Lawn Mowers

[mckenney99]

First, I've got to explain that I have a history of being hard on push lawn mowers. I maintain the engines and blades but the decks usually break at the wheel adjusters (a weak spot). I've only had one Briggs & Stratton engine quit on me, in almost 40 years, and that one threw the piston rod through the case (just a fluke failure).
In the past, I've owned rural properties where I only used the push mowers for trimming but the yards were too big and rough to really take any pride in them, I just wanted to get them cut and done. I was so hard on push mowers that I adopted the strategy of buying the cheapest mowers I could find and I would buy 2 at a time so I would have a spare on hand WHEN the first one died and I wouldn't get stuck looking for a new mower when it was hard enough to just keep up with mowing. The first mower of my 'last pair", (I think they cost me $79 or $99 each) died on the final cut of the yard just after the old property sold and I was preparing to move out, so it went into the trash along with all the other moving out trash.
I moved into town about 7 years ago and finally have a small enough yard & enough time that I can take the time to really have a little pride in the yard's appearance. When I moved into this place I opened up my last cheap push mower that I had on hand (still in the case) and it's gotten me by for the last 7 years. Last Friday my last "cheap" mower finally bit the dust and again the deck broke at the mounting point for the LR wheel and adjuster.
So, I was forced to start looking for a replacement, HOLY CRA!. Prices for even small 20 to 21 inch non-self propelled mowers are rediculous, when you can find them. Most of the ones I found were of horrendous quality with incredibly lightweight, flexing decks and plastic wheel adjusters, with prices starting at $300. I looked at Toro, TroyBilt, Lawnboy, Craftsman (all appear to be made by same company, possibly MTD) I even saw one name brand with a Briggs & Stratton engine that boasted "never needs to have the oil changed". I asked the sales rep at the lawn care dealership about that claim and she stated, the idea is the engine will burn enough oil while running, that you will be refilling it regularly, thus no need to change the oil!!! On top of that, the mower has a life expectancy of only 5 years.
After reading reviews and ratings until I was cross eyed I finally broke down and paid WAY more than I ever have for a mower and still had to drive an hour away to even find one in stock. Finally settled on a 21 inch Honda #HRN216VKA, 166cc self propelled mower using 2 blades for more lift and smoother cut. Sure took a bite out of my gun & ammo fund.
The JOYS of home ownership. Sorry for the long winded rant.

 

[Sevens]

It’s a quality rant.

 

[Salty RI]

My BIL still uses a push mower.

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[hittman77]

My last two push mowers have been self-propelled Honda mulchers.

First one lasted 13 years, bought the current one in 2012 and its still chugging along.

When this one dies, I'll likely go right back to look at another Honda.

 

[swsig]

The Honda was a great choice. You won't regret paying the extra money. My Honda mower is 30 years old and still works perfectly. All it has needed is an annual oil change, an occasional new blade, and a new spark plug every 5 years or so. Also, remember to wash the foam air filter cover once and awhile, and you'll have a mower-for-life. As to other mower manufacturers claiming 5-year life spans, what a joke!

 

[Rpg]

I have a postage stamp sized lawn.

In 1993 I bought a very used Honda 18 or 20” push power mower for $50 that lasted me until 2011 when the engine finally died.

I searched for a replacement and found that everything available had dead man’s switches and were at least 10 times more expensive than the old Honda.

So I talked to several people who do lawn work and struck a deal with one to do the work for $200 per YEAR.

No more personally owned mowers, no more personal weed whacker, no more mechanical challenges. All I do is water, fertilize, pick up the dog poo and spray weeds.

Well worth $200

You can tell that yard work isn’t something I enjoy.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Lowes has a Honda powered store brand mower for $269 which is the best deal around. Never liked self propelled mowers.Hard to find a Honda powered one that ISN'T self propelled. For some reason I have never had good luck with green mowers. All my mowers had red decks or silver decks with red plastic engine covers.

 

[muddocktor]

My BIL still uses a push mower.

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He evidently doesn't live in south Louisiana, cutting grass with that thing.

 

[jscheck]

Unlike most people I had a terrible experience with Honda- I'll never spend the money on one again. Got a cheapo from Wally World brand about four years ago and it's still going great. I dread the day I have to get another because they're only going to get more expensive!

 

[ralph7]

I go to yard sales and pick up non running mowers for $25 or less.
I look for the ones that are in good shape and usually only need a carb cleaning to work again. I now have 3.
I stick with either Honda or Briggs and Stratton.

 

[mauser9]

Had great luck with a Yard Man bought from my neighbor for $150. Self propelled with bagger. For a change took care of it the last 4 years with tune-ups and oil change. Would buy this brand again.

