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First lawn mower choice help sub $400

#1

C

cazten

Hey all.

Looking to buy my first mower. Live in Cali, pretty small residential yard nothing special but just looking to make sure I buy a good unit for the price. Id like to make sure I get something that lasts for years to come. Last Lawn mower my brother bought from Home Depot for 200 literally had pieces breaking on first use. Metal snapping.. ugly

Couple mowers I was looking at is Toro recycler and cub cadet sc500z

Any thoughts on your preferable mower for sub $400? I really like the Cub Cadet but there arent to many reviews besides things like home depot reviews.


#2

R

Rivets

Go to a dealer and buy the Toro. Personally I would not get the front wheel drive model. If you can swing it, get the cast deck, which has better wheels and drive setup. The Cub is built by MTD and will not last.


#3

exotion

exotion

I second the toro. Maintain it according to the manual. And don't beat the hell out of it it'll last


#4

Ric

Ric

Hey all.

Looking to buy my first mower. Live in Cali, pretty small residential yard nothing special but just looking to make sure I buy a good unit for the price. Id like to make sure I get something that lasts for years to come. Last Lawn mower my brother bought from Home Depot for 200 literally had pieces breaking on first use. Metal snapping.. ugly

Couple mowers I was looking at is Toro recycler and cub cadet sc500z

Any thoughts on your preferable mower for sub $400? I really like the Cub Cadet but there arent to many reviews besides things like home depot reviews.



Personally I'd buy the Cub Cadet SC500z. I've got 2 Cub Cadets that I use in the business and have for a few years. The CC98H and the CC999ES. I really like the front castor wheel set up, it makes mowing so much easier. The 6 speed drive is nice also.


A Closer Look at: The Cub Cadet SC 500z Self Propelled Lawnmower | Ralph Helm Inc Blog


#5

C

cazten

Personally I'd buy the Cub Cadet SC500z. I've got 2 Cub Cadets that I use in the business and have for a few years. The CC98H and the CC999ES. I really like the front castor wheel set up, it makes mowing so much easier. The 6 speed drive is nice also.


A Closer Look at: The Cub Cadet SC 500z Self Propelled Lawnmower | Ralph Helm Inc Blog

The sc500z looks a lot different than your 2. I. Ant really find any info on who makes the engine either?

I don't have toro dealers near my either just Home Depot. Is there a particular reason to get a cast vs steel deck? I don't see anything with a cast deck.


#6

Ric

Ric

The sc500z looks a lot different than your 2. I. Ant really find any info on who makes the engine either?

I don't have toro dealers near my either just Home Depot. Is there a particular reason to get a cast vs steel deck? I don't see anything with a cast deck.

From what I under stand Cub Cadet makes the engine, it's there own. My two mowers are from two different years and before CC started making there own engines. You can buy the same mower from a couple of different manufacturers if you don't necessarily want the cub cadet but I see nothing wrong with the CC because if you have a problem the dealer will stand behind it and it's not like the parts would be hard to find. The deck there using is the same as the one my two I believe and there a good deck. The steel deck you probably wont find in that price range, they tend to be on mowers in the higher price range and are used a lot commercially not for home use where your only mowing once a week. Besides that a steel deck tends to be heavier than the stamped decks.


#7

exotion

exotion

Personally I'd buy the Cub Cadet SC500z. I've got 2 Cub Cadets that I use in the business and have for a few years. The CC98H and the CC999ES. I really like the front castor wheel set up, it makes mowing so much easier. The 6 speed drive is nice also.

A Closer Look at: The Cub Cadet SC 500z Self Propelled Lawnmower | Ralph Helm Inc Blog

My new scotts mower has the caster wheels and wow ya between those and the friction drive its a dream to move around. Not to keen yet on the briggs intek seems to have enough power just seems to miss grass but that might be the blade.

If you get the cub you get a lot more for your money it seems. Although I am a toro fan and think you will be happier with the toro


#8

C

cazten

My new scotts mower has the caster wheels and wow ya between those and the friction drive its a dream to move around. Not to keen yet on the briggs intek seems to have enough power just seems to miss grass but that might be the blade.

