I'm moving to a place that will require a little yardwork. Looking to buy a good push lawn mower. I'm not looking to fork over an arm and a leg for one. Something that is reliable that gets the job done is just fine. The yard won't be huge either. Lend me your thoughts fellow SixPackers.
OT: Buying a lawn mower
- Thread starter sipDawg98
- Start date
I bought a Husqvarana self propelled push mower with a Honda motor for less than $400 from Lowes a few weeks ago. Nothing but good things to say. I think I got the one with the big backtires.
Also, I bought a battery powered (Litium-Ion) weedeater/edger 2-in-1. Love it. Lightweight, no electric chords or gas/motor oil mixtures. Came with an extra battery, so I can charge one while using the other.
I guess it depends on what you're using it for, but both of those have been great.
Also, I bought a battery powered (Litium-Ion) weedeater/edger 2-in-1. Love it. Lightweight, no electric chords or gas/motor oil mixtures. Came with an extra battery, so I can charge one while using the other.
I guess it depends on what you're using it for, but both of those have been great.
Bought a Yardman 173cc self propelled with an electric start 3 seasons ago. Absolutely love it. Self propelled is really worth the money. I thought I would just like the electric start. After 3 years I'm am certain I'll never own another one without it.
I got it for under $400
I got it for under $400
Got a Troy built 3 years ago. Oil change, new spark plug, air filter and blade last year. Air filter this year. It mulches/discharges or bags clippings. Think it was about 300. Usually cranks first or second pull and it's kept outside in the bushes unshedded or covered.
Bought a BlackMax 22" self-propelled at Sams a couple of years ago. I paid around $250-$275 for it. The Honda motor on it runs like a champ. The last mower I had also had a Honda motor. The rest of the mower basically fell apart after 4-5 years but the motor was still going strong.
I hated my self propelled. I used it twice and sold it.
I bought a Troy built with a Honda motor last year and so far it's been great.
Bought a Honda 6 years ago. I change the oil every 2 years, spark plug and filter every year. Still starts on the first pull every time.
Go to your local ACE hardware and buy a $150ish push mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine. If you take any care of it at all you can run it a minimum of 5 years. When it finally shoots craps....go get another one.
If you saw the size of my fescue lawn and no place to store a riding mower, you'd change your mind. I'll be damned if I have to deal with all the hail storms here and a riding mower in my garage where my truck should be.
14 year old Honda
I bought it 14 years ago and cut my yard 0.29 acres every 6 days during summer for 5 years. Used as a trim mower on much bigger yards for past 9 years. Cranked on first pull this spring.
What ever you buy - make sure you use ethanol free gas and run the engine till all gas is burned before you put it up for the winter.
I bought it 14 years ago and cut my yard 0.29 acres every 6 days during summer for 5 years. Used as a trim mower on much bigger yards for past 9 years. Cranked on first pull this spring.
What ever you buy - make sure you use ethanol free gas and run the engine till all gas is burned before you put it up for the winter.
I'd go with Honda, even after I relate a story to you.
I had a Honda for over 20 years and it ran perfectly. The starter rope broke, so I took it in to have it replaced and the guy talked me into a tuneup for only $25. Well, the $25 turned out to be only labor; add another $125 for parts. And to top it off, he tore it up. The carburetor leaked more gas when I got it back than it burned. After getting that fixed (for another charge), it never ran right.
So I bought another Honda about 5 years ago from Home Depot. I never ran right. Had to get the carburetor replaced after about 2 weeks, under warranty, of course. The starter rope broke after 3 years, and now it's back in the shop because it won't start without using starter fluid. I was told by a Honda dealer that places like Home Depot get Honda mowers that are not built to the same standards as those sold at Honda dealer stores. And after my experience, I think I believe him.
After all that, I'd still buy another Honda. I just wouldn't buy it from Home Depot or Lowe's. I'll go to a dealer and pay a little more.
Honda makes both self-propelled and ones you have to push, and you should be about to get a basic one for maybe $300. And they cut a lot neater than the cheapies.
I had a Honda for over 20 years and it ran perfectly. The starter rope broke, so I took it in to have it replaced and the guy talked me into a tuneup for only $25. Well, the $25 turned out to be only labor; add another $125 for parts. And to top it off, he tore it up. The carburetor leaked more gas when I got it back than it burned. After getting that fixed (for another charge), it never ran right.
So I bought another Honda about 5 years ago from Home Depot. I never ran right. Had to get the carburetor replaced after about 2 weeks, under warranty, of course. The starter rope broke after 3 years, and now it's back in the shop because it won't start without using starter fluid. I was told by a Honda dealer that places like Home Depot get Honda mowers that are not built to the same standards as those sold at Honda dealer stores. And after my experience, I think I believe him.
After all that, I'd still buy another Honda. I just wouldn't buy it from Home Depot or Lowe's. I'll go to a dealer and pay a little more.
Honda makes both self-propelled and ones you have to push, and you should be about to get a basic one for maybe $300. And they cut a lot neater than the cheapies.
Craftsman... key to small engines today - STABIL!!!
Husqvarana builds Craftsman mowers, great quality - but Sears always has a good sale on mowers so you can save a few bucks going with the Craftsman vs. Husqvarana. I would get one with a Honda engine.
