New mower

[Smither]

I'm needing to get a new lawn mower. I don't have a big yard and am probably going to get a push mower. Would love to get a mulching mower, but haven't been impressed with any I've seen. I'd like to spend about $400 or less. Anybody have any suggestions???

[accuratelawn]

I try not use use a push mower. I have a Toro and Yardman. Both are NO good. Honda is the best from what I hear.
Mulching works great if the grass is dry and not overgrown. If it gets away from you mow once at highest setting, then lower the deck and mow again.

[Smither]

Thanks for the reply. I had thought both of those (Toro & Yardman) were good. It's good to hear from someone who actually owns one. I had heard Honda was good. I'll have to check into them. Thanks for the tip on mulching. I'll try that one this spring, you know how it grows in the spring.

[Fantasy Lawns]

Snapper makes a great 21 that mulches well 6hp ... 5 sp ... I also have a Cub (yard man but Comm quality) which is OK but after about 500 hrs the tranny slips sometimes ....cool thing of her is the front caster wheels which makes turning a breeze

[kutnkru]

I dont like front caters for sloped applications although they are superb for following sculpted bed lines (Can also be found on an Ariens as well). I would recommend a 2 stroke motor in a trim mower so that there is not a problem with extended running times in the hotter summer temperatures.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[Richgonfishn]

I just bought a Scotts mower. So far it's great. It has a nice bagging system and mulches well. It has a 6.5 horse engine. It's a 3 in 1 self propelled. It sells for $379.00 at The Home Depot. I picked it up during the holidays for 20% off. You should be able to get a nice mower for $400.00. Check out the following site for great info. At the top type in mowers. You can read reviews on most mowers made. Let me know if you like the site.

epinions.com

[Smither]

Went to the "epinions" site. LOVED IT!!!! Thanks for letting me know about it. It's great to hear from people who have actually laid out their hard earned cash for something and how they feel about it after they get it home and use it. Gave me lots of great info. Thanks again.

[Richgonfishn]

I'm glad you enjoyed the site. What did you find out? What do you think you're going to buy. Next time you check out epinions read my review on my boat. Type in Maxum 2100SR boat. Keep us updated..

Originally posted by Smither
Went to the "epinions" site. LOVED IT!!!! Thanks for letting me know about it. It's great to hear from people who have actually laid out their hard earned cash for something and how they feel about it after they get it home and use it. Gave me lots of great info. Thanks again.

[Smither]

Really looked at the Toros and Hondas. Didn't like everything I saw. Looked at the John Deere's and every review was good except for the guy who hit a stump with his and called it fragile. I'll probably check those out this week. What kink of experience do you guys have with Tecumseh motors??? I love Briggs and Stratton, but have never had a Tecumseh. Are the any good??? American made???

[65hoss]

I have a 21" Honda commercial that was bought in 1984. Never had anything done to it. Still cranks on the first pull everytime. I use it in my biz as the trim mower. It does a pretty good job of mulching. Any mower this size doesn't create the airflow of a bigger mower to have the same effect at mulching. But if you cut regularly you will be happy.

[Martin]

Tecumseh are made in the good old USA and yes they good engines and I think you should look at the JOHN DEERE mowers a little more the JX60 is a push mulching mower for around $329.00, in calif anyway check with a dealer near you

[Smither]

Martin,

Couldn't quite tell from your post, are you recommending or NOT recommending the John Deere's???? I checked the JS60 (steel deck, mulching good, okay bagger) at my dealer. $299, bag is an extra $70). For aluminum deck, he recommended the Toro Reclycler. $369, plus another $130 for the bag. Wife likes the JD prices alot better. I think the JX60 is aluminum deck, which the dealer said doesn't mulch as good as the steel deck JS60. Want to mulch and quit the bagging stuff as much as possible.

[Edited by Smither on 01-18-2001 at 09:01 AM]

[parkay]

I can understand why you would want to mulch the grass, but at the same time you will need to plan ahead for those times when you are not going to be able to mow and it gets to long to mulch. always have a back up! ex: bagger, side discharge. I have also heard that honda is good but the cost is what will get you. Personally, I like Toro, but shop the market.

[klite]

If your going to use the mower for your own home, try a Troy-Bilt 21". It will side discharge,mulch or bag.I Just checked the web site that mower is $699.If its to rich go to this other site.
http://www.lawnboy.com
Just my 2 cents worth.
http://www.troybilt.com

[Edited by klite on 01-25-2001 at 11:37 PM]

[lawman]

Home depot has some nice hondas. I use a snapper for trim work. About $250.

[Scag48]

Smither-I don't reccomend the John Deere's all that much. I guess they're an OK mower but I don't think they're worth what you pay for them. If you buy a Deere, check to see if you get an actuall dealer. If you have one that is just lowballin' it, it wouldn't be that great of a choice, even though you're not commercial mowing, things still go wrong. I would go with a Honda or Toro. I like both. I run a Toro Super Recycler but have used a Honda and I'm still not sure which I like better. I think the best thing about the Honda's that I like is the Hydrostatic drive. You can set it just right for any condition where as if you had a 3 speed Toro, you can't get the speed just right for the type of grass etc.. I'm not much of a fan of Yardman or anything like that. Just seem too cheaply built. Happy hunting. :)

[derekarbeiter]

The john deere JS60 is THE mower. It is probably the best mulching mower out there, even better than toro. It is commercial quality with a rugged 13 gauge steel mower deck which is bullet proof. The downside I see is the Briggs engine and the plastic parts.:nono: