Need a new push lawnmower

boykinlp

boykinlp

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My old mower has kicked the bucket. I am in the market for a gas push mower with side discharge. Don't need self-propelled and don't want to spend more than about $300. Looks like at that price Troybilt, Toro, Yard Machine, and Craftsman. Most engines are Briggs and Stratton or Honda and 140cc or 190cc.

Any recommendations?
 
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Most any of the mowers you listed will okay if you take care of it. That means change the oil and filters. If you have a small yard it should last a long time. Don
 
I've had 2 of the steel deck Hondas from Home Depot. $400 and the motor on the one I gave my son after 8 yrs runs like the day I bought it. It's got countless hours on it. Bought a new one last year with the "Smart Drive." Lets just say I prefer the old one speed. One pull and off you go. Honda makes good engines. Joe
 
Briggs & Stratton engines will run for years and Honda engines will last longer. The question is do you need to pay extra for the Honda? If taken care of the B&S engine will out last the rest of the mower unless you are buying a commercial mower. Don
 
Find yourself a Snapper dealer...best mowers I've ever owned and they are still made in Georgia ;) Tried some of the others in between but I always went back to a Snapper!
 
Here is what I know about gas powered lawn mowers, most of them are made by MTD and rebranded as whatever with slight differences. My advice would be forgo the name brand as there is little difference in a mower body, wheels, engine, etc. My dad is still using his Walmart lawn mower that he bought in the 90s. Simple plastics parts break like wheels but you can replace those. The B&S engine has changed little over the years and works just fine. To me the $500 push mower is just not worth the money. The key is to maintain it, keep the blade sharp, and keep it clean so the chasis does not rust out.
 
pharmer said:
I've had 2 of the steel deck Hondas from Home Depot. $400 and the motor on the one I gave my son after 8 yrs runs like the day I bought it. It's got countless hours on it. Bought a new one last year with the "Smart Drive." Lets just say I prefer the old one speed. One pull and off you go. Honda makes good engines. Joe
Click to expand...

I agree, I have the Troy Bilt with the Honda engine, very pleased with it.


Around 330.00

Side discharge, mulch or bag, 3 choices.

(My rider is a 1996 MTD. No shroud, but still going after all these years).
 
boykinlp said:
This is where I was leaning, but I have never had a Honda engine....only Briggs & Stratton.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the troy bilt Honda 190cc I like the poster do not want anything more than a 21/22" cut and do NOT want self propelled. The Honda Troybilt at $279 is the best deal around in my opinion. Once yo go Honda-you'll never go back to B&S
 
Just look at what professional landscapers are using for their hand mowers, Snapper, can't kill them. They run FOREVER, Briggs and Stratton engins will take a good beating and keep running.

Walmart approached Snapper to sell their mowers if they cheapened them up, Snapper said NO.

Got to love them for that.

In over 30 years I have owned two, and the only reason I got the second is my son bought a place with 3 acres and didn't need a hand mower anymore and he gave me his.
 
If you just a basic mower, try Tractor Supply, if there is one in your area. They have a plain Jane basic mower for $169. I need a push mower myself and am debating on whether to fork out the bucks or just keep borrowing my neighbor's mower.
 
Just be aware of a alot of the 190cc engines that look like a Honda are actually made in China. Tecumseh used to be the most frequently seen motor on cheap gas powered equipment, but they are now defunct. As some one already stated MTD makes most lawn and gas powered equipment today, including Cub Cadet. Most of the basic or lower end mowers (about $300 or less)come with an engine that you have to really look at close to see if it is indeed a Honda. Odds are its the Chinese made engine knockoff. They are very tempermental. They may have a 1 or 2 year warranty but try and get anyone to work on it or get replacement parts. Most all the mowers sold at Tractor Supply have the chinese knock off engines and their not worth taking home if they handed them out for free. Most sold by TSC are Huskee or Cub Cadet brand. Been there done that. 6 mowers in 2 years and they are only used to cut areas I can not fit with my JD 335GX garden tractor, so they were not used all that much. Most of them were totally replaced on warranty, but the catch 22 is the warranty picks up for the remaining term whenm they get replaced or repaired. Just because you may get another mower in its place, your still going to only have the remaining balance of the initial warranty.
 
Comrad said:
Just look at what professional landscapers are using for their hand mowers, Snapper, can't kill them. They run FOREVER, Briggs and Stratton engins will take a good beating and keep running.

Walmart approached Snapper to sell their mowers if they cheapened them up, Snapper said NO.

Got to love them for that.

In over 30 years I have owned two, and the only reason I got the second is my son bought a place with 3 acres and didn't need a hand mower anymore and he gave me his.
Click to expand...

Dad had a rear engine Snapper and run it for years on a one acre yard. How many years? I would say close to 15. When he passed away the mower part was pretty much junk but the B&S engine ran fine. I am not knocking Honda all I am saying is why pay more money for something you don't need. Don
 
foxeye said:
Just be aware of a alot of the 190cc engines that look like a Honda are actually made in China. Most of the basic or lower end mowers (about $300 or less)come with an engine that you have to really look at close to see if it is indeed a Honda. Odds are its the Chinese made engine knockoff. They are very tempermental.
Click to expand...

Do the knockoffs actually say Honda on them?
 
Get a DILLON;)


Briggs like most things are not what they used to be. Although they are still good, I vote for a Honda engine.

As to make of mower, as mentioned most are re-branded.

If I were to buy a more expensive push or self propelled it would be a Honda or Toro.
 
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