Push mower?
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Coach James
Well-known member
Acccording to a Honda rep, their engines and push mowers are made in North Carolina.
Coach
Coach
sammerdog
Banned
And what is Honda's CEO's name?
Bob? naw that's not it.....
Fred? nope, doesn't ring a bell....
Mike? hmmmm. something else....
Oh yeah - it's Datuk Takeo Fukui! Not sure if he's a Raleigh guy or a Charlotte dude.
....but I'm sure he spends his salary in Chapel Hill restaurants.
Most of what was considered foreign made cars and equipment decades ago is now more american than what was then considered american companies. Nissan, toyota, acura, mercedes(suv), and many others are all made in the south and they are turning a profit unlike the new brands of Obomus motors. Even if GM cars were made in america, I would no longer consider them american cars when they are a socialized business. I have a Honda tiller that is made in the USA. It's drastically better than any other model I have ever rented.
sammerdog
Banned
Well, this keeps getting weirder and weirder. Mercedes and Toyota posted losses in the first quarter this year. Our good friend Obama extended just shy of $1 billion US in credit to Nissan earlier this week. Now ya gotta remember that Nissan is a joint venture between Nissan (Japan) and Renault (France).
Will you be adding Nissan to your "socialized" list accordingly?
....and the wheels on the bus go round and round......
Merkava_4
Banned
Do any of you guys have sidewalks or driveways around your lawn?
I love using edgers ... my favorite edgers are PowerTrim's and MacLane's.
I love using edgers ... my favorite edgers are PowerTrim's and MacLane's.
Bolster
Well-known member
With you. Off topic but, I'll never buy a GM (Government Motors) as long as it's owned by the State.
Uncle Buck
Banned
A lot of good people,American people, still work for GM. Why do you wish for the fall of a company which has done so much for this nation? This "socialism" **** that is on the lips of every loony that can't deal with the results of the last election is really getting beyond deranged. Do you think that foreign car companies have not been getting assistance from their own governments? They just have the ability to keep things like that a secret. None of you guys seem to want Americans to be in charge of any manufacturing-you are just waaay too willing to let foreigners destroy every last bit of our home-grown industries. Do you think this will be a better country when China,Japan,and Germany dictate all policy in this country?
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
Do any of you guys have sidewalks or driveways around your lawn?
I love using edgers ... my favorite edgers are PowerTrim's and MacLane's.
I edge with my weedwhacker every week and I can't see having to deal with a seperate machine to edge with. I'll bet I can edge faster than you!
Uncle Buck
Banned
Good for you, yer still fightin the good fight! (Only problem is the boat's already done sunk!) I do feel for you guys still workin, hopin, fightin and prayin! I wish things were different too (I am sure the rest of my comrades feel likewise! ) oops.............did I just say comrade?
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
You are correct, 1320. I have never used a $1,000 walk behind mower. The O.P. was looking for something less than $500, so there is no need to mention exotic commercial equipment.
I thought you were a Ford guy, and here you are talking up the jap mowers.
Merkava_4
Banned
I edge with my weedwhacker every week and I can't see having to deal with a separate machine to edge with. I'll bet I can edge faster than you!
I just edged one of my neighbor's houses today. I don't know them from Adam and they don't know me, but I still edged their lawn none-the-less. If I see grass growing over a sidewalk, it's a major distraction and I feel strongly compelled to go edge it.
I figure the worst that could happen is the people calling the police on me. 
Uncle Buck
Banned
I just edged one of my neighbor's houses today. I don't know them from Adam and they don't know me, but I still edged their lawn none-the-less. If I see grass growing over a sidewalk, it's a major distraction and I feel strongly compelled to go edge it.
Actually, as long as you confine yout edging activities to the street side of the sidewalk the neighbors couldn't really say anything. From the sidewalk on to the curb in most communities is right of way ground anyway and not owned by the homeowner!
They cut their own throats and dug their own graves years ago(with a load of help from the unions), now their on some kind of government life support.
You are correct, 1320. I have never used a $1,000 walk behind mower. The O.P. was looking for something less than $500, so there is no need to mention exotic commercial equipment.
I thought you were a Ford guy, and here you are talking up the jap mowers.
Made in USA...
