21" Mower Choice

[joed]

Given a choice between these three mowers, which would you choose and why. Thanks

1. Lawn Boy 21" Self-Propelled Commercial with 6.5 2 stroke motor.
2. Toro Proline 21" (Self-propelled) with 5.5 hp Suzuki 2 stroke motor.
3. Toro Proline 21" with 6 hp Kawasaki
3. Toro Proline 21" with 6.5 Briggs and Stratton.
4. Troy Built 33" machine

[Eric ELM]

How about Honda or John Deere 21" mowers? They are good mowers, but didn't make the list. :(

[racerdave]

What? no Exmarks?:rolleyes:

David

[AltaLawnCare]

I can't vote either.
I have a 21" LawnBoy 4.5 hp 2 stroke.
I just turned it up, and ra Amsoil in it - it screems now.

If I was to buy a new one, it would be a 6.5 LawnBow 2 stroke Self Prop.

[lawnboy82]

I cannot vote either. :( I have my hrc216 and love it. Granted it is expensive as all holy heck, but it is an abolutely fabulous machine as anybody on here who owns one will tell you.

[mdb landscaping]

yeh honda should be up there. ive had one honda 21 inch for 14 yrs and its still running.

[SpringValley]

I use Toro Personal Pace mowers. Simple drive system, light weight aluminum deck. Purchased a pair of them. :)

[SpringValley]

I must also add that I purchased a DR Field and Brush mower this spring with the 46" deck, 15HP Kawasaki. Great inexpensive mower to see if I really needed a walkbehind in my equipment list. It gets used weekly. I put dual tires on it and by locking the differential there is not a hill it won't cut. Half the cost of the Hustler Hydro I demoed last fall plus I have the brush cutter deck to clean my woods up with.

Matt
:blob1: :blob4: :blob3:

[lawnboy82]

Spring, you actually finish cut turf with a brush mower? :eek: How do they come out after you are done?

[kutnkru]

IMHO when you discuss the trim mower aspect of lawn care it should be whatever is cheapest while offering the 3-in-1 combo: Mulch/Bag/Side Discharge.

The units will probably cost you under $180 and will consist of those pop[ular homeowner names like: Cub-Cadet/Murray/Yardman/White/MTD/Stanley etc.

As far as 2 cycle engines are concerned, I prefer the Wisconsin Robin myself.

Just my .02
Kris

[JLC]

I second kutnkru. I almost hate to admit it, but I have a Husky commercial 21 inch that I bought at least 7 years ago at TSC. It has the Tehcumseh 5.5 horse engine and it starts on the first pull every time. It cuts the grass just fine. I only use a 21 inch a couple of times per week and I just couldn't justify the expense of a brand name 21 inch. If I had to use it all day every day I would have probably bought a name brand, but I don't. If this one ever wears out I will be back out to get another 200 dollar or less mower. When it comes to my big stuff I don't skimp, but I can't justify top dollar for a machine that gets 1 to 2 hours a week when cheaper will give me what I need.

[vipermanz]

guess what i voted:D

[Hoosier Mower]

I would'nt pick any of them, I use a Homelite and could'nt ask for a better push mower! Always starts on the 1st or 2nd pull and cuts great!

[jnjnlc]

I can't vote either. I have a Toro personal pace. Sits in the garage about 99% of the time. It is the back up to my 33" WB (Craftsman/Troybuilt)

If were to buy one to use all of the time I think I would consider the following desing options:

1: Front casters than can be locked from the handle bars.

2: Hydrostatic drive with reverse.

3: At least 6.5 HP. No less and larger if possible.

4: Mulching, bagging and side discharge options a must.

5: Larger rear wheels.

My 2 cents.

Thanks.

[gusbuster]

As kutnkru said, if that's your purpose, then don't spend the money on a brand name mower. T

If a 21" is all your going to use, then go with a brand name.

If weight is an issue, then go with the 6.5 commercial LawnBoy. Great bagger, but more importantly, if set up properly, great mulcher.

I used Toro's, never did like them because of blades going dull so fast. Also, didn't pick up pine needles as well as the LawnBoys.

I use both a LawnBoy commercial and a Honda 216. I like the Honda a lot also,but have to knock it for weight issues.

John

[Turfer]

I've got a Honda commercial also. My Lawnboy only lasted 1 year . I've got a yard where I have to carry the Honda up 2 flights of stairs and it was the lightest unit I could find.

[joed]

Thanks for the responses. However, I need some more reasons for choosing the 5 mowers I listed. I am particularly interested in feedback on the Troy Built and Lawn Boy. Thanks

[gusbuster]

Joed,

Feel free to pesonal message me in regards to LawnBoys. I've been using their machines for over 30 years.

John

[David Gretzmier]

wow I can't belive with all these post no one has pointed out the toro with suzuki engine is a 4.5 horse. and the mower of choice for me. rev it up to 4100 and you have to run to keep up with it. Dave g

[morturf]

just a note to say nobody put a john deere with the Kawasaki engine on here. I see more of those in commercial operation here than any other. I run a proline toro with the suzuki cause i got a great deal on it. I think the reason most run the deeres here is the service is really excellent.

[BOBSTER31]

I have 2 johndeere 21inch self propelled mowers with the aluminum decks they have the briggs 6.5 horse engines on them. And they have held up like champs . I have had a few cables break but thats it. They have been put threw the ringer I change the oil in them alot and jeep grease in the axle fittings but they are worked very hard some times all day long.

[cutntrim]

We have Hondas and Lawnboy Comms. If you're gonna side discharge go with the lightweight Lawnboy, if you're bagging go with the Toro. The Lawnboys clog when the grass is wet.

Or, if you're doing both bagging and discharging and predominantly servicing very small lawns where a 21" is your main mower then you could get both. You'll need a backup anyhow, and then you can choose whichever one suit the conditions of the particular lawn you are on.

[casey]

The Lawnboy is a better bagger than the Toro if you use the side bag attachment instead of the rear bagger. Plugs less than Toros or Hondas in thick or wet turf.
If you grease the wheels & oil the cables daily on the SP units they will last as well as a Toro Proline.