New mower shopping- 21" self-propelled

99silveradoz71 · March 26, 2020

I currently have a Toro that's about 9 years old. It's been running kind of poor the last year or so, and the self-propel seems like it's almost hanging up when you try to free wheel it to just roll. Anyhow, i also dont feel like dropping new wheels on it, so I've started to look at something new to treat myself.

Anyone recommend anything they've bought recently? Ive used Lawnboys and Toros most of my life. We've got probably 1/3-1/2 acre, though I do cut the common area beside us.

Thanks.

Colossus · March 26, 2020

Honda. They make the best mowers, but after that I'd go with Toro or Ariens.

Colossus · March 26, 2020

Best mower I ever owned was a late 90s John Deere 14SB. They were AWESOME. And it's cousin, the JX75. If you can find a used one close by in good shape for around $200 or so, go with it.

https://www.letgo.com/en-us/i/john-deere-14sb-lawn-mower-rear-drive-kawasaki-eng_8d4b0f4e-8986-40c3-bf0c-f476034b4b3f

99silveradoz71 · March 26, 2020

Thanks for the replies so far. A guy down the block has a battery powered mower, it's quiet, but I'm not confident in their abilities due our wet springs lately.

SILVER SLED · March 26, 2020

I like the toro personal pace lawnmowers. I bough my mom one 15 years ago and liked it so much I bought one. Both cut about a fourth of an acre and both are still going strong.

KARNUT · March 26, 2020

I bought a snapper high wheel self propel 18 years ago. I first went on weight watchers and walked behind it 30 minutes every night. I did that for awhile. I did usually use it 1/2 hour a week after while. It out lasted 3 Aries’s -Husqvarna lawn tractors. I gave it to my daughter two years ago to mow her 1/2 acre. I always use premium gas in my mowers. I never did anything to it. No belts,no blades, not many oil changes. It’s rear drive. Swivel front wheels. It was expensive. She’s still going.

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JimCost2014 · March 26, 2020

Bought this one a couple of years ago at Lowes, great mower for $400.00.

Edited March 26, 2020 by JimCost2014

KARNUT · March 26, 2020

Bought this one a couple of years ago at Lowes, great mower for $400.00.

I hope that works well for you. It looks like the one I bought last year. I put it together it move two ft and broke a drive belt underneath. Probably just bad luck. I have lots of sweet gum trees. Those little seed balls get in everything. I ended buying a little adapter that hooks to my weed eater. It’s a 1 foot weed eater lawnmower. I use it to mow the fenced in area for the wife’s dogs.

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JimCost2014 · March 26, 2020

5 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I hope that works well for you. It looks like the one I bought last year. I put it together it move two ft and broke a drive belt underneath. Probably just bad luck. I have lots of sweet gum trees. Those little seed balls get in everything. I ended buying a little adapter that hooks to my weed eater. It’s a 1 foot weed eater lawnmower. I use it to mow the fenced in area for the wife’s dogs.

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3rd season, 93 octane fuel and synthetic oil change once a year with no problems yet.

Was going to buy the Honda version, but went with B&S because that is all my dad, and myself have ever used.

It is the 190 CC version, it will pull rocks off of my driveway, learned that the hard way when one shot out at the speed of light and into my new then 16's front fender.

The picture I posted is the new version of mine. Looks a little different, but should be basically same mower.

Edited March 26, 2020 by JimCost2014

KARNUT · March 26, 2020

3rd season, 93 octane fuel and synthetic oil change once a year with no problems yet.

Was going to buy the Honda version, but went with B&S because that is all my dad, and myself have ever used.

It is the 190 CC version, it will pull rocks off of my driveway, learned that the hard way when one shot out at the speed of light and into my new then 16's front fender.

The picture I posted is the new version of mine. Looks a little different, but should be basically same mower.

Good deal!

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Lsgun1 · March 26, 2020

Honda if you're willing to spend the money.

07HD · March 27, 2020

Honda is the best bar none Not the best price, but by far the best warranty

Grumpy Bear · March 27, 2020

I have a 5 year old Honda self propelled. Great mower. Run the carb empty after every use though. I do a half acre with some steep ditches and it is heavy. It's a bagger or mulcher. It's allot of bag drops for my lot. If it takes more than one pull to start it's out of gas. This one is the one I tell others to buy. Just for smaller lots.

I also have a 10 year old Lowes high wheel push mower. Thing will not die. Fairly light and easy to push. Briggs motor is durable but can be touchy to start. Wife loves this one. I've given it away and it keeps finding it's way home. Best $90 mower ever.

I also have a 19 inch 194* Toro small wheel push. Dad bought it before I was born for his sister. She gave it up a few years ago leaving the farm and gave it back to dad. He gave it to me last year. LORD what a machine. Alloy tunnel deck gives a killer cut. Use it as my trim mower and ditch mower. Lightest machine I've ever owned. No need for self propelled.

Edited March 27, 2020 by Grumpy Bear

SkiDooNick700 · March 28, 2020

On 3/26/2020 at 1:38 AM, 99silveradoz71 said:

I currently have a Toro that's about 9 years old. It's been running kind of poor the last year or so, and the self-propel seems like it's almost hanging up when you try to free wheel it to just roll. Anyhow, i also dont feel like dropping new wheels on it, so I've started to look at something new to treat myself.

Anyone recommend anything they've bought recently? Ive used Lawnboys and Toros most of my life. We've got probably 1/3-1/2 acre, though I do cut the common area beside us.

Thanks.

Your lot size sounds similar to mine . This will be my third season with the Toro Timemaster 30" (not what you're looking for i know...). I have no regrets buying it. Mulches really well with twin blade setup.

I mow my front lawn on max height (I'm kind of a lawn nut) and this mower stripes pretty well. Sometimes life gets a little busy and the lawn gets away from me. Already on max height not much I can do and I do not like to bag. Little slower speed, with the side chute open and no issues at all.

Edited March 28, 2020 by SkiDooNick700

99silveradoz71 · March 28, 2020

I've seen those 30" ones. Storage is an issue with the truck and the wife's minivan taking up more space than her previous SUV. I actually had a 48" commercial walk behind when I first moved in and was cutting a lot more of the common area adjacent to us, as well as my folks' and grandmother's yards. I ended up getting rid of that and the enclosed trailer I had after Dad and my Grandmother passed away.

I actually cut today(first time I've ever cut in March) and my current machine was stalling as I got 3/4 through the yard. I managed to hit our local dealer this afternoon, and like this one if i stick with a Toro. https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/walk-behind-mowers/21-personal-pace-21387

I hope to check out some Hondas tomorrow maybe.