain gas at the end of the season and run it dry.

 

[Vantastic]

Lawn boy.

 

[DonPowers]

I'm still using the Honda that I bought in 1987.

 

[Skin]

A lot of the time the problem isn't the way the motor is made. It's the new gas with ethanol in it. The ethanol eats the fuel lines and seals, causing the carbs to clog with fine grit. So the carburetors don't hold up as well as they used to.

Ethanol has been used in gasoline since they started to eliminate MBTE which began decades ago for quite a few states. Calling it "new fuel" is a bit ridiculous. Likewise the vast majority of gasoline is cut with ethanol, I don't think any states require labelling unless it hits the magic 10% number. I'd be willing to bet most automotive stations these days selling "ethanol free" or unlabeled gas actually have a certain percent of ethanol.

Time for a new mower again . I had good luck out of the first Toro self propelled push mower I bought at HD. Got about 8 seasons out of it and it was still great after I rebuilt the gearbox and sold it. If not for not being able to wait on parts I should've kept it.

So at that time I picked up another of the same but newer model. Toro had switched from Tecumseh to Briggs "easy start" engine. Now about 3-4 sea sons in it is junk. The drivetrain doesn't work which that I can rebuild. My biggest gripe is it runs like ****. Stumbles, dies, etc. I regularly maintain, etc so bit frustrating. I cleaned carb t ook for trash, etc. So I'm kind of done with Briggs. Not what they built their reputation producing years ago.

So what says GJ? Are the Hondas worth it? What about the lower end commercial models like Gravely?

I just need a good self propelled bagger. Preferably one that lasts if maintained. Not the modern day manufacturing strategy of cheap, land filling buy and toss every 2 years garbage.

Thanks!!! Sorry for rant ha. Just came in from mowing...

Briggs L-Heads are excellent engines. I basically never see mechanical issues with them that weren't caused by neglect. The transmissions are cheap units so no surprise it died after 8 years. You can replace them for roughly $50-$60. I could rebuild your mower all day for roughly $150 and make it run like new.

If you really want to replace it get a Toro Super Recycler with a Honda. It will last decades. Much better deck, wheels, and transmission than the base recyclers, good engine. Or buy a Honda.

 

[Flat-rate]

Still have my '87 Honda I bought new, GX engine OHV push rod. Starts 1 pull and runs like new. The new home owner ones with the overhead cam and timing belt in the crankcase (??) is overrated.

 

[montanafordman]

I have a 6.5hp craftsman Briggs that works OK but gives me fits about once a year. Just last week I couldn't start it, so I took apart the carb and sure enough, there was **** in it. I blew it out and it runs fine again. It seems I go through this every year. I'm thinking about getting some new fuel lines and installing an inline filter, one mine doesn't have. I don't understand how they can't put a $2 filter on a $200 mower. My rope start mechanism broke on that mower a couple weeks after I bought it, I took it apart and reset the pieces and its worked ever since, but it has an annoying rattle to it when running. I might look into replacing those parts to try and improve that. Simply put - they don't make em like they used too.

 

[KPSquared]

Find a used lawn boy. You'll never buy another mower. Like was said earlier... Just a set of wheels every 20 years and keep the carbon out of it. Amazing machine.

 

[Skin]

I have a 6.5hp craftsman Briggs that works OK but gives me fits about once a year. Just last week I couldn't start it, so I took apart the carb and sure enough, there was **** in it. I blew it out and it runs fine again. It seems I go through this every year. I'm thinking about getting some new fuel lines and installing an inline filter, one mine doesn't have. I don't understand how they can't put a $2 filter on a $200 mower. My rope start mechanism broke on that mower a couple weeks after I bought it, I took it apart and reset the pieces and its worked ever since, but it has an annoying rattle to it when running. I might look into replacing those parts to try and improve that. Simply put - they don't make em like they used too.

Filters are molded into the tanks. The "****" is often from running dry or just plain old sediments from years of use. Between gasoline evaporation, very small particulates that make it through the filter screen, the rubber, and any dirt that bypasses the air cleaner, its inevitable given enough time.

 

[cheechi]

Don't buy a TB280ES it fits most of your criteria so I'm sure it's on your radar.

After a random amount of time the thing will kill the plug. Not the plug dying, I have got the Champ, E3, even ordered the Briggs branded version of the champ. All different sources there was no possibility of a bad batch or whatever.

I have noticed many push mowers don't have the suction that even a few years ago you could expect to bag 95% of what you cut. Now with mine and a few other neighbours its closer to 50-60% for push mowers.

 

[7echo]

The old Lawnboy with the F engine were sweet. I have a commercial model from around 1990 that runs pretty good. The Toro mowers with the Suzuki engines are considered by some to be the best. The Hondas with the GX engines were pretty nice mowers.