I've had mine for 8+ years with no issues, paid $250 bucks for it new. The key is making sure you change the oil and air filter regularly, and USING FRESH FUEL!
Husqvarana builds Craftsman mowers, great quality - but Sears always has a good sale on mowers so you can save a few bucks going with the Craftsman vs. Husqvarana. I would get one with a Honda engine.
I've had mine for 8+ years with no issues, paid $250 bucks for it new. The key is making sure you change the oil and air filter regularly, and USING FRESH FUEL!
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Sounds like it'a dead giveaway for a Honda. Thanks for all of your input. I wish Lowes sold strictly Honda lawn mowers. They seem to only sell other brands like Toro or Troybuilt with Honda motors in them. I have a nice little gift card to Lowes, otherwise, I'd just go to a dealer and be done with it.
I've had this lawn mower for going on 8 years. I change the oil and air filter every year. The only problem I have had was the pull string broke and I got that replaced for $15.
Picture from here: http://greenwoodmarketplace.com/ads/lawn-mower/
Picture from here: http://greenwoodmarketplace.com/ads/lawn-mower/
If you're open to gas alternatives
I love my greenworks electric. Sounds like I'm pushing around a box fan. I have ~.25 acre and the battery lasts plenty long enough (or the corded is cheaper if you feel up to that).
We like it because I can lock up the batteries and don't have to worry about the little one messing with it and accidentally getting something cut off. Also it's stupid cheap to cut the grass.
I love my greenworks electric. Sounds like I'm pushing around a box fan. I have ~.25 acre and the battery lasts plenty long enough (or the corded is cheaper if you feel up to that).
We like it because I can lock up the batteries and don't have to worry about the little one messing with it and accidentally getting something cut off. Also it's stupid cheap to cut the grass.
I had a Troybilt w a honda motor
From lowes. Bought it because of the honda motor. Ran great the first summer. Started acting up the second summer. The idle was off and ran rough. By the third summer it was done. Apparently there's a problem with burrs or some type of obstruction in the carb jets that cause this in the honda engines. Got sick of working on it.
Went to Sears and got a craftsman w a Briggs and Stratton. The mower was $200 bucks including the extended warranty 3 yrs total. Thing runs like a top. It got flooded (left in the rain in a low spot in the yard by mistake). It was submerged for several hours during the winter. It sat up like that until summer. I cleaned out the carb, but still wouldn't crank. Took it to sears for warranty and expected them to say tough luck. They sent it off and repaired it. I picked it up about a week later. No charge.
That was about 2 years ago. Still running like a top. Got it out this spring and cranked with 2-3 pulls after sitting up all winter.
I'm sold on Briggs from now on. Also, I hate self propelled. Too heavy and difficult pulling back and forth between bushes, trees, etc. I like the big wheel in the back. Lighter and more maneuverable.
From lowes. Bought it because of the honda motor. Ran great the first summer. Started acting up the second summer. The idle was off and ran rough. By the third summer it was done. Apparently there's a problem with burrs or some type of obstruction in the carb jets that cause this in the honda engines. Got sick of working on it.
Went to Sears and got a craftsman w a Briggs and Stratton. The mower was $200 bucks including the extended warranty 3 yrs total. Thing runs like a top. It got flooded (left in the rain in a low spot in the yard by mistake). It was submerged for several hours during the winter. It sat up like that until summer. I cleaned out the carb, but still wouldn't crank. Took it to sears for warranty and expected them to say tough luck. They sent it off and repaired it. I picked it up about a week later. No charge.
That was about 2 years ago. Still running like a top. Got it out this spring and cranked with 2-3 pulls after sitting up all winter.
I'm sold on Briggs from now on. Also, I hate self propelled. Too heavy and difficult pulling back and forth between bushes, trees, etc. I like the big wheel in the back. Lighter and more maneuverable.
Let me echo what has been said about Honda. In the spring after sitting for months it starts after one pull. I have a dual blade version and it really cuts well. This is important if you have a thick grass like zoia.
Don't buy a Husquavrna from Lowe's. Total junk. I mowed my lawn with it twice and multiple things broke on it (throttle cable and the pulling wheel would randomly disengage). I took it back to Lowe's expecting a hassle from a smartass clerk. I handed the woman at the counter my receipt and she credited my account instantly. I laughed and said that was quick. She said she was advised to expedite Husquavrna returns because there were some quality issues and they were all breaking.
Don't think you can still buy them but I bought a used 2 cycle Lawn Boy for
$75 (don't know how old it was when I got it) I used it for 18 years and NEVER did anything to it other than air filter change and blade. When it finally needed service parts weren't available. Bought a Troy Bilt push w/ Honda for $249 @ Lowes had it for 5 years now. It has a small oil leak but not much to it
$75 (don't know how old it was when I got it) I used it for 18 years and NEVER did anything to it other than air filter change and blade. When it finally needed service parts weren't available. Bought a Troy Bilt push w/ Honda for $249 @ Lowes had it for 5 years now. It has a small oil leak but not much to it
I used one for 8 years when I mowed lawns in high school. Dad bought it in 1981. It still ran great twenty years later.