Toro, Honda, or Yardman?

[Okieboy42509]

What brand of Mower should I use? I am going to be doing yard work this summer for several people, and i need a good mower, Toro, Honda, Yardman, or Scotts? What brand will be best as far as price verses durability? Thanks in advance.

[MikeLT1Z28]

i'd recommend the honda or toro, 21" mower i assume? also make sure it's commercial grade, the others simply won't last if you are doing several yards. exmark also makes a 21" commercial mower, check them out as well.

[65hoss]

I WOULD GET A HONDA FOR ALL THAT YARD WORK THIS SUMMER. WHILE YOUR AT IT, GET AN ELECTRIC WEEDWACKER. THEY WORK GREAT TOO.

[GarPA]

Hoss you're bad........thanks for the gut laugh

[Okieboy42509]

No thanks on the electric "weed wacker" I already have an Echo. I could see no reason for your smartass remark, I was just trying to get the advice that this website claims that I should receive. and F.Y.I., the lawns I am talking about are some older people that can no longer do it themselves, nor pay for some one to do it so I offered to do it for them. If you see something wrong with that, then I feel very sorry for you.

[mdb landscaping]

Ive had great luck with the honda 21 inchers. Just dont get one with the plastic deck. Get the commercial grade 21 incher.

[yardboyltd]

It does seem that most people in this profession, as general, can be rather cocky, and often resort to almost a caveman mentality of who ever has the bigger club(this case mower, business or ego), is conceded to think he king of the mountain.

Perhaps the comment was just made for the sake of comedy...

To your question: Honda and Toro are tops. I'd prefer the honda. I've never owned either but have a few relatives and contacts that do, in addition to demoing them.

As for commercial vs. residential: that's your call. I got by with residential for a few years and still use a 22" craftsman because it runs good, cut's nice, and is adequate for what I use it for and is a descent price. Not only that, I have the tools to work on B&S engines, so it's even better.(Actually, only thing I've had to fix is a leaky crankcase seal after 4 years)

Now if I had alot of yards that utilized a smaller 22", I'd consider a lawnboy commercial (start at appox $700) because it's 2 cycle, which means no oil maitenece, it's tried and true, it cut's great, has the 6.5 hp duraforce, and there's alot of accesorries for your cutting needs like baggers or mulching. In addition, the commercials have aluminum decks, which extends the mower's life because it won't rust like steel.

However, it sounds your not deep into this and they all cut grass the same way so just choose what's in your budget.

[Okieboy42509]

Thank for the replys guys, If i like mowing these lawns I plan maybe starting a buisness. My parents used to have a landscaping buisness, they had the Lawnboy, Snapper, and Turf tiger. So if I can find a good price on a lawnboy that is what I will purchase, the Gauranteed to Start warranty that comes with the toro is very appealing though. Also what do you all think aobut stick edgers? We used to use them for touchups only, but that is all i haved used as far as edgers are concerned. So if they are worth it I would rather have one of those then a larger edger. Thanks again.

[Okieboy42509]

Ok, I finally have it narowed down a little help would be greatly apreciated. I need to choose between a Lawnboy for $350, 2 cycle self propelled baggers are accessories. Or a Toro with 4 cycle Guaranteed to start in first 2 pulls for 2 years, self propelled comes with baggers, for $300. I have experience with the lawnboy but not with toro. What is the better deal? F.Y.I. i am not doing really heavy mowing probally around 3 to 5 lawns. thanks.

[Esby]

Either one will do you just fine for what you are looking for. Just check them both out real good, and decide which one you like the best.

[Nelson]

Toro seems 2 work 4 me.....Hope this helps.....:angel:

[leaflawnandlimb]

FYI, Your guarantee to start (Toro) will be void. Toro considers any mower being used to cut lawn on any other properety other than your own "commercial use" and will only carry a one year warranty. Trust me , been there. Just a question, not trying to be smart, but all the lines you have been looking at are home chepo mowers, have you gone to a reputable dealer and looked? A dealer will most likely push you towards a commecial mower but you might be happier in the end.

[Okieboy42509]

I am going to a dealer today actually, Metro turf here in Norman.
That is where my parents usually get there stuff so after going and looking at the toro I finally just decided to go to the dealer and finance one if I have to. I would much rather pay high prices for dependability and build quality than pay lower prices for and inferior product. thanks guys.

[mdb landscaping]

you should just borrow the turf tiger :D

[FrankenScagMachines]

Larry L. Love - however you got those initials LOL -
His original message implied that he was not getting paid or not much at least for these services. There is nothing wrong with that so lets not discuss it, but my point is is that he seems to be on a limited budget so a high dollar one may not be the ticket at this point, but if he decides to do more than just these lawns, a better one is best. I agree with you but i'm saying don't jump the gun too much. I picked up this Toro 21" self propelled 4hp rear bagger mower for $30 yesterday. Needs alittle repairs on the engine but its' all in cherry condition including the rest of the engine. I look forward to having this around a while, because I've always heard good about Toro 21" 'ers here and I've always had good luck with other Toro products. It has a Tecumseh engine (4 cycle, 4hp) and electric start but the battery is dead so I will just use the rope because it doesn't have an alternator anyhow. The only drawback is it's age; it's a 1982, but it is in super shape and came with a manual too not a scratch on it. You might find a good deal on a used one, but a new one would be better. I have a rider and another push mower anyway so this won't be used for much except real small lawns.
Good luck and Congrats on your new Toro. Take care of it and it will take care of you!
Eric

[BAMARED]

I've got a YardMan 106C that I bought brand new from WalMart for $199. It's a 20", pusher with B/S 6.0 engine. I have put many, many hours and have made a pretty sizable amount of money from it with no problems. Would highly recommend it. Just keep the oil and air filter changed and it should provide you with lots of service.

