OK guys, first post, I'll do my best to keep this short and sweet but there is a lot to cover.
I have 1/2 acre, lots of trees, low lying branches (for privacy), some small but somewhat steep hills.
My mother bought a 21" I think 4.5 horse Tecumseh powered Toro from 87 or 89, I cannot remember, bagger/recycler mower. Aluminum deck, non power driven.
I've had very little problem with it honestly, threw some royal purple in it, and it had been running better than ever, smoke was reducing and was running great all last season, it's seen a TON of hours.
The engine brake no longer really works, carb will no longer allow it to stay running, the mower is aging. Handle is super loose and cannot be tightened.
My wife and I have a TON of projects, this is our second year in our first home and there honestly is so many holes to fill money wise, I don't want to spend much more than $300 on a mower.
Problem is this. Do I fix this motor, or what do you guys suggest that I do?
Due to the terrain of the yard/house with branches etc, I really don't want a self propelled mower. I'm frequently having to shimmy the mower to get into spaces to mow, and often have to walk backwards with it to get out of heavy brush areas etc...
I've been doing research on all sorts of mowers, Troy-Bilt, Toro blah blah blah.
Seems like there is almost nothing I can find that will fit my needs.
I'm very concerned about reliability number 1, I'm SURE you guys of all people would know about all of my concerns. Honda belt driven cam, plastic parts on camshaft. Chinese carbs, poorly engineered plastic pieces in critical areas etc etc etc... List goes on and on.
Then we have an American car syndrome, where we keep adding stupid weighty features, requiring more power, more gas, and fancy drive systems because they cannot be pushed anymore... I mean everything weighs so much!
What should I do?
I have 1/2 acre, lots of trees, low lying branches (for privacy), some small but somewhat steep hills.
My mother bought a 21" I think 4.5 horse Tecumseh powered Toro from 87 or 89, I cannot remember, bagger/recycler mower. Aluminum deck, non power driven.
I've had very little problem with it honestly, threw some royal purple in it, and it had been running better than ever, smoke was reducing and was running great all last season, it's seen a TON of hours.
The engine brake no longer really works, carb will no longer allow it to stay running, the mower is aging. Handle is super loose and cannot be tightened.
My wife and I have a TON of projects, this is our second year in our first home and there honestly is so many holes to fill money wise, I don't want to spend much more than $300 on a mower.
Problem is this. Do I fix this motor, or what do you guys suggest that I do?
Due to the terrain of the yard/house with branches etc, I really don't want a self propelled mower. I'm frequently having to shimmy the mower to get into spaces to mow, and often have to walk backwards with it to get out of heavy brush areas etc...
I've been doing research on all sorts of mowers, Troy-Bilt, Toro blah blah blah.
Seems like there is almost nothing I can find that will fit my needs.
I'm very concerned about reliability number 1, I'm SURE you guys of all people would know about all of my concerns. Honda belt driven cam, plastic parts on camshaft. Chinese carbs, poorly engineered plastic pieces in critical areas etc etc etc... List goes on and on.
Then we have an American car syndrome, where we keep adding stupid weighty features, requiring more power, more gas, and fancy drive systems because they cannot be pushed anymore... I mean everything weighs so much!
What should I do?