If you get the cub you get a lot more for your money it seems. Although I am a toro fan and think you will be happier with the toro


Which scotts do you have?

Are there any other castor wheel mowers that aren't to damaging expensive? The ariens looked awesome with casters plus a js180v but it's just way to much for me.


#9

exotion

exotion

Mine was free 902754 is my model number. Same thing as an ariens built like a tank


#10

C

cazten

Mine was free 902754 is my model number. Same thing as an ariens built like a tank


Hm can't look that model up anywhere odd


#11

exotion

exotion

Oops 907254 :) do a forum search I made a thread about it. It's a good machine


#12

Carscw

Carscw

I will say the cub cadet.

I like toro's but I like the cub deck a little better.

I feel you can not go wrong with cub cadet
Now you always have people say they won't buy anything made by MTD but they can never give a good reason.


#13

C

cazten

Is the toro much more powerful?

190cc Briggs Stratton vs 159cc cub cadet. Does cub cadet really make it?

I wanna make sure whatever I get isn't going to bog down if it hits some meaty or tall grass


#14

R

Rivets

Cast deck is only available at the dealers. Cars and I disagree on MTD, I hate them he likes them. You'll have to do your home work. I can tell you that a can find a Yard Machine and a Cub Cadet with interchangeable parts. Enough said. If you are going to buy at a big box store and not a coil, I say it's a coin flip.


#15

Ric

Ric

Cast deck is only available at the dealers. Cars and I disagree on MTD, I hate them he likes them. You'll have to do your home work. I can tell you that a can find a Yard Machine and a Cub Cadet with interchangeable parts. Enough said. If you are going to buy at a big box store and not a coil, I say it's a coin flip.


I really don't understand the reference about Yard Machine and a Cub Cadet having interchangeable parts. I mean so what? MTD makes parts for probably 25 to 30 different brands of outdoor equipment and probably a lot of things will interchange but that doesn't necessarily make them all bad. Mtd just like Briggs and Stratton is in bed with everybody that can make them money it doesn't matter who it is and my guess would be there are probably a lot of parts that interchange. The OP is trying to find the best value for a sub $400 mower and you and I know in that price range the differences really aren't that much different between brands of mowers.


#16

R

Rivets

Why buy the Cub Cadet when you can buy a Yard Machine in basically the same model for less. Just a different color and decals.


#17

Ric

Ric

Why buy the Cub Cadet when you can buy a Yard Machine in basically the same model for less. Just a different color and decals.

That's not exactly right The yard machines on there site all come with a 140cc B&S engine the Cub Cadet uses there own Cub Cadet engine that is supposedly made in there plant.

http://www.mtdproducts.com/equipment/mtdproducts/yard-machines/push-lawn-mowers-1341952--1


#18

R

Rivets

As you said the OP asked for the best valve for his buck. I have more MTD mowers on the scrap pile every year than any other brand. It used to be Murrays. Do I have Toros on that same pile? Yes, but when you look for the born on date, the Toros a usually much older. If you like and want MTD units you have many to choose from, but in my opinion you are not getting the most out of your money. Ric, the one you posted, sells for $79-99 in this area, and I add two or three each year, because of the long crankshaft that bends easily if the happy homeowner hits something. The OP asked for advice and I gave him advice from what I have seen in my experience. if today's major brands were still building the quality units they did 15 years ago, my advice would be vastly different.


#19

Ric

Ric

The link I posted wash push mowers. If you want Self propelled mowers here is a link

http://www.mtdproducts.com/equipmen...achines/self-propelled-lawn-mowers-1341953--1


#20

exotion

exotion

The only thing about yard machines and mtd brand mowers I don't like is the transmission and wheels. It's all very cheaply made and will not stand up to the test of time (home owner) the deck, engine, handle and bag are all fine and with care will last a long time.


#21

Carscw

Carscw

The only thing about yard machines and mtd brand mowers I don't like is the transmission and wheels. It's all very cheaply made and will not stand up to the test of time (home owner) the deck, engine, handle and bag are all fine and with care will last a long time.


Now I like the MTD transmission just forward and reverse no gears to mess with.

And the wheels are about the same as others bit they use cheap bushings.
Thing I don't like is the steering they use plastic bushings but you can get the brass ones that last a lot longer.

Now I do not really know about the push mowers as I really just used snapper.


#22

exotion

exotion

Well we are talking about push mowers. Riding mowers are a different story in my opinion all lawn and garden tractors are equal. Some just have more expensive names.


#23

Carscw

Carscw

Well we are talking about push mowers. Riding mowers are a different story in my opinion all lawn and garden tractors are equal. Some just have more expensive names.

Yeah I kinda remembered that as I was typing.


#24

OutdoorEnvy

OutdoorEnvy

Is the toro much more powerful?

190cc Briggs Stratton vs 159cc cub cadet. Does cub cadet really make it?

I wanna make sure whatever I get isn't going to bog down if it hits some meaty or tall grass

I haven't used the 159cc cub cadet but I''ve been using the 190cc B&S the last 4 years and have nothing but good things to say about it. It has plenty of power for thick and tall grass. It's been a great engine and easy to maintain.


#25

I

Irrivirsible

I am just a homeowner who believes in researching before buying. I was ready to pull the trigger on either the Cub Cadet SC 100 or Troy-Bilt TB110 until I saw the molded plastic piece that holds the handles onto the mower and the rubber flap on the rear bottom. It is the same on the SC 500z and self propelled models in the other brand lines made by the same company. It is on Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, MTD, and probably every other brand they make. There is a bolt that goes through the handle and has a nut on the other end, there is a plastic knob on top that turns and tightens it against the plastic pieces Even when tight you get some flex on the handle and if you try to really crank it down the plastic pieces to the left and right that you are tightening against start to bend. If you go to the following website and look at the third row down and last picture on the right and click on it to enlarge it you will see the area I am referring to. I looked at it real close in person and this is a deal breaker for me. Husqvarna, Toro and Honda make mowers with some kind of a metal bracket that attaches the handle to the mower so I will go for one of those brands. These pictures are from the exact mower you mentioned.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sc+...:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb

Another review of the mower you are looking at.
The Best Walk-Behind Lawnmowers: Comparison Test - Popular Mechanics


#26

I

Irrivirsible

Weird, the goolge search url might bring you to a different set of pictures, if it does click on one and than scroll through until you see the one of the right rear wheel area close up.


#27

Ric

Ric

I am just a homeowner who believes in researching before buying. I was ready to pull the trigger on either the Cub Cadet SC 100 or Troy-Bilt TB110 until I saw the molded plastic piece that holds the handles onto the mower and the rubber flap on the rear bottom. It is the same on the SC 500z and self propelled models in the other brand lines made by the same company. It is on Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, MTD, and probably every other brand they make. There is a bolt that goes through the handle and has a nut on the other end, there is a plastic knob on top that turns and tightens it against the plastic pieces Even when tight you get some flex on the handle and if you try to really crank it down the plastic pieces to the left and right that you are tightening against start to bend. If you go to the following website and look at the third row down and last picture on the right and click on it to enlarge it you will see the area I am referring to. I looked at it real close in person and this is a deal breaker for me. Husqvarna, Toro and Honda make mowers with some kind of a metal bracket that attaches the handle to the mower so I will go for one of those brands. These pictures are from the exact mower you mentioned.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sc+...:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb

Another review of the mower you are looking at.
The Best Walk-Behind Lawnmowers: Comparison Test - Popular Mechanics


The molded plastic piece that holds the handles onto the mower and the rubber flap on the rear bottom are basic standard equipment on most mowers in form or another especially those with two piece handles and the cheaper model mowers that are available.


#28

I

Irrivirsible

Here is a Husqvarna 7021P. $40.00 more than the Cub Cadet SC 100 but it has a Honda engine, ball bearing wheels and a better handle mount or at least it looks like it does to me. Clicking the picture will enlarge it for more detail. Sorry, I know the OP is looking for a self propelled and this is not. I am just showing the difference.