Good Luck this summer,

BAMARED

[65hoss]

Originally posted by yardboyltd
It does seem that most people in this profession, as general, can be rather cocky, and often resort to almost a caveman mentality of who ever has the bigger club(this case mower, business or ego), is conceded to think he king of the mountain.

Perhaps the comment was just made for the sake of comedy...
T

First off it was comedy based on how the question was asked. Secondly, I don't think anyone needs you trying to get yourself involved and making smarta$$ statements. You want to make a personal attack? A joke is one thing, personal attacks are totally different.


Okieboy,your FYI was never brought into the equation until after. So if it was meant to make me feel bad, it doesn't. I will say, I commend you on helping out. I do plenty of "charity" work so I understand where your coming from.

I did answer your question in my original post. Honda is the way to go. I have one we bought new in 1984. Its got tons of comm'l hours on it. It still cranks on the 1st pull to this very day. I retired it from use last year. I refuse to carry a 21" anymore. Thats another story. Anyway, the small hondas are bullit proof. You can't kill them. Although, if you plan to do all this work for free, it sure will be hard paying for that equipment.

[Nelson]

Please....

Can't We ALL get along.................:(

[motodude]

Whatever you do don't finance one. Buy used. If you can't pay cash for your 21" mower you have no business mowing yards. Tell your "older people" you plan on financing a 900 dollar mower so you can mow their lawns, and see what they say.:eek:

WFO:blob4:

[keifer]

On the toro info. They are great but the new homeowners all have tacumsa motors so i would not touch them with a ten foot pole.

[Okieboy42509]

Ok I would just like to start out by saying that 65hoss, I apologize for the smarta$$ remark. Well anways I found a commercial mower for 700 and i decidesd to just pay cash instead of putting it on my credit card. I have also decided to start out doing non-cherity work on the weekends then eventually get bigger. I teamed up with a good friend and between us we have about 4 thousand to spend. Here in norman all i need is a couple push mowers because the only lawns big enough for a rider are in the country. Im thinking about the stihl fc85 stick edger and im getting a deal on two commercial Lawnboy mowers, both for 1450. Well if you guys could make any commments on what blower to get i wuould appreciate it. My personal blower is a echo, but i want a seperate one for the buisness. Thanks.

Sooner Lawn Care.

[yardmonkey]

After trashing 2 Sears mowers in a couple of months, I got a Honda commercial (HRC215SXA) and it has served me well for over 2 years. It has taken A LOT of abuse. Metro Turf is the place to buy Hondas in Norman. You may want to also check out Dave's in Noble. They sell blowers, trimmers, etc. Echo and Stihl. They sell Snapper mowers. These guys deserve your business if they have the stuff you want. Larry and Keith are expert-texpert mechanics. I take all my chainsaw chains there for sharpening. I bought a couple of chainsaws and a blower from them. They don't have super-discount prices but they are very honest. You may have noticed that there are tons of mowing operations in Norman - but there is unlimited work. Classified ads got me started. In my third year I am now totally ovewhelmed by repeat business and word of mouth referrals. As for "charity mowing", if you really want to do it, and they really can't afford it, that's great, but I would suggest charge something, even if its only $5.

Good luck with everything,

Terry Slade

[KathysLGC]

If you look at the latest consumer report there is a shoot out of 21" mowers. For rear bagging push type yardman is on the top of the list and they are about $200. at Walmart. I have a 22" Murry that looks very simular and it just keeps going. Same 6HP Briggs thats on the yardman. Just my 2 cents.

[yardboyltd]

I just took the comment "for ALL THAT YARD WORK" a bit more sarcastic than dramatic. I've seen the ways some people are treated around here. I often write replies and skip posting them because I realize they have nothing positive to contribute... There is no such thing as a stupid question.

[maple city]

Get the commercial Honda. Well worth the money. I think we paid 1000 for ours. The quality of the cut is great. We also use the Echo trimmer, which I love. You have to remember that sometimes you do get what you pay for. If you want quality, it is costly. If you don't want to replace things after a year, buy commercial.
We have been running our Honda hard for 3 years and it always starts right up. We have had to do very little in the way of maintenance. Don't let the salesman talk you out of the commercial Honda. The little bit extra you pay is well worth it.

I know it's a lot of $$$, but it will pay for itself.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

TORO

[JimLewis]

If I had your budget and knew what I know now, I'd do this; BUY A HONDA!!! You need to get a Honda HRC 216 HXA - The best their is.

Like I have said before, It's kinda like asking, "I have three girls who want to date me. Rosie O'Donnell, Susanne Somers and Jenifer Lopez. A date with Rosie will cost me $45. A date with Susanne will cost me $100. A date with Jenifer will cost me $300. I only have $100, what should I do?"

DUH! The correct answer is to somehow come up with some more money!!!!

Same with the mowers. Come up with the dough and get a commercial Honda. In the long run, it's WAY worth it.

[65hoss]

Get the extra money or you'll end up with Rosie. :eek: :( uuggggg

[ouimguy]

Go look at Central Power equipment in OKC if you can. I buy all of my equipment there. They carry echo, Sthil, and Honda along with Toro and Exmark. They have always done right by me.

[2tall]

I personally like the Honda. Bought new 2 years ago Honda 21" hydro with the plastic deck. Best mower I've ever bought. Do some price comparisons and see what you can get for the money.