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I have been a condo owner for the last ten years and was a renter before that, just bought our first home, so looking to buy a walk-behind mower.

We bought a home on a flat, corner lot. I used Google Earth to verify the exact mowable lawn and it's .26 acres - nice and small .

I've been doing a lot of mower research the last few weeks and just when I think I've found one or even a brand, I read contradictory reviews! Needless to say I'm a bit overwhelmed and frustrated.

I think I want a self-propelled mower as that is what I used to mow with in the late '80s and I mowed for my Dad; it was a Snapper mower. Although, I think a nice push mower would work, given the flat, small size. And I think front wheel drive would be ideal - fairly level, easy lawn to mow - not a lot of complex landscaping beds to mow around either.

I really want a nice cut and am thinking I will prefer the mulching capability first, then bagging. I'd like to stay at $350 out the door as I don't think I need to spend more than that on the lawn I've described. I think I can get more for my money buying online/out of state too.

I take good, preventative care of my cars, so the mower/engine will be well maintained. I've read that Kohler engines are crap, Hondas are good, and B&S are somewhere in between. Then there are plastic tranny gears, etc to contend with.

Help!!

There are good mowers with engines other than Honda, but you are right that Honda engines are good. Very reliable. I like rear wheel drive personally, because I feel that with FWD mowers, when you go over a bump and the front wheels come off the ground, you don't have any traction. But for a flat lawn, FWD might even be better for you, because you don't have to let off of the drive when you turn around at the end of each pass since the wheels are off of the ground. As for mower brands, I would stick with Toro, Snapper, and a few others to start with. With your budget you won't be able to afford any Honda-brand mowers. You will probably be happy with any of those brands, and they are well-tested.

lawn mower fanatic said:

There are good mowers with engines other than Honda, but you are right that Honda engines are good. Very reliable. I like rear wheel drive personally, because I feel that with FWD mowers, when you go over a bump and the front wheels come off the ground, you don't have any traction. But for a flat lawn, FWD might even be better for you, because you don't have to let off of the drive when you turn around at the end of each pass since the wheels are off of the ground. As for mower brands, I would stick with Toro, Snapper, and a few others to start with. With your budget you won't be able to afford any Honda-brand mowers. You will probably be happy with any of those brands, and they are well-tested.

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How about Troy-Bilt?

PWGuy said:

How about Troy-Bilt?

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That mower should be fine, but keep in mind it was made by MTD, so you could buy a couple different brands and you are getting pretty much the same mower.