I'm replacing a 12 yr old tired craftsman and would like some advise from people who will have more experience than I have with mowers. The craftsman was the first one I've purchased, previous to that I had a hand-me-down 2-stroke lawnboy that must have been 20 yrs old.
Anyway, I'm looking at two main directions:
1. A self-propelled model. The two best ones I've seen are: a John Deere RWD, 875 series BS engine, single point height adjustment, electric start and the Toro super recycler. The Toro looks great but there are two things I don't like about it. First, it has individual wheel height adjusters. It is one of my pet peeves but I'm willing to let it slide. The other is sore spot for me, the engine on the electric start model has a Toro branded made in China engine. This can be resolved by getting the pull start Honda engined version however but the wife really likes the idea of electric start. She sometimes cuts the grass and her biggest gripe is starting the mower. I've also seen a Poulan Pro with a Honda engine, are these good machines? I looked at the new craftsman but they seemed overly large and heavy. The self propelled versions have what look like a 6" larger rear wheelbase than the front. My only concern going self-propelled is the added weight and potential added difficulty manouvering the mower in tight corners and reversing direction.
2. Take the leap and get a cordless mower. The three top ones I've researched are the B&D which is self propelled, cub cadet 500BAT and the Toro ecycler. I like the cub cadet the most since it has a removable battery, a must for winter storage and it has a conventional steel deck like the Toro. The only issue I see with the Toro ecycler is that the battery cannot be removed. The B&D just looks goofy with the large plastic deck and I don't think being self propelled on a battery electric makes sense since a good portion of that battery power will go into moving the mower instead of cutting grass. I would think it would limit how much cutting you can do on a charge. Anyone have first hand experience with a cordless mower? How long do the batteries last? This option has benefits, next to know maintenance, no oil to change, no gas to buy, turn a key and go, nothing easier than that.
Is it worth looking at cordless or should I stick with a self propelled?
Anyway, I'm looking at two main directions:
1. A self-propelled model. The two best ones I've seen are: a John Deere RWD, 875 series BS engine, single point height adjustment, electric start and the Toro super recycler. The Toro looks great but there are two things I don't like about it. First, it has individual wheel height adjusters. It is one of my pet peeves but I'm willing to let it slide. The other is sore spot for me, the engine on the electric start model has a Toro branded made in China engine. This can be resolved by getting the pull start Honda engined version however but the wife really likes the idea of electric start. She sometimes cuts the grass and her biggest gripe is starting the mower. I've also seen a Poulan Pro with a Honda engine, are these good machines? I looked at the new craftsman but they seemed overly large and heavy. The self propelled versions have what look like a 6" larger rear wheelbase than the front. My only concern going self-propelled is the added weight and potential added difficulty manouvering the mower in tight corners and reversing direction.
2. Take the leap and get a cordless mower. The three top ones I've researched are the B&D which is self propelled, cub cadet 500BAT and the Toro ecycler. I like the cub cadet the most since it has a removable battery, a must for winter storage and it has a conventional steel deck like the Toro. The only issue I see with the Toro ecycler is that the battery cannot be removed. The B&D just looks goofy with the large plastic deck and I don't think being self propelled on a battery electric makes sense since a good portion of that battery power will go into moving the mower instead of cutting grass. I would think it would limit how much cutting you can do on a charge. Anyone have first hand experience with a cordless mower? How long do the batteries last? This option has benefits, next to know maintenance, no oil to change, no gas to buy, turn a key and go, nothing easier than that.
Is it worth looking at cordless or should I stick with a self propelled?