Best mower brands
- Thread starter Elle
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You are going to get a wide variety of answers, as each of us have our favorites and feel they are the best. I suggest that you stick with a major brand name and buy the best you can afford. Personally I suggest you stay far away from any unit manufactured by MTD. (I know I am going to get a lot of flak for that). Having been repairing for more than 40 years, I don't feel that the quality is even close to the price. This is an industry where doing your homework is worth the time. Come back with 2-3 units that interest you and we can give you pros and cons if you like. Finally, if you have not been here long, I'm a Toro guy 95% of the time. Can't go wrong with them.
Ric
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As far as best brands of mowers (and or affordable) goes it's kinda of hard to come up with because one doesn't really go along with the other. The most popular brands could depend on your location and what's available. Here Toro, Exmark, Hustler, Scag and Gravely are the most popular and used commercially.
The residential mowers from Toro, Gravely/Ariens, Cub Cadet, Snapper and John Deere are popular with the Homeowner/Residential operators, most any brand you can buy from Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart and or other big box stores. Basically with those you get what you pay for.
Buying any mower should be based on the area you'll be mowing and the conditions you'll be mowing in. Are you interested in mowing Commercially or as a Residential operator, Do you have a quarter acre lawn or a one acre or more area you'll be mowing. I have to go along with Rivets Toro is the way to go.
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Shughes717
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Can you give us an idea of what all brands you have available in your area? I have to agree with the others that choosing the right mower depends on the job you will be doing with it. We need a better idea of what you are mowing. If you are looking at commercial mowers most brands offer the exact same drive train options with 0% financing. The best way to get what you want for the best price is by determining what drive train, deck options (such as size; and fabricated, or stamped) you are looking for and shop every brand for the best deal. You should try every one before choosing to see how you like the feel of the mower. Dealers around here will allow the buyer to demo their product, but I have read that most other places only allow the buyer to drive the mower in the parking lot. My personal favorites are hustler, ferris, kubota, and exmark. The most affordable commercial mowers I have seen are snapper pro (same as ferris without suspension), husqvarna, bad boy, and big dog (made by excel. The same company that makes hustler).
bt3
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Tough question when you get into details, OP. As suggested, a LOT depends on what you are going to do with it. Yes, mow, but how much, what terrain, rider or push or self-propelled, bagging, mulching, both? What kind of grass. Leaf pick up in the fall? Pine trees? Pine needles to be picked up? Simple grass? How often do you mow?
There are fans of just about any major brand. Toro, LawnBoy, Snapper, Honda come to mind. Some (like me) go for the used LawnBoy 2 stroke models for power VS weight ration and not having to check or change the oil. Others would not touch a 2 stroke with an 11 foot pole (one foot worse than a 10 foot pole!). Honda has a reputation for quality and durable engines. Toro has been in the market for years and has a very loyal following. New Lawnboys have their fanbase, as do Snapper. There are others of course, like John Deere and a plethora of other manufacturers.
Personally, I've had the best luck with my Snapper Commercial Model. It's built like a tank, and it's been running like a top since 1987. It cost me a boatload back then (close to 700 bucks), but the investment was worth it.
I think if you stick with a major brand, with a GOOD dealer, you will be happy. If all you want to do is mow a small lot once a week of basic grass with flat terrain, heck, even an Amazon Poulan push mower delivered for $150 bucks will do the job. I've even cut a one acre lot with a rotary push Scotts mower in a pinch when I was too lazy to run out for gas.
There are fans of just about any major brand. Toro, LawnBoy, Snapper, Honda come to mind. Some (like me) go for the used LawnBoy 2 stroke models for power VS weight ration and not having to check or change the oil. Others would not touch a 2 stroke with an 11 foot pole (one foot worse than a 10 foot pole!). Honda has a reputation for quality and durable engines. Toro has been in the market for years and has a very loyal following. New Lawnboys have their fanbase, as do Snapper. There are others of course, like John Deere and a plethora of other manufacturers.
Personally, I've had the best luck with my Snapper Commercial Model. It's built like a tank, and it's been running like a top since 1987. It cost me a boatload back then (close to 700 bucks), but the investment was worth it.
I think if you stick with a major brand, with a GOOD dealer, you will be happy. If all you want to do is mow a small lot once a week of basic grass with flat terrain, heck, even an Amazon Poulan push mower delivered for $150 bucks will do the job. I've even cut a one acre lot with a rotary push Scotts mower in a pinch when I was too lazy to run out for gas.
Do some research on motors and trannies, decide what fits your needs as most all the brands use the same component's, then find the dealers in your area that are ready to deal, look at the models that suit you and pick the best bang for the buck you can get.
Shughes717
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Great advice.:thumbsup: