Riding or walk behind?

Senior, do you realize that there was a post between the OP’s first post and my first post, which you quoted. That post was inappropriate and was deleted. The OP requested info on which mower would be appropriate for his conditions. Based on the info he provided I gave my recommendation based on a couple years of experience. He then added more info, but I still don’t think he understands the difference between a push mower and a self propelled unit. Second it sounds like he has been using an elcheapo front wheel unit, which when compared to the Recycler I recommended is like comparing cherries to watermelons, they’re not in the same ballpark. Finally, if someone dislikes my replies there is a sure remedy, ignore me. Read my signature.

Rivet
I am new to this, for sure. Until this house, I had a couple decades with a lead-acid B&D push mower (yes, starting back in the late 90s when battery was a real novelty), and it did all I needed. So bigger mowers are new to me -- the 30" riding mower I have now is the largest thing I've every used.

I have terminology issues between what I call the walk-behind and what I call the push, still not clear on what they should be called.

I currently also have a Poulan Pro 21" self propelled. It may be a "cheapie" but the propulsion is on the rear wheels, not the front wheels. I hated it -- upgrading to the Honda riding mower was a huge improvement in my quality of life (putting aside the effort to keep it going).

You all sound convincing in your endorsement of a high quality push mower. I have to admit, it's a hard sell -- I look at a 21" mower with 6" wheels and rear wheel propulsion like mine, and see that for $1000 I can buy a 21" mower with 8" wheels and rear wheel propulsion. It may indeed be "higher quality" and "last longer" and "start easier" and lots of other meaningful descriptors (I'm not being sarcastic here) -- but does it really climb the hill better than my push mower (without the wheels slipping/spinning like mine) or do the yard faster/eaier than my 30" ride on mower? If it really does, it's an easy decision. If I spend that coin and realize that the biggest benefit is it lasts longer, that's an expensive mistake.

Of course, that's the conundrum here. I *know* what I have. Anything else -- anything -- is a guess and a gamble. A new one, if I guess right, is a win -- or sold at significant loss. An old one, if I guess wrong, can be resold or scrapped. I certainly am hearing a chorus of "get a push mower" (and by that, I mean a residential style, not a commercial style -- regardless of quality). Maybe I can ask around for friends who may have a variety of units I can try, and see if my negativity is related to MY mower, not the TYPE of mower.

Oh, about wheels. Mine is rear wheel drive. That Honda mentioned (the HRX217HYA) doesn't say anything, but I sure think I see drive mechanism on the front wheels. Is it perhaps 4WD? That could make a big difference on the hill.

When I talk about the Toro Super Recycler, I’m talking about the 21” unit not the 30” unit. I don’t like the 30” unit for the average home owner and I don’t feel the drive is as good. I’m sure that if you do a little research in your area you’ll find multiple people using these mowers. Personal Pace unit which will go as fast or slow as you would like. 3-1, meaning you can bag, mulch or side discharge. If it can handle my ditches, it will handle just about anything you throw at it. Test one at your local dealer,then make your decision.

sailingharry said:

We recently moved to a place with 1/3 acre, with some slightly steep hills (easy to walk). Before, I had a tiny yard and an ancient B&D battery mower. We mowed it all last summer.

Our first solution was a Honda 3011. It does fairly well, but it is old, keeps having issues, and is poorly supported. It was a good "need it now" interim solution, but it needs to go. And I'm willing to spend a bit more, now that I've got some ideas on what I want.

I want to limit to around 30". I can do the entire yard in under an hour, and it fits well in our shed (40" may not even fit).

I've used a self propelled residential (mid-engine, small wheels) mower, and it was pretty awful. It's more like "power assist" -- you really still have to push it, especially on the steeper parts.

So, the question. I can find a few riding mowers in this size bracket, decent ones in the $500-750 range or so. Or, for a little more, I can get commercial style walk behinds (rear engine, big turf wheels, etc). My next door neighbor (similar size lawn, slightly less steep hills) has a pro service and they use a walk behind. The walk behind may store better, I think. It may also maneuver better. Is my yard a good candidate for this style, and is it worth the extra money? Are there upsides/downsides versus a similar ride on? I suspect that the steepest parts of the hill may be helped by my pushing, vs riding.

Thoughts?

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Run what you brung! see if you can get your mower issues? "sorted" if not, make a decision walk or ride ...and do your home work...buy something of quality...whatever that means in this day and age and plan on spending more than 5-7 hunn-ee on anything! good luck sir

SeniorCitizen said:

You get pissed off each time you need to type and talk on the cell ? It's no wonder this site is bout to fold . New member has probably already dumped this site in the dumpster

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Who said this site is about to fold? Seems like you are the only one.

Also, there is no way it will take you 90 minutes to two hours to mow 1/3 of an acre with a 21” self-propelled mower. More like 30 minutes .

sailingharry said:

We recently moved to a place with 1/3 acre, with some slightly steep hills (easy to walk). Before, I had a tiny yard and an ancient B&D battery mower. We mowed it all last summer.