Husqvarna 7021P.jpg


#29

C

cubguy

I've got a Cub Cadet Mower I just picked up from HD last week. Just assembled it which was a quick 5 minutes. No worries with the quality. Has a B&S engine made in the USA. I'm in Canada and I researched which engines were made in china and the 675 Quantum is not one of those engines so that helped me make up my mind. U just have to get some gas and oil in there and see what she can do.



#31

exotion

exotion

Not made in America. More like partially assembled in USA.


#32

X-man

X-man

The only thing about yard machines and mtd brand mowers I don't like is the transmission and wheels. It's all very cheaply made and will not stand up to the test of time (home owner) the deck, engine, handle and bag are all fine and with care will last a long time.

Both my push mowers are MTDs and I beat the living hell out of them. Never had any major issues.

I have noticed, however, that one of my mowers have extremely cheap wheels on them. They tend to flex easily.


#33

R

russbow98

Hey all.

Looking to buy my first mower. Live in Cali, pretty small residential yard nothing special but just looking to make sure I buy a good unit for the price. Id like to make sure I get something that lasts for years to come. Last Lawn mower my brother bought from Home Depot for 200 literally had pieces breaking on first use. Metal snapping.. ugly

Couple mowers I was looking at is Toro recycler and cub cadet sc500z

Any thoughts on your preferable mower for sub $400? I really like the Cub Cadet but there arent to many reviews besides things like home depot reviews.

I highly recommend CONSUMER REPORTS RATINGS


#34

Carscw

Carscw

Cub Cadet SC500Z Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ Price: $450 Engine: 159-cc Drive: Rear-wheel Height Adjustment: One lever and both front wheels Cut Width: 21 inches Functions: mulches, bags, side-discharges Weight: 95 pounds Decibels (A Scale): 92 Likes: The Cub excels at sharp turns and corners, thanks to its front caster wheels. It also delivers excellent cut quality and received high marks for bagging. We were pleasantly surprised how spunky its 159-cc engine felt, even in tall grass. Dislikes: Those front casters need larger wingnuts for easier removal and tightening. Best Suited For: Medium-to-large yard with slopes no greater than 20 degrees. The casters must be locked for sidehill cutting. Like the Craftsman, the Cub struggles with push–pull mowing.


Honda HRX2174HY Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Tied for Best Overall) Price: $800 Engine: 190-cc Drive: Rear-wheel Height Adjustment: Four levers Cut Width: 21 inches Functions: mulches, bags Weight: 96 pounds Decibels (A Scale): 92 Likes: The Honda shines when you have a great lawn ready to look its best. It delivered our highest cut and mulching quality. It's a pleasure to use, thanks to its drive mechanism, a silky-smooth hydrostatic transmission. Also, you can drive the mower without the blade spinning, and stop the mower and the blade while leaving the engine running. Dislikes: It bags well but not exceptionally. Best Suited For: Large, immaculate yards with lots of long, straight runs that require minimum maneuvering and have side or uphill slopes to 20 degrees. It handles tall grass easily, thanks to its large engine.


Husqvarna HU 675AWD Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 Price: $300 Engine: 149-cc Drive: All-wheel Height Adjustment: Four levers Cut Width: 21 inches Functions: mulches, bags Weight: 89 pounds Decibels (A Scale): 95 Likes: The Husqvarna was the most versatile mower in this test. It's simple and maneuverable, and it leaves an excellent cut surface. It also outbagged everything else by a long shot. Its all-wheel drive will conquer just about any surface, even steep ones. If you can stand on it safely, you can mow it. We also liked that the drive system helps you cut an arrow-straight line. Dislikes: If you need to pull the Husqvarna backward, then you must first roll the mower forward a foot or two without the drive system engaged. Best Suited For: Medium-to-large yards with steep slopes that require a high cut quality and a need to bag. Lawn Boy 10732 Ranking: ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (Best Buy) Price: $290 Engine: 149-cc Drive: Rear-wheel Height Adjustment: Two levers Cut Width: 21 inches Functions: mulches, bags Weight: 66 pounds Decibels (A Scale): 92 Likes: A delightfully simple, light, basic mower. We were pleasantly surprised by how fast and effective it is despite its small Kohler engine. Dislikes: Adding a side discharge would make this mower perfect, especially for when you have to mow tall, damp grass. Best Suited For: Small-to-medium yards that require a high degree of maneuverability, push–pull mowing, and where bagging is not a priority. Capable of uphill and sidehill mowing to about a 20-degree slope.



