For a push mower, how important are these options?

[whitenack]

Residential user, looking for a new push mower. I currently have 3 yards to mow. 1 is 1 acre, and the other 2 are 1/4 acre each. Soon, I will be dropping one of the 1/4 acre yards. Also, I have access to a borrowed ZTR that could handle 1/2 of the 1 acre yard, in case push mowing was too tough or I needed a quicker cut.

I am interested in getting a good mower that will last, but don't want to waste money on features I don't need.

How important are these features...

Aluminum vs. Steel deck?

Briggs & Stratton vs. Tecumseh vs. Honda motor?

Push powered vs. manual speed controls vs. automatic speed controls (like sens-a-speed or personal pace)?

The only push mowing experience I have is a Craftsman Eager 1, with a single speed transmission. The speed of the transmission was way too slow for my taste, and I was either having to mow the yard slowly behind the transmission or turn the drive off and push hard against the gears.

Thanks for your opinions,

[Joeypole]

Aluminum is not going to rust. The steel if you leave it outside or mow in wet coniditons will rust through leaving you with an engine and blades but no deck. I know cause I bought one with a loose rear wheel in a rush off Craigslist and didn't notice the rusted out deck until after I got home. My old lady was rushing me when I said I was going to pick it up cause we had "stuff" to do ;) Robbed most of the parts off it for her Grandmother's mower so it worked out.

Tecumseh is out of business so I wouldn't go that way. Honda or Briggs would be a good choice.

Push powered is tough on you. Self propelled is the way to go. Depending on how fast you want to mow, the variable speed is a great thing to have. My 22" Cub Cadet is a little fast for my taste. Not that I can't keep up with it, but don't feel like running behind the mower.

The Toro system (Personal Pace?) is a pretty good system I've heard. Saw some closeout Troy Bilts at Lowes with 4 speed settings for under $200.

Good luck.

[cgaengineer]

Take a look at a Snapper. Even the homeowner model is a great product.

[NIXRAY]

I would say it depends on how much lawn you cut, if you want just a side-discharge, a mulcher, a bager,.
If you want a unit that does all, Honda has a new unit that is very easy to convert (a 'switch' on the deck) I belive Toro offers the same.
Going from personal use, I'd go Honda then Toro.
(Just remember use only NGK spark plugs in a Honda!!)

[ksJoe]

I'd be paranoid about the auto speed / personal pace thing. When I hear "transmission" and "new design" in the same sentence, the sales pitch is over for me. 7 years ago my wife got a V6 in her new car solely because I was nervous about getting the CVT transmission that came with the 4 cylinder - they've since proven to be unreliable.

I've got a snapper I bought new 11 years ago. It had a Tecumseh 6hp with pressurized lubrication and a 5 year engine warranty (that was an abnormally long engine warranty at the time - supposed to be a great engine). Last year it sheared some teeth off the cam gear, and I didn't want to mess with repairing the engine. But the deck and drive is extremely solid, and looks like it will last forever. So I bought a Honda new GCV190 (6.5hp) engine for $200 to put on it.

Even with the engine failure @ 10 years, I'm very happy with it. There is a rubber drive disk that wears out occasionally. I think it lasts around 5 years with my residential use. Its just a few dollars and easy to replace. But that and a couple belts are the only wear items on it unless you count the wheels (after 11 years mine are almost slick)

[2Brosmow]

I have a toro personal pace that I picked up used, and I really like it, and really like the personal pace part, but haven't been able to use it a whole lot. The way I look at it, if it last a couple seasons it will be worth the money I paid for it.

[ccecilm]

Are you asking for opinions? Mine are:

Aluminum deck is the only way to go if you want longevity. I have 2 Toro walk behind styles; 21" ProLine Commercial 2 stroke (it's my favorite but only a 4 cycle is available now) and a 21" GTS5 Super Recycler 4 cycle.

Both of the above machines have a 3 speed transmission/differential and I love them. I tried the "Prsonal Pace" machine a few times (my neighbors) and I really hated it.

[Larommi]

Adjustable speeds would be awesome. My Cub goes too slow for my pace. When the warranty runs out I may modify the drive. There has to be something I can do.

[cgaengineer]

Like ksjoe said the snappers last forever...I have 1 of 3 that is over 20 years old and is on its 3rd or 4th engine.
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[STIHL GUY]

you probably will want self propelled because pushing is not fun. honda or B&S is fine

[AnthonyS]

I have a Toro Personal Pace Super Recycler. I have had it for 8 years and love it. I have never had any problems with it. It still starts on the first or second pull.

[TrashBagPopper]

If you are ever going to be bagging your grass, you need to check this out. There are more practical uses than just lawn applications, but this product really saves you time and $.

www.trashbagpopper.com

Best regards and good luck in your search.

[Heintooga]

I have three Snappers, one each with Kawasaki FJ180V, B&S 8.75 and B&S 6.5. I were were going to maintain an acre I'd pick a Snapper CRP2160KWV (http://www.snapper.com/products/walk-behind/mulching/). Of the three I have it's definately the strongest and should last for many years. The Kawasaki engine has "Forced lubrication" with an oil filter so the engine will last longer if mowing slopes are part of you plan. You can save about $150 and get the RP2160KWV, it's the same mower but without steel wheels.

[rm25x]

Myself, I love the personal pace feature on my Toro. I mow several yards a week with my Toro, and it has yet to let me down.

[hate2work]

I sure like the Honda mower I just bought, model HRX217HXA.

Honda engine, variable speed, no-rust Nexite deck, twin blade set-up, bags great, mulches great, BBC, quiet...I could go on, but you get the idea.

Roger did a great write-up on this mower, here is the link

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=268848

[93Chevy]

Take a look at a Snapper. Even the homeowner model is a great product.

Yes. The "Easy Speed" is the same as on the commercial unit. Very simple, reliable, and easy to use drive system. Variable speed. The Ninja blade mulches very well, and the original Hi-Lift blade is awesome for bagging.