What's a Good Push-Mower (please)

[secureland]

front or rear self-propelled.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[AngelofDarkness]

Front propelled sucks on mowers. Craftsman used it for a long time. If I was going to buy a new mower it would probably be a Toro or a Snapper. Deere's walk behinds have gone downhill in quality while still being ungodly expensive. Snapper still makes a quality machine. Lawn Boys are good too. People say good things about Hondas but parts for them are very very expensive.

 

[fubar2]

The ones I have in mind are eco-friendly. They use no gasoline what so ever and fertilize as they mow. They come in two models , The Billy and the ever popular Nanny model. The optional Nanny model has a built in liquid refreshment center. They do their job automatically and require no input from the operator.
This message has Al Gores approval.

 

[stihl sawing]

Mine is a husqvarna front wheel drive. I like the front wheel drive. It has a 5 horse honda on it. I don't like the engine. It has no power. It starts easy and reliable but it's weak on mowing thick grass. the deck is well made and all the controls are easy to use. For me the front drive is easier to use cause you can just pull the front wheels up a little to move around something. It's harder to pick up the back wheels. Ive had both and prefer the front drive, But everyone is different with different needs and wants.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

Toro Super Recyclers are great mowers cast aluminum, the steel deck Toro's not so good. The transmissions on the steel deck Toro's are crap we change them all too regularly. Snapper makes some good walk behinds also. Honda's are pretty much the best but VERY pricey. Cub Cadet/Troy Bilt/MTD's are all junk for the most part and Craftsman/AYP/Poulan/Husqvarna are lack luster.
If your price range is under 400$ go with a Toro or Snapper, over 400$ Either a Toro Super Recycler or a Honda.

 

[J.Walker]

What's a Good Push-Mower, Oh-Yeah!

Here's a great Push-Mower. Very good on gas from what I hear!



http://rochester.craigslist.org/grd/799176941.html



................Husky Kicks..............

 

[COLD_IRON]

Front propelled sucks on mowers. Craftsman used it for a long time. If I was going to buy a new mower it would probably be a Toro or a Snapper. Deere's walk behinds have gone downhill in quality while still being ungodly expensive. Snapper still makes a quality machine. Lawn Boys are good too. People say good things about Hondas but parts for them are very very expensive.

The Sears front propelled is okay, but not the greatest thing since sliced bread. I currently have 2 of them, a 6.75HP and a 5.5HP (Honda engine). The self-propelled belt keeps coming off the 5.5 and the machine seems to lack power. The 5.5 has a better bagger setup though. The 6.75 is pretty reliable but heavy. Overall, I will keep using them but I don't think I'll buy a new Sears anytime soon.

I have heard bad things about Honda's from small engine mechanics though.

If I was gonna go back to doing commercial mowing, I would look at Toro and Snapper as well - either way its a good starting point for a search.

 

[AngelofDarkness]

When I was a teenager I mowed a lot with a Craftsman Eager-1 front drive, I could not kill that mower no matter what I did to it. The problem I had with it is when I used the bagger and the bag got full it picked the front of the mower up and I had to give it down pressure to keep the wheels on the ground. The front drive also does not do well climbing hills. I have also noticed the Toro super recycler drive does not like hills much either. This is where the Snapper system really shines, probably the best most reliable mower drive system ever designed.

My current mower is a Snapper Hi-Vac from 1984 with the Wisconsin-robin which runs like a top and that mower is built like a tank. Just the other day I picked up a free Toro GTS 2-stroke from the late 80's that needs a little work, also a nice solid older mower.

 

[Rookie1]

I have a Toro 21 selfpropelled with high wheels and front drive. Tech.engine is ok by me. From what mower shop mechanic told me is all flathead engines cant pass new2010 epa rules. I would think an overhead valve engine would be a good choice right now.

 

[Husky137]

Toro Super recycler has done well for me for the past 5 years. I like the personal pace self propelled feature mine has. I bought mine from my Husky dealer who wouldn't sell me one of the husky models because they were crap.

 

[Ole Farmerbuck]

I have the Toro GTS big wheel front drive too. Good mower. In tall grass if i need to slow down for a bit i can push down on the handle and let the front tires spin a little so it doesnt bog down the motor. Its 5 or 6 years old and no trouble.

 

[lawnmowertech37]

personally it all depends on how long you plan on having one the cheaper the price the less quality you get

 

[AngelofDarkness]

personally it all depends on how long you plan on having one the cheaper the price the less quality you get

Yes to a point, especially when talking "box store" mowers. But in the top tier walk behinds over $400 there is a price point of diminishing returns, where shelling out the extra $250 for a Deere or Honda won't get you any better of a mower than a high end Toro or Snapper.

 

[04ultra]

I have an mid 80's Toro with Suzuki GTS selfprop with electric start and it runs great............Also have a mid 90's same mower with the 5.5 GTS both OHV and run awesome.....Both mowers have cut alot of grass and the decks get cleaned often.....





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[lawnmowertech37]

theres always the option of used mowers

 

[lawnmowertech37]

I have an mid 80's Toro with Suzuki GTS selfprop with electric start and it runs great............Also have a mid 90's same mower with the 5.5 GTS both OHV and run awesome.....Both mowers have cut alot of grass and the decks get cleaned often.....





.

thats when they were made in usa correct?

 

[046]

using a 70's Yazoo push mower for smaller areas. mainly use my Toro walkbehind with 12hp kawasaki ... my yard is fairly large for the city and needs a good size mower to get er done..

 

[04ultra]

thats when they were made in usa correct?

I can run out in the shed and get #'s if you like...I just know its dependable as it gets...

 

[Scandy14]

Honda HR214

I have been my Honda HR214 for 20 seasons now.

 

[secureland]

Toro is winning so far (if this were a pole).

Is it safe to say that Toro is of much better quality than the crafstman models at the Sears down the road?

Very good point about the front-wheel drive and being able to lift up the front wheels.

Toro, Toro,...... I wonder if consumer reports agrees?