Any recommendations? Third of an acre. Self propelled, maybe $300ish? Craftsman? Toro?
Its end of season sale time. You should be able to score a nice one at a deep discount this weekend. Having had about 10 different mowers over the last 40 years I can say with confidence that this is a machine that the Japanese have the US dominated in quality. I will never buy another Techumseh or briggs & stratton powered mower. The engines are just not meant for a long life. It is, in my humble opinion, worth every penny to drop an extra $150 on a Honda. My honda I have now starts on the first pull every time, three years into heavy use. Could NEVER say that about the several B&S motors I have had.
1/3 rd of an acre? That’s not quite 15,000 sf.
Brill’s are snazzy German mowers
Or a nice Finnish Fiskars
Or a nice Swedish Husqvarna
The Husqvarna is cheapest @ ~$135, the Brill’s are ~$200 ($225+ with a bag)
Love my Lawnboy rear propelled mower. Had it for about 5 years, don’t take care of the thing very well, and it rocks. My yard takes me 8.5 miles to cut with it (yes, I’ve mowed my lawn wearing my Forerunner - this is ST after all), and it has never let me down. Plus, I really like the rear propulsion instead of FWD.
Something like this: http://www.lawn-boy.com/productinfo/mowers/2009/10647.html
Agree on the quality of Honda motors. I dive a lot on weekends using a Brownie’s Third Lung (surface supplied air through a hose). It has a Honda engine on it. I have never had to pull it twice to get it to start. And I’ve been using it (or one like it) for four years.
Next time I need something gas powered, I’m going to look for something with a Honda engine on it.
Having had about 10 different mowers over the last 40 years I can say with confidence that this is a machine that the Japanese have the US dominated in quality. I will never buy another Techumseh or briggs & stratton powered mower.
Are you a professional landscaper or have a huge yard? How does one wear out 10 lawnmowers in 40 years?
I have 2/3 acre and have had 2 Chraftsman mowers over 22 years. I still hope to have some more years in the second one. I’m sure there are better mowers, but it has been good so far. First had a B/S motor and second a Techumseh. First one had the deck go bad, motor was still fine.
Honda. I bought one in Boise, Idaho in 1997, and it’s still going strong.
Spot
Having had about 10 different mowers over the last 40 years I can say with confidence that this is a machine that the Japanese have the US dominated in quality. I will never buy another Techumseh or briggs & stratton powered mower. The engines are just not meant for a long life. It is, in my humble opinion, worth every penny to drop an extra $150 on a Honda. My honda I have now starts on the first pull every time, three years into heavy use. Could NEVER say that about the several B&S motors I have had.
My first lawn mower was a nobrand with a B/S no real maintenance no oil changes ect… lasted about 15 - 18 yrs. (1/3 acre) new is a Honda motor from Costco time will tell. 10 mowers over 40 years I can’t imagine what your doing to them. my Briggs and Straton started on 1 pull till I parked it… the rear wheels to deck interface rusted out.
I got this Toro last month. So far so good. (My last Toro lasted 16 years and started on the 1st or 2nd pull every time until the day it wouldn’t start anymore).
The “personal pace” thing sounded like a gimic but it really works.
Having had about 10 different mowers over the last 40 years I can say with confidence that this is a machine that the Japanese have the US dominated in quality. I will never buy another Techumseh or briggs & stratton powered mower. The engines are just not meant for a long life. It is, in my humble opinion, worth every penny to drop an extra $150 on a Honda. My honda I have now starts on the first pull every time, three years into heavy use. Could NEVER say that about the several B&S motors I have had.
My first lawn mower was a nobrand with a B/S no real maintenance no oil changes ect… lasted about 15 - 18 yrs. (1/3 acre) new is a Honda motor from Costco time will tell. 10 mowers over 40 years I can’t imagine what your doing to them. my Briggs and Straton started on 1 pull till I parked it… the rear wheels to deck interface rusted out.
Mine is about the same. No-name mower, bought in 1999, B/S engine, still starts on the first pull. Every time. (Until the next time, as I probably just jinxed it).
I have moved a lot and sold mowers so I did not have to move them. Average time I kept one is about 4 years. Also, my lawn as a kid was about 2/3 acre and my parents lawn that I help care for now is about 1.5 acres. Perhaps it is because I treat my mower like yard machines and not carbon bikes. I could be a lot nicer to them I guess.
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Thanks for the notes everyone.
I have a reel mower that I use some of the time. The kids also use it. It works okay, but does not give that clean of a cut. I looked at the Toro at Home Depot, seems to be a good price point. I’m going to check out the Honda mowers this weekend, although at Home Depot they seemed pretty expensive.
I have had a Craftsman push mower for 18 years now. I don’t use it anywhere near what I used it when I lived in a sub-division on a 1/3 acre. I now live on 3 acres and have a ZTR. I still use the Craftsman for certain areas a few times a year. After the first time I use it, I can still start it on 2 pulls. I paid about $350 for it in 1993 (self-propelled, 5.3HP, 22 inch cut, mulch or bag).
Honda’s and Toro’s are very dependable. I don’t know if you could get the mower you want/need in a Honda/Toro for $300ish…at least not new. If you take the time, finding one used shouldn’t be too difficult. I have found that there is no shortage of people who are ready to abandon a perfectly good mower because it needs a spark plug or a carb kit.
I would be hesitant to get a manual, non-motorized reel mower. I understand the novelty of it. I also think they do a fantastic job of mowing. However, you have to mow probably twice as often because they will not cut through long grass. Also, the reel mower requires sharp blades, and those blades take a lot of work to sharpen. But they are certainly an option for someone willing to invest the time and effort.
I saw someone mentioned a no brand with a B&S motor. It may not be a bad plan if you are cash limited. I think it is safe to say that you would have to be on top of the PM in order to keep it running for a long time.
Another thought about Honda’s and Toro’s. Sometimes getting maintenance parts for them can be tricky. It depends. If you are fortunate to have a high quality small engine shop near you, there won’t be any issues. Common B&S parts are now even available at Home Depot and Lowes which makes it really easy.
Bernie
Maybe not ideal for your needs, but I recently bought a Worx cordless electric mower and couldn’t be happier. Four mows on only one battery charge (~15,000 sq/ft per charge, or roughly 1/3 acre), quiet as a high-quality vacuum cleaner, no fluids, no pull starting, one-hand adjustment for deck height. Wish I’d bought one years ago.
Honda, don’t dick around with this.
If you have time you can check out used mowers and you might be able to get a deal.
When I bought mine, I didn’t have any time (very long grass then sudden mower death 1 day before leaving on vacation) so off to Home Depot. But later out of curiosity I checked Craig’s List and eBay local and there were several 1-2 year old mowers for sale in my area at very good prices.
Honda, don’t dick around with this.
AINO.
Maybe not ideal for your needs, but I recently bought a Worx cordless electric mower and couldn’t be happier. Four mows on only one battery charge (~15,000 sq/ft per charge, or roughly 1/3 acre), quiet as a high-quality vacuum cleaner, no fluids, no pull starting, one-hand adjustment for deck height. Wish I’d bought one years ago.
I generally don’t pay too much attention to the cordless stuff (in lawn equipment) because they won’t serve my needs on 3 acres. But, Popular Mechanics did a run down of the various battery lawn mowers and a side-by-side with the Hondas and Toros. They have definitely stepped up their game and are comparable.
I don’t know the up front cost, but they have to be cheaper to run and maintain.
If keeping it for the long-term was important, I don’t know where they stack up compared to the standard 4 stroke engine.
Bernie