What push mower would you get?

[Chevync20]

I went looking today for a good push mower to cut those small yards but dont want no MTD push mowers or anything like that. Im looking a good push mower and ive been looking at Husqvarna, Toro, Cub cadet and a couple others and really like that the Husq had a Kohler motor and not a B and S but like the Toro Recyler as well even though it had a BS motor, which push mower do you recommend and why?

Not looking no big walk behind just something to mow these 1/4 acre cookie cutter lots. Any info would be greatly appreciated

[david shumaker]

If you are using it alot, other threads on here recommend the commercial Toro with the Kawasaki engine. Cost over $1,000.

I just bought a Snapper from Sears that cuts and bags good. Has plenty of power. I use it mostly for just trimming, so I don't know if it will hold up for constant use.

I also have a Toro home owner model with front wheel drive. It doesn't have as much power as the Snapper, but is lighter.

[Chevync20]

It would be used a ton as i dont have many customers as of now but a very reliable back up in case my rider goes down or just the 3-4 small yards i mow. I really like the Husqvarna just couldnt find much about it. I did see a Snapper push mower today at sears while I was there, looked like a good mower as well.

[bohiaa]

I bought a snapper and hate it, they sued to make a good product before they got into trouble. this push mower cost me 500.00 and it's worthless. hard to start. cables keep breaking, bag is cumbersome, lost several nuts and bolts off it.

it's just been a PITA

If I get another one I will look at toro

[SC Irrigator]

exmark is great.....have 3 and havent had a problem.....

[GreenAcresLandscaping]

I have 2 yards that have pools and i cant fit my ZTR through the gate. They are just little areas of grass. It takes me about 10 minutes each. I just went to home depot and bought a Self Propelled lawnboy for 270. It does have the B&S motor but for 2 years now it has started 1st or 2nd pull every time.

[madisonpressurewashing]

I like Honda.

[MJS]

The best three commercial 21" mowers (in my opinion) are Honda, Snapper, and Toro. You probably can't go wrong with any of the three, especially if you get a good commercial engine (and not a briggs).

The Lawnboy commercial mowers are also pretty nice, though they have a few quirks that tend to always happen.

[Mike's LawnCare Landscape]

Honda Here

[Daive Landscape]

Own 3 Honda's and none have ever failed me. I vote Honda.

[Chevync20]

Im looking to spend less than 500 bucks on one as it wasnt be used excessively just on 2-4 small acounts bi-weekly if that to get those small sections of grass in fences

[All_Toro_4ME]

Im looking to spend less than 500 bucks on one as it wasnt be used excessively just on 2-4 small acounts bi-weekly if that to get those small sections of grass in fences

Since your budget is within the residential price range, you might look into the Honda with hydro drive. It's a solid unit. Or you could try and find a good used comm mower.

[Chevync20]

I was looking at getting a Toro recyler and thought that was a good mower and a good warranty as well.

[blumpkinator]

toro personal pace is a great mower and i believe is under 500

[LoneToySoldier]

I have a husqvarna 32" walk-behind and like it a lot. I have looked at their commercial smaller push mowers several times - not sure I need one because my WB is pretty easy to get close to most things and fits in tight spots.

[ezgoer1969]

I run the Honda HRX series mowers. They have a great cut when muching only. If you deal occasional leaves and such, you might try the Toro Recycler's. My Hondas do not to any justice when it comes to the leaves. I am ok for now with the Honda's, but will need to worry when Fall aproaches.

Not to steal this thread, but does anyone else have probs with the Honda's not mulching even the slightest amount of leaves in a yard? I am talking only spotty leaves in the grass. I tried a gator 3 in one blade, it turned out to be worthless.

[goodjudi]

I tried the Exmark 21 but it in taller grass it was too heavy for the little wheels; didn't like the maneuverability. The Exmark 26 had bigger wheels, but also heavier and still clumsy. I used a 26" Snapper for several years (kind of a heavy-home owner.) It was a good idea, but way under engineered, and fell apart. Went ape and got a 32" BOP Ninja Dually for the smaller stuff. It's fast and quick and I'm loving it. My second choice would be Honda.

[bighaydenslawn]

I really like the old Lawn-Boy commercial 2-strokers. Find one if you can.

[rrtservices]

I'd check around on craigslist. I just found a 21" Ariens (like this: http://www.ariens.com/products_lawn/l_walkbehind_lm21sw_overview.aspx ). I don't believe it is a commercial machine, but it is very heavy duty and works better then I thought it would. It looks and runs like brand new. It was being sold by a lady for her father. The belt tension pulley for the drive was seized and he couldn't push it anymore. A little maintenance (adjust tension pulley and put an edge on the blade) and it was ready to go.

[gtmorgan89]

I have a Toro Personal Pace. Im a Toro guy, but this mower has been trouble. I know its not their commercial model but my John Deere push mower has been a way more reliable machine.

[browningv308]

honda hrx great cut very dependable long handles take a while to get used to

[IRRITECH]

I have had several over the years, commercial and not. The commercial Toro's and Honda's are great if you want to drop that kind of dough. I now have a used Toro Propline and a a Toro Personal Pace. I like the personal pace alot. Less than $500 from the Big Box Stores.

[coopmaster]

I have a Honda HRX and a Lawnboy residential. The Honda is great for thick grass in the spring. The Lawnboy is easier to use. I typically cut 7-8 yards a day. I am less tired when I use the Lawnboy. Is it as durable as the Honda? I don't think so.

[dan1a1984]

To start out i purchased a used TORO 3 speed 21 inch cut 2 stroke. Its a little cold blooded but extrmely reliable. If you are just starting out I would check some dealers and see if they sale any used equipment. Here in FL there is a ton of mower dealership some sell used some not (more used stuff in the off season), alot of them will give you a warrenty for piece of mind and a huge difference in price.

North Pasco Lawn Service

[MRLlandscape]

8 years in the industry and I've run 21" commercial offerings from Toro, Honda, and eXmark, as well as a 26" eXmark. I also have a Toro Personal Pace for my own home.

by far, our favorite mower is the eXmark. it has the best hand controls BY FAR. no need to let go of the controls and then re-engage while stopping, turning, or backing up like the Honda or Toro. the forward control bar only moves about 3 inches and can be manipulated with your fingers instead of dropping 8-10" like the Honda and Toro, requiring you to let go of the bar to re-engage the drive. the eXmark and Toro both have a belt drive which you can slip while maneuvering, but the Honda is either on or off requiring disengaging the drive EVERYTIME you maneuver. the only downsides we have encountered are the drive control cable ends breaking, which have been redesigned 2 years ago. and the 'chute' style bagging system on the 21" plugging up in heavy wet stuff which is only a problem maybe a dozen times a year here.

we run 2-3 mowers for 8 hours a day, 4 days a week and 5 mowers 1 day a week. we get 3 years out of the mowers before reliability starts to drop. in the 8 or so eXmarks we have had, only one had to be retired due to a transmission problem after 3 years, and one had a motor go. the rest were sold used still running fine when they were replaced.

[nobagger]

Honda's are usually a top pick if you can afford to pay around 1k for just a home owner version and around 1300.00 for the "commercial" one. I have used Snapper for years and after buying out a guy years ago one of the Snappers finally went this year. Now those were definitely road hard and put away wet. He had them for several years prior to me buying him out and they lasted me 6 years since. We just replaced it with another Snapper Hi-Vac and paid 549.00 for it. I figured now that they will be taken care of I should get at least 5-6 years out of it now that we're mowing with it every day (unfortunately) and more employee abuse. The only difference between the home owner and commercial version is the engine. Both had the same deck, same drive system etc.