Looking to spend $500 or less

[ryan87500]

I just moved into a house that sits on a .25 acre lot. So once you take into consideration the house I probably have 1/2 that in grass or less.

I am looking to spend at most around $500. I would like to have a good mulcher and bagger option. I was looking at the Toro Super Recycler. Is there anything else you would recommend looking at.

Based on my research the super recylcer does a nice job mulching grass how does it do with a lawn full of leaves? Would I be able to mulch and not worry about using a bag or raking?

Thanks

[Jim Bo]

I have a few properties that I have to use a push mower with and that mower works very well. The mulching blades work great, it never loooks like it has to be bagged. If you have alot of leaves I would just rake them first then bag the rest.

[poolboy]

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, than you should be looking into the Honda line of mowers.

[ryan87500]

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, than you should be looking into the Honda line of mowers.

Which Honda should I be looking at with similar features and mulching ability?

[sawinredneck]

Home Depot will get you the idea of prices, but if you are not mechanicly inclined I would highly recomend you spend the extra money and buy from a dealer.Dealers get pissy if you bring in a HD model for waranty repair, I know!!

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Lawn-Mowers-Riding-Mowers-Walk-Behind-Mowers/Honda/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5ZbapuZ3le/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[stihlboy]

Which Honda should I be looking at with similar features and mulching ability?

22 inch self propelled

[ryan87500]

22 inch self propelled


I looked at the Honda site and it appears they have a few different series. Is there a certain series that is most comparable to the super recycler?

[ryan87500]

Home Depot will get you the idea of prices, but if you are not mechanicly inclined I would highly recomend you spend the extra money and buy from a dealer.Dealers get pissy if you bring in a HD model for waranty repair, I know!!

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Lawn-Mowers-Riding-Mowers-Walk-Behind-Mowers/Honda/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5ZbapuZ3le/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I believe HD only sells the recycler models, I was looking for a super recycler due to its mulching ability.

[MarcSmith]

my father has a the honda hrx he uses on his lawn in florida. he has a 1/2 acre lot I've been "lucky enough" to use it when I'm down on vacation. It is a nice machine....

I especially like the "no tool" conversion from discharge/bagging/mulching yes the hrx is probably over your price range. but you'll never need another lawn mower...

[Valk]

The dealer sold TORO Super ReCycler 21 (rear-bagger) is a versatile machine.

Fwiw, a few years ago ('04 or '05?) TORO redesigned their SR21 decks. They raised the max cutting height to 4.25" AND they redirected the side-discharged clippings out to the right - as opposed to the rear chute that shoots them to the left. This allows for significantly better side-discharging performance in wet conditions...and especially when side-discharging while mowing concentrically in a CCW fashion.

TORO has a mulching/Gator-ish blade = Atomic Blade. I hear mixed reviews about this blade, but I thought they did a fine job on my regional grasses. If side-discharging, the clippings were smaller and therefore more easily dispersed than the standard blade. I'll guess the Atomic's make a bit less vacuum, so the standard blade might be better when bagging.

These mowers also mulched very well, but when mowing grass tall, mulching suffers to some degree...


I don't recall many 21's that could mow above 3" back when I grew up in the 60s, 70s & 80s...even the 90s. So a lot of folks have always considered mowing grass at 3" to be tall...therefore they cut at 2 or 2.5" for that manicured look. At this height, you HAVE to bag (or sometimes mulch) for a decent appearance.

Well, imho, side-discharging grass above 3.5" causes turf to spontaneously resurrect itself...at least around here it does. The dang grass is FINALLY stretching it's legs/roots - making for a more durable, water & disease resistant yard. Grass in shade needs to be taller anyway...just to absorb more light. I mowed at 3.75"...and could then go to 4.25" if conditions warranted.

A lawn around here that is finally mowed taller will look more plush, more green, more healthy come Fall. And it looks even better the next year as well. Bonus!!
Your mileage may vary = YMMV
.02

[MarcSmith]

valk, the hrx cuts very high as well which is a plus for those with st augustine yards...

[Valk]

I honestly don't know... Do any Honda 21's side-discharge out of the right side?

[sawinredneck]

I can't really say from the website: http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/Models.aspx?page=models&section=P2LM

[ryan87500]

I honestly don't know... Do any Honda 21's side-discharge out of the right side?
Sorry for the newbie question but I am new at this :)

The side discharge is used when mulching and the back discharge is used for bagging?

Thanks for the long post...great information there!

[Valk]

Most (but not all) 21's are rear baggers when bagging.