 

[Camster]

First, I've got to explain that I have a history of being hard on push lawn mowers. I maintain the engines and blades but the decks usually break at the wheel adjusters (a weak spot). I've only had one Briggs & Stratton engine quit on me, in almost 40 years, and that one threw the piston rod through the case (just a fluke failure).
In the past, I've owned rural properties where I only used the push mowers for trimming but the yards were too big and rough to really take any pride in them, I just wanted to get them cut and done. I was so hard on push mowers that I adopted the strategy of buying the cheapest mowers I could find and I would buy 2 at a time so I would have a spare on hand WHEN the first one died and I wouldn't get stuck looking for a new mower when it was hard enough to just keep up with mowing. The first mower of my 'last pair", (I think they cost me $79 or $99 each) died on the final cut of the yard just after the old property sold and I was preparing to move out, so it went into the trash along with all the other moving out trash.
I moved into town about 7 years ago and finally have a small enough yard & enough time that I can take the time to really have a little pride in the yard's appearance. When I moved into this place I opened up my last cheap push mower that I had on hand (still in the case) and it's gotten me by for the last 7 years. Last Friday my last "cheap" mower finally bit the dust and again the deck broke at the mounting point for the LR wheel and adjuster.
So, I was forced to start looking for a replacement, HOLY CRA!. Prices for even small 20 to 21 inch non-self propelled mowers are rediculous, when you can find them. Most of the ones I found were of horrendous quality with incredibly lightweight, flexing decks and plastic wheel adjusters, with prices starting at $300. I looked at Toro, TroyBilt, Lawnboy, Craftsman (all appear to be made by same company, possibly MTD) I even saw one name brand with a Briggs & Stratton engine that boasted "never needs to have the oil changed". I asked the sales rep at the lawn care dealership about that claim and she stated, the idea is the engine will burn enough oil while running, that you will be refilling it regularly, thus no need to change the oil!!! On top of that, the mower has a life expectancy of only 5 years.
After reading reviews and ratings until I was cross eyed I finally broke down and paid WAY more than I ever have for a mower and still had to drive an hour away to even find one in stock. Finally settled on a 21 inch Honda #HRN216VKA, 166cc self propelled mower using 2 blades for more lift and smoother cut. Sure took a bite out of my gun & ammo fund.
The JOYS of home ownership. Sorry for the long winded rant.

Bigger problems to home ownership than spending 400 bucks for a long life mower.,,and 400 bucks doesn't go that far with buying guns and ammo.
I'm pleased with the Honda mower that I bought a few years. My previous non Honda mower developed problems with its self propulsion and had lost too many chunks of alloy deck material. I'm not pushing something on the grades of my property. Enough that I'm cutting the grass at all, but I had enough of dealing with gardeners.
Money well spent. Compare all that you get, to a $400 gun. An even better home item comparison is that of a $700 generator to a $700 gun.

 

[Salty RI]

I had a very thick lawn, and the salt air here rusted out the decks, I bought a Honda because it had a plactic deck, but that twin blade didnt have the power to cut my grass unless I cut it twice a week, I ended up giving it away, the best mowers I had were Lawn Boy.

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[snubbyfan]

Sounds like a familiar problem.

 

[Abbynormal]

A buddy of mine buys used Toro and Honda engined mowers and takes the Honda engine and put it on a self propelled Toro mower. Lasts for years and has the best of both worlds.

 

[Geno44]

A lot of folks think that doing the first oil change at 5 hours to get rid of manufacturing dirt and break in "chips" is a good way to prolong engine life.

 

[Mule Packer]

I had a Snapper Commercial with a Wisconsin Robin engine. Bought it in 1987. What a great machine!! I worked it long and hard on my lawns and it lasted me for 35 years. Even after 30 years, the engine still had 75% compression. Not bad.

Finally gave up the ghost two years ago. I was steamed!! Was griping to my wife about how nobody makes quality stuff anymore. Imagine! Falling apart after only 35 years!

The dear woman finally brought me back to reality by letting me know what a cheap so-and-so I am and told me to go out and buy a new lawn mower. I bought a Toro.

Don't know if it'll last 35 years, but I don't care. I'm almost 72 and I'm either not going to be around in 35 years or I sure as heck won't feel like mowing my lawn at age 107.

 

[Farmer17]

I bought an old Craftsman Gold 5hp B&S self propelled push mower off of Craigslist for $90. We built our home on an acreage and are constantly cutting down trees and working the property and use this mower when I don't want tear up my riding mower on rocks, stumps, and tree roots. I abuse the heck out it and it keeps on working. We live on a hill and have a pond below us and sometimes I lower the mower down the hill on a rope cutting chest high brush and weeds then pull it back up with my Grizzly four wheeler. It's a lot easier than using a sickle. I don't know how you could break the deck on this mower it's pretty thick steel.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My BIL still uses a push mower.

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My son uses one just like that. But his yard is small.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Sounds like a familiar problem.

Bolt a plate over the opening. Reinstall the wheel and keep on "gettin" up.