New Guy with a 1/3 acre

[silvrbreez]

New to the forum and just wanted to stop in and say hi.

I've got a 1/3 acre lot that I've gut with a couple of different mowers.
2006-2008 with a Craftsman 21" 6.5HP Push Mower
2008-present with a Snapper 38" 18.5HP ZTR
Details are handled with an Echo PAS-225 power head with attachment trimmer, edger, and blower.

Now I'm looking to sell off the Snapper and pick up (some would say downgrade) a self-propelled walk behind. For my yard the ZTR is bends the grass too easily, can't maneuver as well around some features, and is honestly a bit of overkill. I've always prefer the cut of that push mower and I'm thinking I'd like to get back behind one.

Looking to learn about resale pricing for the Snapper, buying tips for a new walk behind, and then soak up all the knowledge I can to make my yard something I can be more proud of.

 

[Ric]

New to the forum and just wanted to stop in and say hi.

I've got a 1/3 acre lot that I've gut with a couple of different mowers.
2006-2008 with a Craftsman 21" 6.5HP Push Mower
2008-present with a Snapper 38" 18.5HP ZTR
Details are handled with an Echo PAS-225 power head with attachment trimmer, edger, and blower.

Now I'm looking to sell off the Snapper and pick up (some would say downgrade) a self-propelled walk behind. For my yard the ZTR is bends the grass too easily, can't maneuver as well around some features, and is honestly a bit of overkill. I've always prefer the cut of that push mower and I'm thinking I'd like to get back behind one.

Looking to learn about resale pricing for the Snapper, buying tips for a new walk behind, and then soak up all the knowledge I can to make my yard something I can be more proud of.

Oh a push mower is easy, just buy the Toro Turf-Master 30" self propelled it has the best cut going and all the power you'll ever need with the Kawasaki FJ 180 KAI engine. It's a twin Blade with a 1 gallon gas tank.

 

[silvrbreez]

Those are nice, but I was honestly trying to stay in a range that I could at least break even or possibly come out a little ahead after I part with the Snapper ZTR. Thinking I may only be able to get $800 or so for it puts me in the $600 or so price range. Now a lightly used Turf Master would be a nice find for the right price.

 

[Ric]

Toro also makes the Residential Timemaster 30" mower and you can get those at $999.00 only problem with one of those for me would be the fact it's running the Briggs motor although it is a 190cc which should give you all the power you need. Honda also makes several mowers in the 7 to 800 range but again Imo is a lot to pay for a residential mower especially when there running the Honda GCV160 engine which Imo is junk because there under powered and in order to get the 160 GXV you go back up in price to around $1300 price tag. The nice thing about theToro Timemaster is it will pay for itself being a 30" cut with the time savings alone over the 21" mower.

 

[silvrbreez]

Good stuff Ric! Thanks for the input.

I saw the Timemaster 30" last night but it was up on a rack and I couldn't get my hands on it.

I saw what you said about the Honda GCV160 engine. What's your thoughts on the GCV190? What engine types do you prefer?

 

[wjjones]

Welcome to the Forum!..

 

[robert@honda]

A few facts about the Honda GCV engines...and the Honda mower models for each.

There are two basic models of current Honda mower engines, the GCV160 and GCV190. The GCV engine was launched almost 20 years ago, and Honda sells these engines to dozens of other mower companies for use on their mowers.

Honda's mid-range of consumer mowers are called the HRR-series, and they all use the GCV160. HRR models have 21" cuts, steel mower decks, and are push, self-propelled, electric start, and have a blade clutch (engine keeps running when you let go, but blades stop). They have a 3-year warranty and list prices run $440~$580.

Honda's premium consumer mowers are called the HRX-series, and they all use the larger (+30 cc) GCV190. They have 21" cuts, composite mower decks, and available with slip-belt self-propelled, hydrostatic self-propelled, electric start and blade clutch. They have a 5-year warranty (lifetime on the deck) and are priced from $699~$899.

Other that displacement / size / torque, the GCV160 and GCV190 are identical. Both are all-aluminum that is cast and manufactured in Swepsonville, NC, a 4-stroke design, with a diagonal split-block (no separate cylinder head) and internal timing belt similar to an automotive engine. GCV engines feature both an OHV (overhead valve) and OHC (overhead camshaft) design.

Finally, Honda offers a special commercial model, the HRC216, which uses a commercial-grade engine called the GXV160. It has a traditional block and cylinder head, OHV, pushrod 4-stroke, with a cast aluminum block and cast-iron cylinder sleeve. GXV engines have been around since the early 80s.

Links:
About the GCV160
About the GCV190
About the GXV160
About Honda HRR Mowers
About Honda HRX Mowers

 

[silvrbreez]

Thanks Robert. Two of the options I'm currently considering are the HRR216VYA and the HRX217HYA.

 

[Ric]

Good stuff Ric! Thanks for the input.

I saw the Timemaster 30" last night but it was up on a rack and I couldn't get my hands on it.

I saw what you said about the Honda GCV160 engine. What's your thoughts on the GCV190? What engine types do you prefer?

Honda used to make a real good engine but the past few years they've really gone down hill. I've had two of the GCV 160 engines and both were about useless in St Augustine and Bahia grass, there just way under powered. I presently have the a Honda 190cc engine on the Cub Cadet push mower and it does a decent job, I also have a Brigg 175cc but neither can't hold a candle to the Kawasaki FJ 180V KAI engine on the Turf master. The thing about the Honda's and the Briggs that I don't care for is the fact there still using what's call the splash system for lubrication instead of the pressurized system with the oil filter which IMO is the way to go if your looking for an engine that will last. So I guess as you can tell The Kawasaki is the way to go and my second choice would have to be the Kohler engines. I can honestly say that I have run the Kawasaki and Kohlers for a lot of hours and neither engine has ever given me a moments trouble and has always done what I've ask from them and I can't say that about the Honda's or Briggs.