Mulching is mowing with no discharge...nor bagging. The clippings stay under the deck for repeated cutting. This works best when you don't have a lot of top-growth to cut off. It also does poorly when the turf is really thick or wet, and when cutting low.

However, when you are cutting a lot of grass off and don't wish to bag it, then side-discharging shoots the clippings out...and in my mind, you get the best vacuum to pull the stragglers up - as opposed to either mulching or bagging.

[ryan87500]

Most (but not all) 21's are rear baggers when bagging.

Mulching is mowing with no discharge...nor bagging. The clippings stay under the deck for repeated cutting. This works best when you don't have a lot of top-growth to cut off. It also does poorly when the turf is really thick or wet, and when cutting low.

However, when you are cutting a lot of grass off and don't wish to bag it, then side-discharging shoots the clippings out...and in my mind, you get the best vacuum to pull the stragglers up - as opposed to either mulching or bagging.

So basically if its to high to mulch and you dont want to bag your only choice is a side discharge?

I am assuming when you said "you get the best vaccum" that this is another seperate tool that vacuums up the slippings, leaves etc?

Sorry for all the questions just trying to learn.

[Valk]

So basically if its too high to mulch and you don't want to bag your only choice is to side discharge?
~ Mowers have 3 modes, 1) bagging 2) mulching 3) side-discharging
Interestingly, with this Toro SR21 you can side-discharge and bag simultaneously......as it's a rear bagger and a true-right-sided side-discharge.

I am assuming when you said "you get the best vacuum" that this is another separate tool that vacuums up the clippings, leaves etc?
~ No. Mower blades create vacuum when spinning - due to the curved wing. Vacuum is what helps to stand the grass up...especially the grass that the front wheels push over before the blades even get a chance to cut it.

[sawinredneck]

To try and help a bit, I have a John Deere JX 75, it will bag, discharge to the left or mulch. I get the best vacume bagging with this machine. the bagger causes enough restriction, but enough air flow that it sucks up everything. This is all done through a chute out the back of the machine. If I want to mulch, I insert a plug into that chute that fills the void to make the deck smooth inside. But I don't get the airflow to lift the grass and keep it circulating to mulch it finely if it's thick. If it's wet forget it, it just sticks and clumps.
For side discharge there is a plastic deflector that goes on the back and shoots the grass to the side. Works great with tall grass, but again, wet grass clumps and plugs it up.
So if the grass is tall and I don't want to dispose of it I have to discharge it and mow over it a couple of times. (This is really overgrown mind you) If it's wet, I need to just bag it and dispose of it.
Different machines have different traits you have to learn to use and live with.

[lawnmon]

Some Snappers are supurb at vacuuming, and some are made to mulch and they do a decent job. I don't think any of the Snappers excell at both. Most of their dealers do know their product.

[ryan87500]

Some Snappers are supurb at vacuuming, and some are made to mulch and they do a decent job. I don't think any of the Snappers excell at both. Most of their dealers do know their product.

So is the Toro SR the best at both mulching and bagging at that price range. I understand that there are better ones for each individual task but what about both?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Valk]

I cannot speak for how other 21s perform...I only know the Toro SR21. I made it work best for me by keeping the blade sharp...and knowing which blade to use given the current conditions. This is where the school of hard knocks kicks in. YOU will have to learn what works best for you and your grasses through experimentation.

If you're only mowing your own lawn, then perhaps bagging is a choice made with a smile on your face. I hate bagging. Some love it. Tis a waste of time and energy when working commercially, imho.

I'm 47. As a teen, bagging is nearly all anyone did...mainly because folks didn't know to mow tall...and more importantly mowers could only mow up to 3" max. It's challenging to mulch or side-discharge a lawn cut at 2" and make it look good.

Many 21's now have 6.5hp+ which will spin a blade with a bigger wing creating more vacuum than a 3.5hp mower ever could. Vacuum is what's needed to do a better job the taller one mows. The wheels push over the grass and it's the vacuum that's responsible for pulling it up to be cut at the same height as the rest.

Mowing tall also provides a much needed space for the mulched or side-discharged clippings to fall into. I liked mowing best at 3.75" with my Toro. If your turf is super thick, you may be SOL and HAVE to bag or double-cut.

Commercial machines provide a professional cut mainly due to high hp turning hi-lift blades. When side-discharging the clippings are ejected with a fury!

IMO, for the best cut, I want to cut the grass and eject it as quickly as possible via side-discharging (or bagging). Mulching keeps the grass under the deck...it is not ejected.

