Need help and advice with buying a lawn mower

[kstevens67]

Hello everyone,

I am brand new to these boards seeking a lawn mower purchase. We own a 1/2 acre lot and I am tired of mowing that with my small electric Black and Decker mower. I am approaching 50 and I have to take two days to mow the entire yard with that little mower, although it has lasted my 15 years, I feel it is time to make a switch. We don稚 have the money for a Riding mower.

Our yard is relatively flat with little to no hills, just a few small humps here and there - nothing major. My main issue with using our electric lawn mower is having to worry about the cord and that takes me longer than I really want to spend mowing the yard. I thought about Push Mower (Gas of course) with no self-propelled, but I have read that these mowers typically are no longer made using the best parts. The Self-Propelled mowers I have read have more parts that can potentially break. In short, I need some help and advice. I want to be able to mow the entire lawn the same day

I have so many choices with the top two are not self-propelled, but I am not sure how much they weigh or if they are easy enough to push around the entire yard. The rest are all Self-Propelled. All my wife wants from me is to get a mower I can use to mow the entire lawn the same day I知 not 100% certain I can do that with the top two.

I would like a lawn mower that will last a good long while. Looks like I narrowed my choices down to four Troy-Bilt, three Husqvarna, and one Poulan. Does anyone have any insights on these mowers? Are the good solid mowers that last? Is it really that much easier using a Self-Propelled instead of a push mower since the Self-Propelled are more expensive?


Troy-Bilt TB130 - $256 - push Mower with no self-propelled. How much does it weigh?
160 CC with Honda Engine
Shop Troy-Bilt TB130 160cc 21-in 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Honda Engine and Mulching Capability at Lowes.com

Husqvarna LC121P - $249 push mower with no self-propelled.
163CC with Briggs and Stratton
Shop Husqvarna LC121P 163cc 21-in 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Mulching Capability at Lowes.com

Troy-Bilt TB200 - $269 - Self-Propelled
150CC with Briggs and Stratton
Shop Troy-Bilt TB200 150cc 21-in Self-Propelled Front Wheel Drive 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and Mulching Capability at Lowes.com

Troy-Bilt TB240 - $329 Self-Propelled
160CC with Honda Engine
Shop Troy-Bilt TB240 160cc 21-in Self-Propelled Front Wheel Drive 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Honda Engine and Mulching Capable at Lowes.com

Troy-Bilt TB230 - $299 Self-Propelled
163CC with Briggs and Stratton
Shop Troy-Bilt TB230 163cc 21-in Self-Propelled Front Wheel Drive 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable at Lowes.com

Husqvarna LC221A - $339 Self-Propelled
150CC with Briggs and Stratton
http://www.lowes.com/pd_757528-6331...40ljZ1z140suZ2z8vp__?productId=999956450&pl=1

Husqvarna - $329 - Self-Propelled
160CC with Honda Engine
http://www.lowes.com/pd_421864-6331...z140ljZ1z140suZ2z8vp__?productId=4346377&pl=1

Poulan PRO - $269 - Self-Propelled
150CC with 625 Series Briggs and Stratton
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Poulan-P...ive-Walk-Behind-Gas-Mower-961420127/205867710

 

[mechanic mark]

Shop Husqvarna 160cc 22-in Self-Propelled Front Wheel Drive 3-in-1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Honda Engine and Mulching Capability at Lowes.com Honda engines are tough to beat. Be sure to read operators & engine manuals thoroughly. Use a good quality oil per manual specs. when changing oil. Also check air filter for replacement annually. If you take care of machine it will give you good service.

 

[deminin]

Check out the Toro Personal Pace mowers before you buy. They only cost a few dollars more than some of the Troy Built/MTD/Sears/Walmart, etc. brands, but they are very well built. The Personal Pace drive system is really nice as it automatically adjusts to how fast you want to walk, etc. I've had one for over 10 years, and it has been great....I use it for going around the trees, and the smaller sections of the yard, and then get out the riding mower for the rest of the 1.5 acres I keep mowed.

 

[Carscw]

If I was buying a push mower.
It would be a toss up between the husqvarna all wheel drive or a cub cadet with front casters.
They are both rated about the toro.
By popular mechanics.

 

[deminin]

If I was buying a push mower.
It would be a toss up between the husqvarna all wheel drive or a cub cadet with front casters.
They are both rated about the toro.
By popular mechanics.

And, Then, Consumer Reports rates the Toro quite favorably.....I guess it depends upon which Rating you wish to believe.....

Best and Worst Walk-Behind Mowers | Mower Reviews - Consumer Reports

 

[zmister11]

Being that your 50, I would get a self propelled mower. It's just going to be easier. In a few more years are you still going to want to PUSH the mower?

 

[Carscw]

And, Then, Consumer Reports rates the Toro quite favorably.....I guess it depends upon which Rating you wish to believe..... Best and Worst Walk-Behind Mowers | Mower Reviews - Consumer Reports

One does a rating from reviews the other tested each mower.

 

[Carscw]

Being that your 50, I would get a self propelled mower. It's just going to be easier. In a few more years are you still going to want to PUSH the mower?

Self propelled/ push mower is the same thing to me.

 

[zmister11]

Self propelled/ push mower is the same thing to me.

He said the top two that he looked at were not self propelled.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I am way down in OZ so don't know much about what is available in the USA markets.
However I would have a serious look at the rear engine riders.
While the new ones are not as sturdy as the older ones, there are a lot of people who refurbish these mowers and they are excellent value for money.
The old 8Hp 30" units were ideal for anything under 1 acre.
Units with a gear gearbox will be a lot more robust then units with a hydro and will run almost forever.
Units with a side valve engine will also run forever.
I have a lot of customers with these types of mowers all 30+ years old and most going strong.