Hi all - need some help with my choice of new walk behind lawn mower, here's my problem..... I currently have an 18 year old Honda HRM216 that's deck is cracked, crank is a little bent, tranny only powers one wheel, wheels all worn out (on 4th set) and a little down on power but still starts in 2 pulls! My yard is hilly, .7 acres and has alot to mow around (thanks to the wife) - I have looked at the new Honda's and they are great (but heavy) however I was wanting something to get my yard done a little faster then the current 21 inch cut but I don't have the room or $$ for one of the commercial 36 or bigger mowers? All the local shops here jump from 21 Inch to 36 inch... have any of you guys seen anything like a 24" I used to see these but can't find anything like that now? Also If I have to settle for a 21 or 22" How do the new Toro Super Recyclers? - they have some really nice features but I swore I would never own another Briggs engine after spending my entire childhood and teens trying to start the various Briggs powered machinery around our farm - the Honda's seem to always start in 1 or two pulls, my 12 year old daughter can start the Honda engine on my 37 ton wood splitter or mower in 1 or two pulls cold to I have alot of faith in em but am open to another engine if the quality is there.
TIA

 

We bought a Husqvarna a couple of years ago and it's a 24". Of course, nothing on it is Husqvarna except for the paint color, but it's been a decent little mower. I think most of them are MTD's now anyway.

 

Thanks, any other opinions ??

 

Don't know anything about them but it looks like a compromise in size between what you have and the 36" mowers. You can also get a 26" mower as well. The second link has a price.



http://www.medinamower.com/Walk%20Be...nd%20Mower.htm

http://jmmower.com/index.php?main_pa...roducts_id=136

 

Thanks! I see they make one Honda powered, Has Briggs gotten any better?

 

I can only offer my experience with my current push mower, which has a Briggs and Stratton engine on it. The mower is over 20 years old and I'm on it's 3rd deck. It always starts in 2 or 3 pulls. At the end of each mowing season, I always add some Stabil to the gas and then start to mower to circulate the Stabil. Come spring time it has always started in 6 or 7 pulls.

My riding mower has a 12 HP Briggs, and the same can be said for it. I've had it since 1997.

Oil is changed every year, along with cleaning the air filter. Maintenance plays a huge part in the reliability of any piece of equipment.

Are they still made with the same quality today that they were when I bought mine? I don't know the answer to that one. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

I know you said this was out of the price range you are looking for but I like mine so much I have to show it off a little It has a Kawasaki Twin 725 cc motor and cuts 6 acres an hour if you can hang on to it going that fast lol... turns on a dime and will give you 9 cents change back

I now mow in minutes what used to take me an hour. Worth every penny and it is FUN

http://www.gravely.com/stand-on-mowe...es/Photos.aspx

 

Man.... if my yard didn't have so many hills I would be all over that!

 

I see it has a 'fixed deck'... better than a broken deck I guess!

 

My yard is all hills and it will cut really well sideways, the beauty of it too is if you get in trouble you just step off and it kills it self and stops. That was a huge selling point after being pinned face down under my tractor with 3 broken ribs lol

 

They make one with a floating deck...but I didn't want to have to wear fancy "Deck" shoes just to mow the grass lol

 

bought my mom a brand new toro her old one died it had the original toro engine and was a great mower with never 1 and i mean never 1 problem the reason for replacing it was it had an aluminum deck that finally wore a hole through it .this new one has a briggs on it and is a complete piece of crap she always calls me "mower wont start" she does nothing different then with the old mover stored inside and uses stabil in the winter seems like the rubber fuel system parts rot immediately and it has a lot mor plastic crap on it .

 

2 goats and a good fence. Mowers work full time and get great gas mileage. I would suggest that you not walk behind them because of the gas mileage tho and hey, did I mention that they fertilize your lawn while operating?????

 

I have a Craftsman LT series riding mower and have had no problems with it, except the tire compound is super soft and wears quickly.

We bought ours during their 4th of July sale a couple years back and got a crazy deal. If you're a veteran, let them know so they can give you an additional discount.





-Kris

 

I bought a Scotts 22"self propelled from Home Depot 12 years ago, it has a 6.5hp briggs on it. I am not a fan of the large wheels on the back of it but that is my only complaint. It has been extremely reliable and that includes it tumbling down a very steep part of my yard. I have not even changed the oil in it the last 4 years. Stuff it in storage then pull it out in the spring fill it with gas and use it.