anything with a honda motor
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One of my top choices, since they have a two blade mulch system.
Consumer Reports just rated push lawnmowers. I don't have the magazine with me right now and didn't read the article because I have a mower.
I've had a Honda Harmony for 12 years, and it's the best I've ever used. The 2 blade system is awesome, and the zenoy(plastic) deck is tough and lightweight. I replaced the transmission this year with the new and improved Dana/Spicer.....only money I ever put into it, and at $125 for the transmission and my own labor, it wasn't even that painful after 12 years of service.
My wife did a bunch of research on the Consumer Reports site and then went out and bought us a Toro 21" 6.5 horse high wheel self propelled for about $325. So far it's been fine. Key thing for me is that the one repair place nearby sells and services them.
Just got a Huaqvarna 21" w/ Honda power. Very pleased so far and the price is easier on the wallet than a pure Honda.
Rentals?
Give a rent discount to a tenant & leave a $25 used mower at the property?
Just bush-hogged two properties last night in the dark.
remodeler
My vote also goes for for Honda power, but I'd put Kawasaki in the same league. Have one in a Deere mower that must be fifteen years old...gas,oil, blade sharpened...that's it. John Deere actually recalled it once for something minor...blew me away! All other engines are something less.
Funny story. I'd had a bunch of mill-run cheapo mowers, Toro, Snapper with Briggs, Tecumseh and the like. No guts, bog down, make me crazy 'cause they're slow and unreliable. Went to the John Deere store and said I wanted a hot rod...big HP in small mower. Guy assured he had the stuff. Choked on price, went away. Next time I was mowing the lawn, stalled the Snapper, couldn't get it to restart. Pull out my reserve generic mower and yank the rope out.....completely out.....aarrggghh! Call the JD guy and asked how long to get hot rod ready. "Come right down, we'll fix you up". Took some ribbing for spending that much on a mower, but have never regretted it. JD guy was right, this puppy put all others to shame!
A couple of years ago we bought my folks a new push mower. It was a "White" brand, I think - The local farm equipment dealer sold them.
The thing was a big wheel push mower with a 6 HP engine. (I think) The thing that was unusual about it was that it had "crazy wheels" on the front instead of fixed ones. That way you can turn it without pushing the handle down and lifting the front wheels. I figured they'd appreciate that as they got older.
You can put 3 different chutes on the thing - One for mulching, one for side discharge, and another for bagging.
They really like the thing. But I've never seen another one just like it.
.
I have a home-made "Tim Taylor" style mower. I took a 7 HP B&S engine off an old riding mower and put it on a 22" Toro cast iron deck. It weighs a ton, but has an INCREDIBLE amount of power. It will cut off anything you can push it across. I've mowed weeds with it that were 2' tall.
In politics, an organized minority is a political majority. [Jesse Jackson]
dropped 479.00 for a cub cadet with front caster steering..last year..6.5 hp Kawasaki...great mower..use it more than the rider, cuz THAT keeps getting flat tires..LOL
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I have borrowed an Ariens with the swivel front wheels and HATE IT.
It might be good on a flat surface. But on my sloping lot I am fight it all the time.
Thanks for all the input.
I also heard that the front swivel wheels are a problem. You can't keep a straight line with them. I could see it would be a problem on a hill.
I went to HD last night, since they sell Honda and have better prices. It blew me away how uninformed the sales guy was about his mowers. I guess he's keeping with the rest of the HD group. (sorry, I don't want to start another discussion) Decided to grap all the catalogs and research myself. They also have toro's. Like the idea of the "Personal pace" since I rush through mowing.
The Honda Harmony 21" 6.5 HP 4in1, cruise control, does everything but fertilize the lawn it's also the ONLY one with a blade clutch. I good idea since my son will be mowing too. The price is painfull though,They want 699.00 for it.
Thanks again for the feedback
I tried out the mower we got for Mom and Dad, and really liked the swivel wheels.
Never tried it on a slope, though. Guess that would be different.When a democracy is in trouble, the remedy is more democracy. [Andrew Jackson]
Where I am, the Honda motorcycle dealer sells mowers for LESS than Home Depot... and they stock parts.
That said, after looking at the Honda, I ended up with a new Snapper mulcher, also from a local small-engine service center who stocks parts. And they sold it for ~$100 under MSRP. It was $500 with a 7 hp Briggs Intek, and the new Ninja blade.
It has an interesting 6-speed drive system that, according to the dealers has been around forever. I can see where it might be mostly bullet-proof, and/or easily rebuilt.
I've mowed the lawn three times since getting it, and I like it better each time.
The only beef is that it's a lot heavier than the generic POS I had before.
K-
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So many people preach equity in golf. Nothing is so foreign to the truth. Does any human being receive what he conceives as equity in his life? He has got to take the bitter with the sweet, and as he forges through all the intricacies and inequalities which life presents, he proves his metal. In golf the cardinal rules are arbitrary and not founded on eternal justice. Equity has nothing to do with the game itself. If founded on eternal justice the game would be deadly dull to watch and play. --Charles Blair Macdonald
On the cub, you can lockem,I never had too tho'..pretty flat here.yard wise
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
The one that my friend has does not have any clear places to lock it. I have looked for it.
Another "feature" on new mowers that I question. Self pacing.
Both my friens' Airens and my Sanpper have variable speed drive and I like that feature. But AFAIK from looking at them in the stores the "self pacing" work by the tension on the handle.
Mike be fine on a flat, level lawn without many jogs. But if I am manuvering it into a corner I don't want it to speed up just I am ready to pull it back and get it out of that spot.