This is still almost a free market economy, someone else step up and make a better machine than honda....
Merkava_4
Banned
Actually, as long as you confine your edging activities to the street side of the sidewalk the neighbors couldn't really say anything. From the sidewalk on to the curb in most communities is right of way ground anyway and not owned by the homeowner!
You're right sir ... but I broke the law when I edged their driveway.
Scotto
Well-known member
I have about a '00 Craftsman 6 HP mulcher self-propelled mower that I pulled out of the garbage last year. Rebuilt the carb for $8 and got a new belt for the self-propelled mechanism and the thing works like new. It's got a B&S engine and starts on the first pull. I imagine that I'll have it for quite a while.
Back on topic, in the budget this started with your gonna have a choice from a Briggs or a tecumseh engine. Stay away from the tecumseh, they are weak and hard to start. Your gonna have your lemons in either case, but the briggs are known for 1 pull starting long life and much more usable power. Take 2 units with the same horse rating and the tecumseh will be contantly bogged down compared to a briggs.
GDA
Well-known member
If I was to make a decision today - I'd try to swing a Honda.
I do have a 2004 Toro Personal Pace and its been bulletproof. It even survived a torture test of a loan out to friend for a quick clean up at his rental property where he ran it over a pipe and bent the crank. I replaced the crank and installed a new blade myself for all of $50 and it still starts on the first pull. Back in spring of 04 it was between Honda and this Toro and since I was able to get a 30% discount on the Toro, I went with the Toro.
All else equal I'd step up to the Honda. Both are very good machines (if not in HDepot form).
I do have a 2004 Toro Personal Pace and its been bulletproof. It even survived a torture test of a loan out to friend for a quick clean up at his rental property where he ran it over a pipe and bent the crank. I replaced the crank and installed a new blade myself for all of $50 and it still starts on the first pull. Back in spring of 04 it was between Honda and this Toro and since I was able to get a 30% discount on the Toro, I went with the Toro.
All else equal I'd step up to the Honda. Both are very good machines (if not in HDepot form).
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I would buy a used Honda before a new briggs. Tecumseh...I wouldn't even trust one for a boat anchor.
chrislehr
Well-known member
I have a newer cman one that cost me about $150 - starts and works everytime and is about 2 years old now.
The Cubs have Honda engines and they are $399 (found mine for $350 toward the end of the year).
I will have to check to see where the engine is made. The deck has a label that states it's made in Canada.
I have had really good luck with Kawasaki small engines, as well. I think we had 5 Honda, 3 B&S, and 2 Kawasaki small engines at one time. The only problems were that the newer B&S were not very good, and one of the Honda engines cracked the aluminum casting. It still ran fine for years despite being slightly injured. One of the two newer B&S engines was always hard to start, while the other was much better. They just weren't as smooth and wore out quicker. The Kawasaki engines seemed every bit as good as the Honda.
Need4racin
Banned
Yardman from 93 or 94. Has mowed a 1/2 acre every 2 weeks since new. NEVER changed the oil, air filter, or plug for 12 years. Oil was metallic. Never needed anything except a new blade when the original was too worn to sharpen. Only had to buy one air filter and plug for it. Cleaned the carb one time. No problems at all. Has a B&S engine. I don't know if this one was made by mtd or if yardman still owned the company back then.
Now days it burns some oil on start up. Nice cloud. Have to add about 1/4 of a quart of (used oil from the truck) after every mowing. Still runs decent.
For a home owner mower, just get whatever is the cheapest. Change the oil yearly, clean the air filter, and keep the plug correctly gaped. And you are guaranteed atleast 10 years.
Now days it burns some oil on start up. Nice cloud. Have to add about 1/4 of a quart of (used oil from the truck) after every mowing. Still runs decent.
For a home owner mower, just get whatever is the cheapest. Change the oil yearly, clean the air filter, and keep the plug correctly gaped. And you are guaranteed atleast 10 years.
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Major Ramifications
Well-known member
I am surprised to hear that so many of you don't like Tecumseh. I have always thought of myself as a Tecumseh guy, but I have actually owned more Briggs engines in my day. I don't have a problem with either one. My Toro has the Briggs that is guaranteed to start on the first or second pull for the first couple of years. It always starts on the first pull.
