new homeowner - few lawn (mower) questions

[rpl3000]

Great site - First post

So I'm shopping around for a push mower for my new dead flat .8 acre lot. I'm and engineer and I'm into mechanical things, but new to small engines. I've been searching the web for reviews on push mowers and I can't really find much to differentiate today's push mowers. It seems I can't go wrong buying new and I fully understand taking care of mechanical things (two cars over 200k w/ records). There seem to be cult following of certain mowers (lawn-boy 8038ae, toro, deere 14s) that have some pretty neat features (mag/aluminum decks, two stroke, electric start). Nothing really stands out between $250-$400 or has any of the neat features of the cult mowers. I might end up with a cult mower, but I think it will come later and be a back up or just something to tinker with. I think getting something new is the way to go. It seems unrealistic, from a replacement parts and deck longevity perspective to think that a quality old ~15 y.o. mower will still have a decent spare parts in another 25 years. So for new mowers, just a few questions to help me narrow down the field.

1 - bagging. My dad never bagged, father in-law said he bagged a few times. I can't see myself bagging. Who bags and why?
2 - self propelled. My ego says I don't need it. Will I regret it? I imagine that the transmission can disengage if I prefer to push around the extra mass for exercise. I'm sure there will be days when I just need to get the job done too.
3 - Why are the engines available on the mid-grade push mowers w/o a throttle? This lack of control bothers me in some way I can't explain, but seems to be the standard now.
4 - If you were buying a push mower today, what would it be? I see threads all over the web saying things like "my (insert mfg/model) is 15 yo and still runs great, buy (mfg/model)!". That doesn't really help today's shopper. I have a 2002 TDI golf, but I wouldn't buy today's VW TDI motor.

I guess I'm looking for today's push mower that will be tomorrow's cult mower in 25yrs, not some throwaway.


Thanks in advance!

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Welcome to the forum! I'll try to answer some of your questions.

If you keep on a regular mowing schedule, chances are you won't need to bag. I only bag in the fall, when I try to vacuum up the leaves. The rest of the year I mulch. When you bag, it takes away all of the precious water that is in the grass.

A 0.8 acre lot is a big lot to push mow, in my opinion! My mower is over 90 lbs, and I can't see myself pushing that. MAYBE if you got a lighter one, but still I think it would be a chore. Just my opinion.

As far as what mower I would buy, it would be any Honda HRX. But I have been using these for the past 3 years, so I am kind of biased. But in my opinion it is above most of the others. The one I have sells for $729, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

 

[Vervepipes]

With .8 acres, you will be emptying the bag a few times during the mow I think. I have a .25 acre lot and if I only mow once per week, it's a 1 bag job. I usually mulch unless I've been away for a while and it gets too thick to mulch. With a lot size, I would consider a ride on mower myself just for the amount of time it takes a 21" push mower to do a large yard.

 

[mikehouse]

Hey,and welcome.I myself have a not too big yard,but it slopes.Whereby i have to cut horizontally then i do the sides laterally.If i didnt have self propelled as i do now,it'd take me all of 90 mins.Top slope has a drop wall,then the bottom slope.I used to borrow/used a friends' honda with the self propelling belt off.Still cut good but was a friggin hard days work.So,if you're gonna buy new,make SURE you get self-propelled.Then think about rear-wheel or front-wheel drive and so on.I've gained a lot of info on this forum.Keep reading ,goodluck.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Hey,and welcome.I myself have a not too big yard,but it slopes.Whereby i have to cut horizontally then i do the sides laterally.If i didnt have self propelled as i do now,it'd take me all of 90 mins.Top slope has a drop wall,then the bottom slope.I used to borrow/used a friends' honda with the self propelling belt off.Still cut good but was a friggin hard days work.So,if you're gonna buy new,make SURE you get self-propelled.Then think about rear-wheel or front-wheel drive and so on.I've gained a lot of info on this forum.Keep reading ,goodluck.

Good input. In my opinion if you are going to get self propell it should definitely be RWD, because with FWD you are out of luck if the front wheel leaves the ground, which is can do often.

 

[jimrs]

1 - bagging. My dad never bagged, father in-law said he bagged a few times. I can't see myself bagging. Who bags and why?

My dad never bagged either. I have but don't anymore as now they have mulching mowers and blades for most mowers. I did it for the removal of the cut grass which had grown too high to just let it lay and kill the grass under it. Been out of town for two weeks or something like that.

