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