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I'm looking to upgrade my push mower in the off season. I have an older yard machines mower and it does a great job but i would like something with a bag. It doesn't need to be self propelled but if you think it would be good for me to get a self propelled mower then don't be afraid to say. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you want the best citing and bagging mower go with a snapper. They have been the best for over 30 years

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There are many things to consider, including what the average size is of the lawns you push mow, and what the terrain is. Personally I wouldn't want a non-self-propelled mower if I was push mowing a larger lawn, or one that was hilly. Another thing to consider is your price range. I love Honda mowers, and they range in price from a couple hundred to over $1,000. I love my HRX217HYA...awesome mulcher, awesome bagger, blade-brake clutch (awesome feature), Clip Director, etc. Answer the questions I asked and we can help you more! :thumbsup:
Here is the Honda HRX217HYA on their website: Honda Lawn Mowers: HRX217HYA, HRX217K3HYA

Carscw said:

If you want the best citing and bagging mower go with a snapper. They have been the best for over 30 years

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Recently, Consumer Reports rated a Honda HRX mower as the best mower. If I was to pick an older mower I would go with Snapper, but for new mowers...I like Honda.

I have a couple lawns that I do that are somewhat large. My arms and my legs are pretty tired when i get in the truck to go home though. I just wasn't sure because I mow my grandfathers lawn with a toro self propelled mower that he has there and its pretty bulky and if you want to get up close to things and mow around them like going forwards and backwards its really hard to do(its the only self propelled mower i have used so i was skeptical that all of them would be bulky). But the self propel feature does work really well to my favor going up and down hills.

metz12 said:

I have a couple lawns that I do that are somewhat large. My arms and my legs are pretty tired when i get in the truck to go home though. I just wasn't sure because I mow my grandfathers lawn with a toro self propelled mower that he has there and its pretty bulky and if you want to get up close to things and mow around them like going forwards and backwards its really hard to do(its the only self propelled mower i have used so i was skeptical that all of them would be bulky). But the self propel feature does work really well to my favor going up and down hills.

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Not all self-propelled mowers are like that....I would recommend getting one that IS self-propelled if your arms hurt when you're done with a lawn.

I do 1 lawn thats full of hills that I cant do with a rider because of the hills. It definatly sucks mowing with a non self propelled mower on that one. thanks for the help.

metz12 said:

I do 1 lawn thats full of hills that I cant do with a rider because of the hills. It definatly sucks mowing with a non self propelled mower on that one. thanks for the help.

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WOW that would stink! My Honda also has good traction...look at this thread: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/honda-forum/12234-honda-hrx217-5-stars-traction.html. :thumbsup:

so does your hrz217 have the variable speed option?

metz12 said:

so does your hrz217 have the variable speed option?

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No, My Honda (HRX217HYA) has the hydrostatic cruise control, where you can set the speed anywhere from 0-4 mph with a lever (the orange lever in the picture) and then it goes that fast when you press in the drive bar. You can change the speed you are going another way, also...by not pressing in the drive bar all the way will slow the mower down.

But you can get a mower with the variable speed Smart Drive...the HRX217VKA.
HYA:
VKA:

Wow thats pretty fancy. I don't think I need something like that. i only need something thats 1 speed.

metz12 said:

Wow thats pretty fancy. I don't think I need something like that. i only need something thats 1 speed.

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Actually either one would really come in handy if you are going through thick grass so you can slow down. I usually keep it on the fastest speed most of the time, though...which is 4 mph....it is nice and fast! :thumbsup:

I would go with any of the mowers made by Toro. Personal Pace system is just as good as any out there. 3in1 system, means you can mulch, bag or side discharge, changing over in 15 seconds. Prices range from $350-1000 depending on your specific needs. If you read some of the other threads you will see that the Honda guys and me like to fight over who has the better machine. Good luck in you decision.

Rivets said:

I would go with any of the mowers made by Toro. Personal Pace system is just as good as any out there. 3in1 system, means you can mulch, bag or side discharge, changing over in 15 seconds. Prices range from $350-1000 depending on your specific needs. If you read some of the other threads you will see that the Honda guys and me like to fight over who has the better machine. Good luck in you decision.

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Haha yes, we do fight over it. But either way you go (Honda vs. Toro) you will still be getting a good mower.

i will admit i am biased toward snapper (but for good reason) but u could spend at least a couple hundred on a new self-propelled mower that is not good quality (or a lot more on a new good-quality one) or u could get an older, solid, well-built snapper for probably between $100-$150 and have an excellent self-propelled mower that will still probably out last u and me. in the last 4 years i've come accross probably two dozen older snappers, ranging from free to $200, that were still excellent mowers. i wish i had kept more but i still have 4. but parts are cheap and readilly available. u can even get the old white steel ball-bearing wheels. that's my two cents.

Drive around town a bit. Visit the dealers. Take a look around for just how new the mowers look in the scrap pile and what brands they are. Talk to some folks in your neighborhood. If you mow for pay get a commercial or heavy duty unit. Most of the homeowner units I see around have short lived self propell transmissions, gears, wheels, cables etc. Keep your old MTD around for a backup. I was soured on Snapper at a young age. I never got over it. But some of the best self propelled units I see around are Snappers. They seem to have a long life.

I am in agreement with Snapperfreak to find an old Snapper and save your money. I have two old self propelled Snappers. One I got for free and the other was $25. They each take a lot of abuse and keep on mowing. One I use for mowing down weeds and keeping trails clear in 20 acres of woods in Alabama. They look rough but function flawlesssly. I have done nothing to either except change the oil and sharpen the blades each season. They are numerous and regularly available here in the Southeatern U.S.A. I also have old previously used self propelled mowers by Murray, Honda and Craftsman. None of them compared well to the Snappers except for the Honda was quality but the cylinder head cracked on me and I had to replace the deck as I loaned it out and it came back with a hole in the deck.
:2cents:

Thanks. I never knew about snapper mowers. I knew they were high quality but i haven't heard anything bad about them yet! I think i'll try to find a halfway decent snapper on craigslist.