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Lawnmower recommendation

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by wahoogeek, Apr 10, 2009.

  1. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    My 2 cycle lawnboy is ready for retirement (lasted 9 years!). So I need a new lawnmower, anyone have a recent purchase they'd recommend? Really good mulching capability required, I never side discharge, bag only in early spring and late fall. I'll pay for quality but don't need an $800 mower either.

    thanks in advance.
     
  2. Mazinger

    Mazinger New Member

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    I have one of those honda mulching mowers. It's been great the past 3 years.
    Brought it out last week from winter storage and it started up after one pull.

    I think it was around $400-500 at home depot.
     
  3. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    I have a Troy Built model, great mulcher.... I think it was in the $350 range. It is self propelled too which I think is a great feature.

    Also, if you are a member of Costco I think they have a great Honda model for sale this year.
     
  4. SchwarzFamily

    SchwarzFamily New Member

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    I had a Toro - if there was a drop of water on the grass it would seize up. Lasted two years. Replaced it with the same Honda mower Mazinger bought - been really happy.
     
  5. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    Last year we bought a Lawn-Boy mulching mower at Home Depot for under $300 or so. So far we're happy with it. We don't bag, we just let the mulch go underneath. I had done research online and it was supposed to be a pretty good one.
     
  6. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    thanks all. If it wouldn't be too much hassle, can you post the model number? Honda/Lawnboy has quite a few models (and diff models depending on where purchased).

    thanks again.
     
  7. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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  8. exbubba

    exbubba New Member

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    I have a Toro super recycler 21 in self propelled and it works like a charm for past three years. Just put a new plug in from HD with two-prong spark and it runs like new or better. This month's (or lasts) consumer rpts does an article on mowers and Tor is right behind Honda for 1/2 to 2/3 the price.
     
  9. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Ditto exbubba. I've had the recycler 21 Toro for four years now. I bought it then to replace another Toro that I had that lasted 15 years (and I bought that one refurbished). In all these years I've only had to replace tires, sparkplug, a lost handle knob, and filters. Both are garage kept.

    Honda's are nice but I couldn't justify the cost.

    Lawnboys all come down to which engine you get.
     
  10. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    thanks again all... the rain has allowed me to do some shopping.

    Exbubba -- do you think the super recycler is worth the premium over the recycler? Super has aluminum deck, longer warrenty, diff engine but $170 more for similar models (20332 20092). I realize I'm asking someone who did make that choice but...
     
  11. exbubba

    exbubba New Member

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    I bought the super recycler because of the engine and deck and especially the "personal pace" capability. I had a Deere for 14 years before with an aluminum deck but it was built like a tank and I don't like pushin no tank. My neighbor has a six speed deer and its still like pushin a tank. Toro is light as a feather and always starts by the third pull if maintained but must be primed according to instructions. Personal pace is everything on a hilly yard.
     
  12. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    I actually disengaged the self-propelled motor on my current mower as it slowed me down and I do like getting some sort of workout mowing. Is the personal pace as advertised -- goes as slow or fast as depending on the force you exert?
     
  13. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    The Lawn-Boy I have has that feature too. I think the personal pace feature works. Just don't go too fast that the mower blades don't have time to do their job. I can feel the extra help when I go up hills.
     
  14. Kilkenny

    Kilkenny Member

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    FYI, May, 2009 issue of Consumer Reports tests 50 walk behind models.
     
  15. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    Thanks for all of your posts. Mother nature forced my hand as I needed to get the lawn mowed before the rains so that left me with whatever selection was at HD. I ended up with a mid-line Toro Recycler. Considering I didn't spend top dollar and after one mowing, I'm satisfied with my purchase. The personal pace system was excellent, I didn't have any learning curve like many online reviews stated. But the grass bag is very small and a pain to empty, I'll only bag for a few more mowing until the ground gets up to temp for mulching anyway.
     
  16. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    You won't be disappointed. I agree on the bag, but it doesn't take long before it's not necessary.
     
  17. exbubba

    exbubba New Member

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    mulch, mulch, mulch -- no need for bag except maybe first cutting, after vacation or in fall - its free fertilizer!
     
  18. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    I've been taught it's best to bag if temperatures are going to be below 70. Under 70 decomposition does not exist or is to slow, ends up creating thatch. Above 70 the bag is no longer necessary, then mulch, mulch, mulch.
     
  19. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    I'm a bagger boy myself.
    Don't like leaving all the clippings to build up the thatch layer, spreading weed seeds back into the ground, etc.
     
  20. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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