When I looked at the Cub Cadet (at H.D.) a couple of years ago, it had some chinese copy of a honda engine on it, like so many chinese generators, mini bikes and such. Otherwise, I would have bought it. It was a nice mower with a cheap engine. Even the starter rope didn't look like it would hold up too long.
When I looked at the Cub Cadet (at H.D.) a couple of years ago, it had some chinese copy of a honda engine on it, like so many chinese generators, mini bikes and such. Otherwise, I would have bought it. It was a nice mower with a cheap engine. Even the starter rope didn't look like it would hold up too long.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Briggs engines in recent years have plastic cams and cam, gears in them! I was shocked to find that when I opened up a pressure washer a couple of years ago, very disappointing. I don't have anything against Tecumseh engines yet, though I know many have cussed them for years.
Coach James
Well-known member
Yea, and I'm sure the CEO's of Ford, GM, Chrysler, B&S etc spend their money in Chapel Hill as well.
http://corporate.honda.com/press/article.aspx?id=2003021435796
I suspect the 29,000 Honda employees spend their money in the US.
Also, have a look, the Honda reps name is Dana and his post is near the end.
http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/22/showdown-briggs-stratton-vs-honda/#comments
Coach
Need4racin
Banned
watch these vids on tecumseh mowers.
Found them while looking for a write up on a crank shaft seal change.
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fordracing200
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 629
I've got a 2000 yard machines push mower with a 6 hp briggs and it sits all winter, change the oil 2x a year and we have real winters in upstate ny...never an issue, runs good, mows grass like a champ, have an 18.5hp briggs JD riding mower, never an issue, change the oil 2x a year, runs awesome, towed up a few hundred pounds of scrap from an acre back in the yard no problem on a little cart...good running machine. Maybe its luck of the draw but I've never had a problem. I'm meticulous about things..I wax my mower deck even, I'm not sure how you maintain yours? Just my expierences.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I haven't had a chance to maintain most of them, they blow up before they need an oil change.
If they last, they get changed at the beginning of the season, and halfway through.
Well, most do. The 19.5hp leaks so bad, it goes from max to below min just mowing my lawn, so it only gets changed once a year, since it changes itself, for the most part.
The 6.5hp on my push mower burns it enough, that it only gets changed once a year.
The replacement on the weedeater is decent, it actually gets changed 3x a year.
The generator ran for maybe 72 hours, then blew the seal, the replacement ran for about that long, then got the oil changed when I quit using it.
The weedeater leaked oil, it went back to briggs, and they said "it was a minor leak" umm...it takes 1/4 cup of oil, any "minor leak" is a MAJOR leak on it. It went back twice, same story. So I just ran it until it locked up, then sent it back, which amounted to doing the yard twice.
The pushmower went in 3 times for smoking like a chimney, kept coming back with briggs saying it was fine, didn't smoke. The third time it came back, I brought oil and gas to the sears service center (they shipped it off to briggs), filled it up and started it. It smoked out the entire strip mall parking lot right then and there. I asked the manager how in the hell, that was "acceptable", he had no answer for me, just said Briggs usually doesn't find anything wrong with their engines. Ok...I quit filling it up repeatedly and just ran it, locked it the hell up too, and sent it in. It came back with a new engine, filled it up with gas and oil...guess what? Another f'ing mosquito fogger. I'm embarrassed to run the ******** thing, and it's (was at least, few years old now) brand new.
On the generator, they said the engine blew the crankcase seal, because I had obviously overloaded the generator. errrr
Again, screw briggs.
If they last, they get changed at the beginning of the season, and halfway through.
Well, most do. The 19.5hp leaks so bad, it goes from max to below min just mowing my lawn, so it only gets changed once a year, since it changes itself, for the most part.
The 6.5hp on my push mower burns it enough, that it only gets changed once a year.
The replacement on the weedeater is decent, it actually gets changed 3x a year.
The generator ran for maybe 72 hours, then blew the seal, the replacement ran for about that long, then got the oil changed when I quit using it.
The weedeater leaked oil, it went back to briggs, and they said "it was a minor leak" umm...it takes 1/4 cup of oil, any "minor leak" is a MAJOR leak on it. It went back twice, same story. So I just ran it until it locked up, then sent it back, which amounted to doing the yard twice.
