Export thread

school me on Lawn Boy 2 stroke mowers

#1

javjacob

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.


#2

J

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


#3

P

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.


#4

L

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.


#5

unclelee

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


#6

L

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.


#7

P

Phototone

lewb said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.


#8

javjacob

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.


#9

P

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.


#10

javjacob

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.


#11

javjacob

javjacob

Phototone said:
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.
Click to expand...

That is good to know about the engines and transmissions. I cant really tell which ones have metal vs plastic wheels in the pics since I don't know anything about the different models. I am only really interested in the aluminum/magnesium decks. were there only 3 different engines? How do I tell if one has a F engine or a V engine? I know the duraforce engines were the newer models and are fairly easy even for me to spot.


#12

L

lewb

I would recommend getting the model number (which should be listed anyway) from the mower. v model is otherwise know as silver series 4.75 hp. A Dura force is very similar to the V in that the carburetor is in the same place. The v has the traditional LB muffler in the deck that is prone to rust out. I have had both of these mowers. If you want to mulch I would recommend the dura force as it has the most HP. Even If you could find a seized up dura force for 20.00 or less, a short block can be had for around a 100.00 or so. A short block install is pretty easy to do and you would have no question about the motor's condition. Just throwing an idea out there for you. The V engine short block are not as common and the price is around 300.00.


#13

javjacob

javjacob

Ok I like the fact the duraforce has readily available parts that are still affordable. To get the aluminum deck would I need to get the gold series? The silver would have a steel deck right? Thanks for all the help so far and steering me in the right direction. I will keep looking until I find a good one.


#14

unclelee

unclelee

https://carbondale.craigslist.org/grd/5679863375.html

Here is a nice example of a gold series duraforce...may be close to your area
Lee


#15

unclelee

unclelee

https://columbiamo.craigslist.org/grd/5659143903.html

This is an F engine gold series.
This should have the metal walbro carb...much better than duraforce carb which is jetted lean for emissions and is prone to surging.


#16

Two-Stroke

Two-Stroke

Of all the links shown in this thread, I love this one:
F-series commercial, looks very clean, good price


#17

unclelee

unclelee

Two-Stroke said:
Of all the links shown in this thread, I love this one:
F-series commercial, looks very clean, good price
Click to expand...

That is one that I would buy.


#18

javjacob

javjacob

Two-Stroke said:
Of all the links shown in this thread, I love this one:
F-series commercial, looks very clean, good price
Click to expand...

Ok I was thinking about that one but was iffy since it had been repainted. I will send him a email.


#19

javjacob

javjacob

Bought the 6301 tonight! Its in really good condition and started right up on the first pull. Everything seems pretty solid. The guy selling it was really nice and had probably 50 Lawn Boy mowers. Only thing I don't like is the repaint job on the deck, there is also over spray on a lot of parts so I am wanting to take it apart and do it right. I will start a new thread and post some pictures and post the progress. I am sure I will have more questions too.


#20

Crnbinder

Crnbinder

javjacob said:
Bought the 6301 tonight! Its in really good condition and started right up on the first pull. Everything seems pretty solid. The guy selling it was really nice and had probably 50 Lawn Boy mowers. Only thing I don't like is the repaint job on the deck, there is also over spray on a lot of parts so I am wanting to take it apart and do it right. I will start a new thread and post some pictures and post the progress. I am sure I will have more questions too.
Click to expand...

That's a great mower you did good. That's the one I'd have picked also

Now can you stop with just one lawn boy

That gold series duraforce is a great mower


#21

javjacob

javjacob

I am going to get this one fixed up but I already have the urge to get another so we will see. Seems like a pair is the way to go. If I go too far the wife isn't going to like it lol.


#22

P

Phototone

Oh, a pair is just the beginning. You need one of the 19" models for tight spaces, a self-propelled model for hills, an older "D" engine model that is very lightweight when you want the easiest pushing. And then you need backups.


#23

javjacob

javjacob

Lol I know how it goes. Got to have one of each. Then you got to have a backup of each. Then you need a backup for the backup lol.


Footer Links 1

Top