21" walkmowers

[Shane Woods]

In you guys professional opinion what is the best 21" mower on the market? Thinking of trying a two cycle Toro. Thanks

[bob]

I like my JD 14SB, here's more info http://www.lawnsite.com/search.php?query=21+mower&forumchoice=-1&booleanand=yes&searchin=subject&searchdate=-1&searchuser=&searchdateline=&exactname=yes&action=dosearch&getdaily=&pagenum=

[Skookum]

You can try a Exmark, at last visit to Exmark dealer I was told it is a Toro tried and true machine swapped with an Exmark label. Motor options might be different, i cannot remember.

[Jusmowin]

TORO 2 cycle s/p push mower is the way to go, I have one that is 15 years old and it cuts as good as the new one I bought last year. Just make sure to keep the air filter clean and the fuel mix rite and you should have no problems.

[Cleve]

Commercial Honda with the hydrostatic transmission. Has infinite speed control and blade clutch. Very heavy mower but will last long long time if taken care of.
Cleve....

[gusbuster]

If you don't mind the side step deck, go with the Model # 22261 Lawnboy 21" commercial mower.(Check it out at alimia.com, $685 free shipping in U.S.) 3 speed transmission, 2 cycle engine that last a very long time, with proper accessories(mulch plate and mulch fan) great mulcher even when wet. A big selling point with me is it's light.

If you want a straight deck mower, get the Honda comercial mowers. 1 pull engine starts. 4 cycle engine, no gas-oil needed, depending on what model, can change trans speed on the fly, blade brake saftey feature(makes it handy for go over curbs,trailer ramps, streets, ect..)As a mulcher, it's ok. The other downside is if you have to cut muddywet grass or lift this machine, it's heavy. It does cut wet grass well however. Alamia sells honda's also.

I do prefer the Lawnboy over the honda because it's lighter and mulches better. The only thing that I can fault this machine is it's difficult to get thru small gates.

One thing to keep in mind is what other pro's in your area are using. You have to be able to get parts easily if you ar going to have a good machine.John

[Shack]

Honda all the way.

[mmorgan]

I use Lawnboy silver series. No self propelled, electric start or anything fancy. You can buy one for about $250 use it all season trouble free and get rid of it at the end of the season for $50. After the end of a single season, small things go wrong. (rope breaks, wheels worn etc.) I don't like to work on them, I like to work with them. There is still enough life left for a home owner to use it once a week for a very long time. In a single year, my lawnboys get a zillion hour put on them, and I will still keep buying them. I hate that little right hand wheel though!!

[kutnkru]

I know the gentleman who owns ProTurf Landscaping in Thomasville NC and his outfit is responsible for the High Point Regional Medical Center there and he employees close to a dozen immigrant laborers at a time and those machines withstand a lot of abuse from constant turnover. Although they are heavier machines they have definitely withstood the test of time.

Just my .02
Kris

[OU812]

Toro or Exmark with BBC and Kawasaki engine, the best!!

I know one of the local guys who used to use Honda (hydro). The next year he went to Toro he liked the Toro better than the Honda because it was faster.I have used snapper and Toro and I prefer the Toro also.

[Mowman]

Shane,
I own a Toro 21" Commercial w/ 2 cycle engine. Bought it in 1998 and would buy another one. There not cheap but you get what you pay for. I started with a LawnBoy 4 cycle and had it wore out in two years. The Toro cuts nice and stripes nice and also came with a bag. Spend the extra and get a real COMMERCIAL mower. You will be better off in the long run. Just my .02 cents worth.
Good Luck,
Mowman

[Eric ELM]

I'm with Bob on this, we use a JD 14SE, same mower, just that this one has/had an electric starter. That is the only thing that has been the problem, the starter went out with in a year and they replaced it. It went out again after the warranty ended and they want close to $200 for a starter for it, not installed. It always starts on the first pull, so we didn't replace it. We have had it for 5 years and it is a solid little mower.

[TGCummings]

I use the Toro Proline Recycler w/ Kawasaki Engine. When I started out I used some pretty crappy MTD ripoffs before going with a commercial Kubota 21" and a Snapper 3in1. The Kubota was an awesome machine, very heavy duty with a sweet cut and gear drive, but it didn't have a mulching feature. I switched to the Toro for that reason, and have never looked back. I now own two of them to go along with my 36" Exmark. For my area, that's the perfect combination... ;)

-TGC

[Cleve]

Originally posted by OU812
Toro or Exmark with BBC and Kawasaki engine, the best!!

I know one of the local guys who used to use Honda (hydro). The next year he went to Toro he liked the Toro better than the Honda because it was faster.I have used snapper and Toro and I prefer the Toro also.

And I say that would be almost impossible. I am not going to even try to keep up with a Honda Hydrostatic at full speed. The Toro might be faster but you would have to run pretty fast if so. In the 10 or so years that I have mowed behind the Honda I have never had to use the fastest speed. Keep in mind the speed is adjustable to your walking speed so that you don't have to adjust to the mower speed. Toro does have a mower that is infinitely adjustable but is a mechanical system and my dealer does not believe is as reliable as the Honda. He sells both. I have two Hondas and have never had either the engine or transmission to fail on either one. I do agree that Lawnboy and Toro make great equipment but just believe the Honda is a little better.
Cleve....