The pushmower went in 3 times for smoking like a chimney, kept coming back with briggs saying it was fine, didn't smoke. The third time it came back, I brought oil and gas to the sears service center (they shipped it off to briggs), filled it up and started it. It smoked out the entire strip mall parking lot right then and there. I asked the manager how in the hell, that was "acceptable", he had no answer for me, just said Briggs usually doesn't find anything wrong with their engines. Ok...I quit filling it up repeatedly and just ran it, locked it the hell up too, and sent it in. It came back with a new engine, filled it up with gas and oil...guess what? Another f'ing mosquito fogger. I'm embarrassed to run the ******** thing, and it's (was at least, few years old now) brand new.
On the generator, they said the engine blew the crankcase seal, because I had obviously overloaded the generator. errrr
Again, screw briggs.
Scotto
Well-known member
Honda's actually do that too. My dad had a Honda pressure washer and the engine took a dump after not much use. Opened it up and found the cam chewed up and cam gear cracked in half. That wasn't the issue though - there was a problem with the casting of the head that caused it. Was covered under warranty, but just wanted to let you know that Honda uses plastic pieces too.
hobie1dog
Well-known member
I've got a 7 year old Craftsman mulching mower that I got for free. It does seem to start first pull most everytime ( as long as I don't pump the little bulb too many times). Mulches really good too....I was daydreaming the last time about finding an older Lawnboy with the aluminum ( or was it magnesium ?) deck really cheap. I just love 2 strokes.
fordracing200
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 629
I haven't had a chance to maintain most of them, they blow up before they need an oil change.
If they last, they get changed at the beginning of the season, and halfway through.
Well, most do. The 19.5hp leaks so bad, it goes from max to below min just mowing my lawn, so it only gets changed once a year, since it changes itself, for the most part.
The 6.5hp on my push mower burns it enough, that it only gets changed once a year.
The replacement on the weedeater is decent, it actually gets changed 3x a year.
The generator ran for maybe 72 hours, then blew the seal, the replacement ran for about that long, then got the oil changed when I quit using it.
The weedeater leaked oil, it went back to briggs, and they said "it was a minor leak" umm...it takes 1/4 cup of oil, any "minor leak" is a MAJOR leak on it. It went back twice, same story. So I just ran it until it locked up, then sent it back, which amounted to doing the yard twice.
The pushmower went in 3 times for smoking like a chimney, kept coming back with briggs saying it was fine, didn't smoke. The third time it came back, I brought oil and gas to the sears service center (they shipped it off to briggs), filled it up and started it. It smoked out the entire strip mall parking lot right then and there. I asked the manager how in the hell, that was "acceptable", he had no answer for me, just said Briggs usually doesn't find anything wrong with their engines. Ok...I quit filling it up repeatedly and just ran it, locked it the hell up too, and sent it in. It came back with a new engine, filled it up with gas and oil...guess what? Another f'ing mosquito fogger. I'm embarrassed to run the ******** thing, and it's (was at least, few years old now) brand new.
On the generator, they said the engine blew the crankcase seal, because I had obviously overloaded the generator. errrr
Again, screw briggs.
hahaha, I don't blame you.
ironroad 9c1
Banned
LMAO yea tell me about it, My rebaged MTD cub cadet has been doing just fine for 5 years I've changed the oil in it once, Need to do it again, Got 300 hours on it, and gone through 2 sets of blades, only thing i have bought is a set of front deck wheels. Never would I pay over 100 bucks for a ******** push mower. If i did it damn sure wouldn't be a ******** honda.
T56 Impala
Well-known member
Okay, so whats the widest deck you can get on a push mower in this price range? I have a 21" PUSH Craftsman that is about 12 years old. It works great, but I'm looking to go SP. I had one but I gave it to my sister when I got my riding mower. (I now wish I hadn't sold the riding mower!) It was a front drive Craftsman that I really didn't like. It was electric start though which was nice.
boiler7904
Well-known member
Toro's Recycler series goes up to a 22" deck. The rest of their line is 21". I want to say that Honda also stops at 21"
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Depends on if your wanting new or used. We found and bought a 52" commercial walk behind mower for my boss, for five bills.