Homeowner need advice from the experts

[loyd meeks]

We are moving into town with a 1/8 acre lot. Lots of concrete to edge and fence in back to keep trimmed. SO
I am disabled and cannot walk well but my wife wants to get a self propelled, electric start walk behind 21". I want the best and am willing to spend for good equipment. Also need a light trimmer and and edger. Already have a good blower.

I only buy from a dealer and never a box store. I even try to discourage people that are looking at the crap they sell when I am going in.

I tried to talk he into getting a lawn professional but she loves the work outside as long as she can.

Thanks for you help.

[ajslands]

Can't go wrong with a Toro push mower, especially with there self pace mowing speed.
I use Echo for trimmer and edger but my tools are all gas. Not sure who makes the best electric trimmer or edger.
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[bucko]

the best mowers are the commercial ones.
snapper toro honda exmark etc ... doesnt really matter
which brand it is for you. its gonna cost a grand though.
would probably be overkill for your needs though.
I would suggest checking local mower dealer and ask
for the models just below commercial models. that would be the best for you.

[AlpineNaturescapes]

For your needs, I second the Toro personal pace with electric start. Will suit you fine without the 500 extra dollars - just run the gas dry every fall. It sounds like with all the trimming, you should forget the electic trimmer though and go ahead and get a light commercial quality trimmer - I use Stihl - another 250 - $300. The cheap gas trimmers are just too much of a pain to start and operate.

[wrager]

I have never liked gas trimmers. I can't seem to control it without tearing up everything (I'm not a pro). I used to use a cheap, corded toro. Recently I bought a Ryobi 24volt trimmer. It is great. Easy to control and the battery lasts forever. Nice machine.

[loyd meeks]

Not looking at electric trimmer or edger. Want all gas. So Toro over Honda HRX217HMA?

Thanks for the help

[ed2hess]

My experience with 21" mowers and electric start has been real bad. Always something wrong either battery or the interlocks. Mine was top of line Lawn boy.

[Aaronnc]

Get you a Honda HRX217HZA mower, Husqvarna 323L trimmer, and Husqvarna 323EX edger and call it a day.

Or, you can get you a Stihl Kombisystem KM110R with the FS-KM Trimmer attachment, and the FCS-MM edger attachment. Would be a little heavier than the Husky's but you could add attachments down the road if you needed too instead of buying dedicated machines.

[Aaronnc]

I also agree with Ed about the electric start. I haven't had overly bad experiences with them, but it always seems like year one they are fine, but somewhere around year 2 or 3 they become finicky little turds.

IMO though, one feature I'll never be without again is the blade brake control. Can't live without that feature. Reduced my aggravation 50-75% easily when dealing with push mowers.

[rlitman]

Originally Posted by Aaronnc

I also agree with Ed about the electric start. I haven't had overly bad experiences with them, but it always seems like year one they are fine, but somewhere around year 2 or 3 they become finicky little turds.

IMO though, one feature I'll never be without again is the blade brake control. Can't live without that feature. Reduced my aggravation 50-75% easily when dealing with push mowers.

I don't know about electric start, but my Honda (HRX217HXA, which has a plastic deck, with hydro drive and BBC, but no electric start) is the easiest mower I've ever had to start. I know of two women who often have trouble pull starting gas engines, who can start this mower on the first pull, every time. Anyway, with the BBC, you don't need to re-start the engine every time you empty the bag, or push it over gravel, etc.

If you don't have the strength to start this machine, you probably shouldn't be pushing it. I can think of exceptions (all disability related) that would make me consider an electric start, but in general, I just don't see the need to add more complexity to a Honda. They're just so easy to start.

I have the Stihl Kombi KM110R, with the straight trimmer and edger. It is a great machine and was well worth the expense to me, but with all the attachments I have, it does get pretty expensive.