Our first solution was a Honda 3011. It does fairly well, but it is old, keeps having issues, and is poorly supported. It was a good "need it now" interim solution, but it needs to go. And I'm willing to spend a bit more, now that I've got some ideas on what I want.

I want to limit to around 30". I can do the entire yard in under an hour, and it fits well in our shed (40" may not even fit).

I've used a self propelled residential (mid-engine, small wheels) mower, and it was pretty awful. It's more like "power assist" -- you really still have to push it, especially on the steeper parts.

So, the question. I can find a few riding mowers in this size bracket, decent ones in the $500-750 range or so. Or, for a little more, I can get commercial style walk behinds (rear engine, big turf wheels, etc). My next door neighbor (similar size lawn, slightly less steep hills) has a pro service and they use a walk behind. The walk behind may store better, I think. It may also maneuver better. Is my yard a good candidate for this style, and is it worth the extra money? Are there upsides/downsides versus a similar ride on? I suspect that the steepest parts of the hill may be helped by my pushing, vs riding.

Thoughts?

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This just my personal opinion, but have you considered a used Snapper rear engine rider. There are several cutting width models to chose from. I would suggest a used one in good condition, tube frame style, not square frame style. Easy to maintain, good quality cut and parts can be had literally everywhere. easy to fit bigger rear tires for more traction on hills. Another plus, they can be stood on end for compact storage. Use an AGM battery for carefree easy tipping. Anyone even remotely handy with tools can maintain one of these mowers quite easily and dare I say, cheaply. Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/166527572177

Rivets said:

You are cutting more than a1/3 of an acre if it takes an hour. With my Toro I cut a 1/3 acre in about 45 minutes, with includes 200 feet of ditch and a 45 degree hill which must be cut sideways. But you asked for a recommendation and that’s what I gave you, for a guy North of 70 who still cuts a large part of his lawn, with a walk behind mower. If you don’t like the answer don't berate the giver, it won’t help your cause.

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I agree. I do the same and have done so for 50 yrs. A small slope on one side that a rider couldn't do. His acreage is off.

sailingharry said:

We recently moved to a place with 1/3 acre, with some slightly steep hills (easy to walk). Before, I had a tiny yard and an ancient B&D battery mower. We mowed it all last summer.

Our first solution was a Honda 3011. It does fairly well, but it is old, keeps having issues, and is poorly supported. It was a good "need it now" interim solution, but it needs to go. And I'm willing to spend a bit more, now that I've got some ideas on what I want.

I want to limit to around 30". I can do the entire yard in under an hour, and it fits well in our shed (40" may not even fit).

I've used a self propelled residential (mid-engine, small wheels) mower, and it was pretty awful. It's more like "power assist" -- you really still have to push it, especially on the steeper parts.

So, the question. I can find a few riding mowers in this size bracket, decent ones in the $500-750 range or so. Or, for a little more, I can get commercial style walk behinds (rear engine, big turf wheels, etc). My next door neighbor (similar size lawn, slightly less steep hills) has a pro service and they use a walk behind. The walk behind may store better, I think. It may also maneuver better. Is my yard a good candidate for this style, and is it worth the extra money? Are there upsides/downsides versus a similar ride on? I suspect that the steepest parts of the hill may be helped by my pushing, vs riding.

Thoughts?

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Whether you want a walk behind or ride spend the money and get a good one probably be the last one you’ll have to buy

sparg45 said:

I agree. I do the same and have done so for 50 yrs. A small slope on one side that a rider couldn't do. His acreage is off.

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I'll have to agree with this suggestion. I pulled the acerage off my tax records in SF (18000 SF, and then deduct some for the house and some garden beds.

But, still, it's just shy of an hour on a 30" riding mower. Some time is spent fiddling in dead-end parts of the yard and cutting in around edges. But then the rest is running wide open (5th gear).

I should get a tape out (or even just pace it). My "lot" is actually 1.5 lots, so it's possible that when they were merged the records don't reflect the correct area.

But here's some interesting math. Assume my 16000 SF is right. Assume a 24" cut (probably what my 30" mower actually makes as I drive it). By dividing 16000/2, you get 8000 feet of driving, or 1.5 miles. An hour to go 1.5 miles at riding mower seems too long -- so maybe it is more area.

But that same math says that a walk behind with a 21" mower (assume 18" actual cut?) results in a walking distance of 16000/1.5, or almost exactly 2 miles -- I'd be impressed with anyone who could push a mower 2 miles in under an hour (exercise pace for walking is 3MPH)

I would think rent or borrow several different types and see how they well they mow in your actual situation. Then decide what works best for You. Most of us can only guess as we are not working with the same factors you experience in mowing your yard. On steep hills we would add ballast to get traction, but results may vary.