Lots of good info here, these guys are into the walk mowers...

http://www.mytractorforum.com/155-walk-behind-mowers/

 

[Parrothead]

Contrary to some reviews on here, I have a self propeled Troy Bilt with the Honda GCV engine and it's been great. I do make sure to drain the gas every winter, but I've had it for 5 years with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Great machine and cheap too. I paid $229 when I bough it. I do run synthetic so I suspect that helps and I am sure the body will rot off before the engine dies.

 

[BBC71Nova]

Wow thanks for all the input. I've seen those lawn boy models over the years. Very distinctive design.

I looked at a few commercial models online today. This week I'm gonna hit a few mower shops and checkout Exmark, Toro and maybe Gravely. Seems like the Ariens from HD that was suggested may be the best value but not being able to put hands on it before the purchase is a bit of a concern. I kinda want a Kawasaki engine or maybe that Suzuki. My FIL had a Kawasaki in his Gravely commercial ZT and it was pretty awesome.

I've decided that I'm gonna at least rebuild the carb and see if it clears up. The kit is like $10 and I'd enjoy doing it so what the heck. Helps to justify the tools I seem to always "need" after hanging out here .

A new trans is about $50 plus bearings, belt, etc would get me to about $100 total. I'm not fully convinced yet that I want to do that but the mower is in great shape otherwise so i could see getting another couple years out of it if I did that.

Thanks!

 

[Wamsutta]

So at that time I picked up another of the same but newer model. Toro had switched from Tecumseh to Briggs "easy start" engine. Now about 3-4 sea sons in it is junk. The drivetrain doesn't work which that I can rebuild. My biggest gripe is it runs like ****. Stumbles, dies, etc. I regularly maintain, etc so bit frustrating. I cleaned carb t ook for trash, etc. So I'm kind of done with Briggs. Not what they built their reputation producing years ago.

If it has the thermostat controlled automatic choke carburetor, there's a memo out on it called TSB 760.

 

[AL`]

My Troy-Bilt mower has a Honda GCV-160 engine. I had a similar Troy- Bilt mower with a 6.5 B&S engine on it previously, but I hit a tree stump I didn't see and it warped the crankshaft. I replaced it with the Honda powered Troy-Bilt. My observation is that the Honda uses MUCH less fuel to get the job done. With the B&S, I couldn't mow the front and back lawn without refilling the tank. I can get it all done with one tank and still gas leftover to spare with the Honda. I've had it since 2007 and it is still going strong. I've only had to replace a wheel that wore out. Still has the same spark plug too. I'd get a Honda powered mower again when this one gives up the ghost, but probably not the actual Honda brand mower.

 

[ColoradoToy91]

My lawn boy works great every year, bought her used, and i even use ethanol gas with no problems

 

[kctyphoon]

i really like my craftsman.. have had 2 and they never let me down yet..

 

[Skin]

Wow thanks for all the input. I've seen those lawn boy models over the years. Very distinctive design.

I looked at a few commercial models online today. This week I'm gonna hit a few mower shops and checkout Exmark, Toro and maybe Gravely. Seems like the Ariens from HD that was suggested may be the best value but not being able to put hands on it before the purchase is a bit of a concern. I kinda want a Kawasaki engine or maybe that Suzuki. My FIL had a Kawasaki in his Gravely commercial ZT and it was pretty awesome.

I've decided that I'm gonna at least rebuild the carb and see if it clears up. The kit is like $10 and I'd enjoy doing it so what the heck. Helps to justify the tools I seem to always "need" after hanging out here .

A new trans is about $50 plus bearings, belt, etc would get me to about $100 total. I'm not fully convinced yet that I want to do that but the mower is in great shape otherwise so i could see getting another couple years out of it if I did that.

Thanks!

The carburetors are a great design, very simplistic and they usually clean easily. That said they are also only about $35 to replace. Again just from my experience that engine is extremely reliable and durable. Change the oil and air filter every 35-40 hours or so and it wont die. The only reason to replace it is if the deck is finished at which point, and if you want to step up, take a good look at Toro 20382 Super Recycler. Very well proven design and component combination that's been around roughly since 1990.

Far from rocket science but this thread/post is here if you want it

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196177

 

[Hako86]

We've always used Briggs and NEVER had any problems with them. They always start in 1 pull, even after 8 months sitting!

 

[Boilerhouse]

I bought a cheap B & S from a discount store in 1991 and still use it to this day. It sits outside in the summer and gets its annual TLC in the fall whether it needs it or not.