If conditions are dry, then a hi-lift blade or a blade that mulches can work wonders even when side-discharging, cuz it recuts the clippings to some degree. They are then ejected and hopefully dispersed well making for a clean-cut.

If conditions are wet/moist, and the discharge is clumping, then one must either mow a narrower lane, or double-cut, or use a blower to blow the clumps apart, or bag. This is where a side-discharge out to the right works magic! The clippings don't have to make the trip through the rear chute...they just exit the mower more cleanly. Bagging in wet conditions is a real drag...but some regions are just that way.

In essence, the clippings from mulching and side-discharging remain in the lawn. Over time they break down into a food source for the microbes that help to render nutrients back for the grass itself.

Regular mowing at tall settings will enable one to either mulch or side-discharge more effectively. Spring growth is quite moist and might necessitate that one mows every 3-5 days for awhile - whether bagging or mulching or side-discharging.

KEEP THAT BLADE SHARP! I found that sharpening my Toro blades every 3rd or 4th lawn made a difference. Some would not take the time to do this.

I used a hand file after removing the blade with a wrench. It takes less than a minute or two to do this. Simply turn the mower on its side...the side UP is the side with the carburetor on it. I used my boot to brace the blade when loosening or tightening...be careful!

You can buy a few of the different kinds of blades and have them on hand - already sharpened and ready to install.

Happy mowing!!!! :cool2:

[betmr]

I have the Toro Super Recycler. By far the best 21" mower I have ever owned!!! And I don't expect I will ever have to buy another. It will do everything I need, Mulch, Bag leaves, and side discharge if I want. I mulch mow all the time, no more having to empty the bag repeatedly, and no surface clippings on the lawn. Mulching also returns organic nutrients to the soil, (less fertilizing).

I bought mine from a dealer, I don't buy equipment like that from big box stores, they have no real support structure, i.e. service dept. In my opinion, you will not go wrong with this mower.

[Valk]

I have the Toro Super Recycler. By far the best 21" mower I have ever owned!!! And I don't expect I will ever have to buy another. It will do everything I need, Mulch, Bag leaves, and side discharge if I want. I mulch mow all the time, no more having to empty the bag repeatedly, and no surface clippings on the lawn. Mulching also returns organic nutrients to the soil, (less fertilizing).

I bought mine from a dealer, I don't buy equipment like that from big box stores, they have no real support structure, i.e. service dept. In my opinion, you will not go wrong with this mower.

The Toro Recycler 22 from Home Depot (and other hardware stores) is just a shadow of the Toro Super Recycler SR21 - sold only at a Toro Dealer.

SR21's are around $500 w/o a bag...and around $550 with a bag.

[betmr]

The Toro Recycler 22 from Home Depot (and other hardware stores) is just a shadow of the Toro Super Recycler SR21 - sold only at a Toro Dealer.

SR21's are around $500 w/o a bag...and around $550 with a bag.

Mine was about $525 w/ bag side discharge deflector, & Personal Pace drive. Price might sound high, but as I said, I don't expect I will ever need to buy another. The cast aluminum deck is strong and this is the best mulching deck I've seen on small mowers.

[Valk]

Mine was about $525 w/ bag, side discharge deflector, & Personal Pace drive. Price might sound high, but as I said, I don't expect I will ever need to buy another. The cast aluminum deck is strong and this is the best mulching deck I've seen on small mowers.


When bagging or mulching - this removable small plastic deflector would ride just fine behind the gas tank and in front of the rear-bagging 'hump'. By turning it upside down, the left (high) side was blocked by the cables...and it would never budge until needed again - when side-discharging.

:confused: Kinda challenging to describe this, so try it...you'll see how this part fits into this area and just rides there...so you won't LOSE it. :waving:

[Sport42]

I have a Toro SR 21" push mower (not self-propelled). It has an aluminum deck, and 6.5 HP Briggs engine. Paid around $350. Great mower. I mulch 100% of the time.

[maustm]

I got an Airens lm21sw last year, love it. A bit more than 500, but the quality is there. love it.

[ryan87500]

What do you guys think of this.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&productId=100617641&navFlow=3&keyword=HRX217VKA&langId=-1&searchRedirect=HRX217VKA&storeId=10051&endecaDataBean=com.homedepot.sa.el.wc.integration.endeca.EndecaDataBean%40219777a&ddkey=Search

I picked one up for $530 after tax (i had a 20% off coupon). Is this a better mower than the SR 20091

http://www.toro.com/home/mowers/superrecycler/20091.html

Thanks

Ryan