Push mower suggestions

[boosteddsm92]

Look for a deal on a real commercial walk behind. Not a "pro" Ariens, Craftsman, or anything you can buy at HD. I'm talking a Toro Proline, Exmark, Scag, etc. Once you use one you'll never go back. If you don't have to mow crazy hills you can get a gear/belt driven walk behind on the cheap since everyone seems to want hydro driven or zero turns these days. I just picked up a Toro 44" w/a floating deck and a running vtwin Kawi and velke for $300.

 

[redmondjp]

I'd highly recommend watching Craigslist for an older silver deck John Deere push mower. These were made from about 1992-1997 and had silver painted cast aluminum decks. The model 14PZ was a push model with a 5.5 hp Briggs engine on it. Mine is 22 years old now and still going strong. It gets an annual tune-up during the winter to clean the carb, change the oil, etc., and keep everything running like it should.

+1

John Deere kept making these same models into the 2000s, renamed the JX series (JX75/85), painted green instead of silver. And then they redesigned the deck (with more rounded edges in the front portion) before moving to newer designs (which I like far less but I have hardly seen any of the newer ones so hard to judge).

I've got a bunch of them, and can't stop myself from buying them on CL when the price is right. These are designed for bagging and have great suction - they can be used for mulching but if you are primarily going to mulch, get a mower with a deck shaped like a tire (designed for mulching).

I bought a JE75 (electric-start Kawasaki) out of an estate sale a couple of years ago that is in like-new condition.

They also made commercial models of these (fairly rare) which had all-steel wheels with sealed ball bearings, and I recently missed out on one with a Wisconsin-Robin engine on it (never seen one before or since).

 

[bobcatdan]

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.

The classic Snappers are awesome. Overbuilt to the hilt and easily the best self propelled transmission a walk behind ever had. The name has been bastardized so much, I think only the top end high dollar units are still worth a damn.

 

[justme-]

Please remember with all the LawnBoy fandom... they are no longer made and parts are not readily available. Yeah it's great some people have gone 10, 15, even 20 years with little issue, but when something simple and minor fails that mower is headed to the scrap pile.
Had to disappoint a customer last fall with an heirloom Lawnboy that needed a couple minor things recoil spring, carb rebuild...neither spring nor carb kit easily available.

Hondas are good mowers and in general repairs and parts are inexpensive. Had to change a carb on an HRM (before I was an OPE tech) and the carb cost me $16 retail. Not even worth rebuilding many models of carb for example. We tune up 10-20 year old Hondas all the time at the shop.

Briggs is not what it once was in many of the lower cost engines but it is true with the epa regs so tight now it doesn't take much for dirt of old gas to affect an engines performance no matter what manufacturer.

 

[TexF18]

From what I can tell they still make/have old stock most of the parts for the gold series lawn boy I bought. It's a 1994 so not incredibly old but they aren't that expensive either. I did just scoop up a free Honda mower that someone put out on the curb tonight. I'm looking at parts and they are very reasonable.

 

[BBC71Nova]

Today at lunch I swung by a local mower place. I learned a little bit about some things I hadn't considered. Still no decision on the next mower but I'm not in any huge hurry assuming the carb rebuild, etc that is on the way gets me throguh at least the next few mows.

So to my surprise the local place had the Ariens swivel wheel in place. Really nice machine. However, I had not thought about the fact that the swivel wheels would be a disadvantage on any yard with some slope to it. The mower wouldnt want to track straight on a hill at all. Great point that I had not considered. Otherwise, the thing is built like a tank and is about 75% or less of the cost of a true commercial model.

So I specifically went to this place because few years ago I was in there and they were Toro dealer and Snapper. Well, no such luck this time. Said the Honda's had taken over basically. The top non-commercial Honda without electric start appeared to be the HRX217HYA. Engines have pressurized oiling, hydro trans, blade stop, ball bearing wheels, larger wheels, Nexlite (sp?) deck, etc. Seems like a nice mower and since I'm bagging most of the time the blade stop would be beneficial. With residential usage there is a 5 yr warranty. Then I found online that currently if you register there is an extra 1 yr extension assuming I read that right. That would be a great warranty if so.

I gonna think on it a while. The Honda is about 2x the middle of the road Toro at big box store price wise. That's a hefty premium but maybe the are worth it. I'm a bit hesitant though to be honest. My neighbor only got about 5-6 years out of his Honda from HD before he had the trans go out. Now it was the lower end Honda but still...

I'm gonna try to hit another shop later in the week or next. Maybe they'll have something interesting. However, the $700 for the Honda is tough pill to swallow and so far the commercials are in the $1200 range which is beyond reasonable. That's in the 3X+ of the big box models and just can't justify it.
John

 

[redmondjp]

My dad has one of those Ariens with the swivel wheels on it - it is a great mower. Typically on the swivel wheel or caster setups, there are lock pins that you can use to pin the wheels in the straight-ahead position if you want to run it on a hill.

I'd spend the $ on the Ariens before I got a Honda. I have about a half-dozen Honda walk-behinds of various models (I buy them used for parts and to use and/or sell) and there is nothing special about them - people go gaga for them because they say HONDA on them. And yes, the non-commercial Hondas have a lot of issues with the hydrostatic drive units going bad in a few years, as you can see from reading online reviews about them. The only good thing that I like about them is that the plastic-deck models don't rust out like the non-commercial metal deck ones do (really badly, for some reason).

Wrong time of year to buy a mower if you want a deal on one - if you can keep your mower going, wait for an end-of-season special on them this fall. And sometimes the box stores have super deals on customer returned units or factory refurbished ones - lots of times these units are kept in some out-of-the-way corner in the garden section, and then keep getting marked down after they have sat there for several months. I've seem some tremendous deals on this equipment that is really hard to pass up (since I don't need any of it).

Here's one thing to look at with new mowers: the weight. The new plastic-deck Hondas are BIG and HEAVY (much moreso than they were 10+ years ago). And you definitely don't want one of the commercial ones - they are super heavy as well and you can get 4 decent mowers and wear them out for the price of one of those.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Also, depends on the size of your property. I'm in the NYC burbs, so the the property is small. My mower collection is mostly Tecumseh (my preference), but I have a Briggs. All but one came from curb and were brought back to life with some TLC and maintenance.

Most, if not all of the Sears Craftsman mowers are "917" model American Yard Products (part of Electrolux at one time). Same as Weedeater, Poulan and for a while Husquarvana (spelling?). Almsot all made in McCrae, GA at the largest mower plant in the US, if not the world.

I have no problems with any of them. I change the oil yearly, clean/change the plug, and change the air filter. I give it a quick cleaning and a coat of wax now and then. All have lasted 10+ years or more.

I still have an '88 Craftsman that my neighbor threw out in '98 that I saved by unjamming the starter cord. It runs fine, but has been parked for a while.

As noted, the key is fresh fuel........

 

[bonneyman]

Also, depends on the size of your property. I'm in the NYC burbs, so the the property is small. My mower collection is mostly Tecumseh (my preference), but I have a Briggs. All but one came from curb and were brought back to life with some TLC and maintenance.

Most, if not all of the Sears Craftsman mowers are "917" model American Yard Products (part of Electrolux at one time). Same as Weedeater, Poulan and for a while Husquarvana (spelling?). Almsot all made in McCrae, GA at the largest mower plant in the US, if not the world.

I have no problems with any of them. I change the oil yearly, clean/change the plug, and change the air filter. I give it a quick cleaning and a coat of wax now and then. All have lasted 10+ years or more.

I still have an '88 Craftsman that my neighbor threw out in '98 that I saved by unjamming the starter cord. It runs fine, but has been parked for a while.

As noted, the key is fresh fuel........

I was making the rounds of the pawn shops about 6 years ago and spied a lawn mower out by the trash dumpster. Pulled the cord - it turned over. So I knew it wasn't seized. Took it home, and after a few hours of work on the weekend had it running. Somebody must have tried pawning it because it was old, and the pawn shop wouldn't take it, so, they just left it out for the trash. Their loss - my gain.

Uncovered the engine data plate under all the grass and dirt residue - it's a 1985 B&S. Had to put a new blade on it, and the main shaft seal drips oil when it sits, but, for free, I can't complain. It starts after a few pulls every spring, and does the lawn in the back like it needs to.

 

[thundermug]

I'm also looking for a push mower. First time shopping for one, so this thread is very helpful. I grew up using my dad's old Lawnboy from the 80s. Lasted a lost time. Mowing my grandpa's yard, I used an old Snapper self propelled. From the 70s, I think. Don't know what happened to it. Sure could use it now.

I'll keep an eye on craigslist for an 80s Lawnboy or John Deere @ $100 rather than drop $200 on a questionable new mower.

 

[thundermug]

By the by, if anyone here is near the south Chicagoland area and is looking for move an older mower, send me a message.

