Rotary Mower With Honda GCV 145 Engine

Eugbug

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My local dealer recommends an alu deck rotary mower with a GCV 145 engine (OHV, 4.2 HP at 3600 RPM) which is more expensive than a steel decked mower with a GCV 190 engine. The cheaper mower cannot however be fitted with a high lift blade and has a multipurpose flatter blade which also does mulching. I'd prefer the higher powered Honda engine and what what I'm worried about is that I'll end up with a lower powered machine than what I have already (which has a 5 HP Tecumseh Spectra, not OHV).
Can a lower powered machine perform better? The dealer reckons it cuts better and the air ways and nylon bag design also contribute to performance.
Any thoughts?
 

Scrubcadet10

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How big of a yard do you have? Also depends on how thick your grass is.
I have 3 push mowers, 2 with a 6 hp briggs, and the other with a 4HP briggs.
I swear the 4.5 cuts and bogs down less than the 2 6HP's.
 

Eugbug

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How big of a yard do you have? Also depends on how thick your grass is.
I have 3 push mowers, 2 with a 6 hp briggs, and the other with a 4HP briggs.
I swear the 4.5 cuts and bogs down less than the 2 6HP's.
Property is 1/4 acre, but 2/3 of that is grass. I often cut the grass when it gets to 4" tall and some of it has a lot of moss which causes tough going for a mower. However the mower with the Tecumseh engine is able to cope. As regards your mowers, could be wheel size too that affects how much the mower bogs down. I know when there's a lot of moss, the wheels sink and are pretty much climbing all the time. Wheels with a bigger footprint would sink less maybe.
 
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