$400 to spend (Honda or Toro?)

[JohnQ.Public]

My budget is limiting me to $400. In this price range which mower is better (Toro or Honda?) If I had another $200 I would choose the Honda but I don't so please help.

Thanks,
John

[cowman66]

assuming you are goin with a 21 incher finish mower, i would always go with the honda. but since u are a little short on the cha ching cha ching you should seriously consider toro. i know some people dont consider them heavy duty but if you are doing light work it should be find:D

[Cut 2 Please]

Look at the Snapper mowers. They have a real good 21 inch self propel mulcher for around $300. A bagging attachment can be added for a little more. I have an Ariens that is 5 years old that has never given me a min. problem but their is not an Ariens dealer in my area anymore.

[marcusvh]

Consumer reports rated the John Deere JS63C as one of the best. Local price is $439, but you should be able to do better than that. Honda has a good reputation, but I've read a few reports of people having problems with them, and they aren't the best at mulching.

[watatrp]

The Snapper is a good choice too. Be prepared for lots of maintenance on the drive system. I repaired one for ten years. Look at Lawnboy also.

[TheGrassGuy]

"Toro or Honda?" - is what the post is about - not the others (I think!). I am interested in this also because they are the only dealers in my area.

I am currently liking to the Toro because I mulch most of the properties. Drawback is I have heard the dealer here is not the best. From reading other posts here - the Honda is not as good as the Toro for mulching. Is poor dealer service enough to go with a Honda?

The mowers I have looked at are 21", not commercial models.
Toro Super-Recycler with Personal Pace - 6.5hp Briggs
Honda HRR216KDC - 3 speed, Quadracut - 5.5hp Honda

Currently I am cutting about 15 hours per week. The Toro dealer will give me the 5 year warranty (but rumored poor service), Honda will have 2 years.

[Cut 2 Please]

My girlfriend has a Honda 21". The mower is quite heavy so if you have to lift it into the back of your truck it is a pain. I have never seen when it did not mulch well. This mower does a fabulous job and leaves a nice cut. The downsides that I have heard about the Honda are: cables seem to give a problem, when the trans-axle goes out it is costly and hard to get parts for, and the fact that the mower is so heavy. A good friend of mine is a snapper, toro, and walker dealer. He sell the toro z's because he feels they can't be beat and give very few problems. He sells the snapper push mowers because he said they give the least problems and the drive system is very simple and inexpensive to repair when it goes out.

[TheGrassGuy]

Toro is going to cost me $820 - aluminum deck
Honda is going to cost me $760 - steel deck

Probably not enough to make a decision on just the purchase price when you think of the length of time I will have this mower. I don't know about the comparison of maintenance cost or cost of parts for the mowers.

Commercial 21" mowers are in the $1500 range here. No walk behinds here - maybe because our dealers do not stock them.

[GrassMaster84]

Maybe you could look into finding a used honda commercial, you seriously can't beat a honda commercial in any conditions, if not I would look into the John Deere!....:)

[Chuck Sinclair]

Originally posted by Cut 2 Please
The downsides that I have heard about the Honda are: cables seem to give a problem, when the trans-axle goes out it is costly and hard to get parts for, and the fact that the mower is so heavy.

I have had one of my commercial Hondas for 7 years and the second for a year now, and have never had a problem with them i will never buy anything but Honda when i need a 21" mower, my 36" is a toro.

[KDLAWN]

from my understanding toro and exmark are the same when it comes to the 21" push mower. and the latest model that I have seen on both of these is there is no difference from deck to engine, except the price, and the name on the mower. the EXMARK is a little cheeper than toro. I am speaking of the commercial grade mowers here. this may be an option for you...

[KDLAWN]

I have had two toro brand mowers. first one was a residential type toro and it lasted 5 good years ( still runs good but not powerful enough in thick grass) I have had a commercial toro for 4 years now and not a lick of problems with it so far... another thing you might want to concider on steel or alum. deck is fatigue on yourself. alum. will be lighter and eaiser to control on those long hot days, toward the end of the day.

this is just something to think about maybe spending the extra cash will be worth it in the long run...

good luck with your purchase

[J. Davis]

When I first started, I purchased a Toro personal pace mower with the 6.5 Brig. engine - low power,no oil filter and cheaper made. It worked great for a period of time (2years) and then it started to fall apart - Spend the extra money on the better machine(s)..... I would go with the Toro Proline with the Kaw. engine. Great mower, but the price will hit home quick...around $940 in Alabama. This mower will last and give great service. (down side - If you have to sell this machine you will get some of your investment back)...hope this helps:D

[TheGrassGuy]

I would love to buy the Toro Proline but cannot justify the $1500 that they sell for around here. I don't plan to go full time mowing either so for the 15 hours per I mow I don't think this price makes sense.

Would the Honda HRR216KDC with the 5.5hp would be a better mower in my situation?

[JohnQ.Public]

Thanks for all the comments...I'm stuck with the $400 budget but can consider other lawnmowers. Right now I'm leaning toward the Toro SuperRecycler #20033 for $369 at my local dealer. I don't mind pushing the mower because I'm not doing tons of yards...but, I want something that is very reliable and mulches well.

