Recommendation between Honda & Toro

[shekie777]

Hi, new to the forum, I need a new mower, would like to keep it under $450, have approx. 12000 sq. ft. to mow, mostly flat terrain, a little uneven, but no slopes or hills. I'm near wetlands so unless I wait till late day, the grass can sometimes be damp. It also grows very quickly and I have a considerable amount of crabgrass & clover in the back yard, along with some grass I seeded this spring.

I'm considering the Honda HRR2169VKA, the Toro 20332 or 20333 with the Briggs & Stratton engine, and the Toro 20372 or 20373 with the new Toro engine.

Couple of questions, from what I can tell, the Toro 20333 & 20373 have the ability to let go of the handle while the motor continues running but the blades stop in order to move toys/furniture etc., the Toro 20332 & 20372, and the Honda do not have this feature. Worth getting?

Can anyone compare or recommend between the Briggs & Stratton engine and the new Toro engine if I decide to get a Toro?

Finally, between Honda & Toro, do I get the Honda which the guy at Home Depot said is a better cutting, more reliable machine, or one of the Toro's with the blade stop feature, the washport and the slightly lower pricing? I plan on mulching most of the time rather than bagging.

Thanks!

 

[Rivets]

I would recommend the Toro models 20382 or 20383 over the 20332 or 20333. The main difference, which is worth it, is the cast aluminum deck. I have found no disadvantages to the new Toro engineered engine. What ever you buy, please go to a local dealer and not the big box stores, you'll never regret it.

 

[shekie777]

I would recommend the Toro models 20382 or 20383 over the 20332 or 20333. The main difference, which is worth it, is the cast aluminum deck. I have found no disadvantages to the new Toro engineered engine. What ever you buy, please go to a local dealer and not the big box stores, you'll never regret it.

Thanks for your reply. I'm not familiar with those models, can you explain the advantage of getting an aluminum deck over steel? Weight advantage, grass doesn't stick to the bottom, doesn't rust out?

 

[Rivets]

All of the above, plus better drive wheels, no flexing in the deck, more handle height adjustment, not fixed. For every 20332 we sell, we will sell 6 of the 20382. Just overall a better unit which will last twice as long.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Couple of questions, from what I can tell, the Toro 20333 & 20373 have the ability to let go of the handle while the motor continues running but the blades stop in order to move toys/furniture etc., the Toro 20332 & 20372, and the Honda do not have this feature. Worth getting?

...

Finally, between Honda & Toro, do I get the Honda which the guy at Home Depot said is a better cutting, more reliable machine, or one of the Toro's with the blade stop feature, the washport and the slightly lower pricing? I plan on mulching most of the time rather than bagging.

On these types of questions Rivets will most likely always say Toro, and I will always say Honda. But here goes. To answer your first question, the blade brake clutch (BBC) is a useful feature in my opinion. You can get the Honda HRR216VYA with that feature. The MSRP of the VYA is over your budget, but if you buy it from Home Depot (which I don't recommend) or a JD dealer, their prices can be $100 cheaper. I would get the Honda because I think it would mulch better and the engines are reliable, but then again in your case you might want to consider the Toro because it has the BCC without getting the mower out of your price range (looking at MSRP's). I don't care for the washout ports.

 

[shekie777]

I forgot to mention one other consideration in purchasing, is either brand's engine significantly quieter than the other?

Also, what is a JD dealer? I would much prefer to purchase from a smaller dealer than a big box unless the price difference between the two is prohibitive.

 

[Ric]

Hi, new to the forum, I need a new mower, would like to keep it under $450, have approx. 12000 sq. ft. to mow, mostly flat terrain, a little uneven, but no slopes or hills. I'm near wetlands so unless I wait till late day, the grass can sometimes be damp. It also grows very quickly and I have a considerable amount of crabgrass & clover in the back yard, along with some grass I seeded this spring.

I'm considering the Honda HRR2169VKA, the Toro 20332 or 20333 with the Briggs & Stratton engine, and the Toro 20372 or 20373 with the new Toro engine.

Couple of questions, from what I can tell, the Toro 20333 & 20373 have the ability to let go of the handle while the motor continues running but the blades stop in order to move toys/furniture etc., the Toro 20332 & 20372, and the Honda do not have this feature. Worth getting?

Can anyone compare or recommend between the Briggs & Stratton engine and the new Toro engine if I decide to get a Toro?

Finally, between Honda & Toro, do I get the Honda which the guy at Home Depot said is a better cutting, more reliable machine, or one of the Toro's with the blade stop feature, the washport and the slightly lower pricing? I plan on mulching most of the time rather than bagging.

Thanks!

Out of the mowers listed or mentioned, my choice would be the Toro 20373. The BBC or Blade Override Control is a great feature to have, I use it on my Turf-Master all the time it saves a lot of time and I'd rather have the Kohler engine on the 20373 than the Briggs any day. As far as the washout ports go there about useless. Would the 20373 be a better mower than the Honda? For the money you're wanting to spend or your budget, it would definitely be a better choice.

 

[JSB33]

First a warning, I am a new Honda owner and I am pretty impressed with it.

I have always felt that the Honda engine runs much quieter than anything else. They sound as thought they are not running at full throttle when they are.
As far as mowing performance, I just got rid of a Toro recycler that I used for years before I picked up the new Honda and there was no comparison. The Mulching of even grass that is even a bit wet is far superior with the Honda.
If you do go Toro, I would take Rivets advice and get the aluminum deck over the pressed steel. You won't be sorry.
When I was shopping around, I checked out a Toro with a Honda engine. Its higher than your price limit but it looked pretty good.
Before you decide though take a good look at the wheels and how they are mounted. One area I was never crazy about with the steel decked Toro.

And as everyone above has said, go to a independent dealer, you will much better off. If the local dealer is priced higher than the Big Boxes, then ask them to match the price. The you will have the best of both worlds.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Ric]

I forgot to mention one other consideration in purchasing, is either brand's engine significantly quieter than the other?

Also, what is a JD dealer? I would much prefer to purchase from a smaller dealer than a big box unless the price difference between the two is prohibitive.

Also, what is a JD dealer? JD stands for John Deere. As far as an engine being significantly quieter, there's no such thing. Some may have a different sound but none are quiet.:smile:

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

...

Also, what is a JD dealer? I would much prefer to purchase from a smaller dealer than a big box unless the price difference between the two is prohibitive.

Also, what is a JD dealer? JD stands for John Deere. As far as an engine being significantly quieter, there's no such thing. Some may have a different sound but none are quiet.:smile:

Yes, Honda mowers are now sold at John Deere dealers, too.