Toro 20199 Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 Price: $1049 Engine: 190-cc Drive: Rear-wheel Height Adjustment: Two levers Cut Width: 30 inches Functions: mulches, bags, side-discharges Weight: 132 pounds Decibels (A Scale): 96 Likes: The TimeMaster is made for yards that are a bit too large for a standard walk mower but aren't quite big enough for riding equipment. Once you get the hang of operating it, it's quite maneuverable. Plus, its fold-forward handle means it takes up hardly any space in the garage. Dislikes: None Best Suited For: Large yards with uphill and sidehill cutting on slopes of less than 20 degrees. Personal Pace drive system means that the mower goes faster the farther you push the drive bar forward, but this (and the mower's weight) reduces the mower's suitability for rapid push–pull maneuvering.

^^^^^

Done by popular mechanics


#35

D

dunoon

Check out Honda push mowers. NOT a cheapie with a honda engine, Sometimes you can get them on sale around $400. I like the blade clutch and the twin blades. I service a few and they have never have had a problem. I recommend them to my customers that are looking for a good push mower.


#36

T

transteach

my choice is a snapper, with rear bag and rear wheel drive. I have worn out six of these doing yards while going to college. these mowers have more vacuum than any other I have tried and they clean better therefore. find the highest equipped one you can afford and take a demo drive,,,,transteach....oh yeah, they have good balance when turning.


#37

G

Graeden

I had the Yard-Man version of the CC SC500Z (-self propelled) for 8 years before the motor finally gave out. It was a good machine. One thing I disliked was the caster wheels on hills. If you failed to lock them it had a tendency to "slide" down and it took allot of effort to keep straight lines. I also though un/locking the wheels constantly during mowing was a pia. That is just me though. I just replaced that machine with a Honda HRR216K9VKA and couldn't be happier. Start on the first pull, doe an excellent job mowing my weed laden yard, mulches better then any other mower I have owned, and I really like the handle set-up for the drive. I considered a Toro but the Honda was recommended over it due to the drive actuation. Also from my research Honda has the best reliability engine wise. My only concern with the machine so far is how easily the paint scratches. Something I never had with my Yard-Man/MTD. After pushing it around my shrubbery I noticed scratches on the side of the mower deck. And this was after first use. I have a feeling I will be painting this deck constantly or "wrapping" it with a paint protection product to keep the paint on the deck. Just my 2 cents.


#38

M

Marcintosh

I have a small yard, and I've had great success with a Neuton mower. They're battery drive. They have decent support and frequently they offer free shipping (forgot to look where you're located-sorry). You might like to look into them

Outdoor Power Equipment for Property Owners | DR Power Equipment


#39

M

magbarn

Would you consider spending just a few dollars over $400? The Honda HRR216K9VKA is at Home Cheapo right now for $399 + tax. Probably the best new mower in the < $500 range. Mulches/bags pretty well. The revised smart drive is nowhere near the stiff thumb killer it once was. I also like the versa mow like feature where you can switch between mulch/bag on the fly without having to find a plug. Some commercial operators even get a couple years out of this machine and that's a decade of use from a homeowner.


#40

I

Irrivirsible

my choice is a snapper, with rear bag and rear wheel drive. I have worn out six of these doing yards while going to college. these mowers have more vacuum than any other I have tried and they clean better therefore. find the highest equipped one you can afford and take a demo drive,,,,transteach....oh yeah, they have good balance when turning.


I am curious about this and consumer reports ratings too because Snapper, MTD, Cub Cadet Troy Bilt have the same body. If they also have the same blades which I am not sure they do , I would think they would all cut the same.


I would also like to say I was a little hasty before. The Husqvarna I referred to has shaky wheels.


#41

gardeningtools

gardeningtools



#42

7394

7394

Welcome gardentool-

You should look at the dates when a post was made. This thread was last posted to in 2014.. Just saying..


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