Help Me Buy A Push Mower

Hello all,

I know this isn't chainsaw related but I didn't see anywhere else that was better fitting.

I'm starting to shop for a new push mower as my current hand-me-down is starting to show its nearly 15 years of use.

I have found a snapper mower that has peaked my interest. I've been looking for something rugged and reliable that I could get another 15 plus years of use. I'm interested in a 21" self propelled mower.

This particular snapper comes with two engine options: a Briggs & Stratton "Professional Series" 190 cc rated at 8.5 ft-lb torque or a Honda GXV-160 190cc rated at 7.1 ft-lb of torque.

I guess my question is does the Honda warrant the price jump, especially for a lower power rating?

Any of you all have experience with either of these engines?

I'm also open to suggestions on other makes and models.

Thanks for reading and your suggestions.

 

The Honda gxv engines are commercial grade with a cast iron bore and should last a while...3 year warranty also. Personally I would get the Honda engine option.

Sounds like a nice mower you picked out, now all you have to do is write the check!!

 

Thank you for your input. Writing the check is the hardest part!

 

From what you explained, it sounds like you are interested in the Commercial Series Mowers from Snapper. I would have to agree I would look at the Honda engine option.

You didn't say if this will be used everyday, or just around the house. If it's just around the house, you might consider a Honda made mower. The hydrostatic drive units run around $500 to $600 from what I remember and are very nicely made. They have a poly deck verses steel and will out last every other part on the mower. I know I got about 10 years out of mine before it wore out. But I used mine a lot.

I have read several places that people say the Toro Time Master mower is made very well. It's 30" wide and considered a commercial mower. I believe they are about $1,000. The time savings from cutting a wider path may be worth the extra money depending on your yard size.

 

I had a Honda with the caster wheels (lockable) in the front (3 speed). It was a heck of a mower. It effortlessly started- and mowed great. It was a little more mower than I needed so I sold it. I typically only use one to trim once in a while, and ride the rest.

 

unfortunately my input is drive around the neighborhood and pick one out of the trash. I have never bought a mower, right now I have a toro 21" trash pick 14 years ago and a John Deere 21" trash pick last year. The JD has blade disconnect and 5 speed gearbox. I finally retired the yardman I picked 7 years ago, it still ran and cut good but 3 mowers was ticking off the wife. they were in her way getting bird food.
Anyhow go with the Honda engine.

 

You are quite right. I have been looking at commercial/professional mowers. This mower will only be used on my lot, I just like professional grade OPE over the home owner stuff. It may be a waste of money for my limited use.

 

I can't argue with that method. I gave my little brother a Bolens mower that I got for free, only needed a carb kit.

My only reasoning for a new mower is I just want something nice, I'm tired of my old clunky Murray. While it hasn't failed me yet it just doesn't do a great job and it's far from a pleasure to use.

 

I STRONGLY recommend visiting any/all local small engine shops and looking for a lightly used mower. We have had very good luck getting our OPE this way. They frequently take in lightly used quality machines as trade-in for new machines. These can be had for <50% of retail. In fact, we pick up an MTD branded push mower with the made in USA 190 cc B&S 675ex series engine last year for $99. It was probably used less than 10 hours and was even painted red like the Troy-Built and Snappers. FWIW, it's been dead nuts reliable, but that's only one year's usage. I'm pretty sure that the other parts of the mower will crap out long before this engine.

 

Great idea. While I have not seen any used push mowers at the shops I've been to I will be sure to ask.

 

Sorry for the typos everyone, trying to do this from my phone this eveing.

 

A good way to get both high quality machines and not break the bank, all at the same time. I'm like you in that I really appreciate high-quality tools. Probably because we didn't have much money when I was a kid and my parents had to "skimp" on everything to get by. Now that I have worked my @ss of to have a decent job, and I don't have any kids to support, I prefer to spend my hard earned $$$ on a few high quality tools/machines vs. a lot of lower quality stuff. That said, my local small engine shop owner absolutely lights up when I walk in the door, 'cuz he knows I'm looking for something to last 3 lifetimes

 

I have been happy with my Toro Super Recycler. It has a Briggs engine that has never failed to start. It has an aluminum deck. I think I paid $500 10 years ago for it.

 

While I'm not a huge fan of Briggs and Stratton's company tactics, the fact is that they make a great motor. I'd be shocked if the Briggs option was not at least cast iron bore and all the heavy duty materials that the Honda has. IMHO, you are paying for the name with Honda stuff. Yes, we have a couple Honda small motors, but the one on our pressure washer is no better reliability wise than the comparable Briggs we have on nearly everything else.

 

If you have any hills you have to mow with any slope to them, see if you can find a self prop mower with the rear wheels powered instead of the front... or an all wheels powered. Frontwheel powered mowers will slip going up a slope because of the slightest down pressure on the handle. You actually have to add up pressure sometimes to help keep the wheels digging. Rear powered wheels... no issue. And, flat terrain, no issue.

 

Great advice.

I didn't think about rear vs fwd, and then awd, but that makes sense.

I'll probably go with awd as we have a lot of hills.

The toro awd gets a lot of great reviews.

 

I have a 14SB from 1992 .... has buried several neighborhood mowers in it lifetime!!

Search CL around you, OP .... you should find one with lots of life left for under $300 easy.

 

Bought a Husky awd mower spring of 2014. So far so good. Has a Honda engine. I'm still looking for the seat...