Lawn Mowers: What To Get??

[dj_rice]

Been living in a condo for so long and now finally getting my own house its time to start mowing my lawn. No idea what to get and any good deals?


All I know so far is get one with a Honda engine. Is Briggs & Stratton ones just as okay? Looking for something under $500. Or should I spend a litte more and never have to replace again kinda deal.

Any tips Thanks in Advance


Size of lawn is small. Small strip on left side, small strip on right side. Since house is front attached garage. But big backyard so all grass.

[codetrap]

I bought a sears B&S one in 2005. I take care of it. It works perfectly.

[ExtraSlow]

If you have a mid sized or smaller lawn, consider getting electric. The maintenence is pretty much zero. I have a small lawn, and even messing aroud with the electrical cords is way less hassle than the upkeep of a gas mower.

Then again, some people find lawnmower maintenence relaxing. I'm not one of those people.

[darthVWader]

Home Depot Cub Cadet http://www.homedepot.ca/product/cub-...r-160cc/818252

On sale now for under $500.00 and it has a Honda 160cc

[lint]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
If you have a mid sized or smaller lawn, consider getting electric. The maintenence is pretty much zero. I have a small lawn, and even messing aroud with the electrical cords is way less hassle than the upkeep of a gas mower.

Then again, some people find lawnmower maintenence relaxing. I'm not one of those people.

+1 for electric. I picked up a Solaris cordless on clearance from HD 3 years ago, about as maintenance free as you can get, super quiet and no exhaust smell. Batteries are still going strong and I have a fairly big lot (pie). I just pop them into the mower and pop them out to charge when done. The biggest hassle is moving the batteries and charger into my basement over the winter.

[dj_rice]

http://www.costco.ca/Poulan-Pro%c2%a...100041099.html

http://www.costco.ca/Poulan-Pro%c2%a....10366062.html


I was looking at these 2. Honda engine and from Costco, since Costco warranty/returns.

Does brand really matter or is it mainly the engine is the important thing?

[sillysod]

After talking to a member on here that is a lawnmower mechanic I found out that they are all made by pretty much 1 of 2 manufacturers.

None are really good any more unless you get a commercial one $$$$.

Personally I would even get a used one off of Kijiji, change the plug and oil in it and you will be good.

[nobb]

For a small area, I think a corded electric mower would be better than a battery powered one.

They always design the battery powered ones with lead acid batteries, which need to be constantly trickle charged or else they die. Even then, they never seem to last more than 5 years. Im pretty sure the maintenance cost on the battery powered ones will exceed gas powered due to battery replacement costs. Oil changes, spark plugs, and air filters are cheap maintenance...but a bit more mechanically involved than swapping out a battery.

[mix123]

Corded? I always laugh when I see people cutting their lawn with those....what a pain in the ass.

[BigDL]

If you can find an older Honda those things are bullet proof, I am talking about ones from late 80s to early 90's.


We have one at home that is from the mid 80's, we put it in the shed at the end of the summer and bring it back out in the spring. We don't do anything to it and it fires up every year without any issues. I think the model is like a HR214 or something similar.

Haven't changed the oil or spark plug in years. The only issue it has is when the grass is really long or really wet.

They just don't make them like they used to

[Graham_A_M]

Avoid Briggs and Shiton. Their garbage, I remember taking apart an engine when I was 9, since with a bent shaft it was junk. The cam gear and cam lobes were made of plastic. It's like, really?

For engines, stick to Kohler, Honda, Kawasaki or Suburu. Nothing else. We have a B & S mower from 1992 that still works, but it's never been beaten on in the least. I'd recommend watching out on the HD specials for a Husqvarna mower with a Honda engine. You can't go wrong, and their from the high $300-$500 range. They'll last forever and always be very easy to start. Toro also makes wicked mowers, but those are $$$$$$$

[Pacman]

I've got an electric corded mower. As long as your yard isn't too big, the cord management is fine. If it's large with lots of trees or obstacles to go around, you will be cursing the cord getting caught on everything.

[blitz]

Originally posted by dj_rice
http://www.costco.ca/Poulan-Pro%c2%a...100041099.html

http://www.costco.ca/Poulan-Pro%c2%a....10366062.html


I was looking at these 2. Honda engine and from Costco, since Costco warranty/returns.

Does brand really matter or is it mainly the engine is the important thing?

I've had the cheaper of those 2 for about 6 years. Great mower. It's $299 in store if they still have stock.

My theory for lawn equipment is you buy a good engine with the least amount of fancy crap that can break (self propelled, attachments etc).

[roopi]

Originally posted by mix123
Corded? I always laugh when I see people cutting their lawn with those....what a pain in the ass.

I have one and I agree a pain in the ass. I wouldn't do it again. Waiting for it to die so I can go cordless or gas.

[benyl]

Originally posted by lint


+1 for electric. I picked up a Solaris cordless on clearance from HD 3 years ago, about as maintenance free as you can get, super quiet and no exhaust smell. Batteries are still going strong and I have a fairly big lot (pie). I just pop them into the mower and pop them out to charge when done. The biggest hassle is moving the batteries and charger into my basement over the winter.

Got the same one during the same sale.

2000 sqft of lawn. Can mow it twice before needing a recharge.

[revelations]

We have a small lawn as well and while we have a corded model, we tend to use a manual push mower the most.

[89coupe]

I have a gas mower, works great! I use roughly 10l of gas per year. I cut my grass once a week. Starts first pull every time.

[Ven]

The cheapest mowers will last forever with maintenance. Get one with a big bag, use good gas, drain the carb when storing, change the oil yearly, check the plug and air filter yearly and replace as needed, keep the underside of the deck clean, and sharpen and balance the blade as needed.

Unless you intend to pass that mower down through the generations, or it's an image thing, there's no reason to spend over $500 on a mower. By that time Monsanto will have a grass patent that stops growing at exactly 2 7/8" and doesn't need water anyway.

[RX-7_TWINTURBO]

If your going to get a self propelled mower I'd recommend getting a rwd or 4wd the fwd mowers struggle a bit on anything but the most flat and even terrain.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by RX-7_TWINTURBO
If your going to get a self propelled mower I'd recommend getting a rwd or 4wd the fwd mowers struggle a bit on anything but the most flat and even terrain.

Lets not promote laziness.

Push your fucking mower, get a little exercise.