Thanks,
John

[TheGrassGuy]

Is this Canadian money? We cannot get them for that price around here. Bare bones recycler maybe under $500, no Honda less than $500.

I am liking the Toro also because of the mulching - Personal Pace Super Recycler.

[mlc4163]

Better check the claims for weight. Steel IS heavier but once the deck is 3x's thicker the weight is the same. I looked a the toro personal pace and their literature shows the aluminum deck as being a little heavier. I have an old Homelite AL deck and it also seems to be quite a bit louder when your cutting, ( Quantum engine).

[Scotlawncare]

JohnQ,
I use a 21" very little and used to have a Craftsman push. after 2.5 years com and 2.5 using it cutting my 1/3 acre it finally bit the dust. I went to Home Depot and spent 499 for a Honda self propel 3speed and have not regreted it yet. they do have a single speed for 399 i think. if you can muster up the extra 125 get the 3 speed. I know most guys are saying go the comercial push route. they are fine and dandy if that's all you use or want to spend 800 plus. If this will be a trim mower or get ocasional use or even part time full use i'd do the honda route from home depot or lowes. Honda makes a Great push mower even if it's just homeowner grade. Ask 65 Hoss how long his homeowner grade Honda has been running and it still crankes on first or second pull.

forget the toro, get the Honda. it's quieter also. Oh, mine came with bag and side discharge chute along with mulch plate. Honda makes one of the best push mowers for bagging grass.

Scot

[TheGrassGuy]

Toro with the aluminum deck is actually 2 lbs. heavier than the Honda - based on dealer specs.


Toro Super-Recycler with Personal Pace - 6.5hp Briggs
Honda HRR216KDC - 3 speed, Quadracut - 5.5hp Honda
- not commercial models

[65hoss]

I have a honda 21" that we bought new in 1984. Actually it is a comm'l model. Anyway, I retired it 1st of last year due to I refuse to use a 21" anymore.

This mower has probably 2500-3000 hours on it. It has never had 1 problem and it still cranks on the 1st pull. Only thing I've had to replace was a couple of the rubber tires on the rim. Wore them completely out.

[2tall]

Check the local paper for either one. People are always selling mowers. I had a old Honda push mower. Bought it for $75, used it 2 years and sold it for $150. In that time I did buy a bag for it so I pretty well broke even on it. It did what it was suppose to do it made me money. Now I have a Honda Hydro 21" w/Xenoy deck.

[TheGrassGuy]

Does the 5.5 hp Honda have lots of power?

I currently am mulching everything, may bag a bit in the fall if leaves are bad.

[65hoss]

I've never had any trouble with it mulching. Does a pretty good job. Hard to say "awesome" when I have to compare it to my eXmarks.

[TheGrassGuy]

I guess it is down to which will mulch better - the Honda or Toro?

[TheGrassGuy]

I found out yesterday that one of the dealers may be able to bring in a Husqvarna 21". What do you think of these in comparison to Honda or Toro? Any suggestions on models?

[TFL]

the John deere JS series is great. i have mine For three years and the only maintinance that i have had to is filters oil and blades never had any trouble.

[TheGrassGuy]

The Toro model I have been looking at (Super-Recycler) as well the Husqvarna (580RSW) both have Briggs and Stratton motors. Both are 6.5hp - I am not sure what model is on the Toro but the Husqvarna has the B&S Intek OHV. What do you think of these motors compared withe the Honda 5.5 that is on the HRR216KDC? I am not looking at the commercial models as they are out of the budget ($1500 Can.).

[JohnQ.Public]

Thanks for all the helpful input. I went with the Honda HRR216 and am really happy so far...it cuts like a dream.
GrassGuy, I too was looking at the Toro SuperRecycler but when I went to my dealer he had the Honda on sale for $360(w/ bagger & mulch kit). So, for the price and having a Honda engine it was easier than I thought once I got there.
Good luck on your quest for a mower.

John (happy Honda owner)

[65hoss]

I think you'll really like that choice. 10 yrs from now when its still running you'll really be impressed.

[TheGrassGuy]

I purchased the Honda HRR216 today
- HRR21623SDC - bagger, mulch, 3 speed, self propelled
- $760 Canadian

Hope to give it a try in the next couple of days.

2 Year warranty - extra 2 years on the engine if I use Opti oil which I plan on doing.

Any other maintenance tips for Hondas?

[65hoss]

Originally posted by TheGrassGuy

2 Year warranty - extra 2 years on the engine if I use Opti oil which I plan on doing.

Any other maintenance tips for Hondas?

I've been using the opti in most equipment and Mobil 1 in my Lazer. The opti is really good oil, but its rather expensive. Use the SAE30 opti and slightly overfill to keep the oil level up on hills so the "oil sensor" doesn't shut the mower down on slight hills.

[TheGrassGuy]

The Honda leaves a small trail of clippings when mulching thick grass - great with the bag on though. Anyone else have this trouble? Would a Gator blade help?