[kateblue]

Looking for recommendations - I have a flat yard and I love how lightweight and easy the non-self propelled mowers are. I picked up a cheap one at Lowes, but I'm looking for something better that will last.

Also interested in recommendations for older ones -- the work horses that were made well back in the day. I could probably find them Craigslist or at garage/estate sales.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lawnboy52]

Lawnboy aluminum deck with a f series engine. It will be the last mower you ever will buy.

 

[wheatus]

Swisher

 

[KUMA01]

Honda hrr216pka but it's heavy to push

 

[kateblue]

Thanks! I also want it to mulch - I don't bag my clippings. Sorry I forgot to add that in my original post.

 

[KUMA01]

Then honda would be your best bet it's made for mulching especial with the twin blade technology.

 

[weeze]

honda hrs 216. it's $349 brand new. it is push and has side discharge or mulch options. i think it's 66lbs total so not very heavy at all.

i have a craftsman with the same honda gcv160 engine and it's 15 years old still going strong so it will last basically forever. still using the original spark plug on mine. all you have to do is change the oil and air filter once a year. maybe twice if you mow a lot.

 

[kateblue]

I will check out the Honda!
New question: how important is ethanol free gas? I found one place 30 min from me that sells it. If it's the best thing to use, how long can I store it? I want to buy enough to last me through the season if possible, to avoid numerous trips.

 

[KUMA01]

honda hrs 216. it's $349 brand new. it is push and has side discharge or mulch options. i think it's 66lbs total so not very heavy at all.

i have a craftsman with the same honda gcv160 engine and it's 15 years old still going strong so it will last basically forever. still using the original spark plug on mine. all you have to do is change the oil and air filter once a year. maybe twice if you mow a lot.

Yea to the average adult no but a 15 year old at 116 lbs on hills it's very hard to push lol

 

[That Guy Gary]

If you buy a new mower ethanol free gas isn't important as long as it's cycled regularly. Older motors and fuel systems used materials that ethanol corroded, new machines are all built to tolerate it.

Don't refill the tank until it's low and follow the instructions for long term storage and you should be fine.

 

[kateblue]

Thanks to everyone who answered. I appreciate your time!

 

[Dave2]

I used a lawn boy from the 90's that was really nice. Super light, and really durable. Check those out, I loved them better than self propelled because of the weight and speed (pushed faster than self propelled).

 

[GoPappy]

Read this:

https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/do-commercial-21-push-mowers-exist-or-are-extinct.466718/

If you can sift through some of the noise in that thread, there is actually some good info in there.

 

[kateblue]

I used a lawn boy from the 90's that was really nice. Super light, and really durable. Check those out, I loved them better than self propelled because of the weight and speed (pushed faster than self propelled).

I KNOW!!!! I had never mowed until I was married - up until then I either had a brother or no lawn My (now ex) bought a top of the line John Deere, so when I took over lawn care, that mower was my only experience. When one of the cables broke last season, I picked up the cheapie. I had no idea how GREAT the regular push mowers are! So much easier to push and maneuver! The JD I have is super nice, but a heavy beast.

 

[JP in KC]

I will check out the Honda!
New question: how important is ethanol free gas? I found one place 30 min from me that sells it. If it's the best thing to use, how long can I store it? I want to buy enough to last me through the season if possible, to avoid numerous trips.

Ethanol-free is less important for newer mowers, as someone pointed out, but that's sort of a separate issue from storage of fuel. Get a bottle of fuel stabilizer like Sta-Bil and use it to treat the gas when you buy it. Just put the stabilizer in at the rate recommended for storage, then add the fuel. They usually say, and so far my experience seems to confirm, that the treated gas will be OK in the mower/snowblower/whatever for a year. That would be about as long as I've ever let anything sit unstarted.