Posted on 03/08/2023 8:47:06 AM PST by dennisw
https://www.walmart.com/ip/PowerSmart-209CC-engine-21-3-in-1-Gas-Self-Propelled-Lawn-Mower-DB2194SH-with-8-Rear-Wheel-rear-Bag-Side-Discharge-and-Mulching/193485183
This Chinese engine lawn mower is $197 at Walmart. You can buy a 2 year protection policy for 16$. I have this coming in on Friday. Walmart gives you 90 day returns on this but please verify for yourself
BUT I already have one that I got off of ebay with a 60 day return policy where seller pays for returns/ So if Walmart runs better I will return it? Or maybe keep both.
My review-- A bit hard to start with normal gasoline that has 10% ethanol. So...... I went and got some ethanol free gasoline. Now it starts on the second pull. From now on this is the only gasoline I will use. Less vibration too with ethanol free gasoline.You can get more details at the Power Smart website. On YouTube there are 3-4 very informative reviews of this 209cc self propelled lawnmower.I bought a Troy-Bilt lawnmower 4 years ago. The Briggs Stratton engine runs great. But the deck rusted so much it is disgusting. It is unusable because the deck cracked / split from rust.
So disgusted, I figured give the Chinese a shot. Believe it or not, this mower has a horizontal gas engine with a gearbox inside.At Harbor Freight, they have been selling the Predator engine for lawn mowers-- $229 https://www.harborfreight.com/55-hp-173cc-ohv-vertical-shaft-gas-engine-epacarb-69731.html_br_psugg_q=predator+gas+engine+vertical This is supposed to be a clone of a Honda engine. One of the reviews said to run it for an hour. Then dump out all the oil when the engine is hot. Look for metal filings. Then strain them out or just put new oil in it. The deal is that though it is a Honda clone, the Chinese do not manufacture to the exacting tolerances that Honda does. After that initial filings dump, your engine is good to go
So I will do the same oil dump with this new Power Smart lawnmower/ This mower has rear-wheel drive with one sorta fast speed. Non adjustable speed on this mower. I will be getting the Walmart one on Friday and will review it right here on Saturday
The CCP are buying our government out, one lawn mower at a time.
Key take-away: You get what you pay for.
I bought a John Deere push mower from my neighbor over ten years ago. My guess is that it is 20 years old. Kawasaki engine. Starts first pull every time, but it is heavy as hell.
The ironic thing is the "engineered gas" is a way to get a normal storage container that works and pours just fine, not the horrendous federally-required "spill proof / emissions proof" plastic containers with awkward buttons that always spill huge amounts of gas all over the place.
The $25/gallon stuff is convenient because it will be at your local Ace hardware store or your local big-box store. Not having to drive to the marina or airport and schlep around your can(s) is a huge convenience.
Fortunately, in Idaho, we still have Maverick gas stations that carry gas without ethanol and I pick up a gallon when I need it.
I used to use 15% ethanol gas in my small engines and was always changing carburetors every year or two. What a waste of time and money. After switching, I haven't had to change a single carburetor.
For winter storage, instead of draining the tank and running the carb dry, I add a bit of additive and top the tank off. That keeps out the air and introduction of water which condenses in the tank.
Thanks for that lawnmower comparison link! I watched it once and will watch it again.
The writing is on the wall, the US Gov will ban small gas engines. You should buy something that will last and can be repaired. I would have bought a new/used replacement deck or even a used mower with engine problems (probably just clogged carb) for cheap. I do my best to avoid buying Chinese.
Lawnmower engine comparison link! Harbor Freight Predator engine has 1000 reviews and a 96% favorable/would recommend rating
It’s made for short people??
That guy does really good, no-nonsense reviews. His rapid-fire delivery is a bit annoying, but there’s no fluff or BS, just solid facts.
Don’t let it next to your internet router.
If you have any intellectual property of trade secrets, keep the mower away as well.
no, I use non ethanol gas
When it die you can say,” It no mo glass.”................
You haven’t sharpened the blade since 2017?
True. You should buy the mower from an American company that had it built in China instead.
I migrated to all battery powered devices. The EGO 56v lithium-ion batteries are interchangeable across all - mower, snowblower, chainsaw, leaf blower, trimmer, hedge trimmer. No gas, oil, filters, carbs, etc. - just drop in a battery and go. With two chargers and four batteries I can charge while working and work non stop. No lack of power either.
Will never go back.
Higher octane gas is less volatile than lower octane. Something else is occurring.
Also if you go to a gas station the first half gallon or so you pump is the gas the last guy pumped. Most pumps use the same hose to pump the different octanes. It takes time to purge the gas.
Troy-Bilt was really good stuff until they were taken over by MTD. That happened because they bought Bolens, which was another top-quality product. This in combination with an economic downturn overextended Troy, and they became ripe for a hostile takeover.
MTD came in with their “build it as cheap as possible” mentality, and screw those who bought the extended Troybilt warranty, and ruined both brands.
I had a Troy-Bilt mower for a couple of years, and while it cut OK, the deck was stupidly designed, with easily damaged plastic bits in the most ridiculous places. Bought an Ariens: the mower, bagging, and self-drive were good but I HATED the POS Chinese Kohler (really)motor on it.
Bought a Toro, and after 3 years it’s still working perfectly. Best machine I’ve used in a couple of decades.
Source info: when I was in my early teens my parents started a small engine shop, and I worked there for close to 15 years. I’ve seen/used/repaired/sold a very wide variety of outdoor power equipment...
Funny, ALL Premium gas here is non-ethanol.
I like it for my snow-blower and weed whips, use Non-Oxy in chain saws, lawn mowers, etc.
Your mileage may vary.
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