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OT: lawnmower recommendations

R

RUbacker

Heisman
Dec 5, 2014
16,199
23,154
108
Need a new lawnmower. Had a 21 inch craftsman with Honda engine . Looking to spend
About $300. Was happy with previous but wasn't sure about maybe going for a Briggs and Stratton engine. Looking for recommends from those with mower opinions. Need self propelled .
 
R

RU_SOB93

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2010
13
26
0
County Line from Tractor Supply, has a Honda motor, think I paid under $300 for a self propelled, 21 inch mower.
 
L

LC-88

All-Conference
Apr 24, 2010
7,160
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I have a Husquavarna(sp?) with a Honda motor, myself propelled. Ten years old and still running strong. Honda motor is the key.
 
P

PhilaPhans

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2005
11,665
4,334
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What's the smallest size yard somebody could have a riding lawnmower for and not be judged for being lazy?
 
R

rutgersal_rivals139582

Heisman
Jun 7, 2001
36,574
43,975
113
Invest in a Honda. More expensive but worth every penny. bought an HRX model 11 years ago with electric start and self propelled. still runs like new.
 
newell138

newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
37,879
49,581
112
 
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BigRnj

BigRnj

All-American
Nov 20, 2012
5,008
6,778
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Toro's "personal pace" self propelled system works great. It's not the binary on/off system most self propelled mowers have where the wheels spin at the same speed all the time (gouging the grass when you try to turn or slow down). Instead the speed varies based on how hard you push the handle (it's like a gas pedal). Worth looking at.
 
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C

CERU00

All-Conference
Feb 10, 2005
3,626
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BigRnj said:
Toro's "personal pace" self propelled system works great. It's not the binary on/off system most self propelled mowers have where the wheels spin at the same speed all the time (gouging the grass when you try to turn or slow down). Instead the speed varies based on how hard you push the handle (it's like a gas pedal). Worth looking at.
Click to expand...
This. Also, the Briggs and Stratton engine always starts after 11 yrs and its had zero issues.
 
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czxqa

czxqa

All-American
Oct 31, 2008
8,651
6,896
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Yeah. Every mower we've owned (between my dad and I) as long as I can remember had a Briggs & Stratton motor, never had a problem with any of them. The decks would rust out before the motor ever went.
 
F

fbc1866

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2005
5,812
2,113
113
I have a Sears 21 inch Craftmen with a B&S engine which is 15 years old that still runs. The deck is in good condition and I never had an issue. I give in a tune every five years. Wash the deck down after each cut and it's still green. Will buy another one when or if it dies.
 
S

scrappy5

Redshirt
Sep 7, 2004
23
13
0
To offer a baseball analogy, a Briggs & Stratton to a Honda engine is like comparing the careers of Ron Swoboda vs Ted Williams. No offense to long time Mets fans. Well, maybe a little.

Compare the engines side by side and you'll know right away.
 
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C

CERU00

All-Conference
Feb 10, 2005
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BigRnj said:
Toro's "personal pace" self propelled system works great. It's not the binary on/off system most self propelled mowers have where the wheels spin at the same speed all the time (gouging the grass when you try to turn or slow down). Instead the speed varies based on how hard you push the handle (it's like a gas pedal). Worth looking at.
Click to expand...
Mine Has a Briggs&stratton engine that is 14 yr old and still starts in first pull.
 
e5fdny

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,968
54,268
102
If you’re going to get a walk behind make sure you buy one that:

1. Has the biggest deck you can get
2. Has big wheels in the back
3. Is a three way (mulcher, side discharge and a bag)

Also make sure it’s also at least 6hp.

Not a fan of self-propelled but to each his own.
 
Last edited:
R

RUaMoose_rivals

All-American
Oct 31, 2004
17,240
7,062
113
e5fdny said:
If you’re going to get a walk behind make sure you buy one that:

1. Has the biggest deck you can get
2. Has big wheels in the back
3. Is a three way (mulcher, side discharge and a bag)

Also make sure it’s also at least 6hp.

Not a fan of self-propelled but to each his own.
Click to expand...

6 horse on a commercial walk behind? I have a 32” with a Briggs 10.5 horse.
Most of the WB I see have 15 horse Kawasaki’s but those are 42” and up
 
D

DHajekRC84

Heisman
Aug 9, 2001
30,708
19,816
0
czxqa said:
Yeah. Every mower we've owned (between my dad and I) as long as I can remember had a Briggs & Stratton motor, never had a problem with any of them. The decks would rust out before the motor ever went.
Click to expand...

I just bought a new 22" High Wheel B&S Craft from Sears after the wheels rusted out on the last one after 24 years. And yes, hand on bible it started first pull 99.5% of time (.5% cause I didn't push the gas primer bubble enough times) . What you saw is true.

LOVE Honda. But B&S is still a USA product I trust and the carbs are all mostly the same and easy to fix if needed (snow blower, generator, etc) .
 
e5fdny

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
114,968
54,268
102
RUaMoose said:
6 horse on a commercial walk behind? I have a 32” with a Briggs 10.5 horse.
Most of the WB I see have 15 horse Kawasaki’s but those are 42” and up
Click to expand...
Who’s talking about a commercial walk behind?

Not the OP if he is looking to spend $300. Something that looks like this is probably what he ends up with (the self propelled version)...

 
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H

huskersalways

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2001
72,845
4,269
78
fbc1866 said:
I have a Sears 21 inch Craftmen with a B&S engine which is 15 years old that still runs. The deck is in good condition and I never had an issue. I give in a tune every five years. Wash the deck down after each cut and it's still green. Will buy another one when or if it dies.
Click to expand...

The Sears mower is probably going to outlast Sears. Doubt they are around when ready to purchase again.
 
H

huskersalways

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2001
72,845
4,269
78
JMORC2003 said:
For $300 a Craftsman with a Briggs & Stratton will be the most loyal and reliable thing in your life.
Click to expand...

A lot of Sears stuff used to be that way. Sadly it’s quality for many of their products has fallen to the cheap disposable like all the other stores.
 
R

RU05

All-American
Jun 25, 2015
15,108
9,392
113
As far as longevity goes, I'd say it's more about gas quality then it is mower.

Fresh gas, fresh gas, fresh gas.
 
B

brianoc

All-American
Jul 11, 2001
66,216
8,247
103
I have 1.5 acres and my first mower was a 36 inch entry level landscapers mower.

Was easy to use and made fairly quick job of cutting.
 
Ridge 22

Ridge 22

Heisman
Jun 30, 2007
7,817
10,198
98
Invest in a Honda at least. Briggs are junk engines (other than their high-end commercial grade Vanguard series). Never understood why somebody would want to invest hours mowing their lawn, but opt to use a $300 piece of junk to get it done. Spend a bit more and get something at least decent for residential use. Deck build will determine the quality of the cut, and no homeowner unit will provide anywhere near what a commercial deck can produce (not deep enough and don't produce enough vacuum), but at least get a high-end residential unit if you are going to commit to mowing it yourself. What is the benefit of saving a few hundred $'s when you are using it for at least an hour a week 25-30 time a year. Factor that over many years of use and the value of your own time, and it makes no sense to me.
 
RUinPinehurst

RUinPinehurst

All-American
Aug 27, 2011
8,412
7,934
113
Buy a goat. Invisible fence. Let it roam. Then slaughter that goat in the fall. Share it with the neighbors. Bring some to your tailgate. Buy another in early spring. Repeat....

Is that wrong?
 
C

CERU00

All-Conference
Feb 10, 2005
3,626
1,677
0
Never knew that there was such a thing as a lawnmower snob... apparently there are.
 
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