Need a New Lawn Mower

[Don McCombs]

It's time to replace my Toro self-propelled mower. Who makes a good mower these days? Who should I stay away from?

[Bob McCarty]

How about a Cub with a finish mower?

Bob

[Lurker Carl]

I'm guessing you're looking for a 20 something inch self-propelled mower. Honda has been a good mower, my brother bought an electric start model about 5 years ago. It's quiet and dependable and cuts great, he uses the mulching setup and it seldom deposits clumps.

But if you're looking for a bigger workhorse, I'm happy with the 5000 series Commercial/Professional Gravely walk-behind with the 12 hp Kohler engine. Lots of implements available, great parts network, easy to maintain and repair. You can scare your neighbors year round with the rotary plow and the snow cannon!

[Bill E Bob]

I second Carl's info on the Honda Mower. I have one and it's been a good unit, however, this one must have FRESH
fuel or it won't run, even if you have used stabilizer

[Joe Malinowski]

I know 2 people with Honda walk behinds both are very happy with them. I have had good luck with Lawn Boy

[Don McCombs]

I guess I should clarify a little. I'll be looking for a 21" walk-behind, SP, rear bagger. Joe, I see that some Lawn-Boy models have Honda engines. Does yours?

[Rudi]

Don:

When it comes to the Walk Behind, SP, Bagger style lawn mowers, almost any of the MTD produced/independant branded models will serve well. With either the B&S or the Tecumseh engines, they are relatively inexpensive, can be maintained by any of us Cub nuts, parts are not as expensive as Honda and well in my experience with the Walk Behinds either push or Self Propelled, you gotta go a long way to kill a B&S engine.

Honda's are nice, but very overpriced... way overpriced, IMHO.. I cannot seem to justify the high percentage% premiums to own a Honda.

[Lurker Carl]

Tecumseh has a throw away carburetor, don't let ANY water get in it. Resulting corrosion destroys the idle circuit. A new one will set you back around $100.

The biggest difference between Honda and the MTD mowers is construction quality. My experience with typical walk behind mowers is the deck, handlebars, controls and other hardware self destruct long before the engine shows signs of wear. My brother's Honda is holding up very well compared to the Toro and Crapsman it replaced.

[John(videodoc)]

i wouldnt buy anything with a techmsua motor in it for nothing again, i got a $350 trimmer mower that leaks out of every spot possible, normal wear and tear, only couple years old, its going over the hill. I would stick with BS or Honda

[WKPoor]

I have a Craftsman with the RB mulching mower with the big rear wheels and bought it 10yrs ago.Has been flawless. For the $200.00 I spent on it I would say I got my moneys worth. The Honda probably is a much better mower at a much better price like about 2 1/2 xs as much. Handle bars seem sturdy to me.

[Rudi]

The only Tecumseh's that I have real experience with is their Sno King line of Blower Motors. Those are really strong. I have a 10 hp that I have had for about 10 years now. It came to me used.. as in well used... and was probably 10 or 15 years old when I got it. It has powered my Saw Table for the 10 years I have had it. Never had a carb issue with it yet. My YardMan 13hp also has a Sno King in it, and I have had that about 8 years. Works wonderful.

I am not a big fan of MTD, but you know, sometimes for the money, they are pretty useful. I know I knock my Craftsman.. (Roper) Ride-On but it really doesn't owe me a penny. It did everything I ever wanted it to do. My Canadiana pushem Mower I bought the year we bought the old house here.. in 1986... 22 years and it is still going strong. Deck is rusting out... things are a little loose, but it cost me $125.00Cdn.. and paid for itself in about 2 years.

Honda's are nice, well built and all... but I still think that they are overpriced. Would I buy one? Well already bought a Honda Ride-On for the Church to replace our MTD/Co-Op Turf Trac.. and it is great. But even used it was a very very expensive unit..

If only IH had produced a Self Propelled Walk Behind.. then there wouldn't be much of a debate huh??? We all know who would win, hands down.

I guess it all boils down to how much you want to pay for one.

Don, btw, Gord has an Ariens Self Propelled. It is about 10 years old or so. He loves it. Aside from needing to replace the pulley, it has been a top end runner for him.

Choices, Choices, Choices...