school me on Lawn Boy 2 stroke mowers

[javjacob]

I have always had a interest in the Lawn Boy 2 stroke mowers but have never thought about actually buying one until now. Only problem is I don't know anything about them. I don't know what models were best or what were the high end professional grade vs the cheap low end residential grade. I have seen a few on craigslist but have no idea about them since I'm not familiar with the model numbers or anything. I know they made 4 strokes too and all of them made today are 4 stroke. Cant come up with much searching.

 

[jp1961]

Hello,

If you're interested in buying a 2 stroke, I'd stick with one with a Duraforce engine. They were made from 1998 to 2004. During this timeframe , the same engine was used on every model from the low end Silver series to the high end Commercial models. They take a 32:1 oil / gas mix. The 10323 with a single speed transmission and stamped steel deck is a very good mower, and you shouldn't have too big a problem finding a used one. The Duraforce was the last 2 stroke engine produced. Toro bought out Lawn-Boy in 89?, and they did put the Duraforce engine on some Toro models, but they are quite rare. Prior to that Toro used Suzuki 2 stroke engines, a good engine too BTW.

Jeff

 

[Phototone]

The higher-end models have cast aluminum decks which don't rust, and are lighter than steel decks. It is easy to tell the difference. The "commercial" models often had upgraded wheels, steel instead of plastic.

 

[lewb]

I agree on a duraforce model to start if you can find one. Craiglist is a very good place to start. I have a 2000 10547 and a 1993 10590 M-series that I bought for 40.00 off craig list. A dura force has many parts still available as well as finding parts on ebay or amazon. If you just need a push (not self propel) an f-model would also be a good option.

 

[unclelee]

What's the matter with F series self propelled?
I would argue that an F series gold is one of the best Lawnboy mowers ever produced.
Or are you referring to the older capstan drive?
Anyhow...yes the duraforce is a great mower even the silver series with the stamped steel deck....your grandmother could run it with one hand.
I personally prefer the older mowers A,C,and D series.
But that is what you will find with Lawnboy....everyone has their favorite.
Lee

 

[lewb]

Most of the F-series I have seen on craiglist that have self propel are the friction drive off the crank shaft, not too many with the drive belt into a 3 speed transmission(an f-motor in a 3 speed, mulcher would be something I would like). The friction drive probably works fine just my experience that having a tire with tread seems to do better going up hill than tires with worn out tread. I do see quite a bit of f-series that are push only on craig list. So when I think of a self propel f-series I think of a friction drive.

 

[Phototone]

Most of the F-series I have seen on craiglist that have self propel are the friction drive off the crank shaft, not too many with the drive belt into a 3 speed transmission(an f-motor in a 3 speed, mulcher would be something I would like). The friction drive probably works fine just my experience that having a tire with tread seems to do better going up hill than tires with worn out tread. I do see quite a bit of f-series that are push only on craig list. So when I think of a self propel f-series I think of a friction drive.

I have 2 "F" engine cast aluminum deck mowers with single-speed transmission, they didn't just make the late "F" engine models with 3-speed.

 

[javjacob]

I think I would prefer just a push model for less working parts to worry about. What models are the commercial grade?

On craigslist there is a Scamp 4502 that looks really nice and a model 680526 with the 4hp L21ZPN motor. Both of them are close by.

There are also some that are a little more of a drive from me that have the 6.5 duraforce motors.
There is also another guy local that has several different models for sale like a 6301 but they have all been repainted and I can see over spray on the wheels so I think I might avoid those. This guy claims he repairs small engines for a living. I can post pics of some of the ads if that would help.

 

[Phototone]

As a very broad rule-of-thumb on Lawnboy 2-cycle mowers (all)..the Cast Aluminum decks are the premium line, the Steel decks are the big-box store lower priced models. Of course even a steel deck Lawnboy was more expensive than the competition steel deck mowers. The engines and-if self propelled-the transmission was the same on both types, and varies with the year produced. The so-called "commercial" lines often added bigger fuel tanks and more robust wheels, steel instead of plastic. I think the Scamp was the lowest priced Lawnboy during the time it was produced. All the engines are the same regardless of what type of deck they are on. A DuraForce, a "F" or "V" engine would be the same on any deck lawnboy put them on, and with any transmission. So, for example you could have an "F" engine on all the various Lawnboy models made during the timeframe of "F" engine production, from the cheapest to the most delux, but the difference was not in the engine, but rather the deck, wheels, and gas tank size mostly.

 

[javjacob]

There is also a silver series 4.75hp that is local.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/5665097659.html
680526 4hp
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/5663428957.html
Scamp 4502
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/5639578810.html
6301 with overspray
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/5643623008.html
4570 with overspray
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/5676500557.html

Not sure which models are better.