[double e]

I have 2 toros and they run fine- but I hate to admitt I have a Craftsman 21' and I love it. Never had a problem

[rdh]

my lawnboy mower has been agood one i would buy another
except i wouldnt get the one that has the dip stick tube on the out side of motor. i would get the one thats made into the top engine cover.
i have bought atleast 5 tubes and the rubber rings from
$8to12 dollars each time.i mow under pine trees and bushes
and the tube gets hit a lot breaks or the rubber ring flys
off .the mower will start on first pull if you hit primer
button 2 times

[Cutter1]

I use the toro proline with the 2 cycle suzuki engine. Built like a tank and would never buy anything else.

[Twotoros]

I swear by my 2stroke toros. Be forwarned that to pass emmision standards the carb jets are for an altitude of 6000 feet and run lean . They do not run as well as previous years. If you buy one have the jets changed , if your dealer won't find one who will or look at the 5.5 hp 4 stroke.

[65hoss]

Honda.


Bought in early 80's and still starts on first pull.

[Mark]

I purchased my first Toro BBC 2cycle Suzuki, Its ok but my favorite is the snapper/2cycle robin, Way easier to dump bags.Height adjustment much better and so is the cut. Ive ran snappers for many yrs, Heard so much about those toros so i went for one. Oh and the blades on snappers and much faster to change. So my favorite is Snappers Marks Mowing Service PS 200.00 Cheaper too

[eslawns]

I use an Ariens 21' with swivel front wheels. It will bag, mulch or discharge. It's self propelled, and you can adjust it infinitely from a slow, slow walk to a near run. It's a bear to adjust all the gadgets, so make sure the dealer sets it up. I tried to save money on the one I bought, but will never do that again :rolleyes: Live and learn. It has a minor design flaw, though. The material the blade adaptor is made from is a cast metal. First object or tall grass and it breaks. (My dealer tells me this is why they don't sell.) Replace with a machined pulley and Snapper adaptor, and all is good. I have used the Toro, Lawn Boy, and the JD. They're all good, but once I used this Ariens, I threw rocks at the others. It vacuums like a champ and is effortless to use.

[jay]

Commercial Honda with the hydrostatic transmission all the way. Tried almost all of them, Hondas the best for wear and tear and suction. The two speed one tranmission won't last you as long as the hydrostatic.

[dmk395]

I have a 20 inch Poulan push mower that i have used since 1997. This thing has thousands of hours on it, unbelievable little machine for about 150 bucks.

[Esby]

By far the best 21" I have ever owned. I will never buy anything else.

[gusbuster]

Shane,
Something that is not mentioned, what kind of work are you doing? Are you working by yourself? Do you have to lift this machine up stairs,truck ect..

Keep those type of questions going through your mind when you choose your machine. The mentioned machines are excellent choices, however, they weigh a ton. The questions I would ask myself:
1. Is this machine reliable?
2. Does it cut well?
3. Are parts easily available?
4. Can I lift this machine if I have to??

I've used Toroexmark,LawnBoy,Snapper,& Honda. I think they're all very good machines, but every single one has some kind of fault. When going to purchase, what are other L.C.O. using in your area? Point that I'm trying to make, if you come to my part of town, Honda rules! Why? All of the local dealers(less than 30 miles driving)all push the Honda mower. Why? They're reliable.:)
John

[lakegastonla]

I have 2 snapper 21 inch push mowers with the 5.5 hp Kawasaki engines. Best engine around for small mower, in my opinion. These mowers last forever and parts are easy and CHEAP to come by.

[JeffC]

I'm in the market for a new 21 inch mower also I have been using a yardman with a 6hp what about a Lesco the one I looked at had a 5 or 5.5 kawaski and i think it was about $200.00 cheaper than the John Deere Does anyone know who makes the Lesco and what do you think of this unit it was gear driven.

[JohnyNCa]

Honda baby!! Keep up with maintenance and it will you last you.

[MIDSOUTH]

i have a john deere self propelled - it does a great job.
bought a 36" exmark so now I hardly ever use the 21".

[Paradise Yard Service]

Honda HRC216 all the way! Thats the top of the line hydro 21' WB. I have two. The first one bought in 1990 and use as backup. The drive is bulletproof and need I say more about Hondas 4-stroke ohv? I wish they still used the chrome handlebars as the powdercoat will wear off in Hawaii and then rust,(it will be 15 years before rust will claim it though!). Buy the way look at the support set up at the base of the handlebars. You will notice great attention to rugged detail. In my past experence with 21' handlebars can be the weak point along with the wheels. Both are INDESTRUCTABLE on the Honda. I've owned Lawnboys and there great (still keep one on hand) but once I bought the Honda I won't change.
Aloha, P.Y.S.

[Idahodan]

Alot of good mowers mentioned but if you can afford it, go with the Toro 2 Cycle. Our company uses them exclusivley.