Need a Lawn Mower Recommendation (Vanity)

StonyMan451 | 7/19/2011 | StonyMan451

[StonyMan451]

I've just been informed that my second Toro gas powered push lawn mower isn't worth fixing. I know very little about engines and such, so I'm taking the mechanic's word for it. The engine has thrown a rod (I can hear it) and the transmission's shot (that's why I took it to be repaired).

Now I have to plead a little a lot guilty. I did not take proper care of the thing. I should have changed the oil, etc., etc.

However, before I invest in another lawn mower (which I PROMISE I will take good care of) I thought I'd ask my fellow Freepers for some advice.

Here's my situation... Our lot is 0.7 acres, and bumpy. We're in the mid-atlantic region, so we need to cut the lawn from early April through the end of October. I am not interested in collecting the grass clippings when I use it, so I would want them to mulch back into the lawn. I would like, but do not strictly need an electric start. I do need self-propulsion. Parts of my lawn get very thick and I need the extra power of a larger engine.

So here are my questions:

1. What brand/model do you recommend? (I can spend about $400, give or take)

2. Do you believe an extended warranty is worth the extra cost?

3. If I take good care of it, how long do you think it should last?

4. Besides changing the oil, what should I do to make it last?

5. Are there any other considerations I should take into account?

Thanks.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

OK, I see you have a current vanity posted about lawn mowers.
Unfortunately, I can’t keep up with all the vanities around here
these days. Unfortunately, also, I don’t own a lawn mower any longer.

However, in the spirit of helpfulness, I would like to answer your
questions as if you asked about handguns - since if you are out
mowing, you will need a mower gun.

1. What brand/model do you recommend? (I can spend about $400, give or take)

As a first-time gun owner, I suggest you shoot a number of models
and see what is comfortable to you. Be sure to try a wheel gun.

Also, depending on your eyesight and how steady you are shooting
from a moving mower, you may want to consider a Mossberg shotgun -
I suggest a 12 gauge for mower work.

2. Do you believe an extended warranty is worth the extra cost?

It is a rare thing that you see a handgun with an extended warranty
for purchase. Sorry.

3. If I take good care of it, how long do you think it should last?

Multiple lifetimes.

4. Besides changing the oil, what should I do to make it last?

Use high quality ammunition, keep it away form corrosive saltwater
and don’t use it in the commission of any crimes. Keep your mower
away from school zones when you are packing heat.

5. Are there any other considerations I should take into account?

Sure. Make sure it fits your hand comfortably and DON”T POINT IT AT
ANYTHING YOU DON’T INTEND TO SHOOT!!!

It might be tempting to shoot at small pieces of trash that are in
your way as you mow. Never a good idea. Things can ricochet and in
my (sad) experience, neighbors do not like this. In my case, the
trash turned out to be some backpacks neighbor kids left at the bus
stop in front of our home. Oops. One had a hamster in it. Irresponsible
kid!

Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in your
vanity today. I hope this was helpful. This topic of mower guns
does not show up on the banglist very often.

best,
ampu

[MileHi]

Me either, so no more gas powered stuff from Sears, I still like their hand tools and power tools, so far.

FReegards!

[TChad]

With the lawnmower in that position she’s not cutting any grass. Perhaps she is just blowing the lawn dry.

[StonyMan451]

Thanks everyone for some great responses!

You brought up some interesting points I hadn’t thought of, such as Craigs List, front wheel drive, metal wheels, draining the gas, changing the air filter, and so much more.

In my area it would cost $50 to get someone to cut the lawn. So that’s out of the question.

I especially liked the bicycle/push mower option. I’ll have to look into that one!

I do share a riding mower with my brother-in-law who lives next door, but we do need a push mower, too, for certain areas and for a backup. And sometimes I just prefer to use it instead of the riding mower. Fortunately our lawns are very flat, although a bit bumpy.

My wife likes the electric option. She had one of them before we were married, but I always hated the cord. Plus, parts of our lawn are more than 100 ft. from the electric outlet.

I’ll take all your suggestions and thoughts to heart, especially the ones about the mower guns. That made me laugh.

[CaptainMorgantown]

I read your story and it was like I was reading my own story (down to the size and description of our lawns).

After owning our previous Toro pushmower for nearly 20 years, we bought a new Toro in late April. By late June, the engine was blown, the local Toro repair shop said it couldn’t be fixed and it wouldn’t be covered by waranty because we hadn’t done a complete oil change after the first 5 hours of use.

We blamed ourselves for not following the maintenance schedule exactly, and bought another identical model. Assuredly, we should have done the complete oil change and we will do one this time, but after reading your story, I’m not so sure that there isn’t a quality control problem.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

I buy the cheaper ones at Wally World - run them for 3 or 4 summers, keep clean oil, air filter and spark plug on them, then trash them when the engine fails and buy a new one.

[IYellAtMyTV]

ROTFLMAO!

[Jimmy Valentine]

Great advice. Thanks for that.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Fantastic, thanks. You know, I am always delighted at the breadth and depth of knowledge on this board, both basic practical and more academic.

I have learned so much just from exchanges like these.

Thanks again

[cmsgop]

I also have this Black andDecker model. I love it, and I have some serios lawn too. Gas Powered=Stupid IMHO

[Fightin Whitey]

I bought a Lawn Boy four or five years ago for country use and have absolutely beat the cr@p out of it. Tall grass, rough ground, the occasional rock the first couple years.

I figured it was going to die on me one of these days and went back to Belgrade (MT) Sales and Service and they told me they were discontinuing LB...turns out the company had been sold and was now much more cheaply being made in China for sale at the bigbox retailers.

I bought a Honda ($600) and took my prized Lawn Boy home for retirement duty on the town lawn. Snapper & Honda cost a bit more but they will pay off over time.

[Fightin Whitey]

Some call it a scythe.

I call it a sling blade.

Mmm-HMMM.....

[rintense]

I'm on year 13 of my Craftsman. Still going strong, though I'm disappointed the local Sears stopped selling Craftsman spark plugs and use a generic one now. On my second one this summer.

The best way to keep a mower going strong is to do regular maintenance- run the gas dry before winter storage, change the oil, air filter, spark plug & sharpen the blade every spring. Takes all of 20 min for a summer of great lawn cutting.