Lawn Boy Questions

[mow betta]

Greetings all,

I posted the following in the "Homeowner Assistance Forum" and didn't receive a response, so I decided to repost here. I apologize for placing this in the wrong forum.


"Greetings, I've been looking at mowers for the last few years and have settled on a Lawn Boy Silver Pro push model based on its low weight, power, and reasonable price. In the opinion of the pros is the duraforce 2 stroke engine of good quality? Is the staggered wheel a cause for scalping? Can I run Amsoil 100:1 premix with good results? Are there any mods that you perform on Lawn Boys out of the box? Thanks in advance."

[johnhenry]

lawnboy is a great choice.I would use opi 2cycle oil or amsoil.Dont ever use the lawn boy oil.In my mind the 2cycle engine is the best engine for a 21 mower.The stagger wheel is for trimming and takes awhile to get use to.Plus if I was you buy the self propel model.It will make it easier to use with the stagger wheel setup.Plus down the road if you trade it in the push model won't be much of value where the self propel will have some value

[vipermanz]

i would run it @ 80:1 just to be on the safe side if you use the synthetics, i use the lawn boy oil @ about 40:1 with smokeless results, you will really love the staggered wheel for trimming, and i find it hard to scalp with a lb too.
Good luck.:)

[nelbuts]

The Lawn Boy will be a great mower for you. Use the LB oil. It works great in their mowers and you will be pleased. I use LB oil in my Echo, Sthil, Robin two cycle products with very good results mixing at the prescribed 50:1 ratio. Have used this oil for 15 years and buy it by the case.

[FrankenScagMachines]

I have a couple push type staggered wheel ones, a magnesium deck and a steel deck but even in my use I fail to see how the staggered wheel makes for easier trimming. If someone could point it out I would probably understand, but "I don't get it". LOL. It leaves a goofy streak down the previous or next pass. I'm using 50:1 oil.

[lawn storm]

good choice lawnboy
always started on first pull if not on the second.
staggerd wheels was cool you could get under things better .no more scalping than any other mower.
mine did get stolden though,but after it was gone i realized i didnt need it anyways.hardly see any 21's on trailers now.

[yardman1]

That is a good choice the 2 cycle has alot of power and will go through anything. I have one and love it.

[philk17088]

Great mower!
I don't mow commercially but this is what I use at home. It cuts great with the bagger or the mulcher. I have self propelled with 6.5hp. I mix 32:1, I tried 40:1 but was choking on the smoke.

[lawncare3]

I don't understand how staggered wheel is easier because I used one for 3 years and it was not as easy as a regular one. I also didn't liket the fact that it left the funny line down the side. :mad:

[Evan528]

Phill, a 40:1 ratio is less oil to the gass then 32:1 so using 40:1 should not produce more smoke. I use lawnboy 50:1 in all my 2 cycle machines and have for many years without a problem.

[imalandscper]

With all the new oil out there and the quality of all the oild there is no reason to even run 32:1. The oild now is alot better and all 2 cycle can be ran on 50:1. And i think that (and of course there are always brands tha i would never run) but the better ones (shindawa, stihl, echo, lb) are all good oils and would run them in my machines. Right now i run shindawa and am pleased with it. No matter the machine i do not think i would go anything but 50:1

Just my .02

Andy

[jeffex]

What size lawn do you have? I use a lawn boy silver series 2cyl. as my trim mower. Someone here at lawnsite told me how to increase the rpms of the mower by turning the white star wheel on top of the carb clockwise. It worked excellent. The higher rpm gave a faster ground speed and a better cut. I have the self propelled model and it will pop a wheelie when you pull the lever. To solve the problem of following the next row of cutting and not having a line of uncut grass I painted a line on the top of the mower deck where the blade tip ended. I like the cut of other mowers a little better but since I try and use a 21" mower as little as possible the lawnboy is my choice because I used to go through other mowers like bic lighters. It is a well made piece and you don't heve to change the oil.

[philk17088]

I had my numbers reversed in my post about ratios. But I think Jeffex solved my problem with smoke. I never could get any rpm's out of it so it would load up during normal cutting and would add power if I hit thick grass. I will try the star wheel adjustment on the carb. Thanks, if it works I'll love this mower even more.

My home lawn is about 5m, the wife keeps expanding planting beds, thats OK with me as long as she keeps weeding 'em:p

[jeffex]

great mower for that size lawn. I use mine for hills since the self propelled mower will pull itself right up any hill . Raising rpm will suck more gas too.

[MOW ED]

You asked and we all will answer.

I will never own another 4 cycle push mower. The Lawnboy 2 stroker is excellent for my applications and maintenance.

The side wheel actually prevents scapling. I find it no harder to get used to than anything else.

I have used Amsoil at the rate of 100:1 for 5 years now. I have never had a fuel related problem. Petroleum based oils are thick and heavy and do produce a large amount of carbon in certain situations. The spark plug has to be just right and obviously the engine runs thru many temperature ranges while mowing. Cold start up and high heat conditions effect conventional petro based oils. 2 cycle petrol based is no difference. I am an advocate of Amsoil but any of the synthetic 2 cycle oils will work. 100:1 will not hurt that engine which I can say for certain in my experience. There is no need for 50:1 or 32:1 ratios. Give synthetics a try you will be amazed.

Keep the underside clean as the exhaust is dumped out the ports in the bottom of the deck. I think you will have good luck with the Lanwboy.

[philk17088]

The newer models now have the exhaust out the front. No more smokin turf when you keep it one spot!