Well it's getting close to time to start cutting grass again (wooo hooo)...

Last year I limped my old mower, weedeater, blower along and it was quite the fight. All tools lasted me about 14 years so I can't complain but it's time to re-tool (and I am leaning towards 4-stroke motors)....

MOWERS............. (range $0 up to $800??)
I want a new self propelled mower, something that will cut/mulch the grass (very well) at a fast pace. (my old mower was dog slow)... I have been eye balling the hondas up at Home Depot, they have variable speed drive, and plastic decks, the thing I really liked is that they have ball bearings in the wheels and since I keep my stuff forever that is a good thing (my current mower looks like an 80's GM with worn out ball joints making a hard turn)...

So anyone have any input??? I know how good honda engines are, but I have concerns about the plastic deck wearing against the sides when rubbing it against the landscape bricks, and also I am pretty sure the drive system is hydrolic, so realibility is a concern.

WEED EATERS..... (lets say $0-$220 range)
Nothing electric and must be a straight shaft heavier duty unit with light brush capabilities and clutch would be nice.
I am looking at the newer Ryobi 4-stroke version, I don't know if it is proven enough yet. I like the idea that it has a "inner-change" system that allows you to put different attachments on it. Since I could use the little tiller attachment to rough up the wifes flower bed and small landscaping areas. BUT one of the problems I have with the Ryobi is that I got a blower from them a while back and the thing never did run quite right but it was a 2-stroke and they seem to be a bit more quirky...

Does anyone have a Ryobi set up with the added attachments??? I need a blower, but nothing that would cause a hurrican, just enough to blow the fresh grass clippings around...

BLOWERS.... ($0-$110 ish?)
I would love to have a battery powered one, but I don't think they have enough power to move freshly cut grass very well. So I am sure I will be looking at a gas powered one. Again I am leaning towards making everything 4-stroke if possible... For this I don't need the biggest/baddest, just a decent bang for the buck...

So lets hear it, what are you opinions on yard tools... I need some input before I drop a wad of cash in new stuff...

Thanks in advance...

 

i work for home depot and i will find out if there are any up coming sales. i know we are getting ready for the spring outdoor tool and lawn furniture sale so i will let you know what the deals are when i work monday. dont get ryobi anything the sales rep even said they are junk.

 

The Honda Engine Is Great - The Battery Is Junk And Dont Last - The Self Propelled Is A Pain In The But !
But The Motor Runs Great And Eaven Pull Starting A Electric Start Is Easy

Claude

 

Our Honda push mower has been cutting grass for over 8 years without a single issue, it has the self propelled front wheels. It's been parked the last 2 years, hard to push mow 3 acres of grass. lol

We had a older Feather-Lite weed eater(lasted 12 years) that was a great weed eater, it started leaking oil like a sieve and we purchased a new Feather-Lite. The new model is a piece of crap. I've already had to return it once for a whole new replacement.

We have a Stihl backpack blower that has been great, just make sure you run it with a pair of earplugs/muffs. It blows @ 180mph

http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BR380D.html

 

honda makes awsome mowers. i do like the kubota mower, its a normal sized self propelled mower, im not sure if they still make them though.

the weed eater i would lean to the honda 4stroke if your wanting a 4 stroke. stihl also makes an awsome selection of them too i would take a 2stroke stihl over a honda.

and as for the blower i dont have any info sorry.

hope this helps

david!

 

I have an Echo straight shaft weedeater and an Echo edger....both gas powered that I bought at Home Depot in 2002. I have never done a thing to either one. Run great.

Personally, I'd buy different tools for each job and stay away from the multi attachment thing. Back when I bought mine, I could have bought a single unit for 269 + another $100 (I think it was) for the other attachment. So I would have had like $370 invested.

Or I could buy 2 different units for $200 each.....total $400, which is what I did. For $30 more I'd rather have 2 different units that do their own job and not mess with switching attachments. My 2 cents.


Ohhh......regarding lawnmowers. I bought a self-propelled (rear wheel drive) Craftsman mower from Sears, also in 2002. It has a 5.5 hp Honda Motor and runs great, starts first pull everytime. Has a steel deck, with ball bearing wheels. Might be worth looking at other brands of mowers........that have a Honda engine...and not just "Hondas". Another 2 cents.. Hope that helps.

..

 

Snapper and Sthil

 

Mower is the neighbors, parked in my garage to use for free, I just maintain it...Murray ridding mower. Runs great 5+ years.

Blower: "Crapsman" 2-stroke and it really blows....220mph! $100, 4 years ago.
Weedeater: Echo 2-stroke, straight shaft still going strong after 10+years
Chainsaw: "Crapsman" 2-stroke runs great but ya gotta keep the air filter clean or it won't run. $100, 4 years ago.

 

Can't argue with the Honda, I am a Stihl guy and ended up buying the Echo ST210 trimmer.

Best buy I ever made. I didn't like the extra complexity of the Stihl exhaust valve, perhaps I am just paranoid, but the emission junk cannot be a good thing.

If you have to buy one with emission junk, look at the Stihl as well.

 

From what I have seen and experienced I wouldn't blow too much money looking for reliability, but if i were looking for something to last me I would lean towards Toro for push mowers, they have the best cut and mulch, are built great, and last longer without issues that any other push mower ive tried. I myself just have a cheap ol Craftsman 22" that has been alive for years and has made its monies worth for years now.

I clean cemeteries for a living so weedeaters are extremely important. I have 3 Stihls and they have all been flawless, I have the FS110 model 2 stroke and they have seen some 12+ hour days running the whole time. They do good on their gas mix and are pretty simple to re string. They actually have lasted very long on a single spool. I would recommend one of these over a 4 stroke mainly for the better low end start-off power, I don't know about you, but I have found myself having to idle it around a few places to avoid breakables, etc, but the stihls require little power to start off. I used to have a 4 stroke stihl when they first came out with them, but they just didn't have the power down low, especially when you pay over $400 bucks for it. So I would seriously consider sticking to 2 stroke with this.

And I have a budget Weedeater blower that has also done the job well, I just make sure to keep the fuel clean and the filter even cleaner.

 

If you want stuff that will last I would stay away from Home Depot. Go find a commercial dealer and buy commercial equipment. I made the mistake 2 yaers ago and bought a Cub Cadet Zero turn from Home Depot and the 3 yr warranty. It has been junk. I did some research and it appers that these of brand companies buy the name from the old reputable companies. They then sell them to the chain stores. Last week I was in Lowes and set on a Troy built zero turn. The only difference between it and mine was the color and stickers.
If I had it to do again i would have bought a TORO or Snapper commercial for about the same money.
My .02

 

Get you a Toro mower, prolly the personal pace. I have one as well as a Toro zmaster commercial mower and both are great. 3 hard summers, and no problems yet. As far as weedeaters and blowers, either echo or stihl. Home Depot has the echos and they're good. I have my own landscape business and have had my echo weedeaters and backback blower for about 3 years now and the only problems I've had is a little carb trouble out of the weedeaters. When its time for another weedeater, itll prolly be a stihl though. I've heard they have less carb trouble. But for just you around the house, I'd say Toro and echo. But I would say go to a commercial dealer for the best stuff.

 

hey i work at home depot! lol but dont really care for it i just drive all the building and lumber in at night. wouldnt it be cheaper buying from somewere like home depot or lows i have always noticed that specialty shops charge more. for the same things. for instance my redwing work boots i bought from redwing for 370 bucks and i later found them out a outlet for 290. i did get a employee discount for 10% off but still it was marked up.

 

Ya they are usually a little higher. If home depot has the exact same weedeater you are going to buy at a commercial dealer, then get it at home depot. But they have better versions of everything too. They have a commercial version of the echo that home depot has, as well as a commercial version of the toro push mower. But I got my weedeaters and push mower at home depot, and havn't had any problems. But as far as big mowers, I would always buy them at a commercial dealer

 

yea like tractor supply co i hear they are the costco of yard equipment. and farm tools