2 - self propelled. My ego says I don't need it. Will I regret it? I imagine that the transmission can disengage if I prefer to push around the extra mass for exercise. I'm sure there will be days when I just need to get the job done too.

I wont own a mower that is not self-propelled I guess it's due to the fact that if it's not then I have to push it, guide it and all the other things you do to work a piece of equipment that is intended to make your life easier. Yes the self propelled can be disengaged when not needed.

3 - Why are the engines available on the mid-grade push mowers w/o a throttle? This lack of control bothers me in some way I can't explain, but seems to be the standard now.


I have never seen a mid-grade push mower w/o a throttle only the cheap ones with no features. You don't use the throttle much once you get it started as you should run it wide open during use to keep it cool.

4 - If you were buying a push mower today, what would it be? I see threads all over the web saying things like "my (insert mfg/model) is 15 yo and still runs great, buy (mfg/model)!". That doesn't really help today's shopper. I have a 2002 TDI golf, but I wouldn't buy today's VW TDI motor.

If I was buying a new mower today it would be one with some features. I like the Honda and Toro mowers You can get some that are well under $400 that will last you a long time with good proper maint. If I had your lot of just under an acre I would have the same thing that I own now. A honda self propelled push mower and a Toro zero turn. But I'm 72 y.o. and I don't enjoy grass cutting as much as I did at 30.

 

[Ric]

Great site - First post

So I'm shopping around for a push mower for my new dead flat .8 acre lot. I'm and engineer and I'm into mechanical things, but new to small engines. I've been searching the web for reviews on push mowers and I can't really find much to differentiate today's push mowers. It seems I can't go wrong buying new and I fully understand taking care of mechanical things (two cars over 200k w/ records). There seem to be cult following of certain mowers (lawn-boy 8038ae, toro, deere 14s) that have some pretty neat features (mag/aluminum decks, two stroke, electric start). Nothing really stands out between $250-$400 or has any of the neat features of the cult mowers. I might end up with a cult mower, but I think it will come later and be a back up or just something to tinker with. I think getting something new is the way to go. It seems unrealistic, from a replacement parts and deck longevity perspective to think that a quality old ~15 y.o. mower will still have a decent spare parts in another 25 years. So for new mowers, just a few questions to help me narrow down the field.

1 - bagging. My dad never bagged, father in-law said he bagged a few times. I can't see myself bagging. Who bags and why?
2 - self propelled. My ego says I don't need it. Will I regret it? I imagine that the transmission can disengage if I prefer to push around the extra mass for exercise. I'm sure there will be days when I just need to get the job done too.
3 - Why are the engines available on the mid-grade push mowers w/o a throttle? This lack of control bothers me in some way I can't explain, but seems to be the standard now.
4 - If you were buying a push mower today, what would it be? I see threads all over the web saying things like "my (insert mfg/model) is 15 yo and still runs great, buy (mfg/model)!". That doesn't really help today's shopper. I have a 2002 TDI golf, but I wouldn't buy today's VW TDI motor.

I guess I'm looking for today's push mower that will be tomorrow's cult mower in 25yrs, not some throwaway.


Thanks in advance!

Well to start with any mower between the $250 and $450 range is a throw away, infact anything up to about the $600 range fits the throw away category anymore. As far as bagging goes I never back only mulch with my push mower and yes you'll regret not having a self propelled. The Honda mower that was suggested is one of the better mowers if you buy the 190cc engine, the 160 is absolutely the worst IMO. If I wanted cheaper that's what I'd go with.
If I were to buy a mower for my home use today I'd buy the Heavy Duty Toro 21" with the Kawasaki FJ 180 KAI engine and yes it's a commercial but would last you as long as your dream of one lasting 25 yrs. You can get one with the BBC and it has a throttle control. It will cost you a little more money (around the $1100 range ) than you are most likely willing to spend but you'll only have to buy it once.


Toro l 21 Inch BBC Heavy Duty Walk Behind Lawn Mower - Model 22298

 

[rpl3000]

Thanks for the advice. For now I think I'm going to borrow a mower and see if the 21" push style is the right one for my lawn before purchasing anything. I saw a used HRX for sale in my area for $350, but I haven't called to find out any more information about it. It is hard to resist, but I think a few mows on the lawn first is the thing to do. Last thing I want is buy something nice only to find out I should have gotten a walk behind or a rider.