Looking for a new mower- Toro or Lawnboy or ...

[romwild]

I used to live in the city and had about 700 sq ft of grass that my electric mower more than sufficed. That's no longer going to cut it. So i need my first gas mower.

My lawn- approx 6000 sq. ft., pretty flat in the back with about a 30 degree grade in front which makes up about 1000 sq ft of the total area. Nothing intervening in the grass except for the driveway in front.

My presumed needs/factors- self-propelled RWD, primarily be in mulching mode (it's what I'm used to), blade brake clutch is not a necessity (practically no obstacles), called around my area and the service areas within 20 miles all specialize in B&S, Tecumseh and Kohler. Closest Honda service is about 50 miles. Budget is $400.

My choices:

Lawnboy 10604 - ~$259 Kohler, RWD, reported good mulching

Toro 20314 - ~$299 Toro OHV? looking at pictures, it looks identical to the lawnboy 10604 with a premiun for the Toro name? anyone's thoughts?

Toro 20332 - ~$349 700 B&S, personal pace RWD, quick wash port (does this work well?)

Honda HRR216VKA - $399 Honda engine

Husqvarna HU600L- ~$369 Kohler engine

Husqvarna HU700L - ~$389 Honda engine

Speaking with one of the service area nearby, they lately have been partial to Kohler since they find that Kohler's are holding up nicely.

So if I were to prioritize my needs as
#1 mulching ability
#2 reliability
#3 price

Which would you recommend? I am personally partial to the Lawnboy 10604 and Toro 20314 because they meet everything I need (I think) and at the right price. The warranties seem identical for the two.

Is the lower end Honda better? Do the Husqvarna decks/system mulch better, if so which engine would you put your money on? Or do I take money from the gas trimmer fund and go for a Toro super recycler like the 20099 for ~$530 with 5year warranty?

Thanks for the help!

 

[GoToGuy]

The mowers you are choosing from are all quality mowers.
The most important thing to consider is where you buy it. When you have problems and trust me, with todays fuels, you will, you want to be able to take it to your dealer, who will get it repaired RIGHT AWAY, because you bought it from him.
If you buy it at a big box store, they will have to send it out to some service center, who knows where or when you will get it back.

 

[wjjones]

Welcome to the Forum....romwild.. Have you looked at the Briggs Brute?

 

[romwild]

The mowers you are choosing from are all quality mowers.
The most important thing to consider is where you buy it. When you have problems and trust me, with todays fuels, you will, you want to be able to take it to your dealer, who will get it repaired RIGHT AWAY, because you bought it from him.
If you buy it at a big box store, they will have to send it out to some service center, who knows where or when you will get it back.

I haven't really looked at the non-big box stores here in Bloomsburg, PA area. I just called the service areas who don't necessarily sell the mowers.

Welcome to the Forum....romwild.. Have you looked at the Briggs Brute?

I wasn't really finding them in stock at the nearby walmarts. I see they only have one RWD top of the line model 7800822 with electric start. I see it for $325 at the website with free "ship to store." It's certainly feature rich. Can anyone vouch for it's mulching ability? There's a comparable Lawnboy with electric start 10606 for $320. So many to choose from!