 

[junkyardwarrior]

If you can find one.....a John Deere JX75 or 14SB. Best walk behind mower ever made, period. Kawasaki FC150V engine. Never seen one with engine problems in the 24 years I've been messing with them. Run it out of oil and seize it? Pour some oil back in it, wait a while, fire it back up and mow the rest of the yard.

There was also the 12 series mowers, 2 stroke briggs. Also a good engine but they vibrate a little. Light weight. 12PB, 12SB, etc. And the cheap mowers were the 14PB and 14SZ. Those competed with the Murray's in a lot of ways. Check craigslist...I see them from time to time. The JX75 and JX85 are my favorites. The little JS60/JS63's were far from my favorite. The crankshaft PTO end is longer than normal and bends if you get it in tall grass. And the little transmission setup is absolute garbage. Avoid all of the John Deere JS-series mowers. They're worse than a Murray.

The JX85/75/14SB's are no longer made and haven't been in a few years but to my knowledge, every part is still available.

Also-the Kubota versions were tough to beat as well. W5021 model specifically.

When I moved, I looked everywhere to find a fleet of Kubota equipment but ended up keeping my JX75, LX188, and Stihl weeder. Both of the mowers are over 20 years old and still kicking; with the 188 being the sweetheart of them. It was owned by a doctor who was never home enough to mow, so it sat in the garage. That's how I got it, he started hiring the lawn work out, his wife started having an affair with the lawn boy, and they divorced...he left everything to her and they wanted nothing to do with that old john deere, so I took it off their hands. Had 9 hours on it when I bought it. Currently 343hrs. I've had it since 2004 June.

 

[dovco]

Look at what the commercial guys are using. There are a few forums like this one dedicated to professional lawn care. Seems like the Honda 21s were the thing when I checked a while back. We have a Toro Timemaster (Exmark) 30" and it works well for us, but our yard is flat and only about 1/3 acre. We had an Ariens from about 1990 until a few years ago. It was a great mower. At the time of purchase there were a lot of professionals around here using them.

 

[jwsia]

The idea of a 1000$ push mower floors me. Anyway. If you can find an alloy deck old lawnboy you should never need another mower. And I second the Deere posting above. The JX75 or 85 is a tank. I believe they were a 1300$ mower back in the mid 90s. If you can find one that was owned by a homeowner jump on it. I passed on a very nice JX75 a month ago for 200 (asking price, they would have taken around 150) If I did more than 5 minutes of push mowing I would have jumped on it.

 

[KPSquared]

$1000 push mower is a giant waste of money. Unless you have the money to waste... Then go for it! Not worth having to give up a meal over though.

 

[Reese]

Buy a used 2 stroke Lawn Boy, as close as engineering ever came to perfection. Clean the carbon out of the muffler every 10 years. About 20 years the wheels will need replacing. Other then that, a spark here or there, good to go. Mine is 40 years old, never rebuilt.

Another vote for an old 2 stroke Lawn Boy.

 

[Cdstahlman]

The largest lawn care company in this area uses old lawnboy 22261 commercial series mowers.

Search Craigslist or post a ad on there and you'll find plenty. The older F series motors (d400-d600) are usually what you want to go for.

Some may take a little tuning and restoration, but they'll last you forever and will hold their value of you go through the trouble of restoration.

 

[bdelmar2]

I used to have a john deere, and I think it was the jx75 model, or maybe jx80. Self propelled, electric start, 22" I want to say it had a 6.75 engine. Was a pretty good mower until someone stole it.

Now I have an old ariens self propelled 21" with a 5.5 engine, that was given to me by a friend. Needed a new carb and some odds and ends, about the same things the JD needed when I got it.

Its much stronger than the john deere was. I tend to let my lawn get a little overgrown and where I had to stop and clean out the deere several times while mowing, I pretty much never have to with the ariens.

I will say if I push hard in the ditch areas the drive system will get hot and slip toward the end of the job which the JD did not. I think if I replaced the rubber drive wheel it wouldn't do that anymore as it is old and probably hard and prone to glazing.

The ariens also has the 'zero turn' wheels up front which is a very nice feature.

Lately I've discovered I have acquired an allergy to pollen, or I had it before and it got worse. Not sure which, but in any case I've started hiring someone to mow the lawn for me.

Unfortunately this sat. the guy I had mowing it somehow managed to have the front wheel and spindle fall out, but he also managed to run over it with the mower.

So I need to get several parts to fix it. Parts are still available, but are not cheap. Same thing with the JD.

Still seems to run fine though, its a pretty tough mower.

Not sure how much this applies to newer mowers as these are/were both older models.

 

[ClineWrench]

Snapper hi-vac. Google it and you'll see why. Fantastic mower.

I also noted a few comments that the pros use the Hondas. I've seen a few pros using them no doubt, but it seems that snapper and husky are the mowers of choice here in NorCal.