 

[stikman56]

I'm pushing.....I'm pushing it real good!

 

[Ponchoguy]

I was making the rounds of the pawn shops about 6 years ago and spied a lawn mower out by the trash dumpster. Pulled the cord - it turned over. So I knew it wasn't seized. Took it home, and after a few hours of work on the weekend had it running. Somebody must have tried pawning it because it was old, and the pawn shop wouldn't take it, so, they just left it out for the trash. Their loss - my gain.

Uncovered the engine data plate under all the grass and dirt residue - it's a 1985 B&S. Had to put a new blade on it, and the main shaft seal drips oil when it sits, but, for free, I can't complain. It starts after a few pulls every spring, and does the lawn in the back like it needs to.

Folks tend to be wasteful, but that means more for the rest of us who care. Hey, are are being green by "reusing" .

Yes, typically, nothing if not much is wrong. My 1996 Sears and 2006 Weedeater are both curbside finds, with a grand total of $20 spent between the two of them and I've had them 6 or 7 years.....

 

[Cdstahlman]

Please remember with all the LawnBoy fandom... they are no longer made and parts are not readily available. Yeah it's great some people have gone 10, 15, even 20 years with little issue, but when something simple and minor fails that mower is headed to the scrap pile.

Had to disappoint a customer last fall with an heirloom Lawnboy that needed a couple minor things recoil spring, carb rebuild...neither spring nor carb kit easily available.

Not sure what your definition of "easily" is. No offense, but I haven't had any issue finding slews of new or NOS parts for my old F (d400-d600) mowers. I'll agree the really old ones are harder to find parts for, but there are a number of websites, as well as eBay, where parts can be had easily.

It's more of a preferential thing though. I wouldn't say their the be all end all as far as mowers, but they're a nice mower and generally cheap to maintain.

If anyone scraps one because they can't find parts, (this is offensive), that's their stupidity. Don't scrap them, toss them on Craigslist and get at least 20$ for them.

 

[KPSquared]

Sorry man... For the amount of work it takes, useless phone calls and emails, no shows etc... I don't put anything on Craigslist/kijiji unless I'm gonna get $100 or more out of it.

I'd rather leave an old mower in the scrap pile at the dump than waste my time with a bunch if idiots trying to low ball me over a $20 sale...

 

[TexF18]

Got this for free on craigslist last night just needed a new plug, made a new gasket for the carb and a fresh tank of gas. Self propelled works too. Deals are out there

 

[redmondjp]

Got this for free on craigslist last night just needed a new plug, made a new gasket for the carb and a fresh tank of gas. Self propelled works too. Deals are out there

You can't beat that price!

I've had two of that model and my brother currently owns one. Make sure to keep the underside of the deck cleaned out as they like to rust. Both of mine had single-speed transaxles and really didn't like to pull backwards. Plus I have a crown in my yard and the underneath part of the deck in the front actually hung up on the lawn.

 

[Ponchoguy]

For the record, my curbside find Weedeater started on the third try this season and worked great cutting grass . I will give it its annual TLC (oil change, spark plug change, air filter cleaning, quick body clean/wax). I store them inside and use them once a week, so they last a lifetime .

 

[mystahagy]

When I first bought a house (and needed to cut grass), I was given a 20 year old Briggs. I mowed with it for another 10 years until the motor fell through the deck. I was wrapping a rope around the top end for each pull as well, but it always started.

Admittedly I'm no stranger to small engines and went though the carb about once a year, but the point is that it always stayed smooth.

Are new cranks made of butter? I now have a <1yo Honda with a bent crank from a root or something. I love me some Honda and ride a few of their two-wheelers, but geez, really? Blade was repairable but I replaced it anyways, no signs of damage on the plate that presses into the two holes on the blade as well. Same bad vibes with the new blade. Starts first pull, but I know it's days are numbered.

 

[Formula]

I purchased a new Honda mower a couple years ago and I don't like it. Since it was new it doesn't cut well. I get patches of grass all over that it doesn't cut on the first pass, then I have to go over it again.

 

[redmondjp]

I purchased a new Honda mower a couple years ago and I don't like it. Since it was new it doesn't cut well. I get patches of grass all over that it doesn't cut on the first pass, then I have to go over it again.

My brother just got a Honda a few months ago (the metal-deck one, non-commercial) and it does the exact same thing. He's not sure why.

I gave him a John Deere 14PB with the Kawasaki engine on it to try out. I think he will like it.

 

[humber2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-400_engine

This 50 year old model is what I'm still using.