Push mower choices?
- Thread starter KeithB
- Start date
JWFilips
Well-Known Member
Keith I think you know a lot about real man's tools! Got to get your hands dirty!
but on the other hand I did have a Husy and I liked but it got re-appropriated to some other family member
My son has the Honda and swears by it ( I like it too!) Both good choices
I like to mulch and both are great at that
but on the other hand I did have a Husy and I liked but it got re-appropriated to some other family member
My son has the Honda and swears by it ( I like it too!) Both good choices
I like to mulch and both are great at that
JonB
Halcyon member
I have always liked the Snapper Hi-Vac self-propelled walk-behind. They haven't changed much in the 40 years or so, except getting lighter and cheaper. Even in the 70s, they had multi speed propulsion, a actual differential rear axel, so as to not dig up the lawn when turning. If you Bag, the Hi-Vac beats most everything, even now days...except a rider, LOL. The one I am using now is from the early 80s, I replaced the motor with the Harbor freight (clone of honda), and mows like it did 30 years ago.
With that said, I've been looking at the Plastic Honda harmony (there are other model names like HRX). The Deck is made of durable polymer material they call NeXite. They've been making them for 20+ years and it appears many are still going strong. They are spendy. A good used one that is 20 years old still bring $200. BUT, from the one's I've seen for free or for a cheap price, it appears the transmission is a common problem with them when they get that old...NOT the plastic deck, surprisingly enough. From my Youtube research, it appears there is a couple things that go wrong with the tranny, one is a plastic part that fails and is a easy fix, but there is a lot of parts in that tranny, so even though it's easy, it isn't a task unless you are mechanically inclined. I've always been a honda fan, and I like the idea of a lightweight plastic deck, if it is truly as durable as it appears. I'm not sure what the new one's go for? probably $600 to $1k...I'm hoping to find a older used Harmony with bagger (for under $100) and give it a try.
Also, if you don't like noise (who does?)...they have come a long way with battery powered push mowers...40 volt Lith-ion...I'd think they'd be the cat's meow...but I could never afford a new one.
Lastly, of the Husqvarnas, I've heard good things about Honda engines, but the other parts are not anything to brag about.
With that said, I've been looking at the Plastic Honda harmony (there are other model names like HRX). The Deck is made of durable polymer material they call NeXite. They've been making them for 20+ years and it appears many are still going strong. They are spendy. A good used one that is 20 years old still bring $200. BUT, from the one's I've seen for free or for a cheap price, it appears the transmission is a common problem with them when they get that old...NOT the plastic deck, surprisingly enough. From my Youtube research, it appears there is a couple things that go wrong with the tranny, one is a plastic part that fails and is a easy fix, but there is a lot of parts in that tranny, so even though it's easy, it isn't a task unless you are mechanically inclined. I've always been a honda fan, and I like the idea of a lightweight plastic deck, if it is truly as durable as it appears. I'm not sure what the new one's go for? probably $600 to $1k...I'm hoping to find a older used Harmony with bagger (for under $100) and give it a try.
Also, if you don't like noise (who does?)...they have come a long way with battery powered push mowers...40 volt Lith-ion...I'd think they'd be the cat's meow...but I could never afford a new one.
Lastly, of the Husqvarnas, I've heard good things about Honda engines, but the other parts are not anything to brag about.
RBHarter
West Central AR
The last employer had gas compressors powered by Honda's .
My new compressor had about 7 yr on it and probably averaged about 8 hr a week , still going strong pushing 3000 hr . Sometimes they got the whole 8 in a day and sometimes it took all week . They ran from 0-105° F .
I ran Husky chainsaws we had 3 of them and cut the best part of 300 cords of green pinion pine .
My new compressor had about 7 yr on it and probably averaged about 8 hr a week , still going strong pushing 3000 hr . Sometimes they got the whole 8 in a day and sometimes it took all week . They ran from 0-105° F .
I ran Husky chainsaws we had 3 of them and cut the best part of 300 cords of green pinion pine .
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
Wife already has a mower, every year she has to have the front wheel drive mechanisms repaired/replaced. No big deal, they service the engine then anyway. And I pick up/deliver to shop and pay for the repairs. But my wife is the impatient sort and can't stand the 10 day - 2 week wait for service at local mower shop. So I told her to go buy another mower and I would be glad to pay for it. This would be the back up mower but paying $400 for a new mower is easier on my nerves than the alternative.
F
freebullet
Guest
My folks got a new lawnboy this spring. It has a little battery, key start, charge cable, & can bag or mulch. They are very happy with it.
If I cant ride it I ain't mowing. Even with a rider, I prefer a natural look.
If I cant ride it I ain't mowing. Even with a rider, I prefer a natural look.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I bought one from Lowes three years ago and like it, but it is not self propelled. Engine is good as long as you filter the gas going in, as jets are very very small and close the petcock when you are done. I have a 5 1/2, but would not get less than a 6 for self propelled.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
We have had a Honda self propelled mower for about 3 years now, and it is a jewel. Just about perfect in
every way. I just went an looked, it says HRX 217 on the deck. Fine machine, adjust able walking speed,
just smooth and nice, bagger works easily or mulches without it. We pick up leaves in the fall with the bagger,
no more raking.
every way. I just went an looked, it says HRX 217 on the deck. Fine machine, adjust able walking speed,
just smooth and nice, bagger works easily or mulches without it. We pick up leaves in the fall with the bagger,
no more raking.
uncle jimbo
Well-Known Member
Have you looked at the electric models. My youngest son bought one this spring. 40 volt system. It does a good job. Quite and he can mow on one charge. Has a medium sized yard.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Husqvarna today is not the Husqvarna of the 80's/90's. A big box store Husky may last your wife for years, or not. Myself I have a big box store Troybuilt with a Honda on it. Not self propelled, but it's a nice enough mower. Needs a new carb though. I think I would research this one and see whose drive mechanisms hold up best. Then get the one with the Honda running it.
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Started watching the video. Don't have an hour to devote. That being said. I have a had only two self propelled mowers since 1985. Toro 2 cycle with their GTS engine and a commercial Honda with Hydrostatic transmission. Bought the Honda after the dealer couldn't get parts for the Toro, after 20-25 years. Both had cast aluminum decks. Great, if your not living in Arkansas and running over rocks, that seem to grow out of the ground. The Honda came with me to Arkansas, 7 years ago. BTW, I don't have a lawn, only road shoulders and trails, through the woods. The cast aluminum deck is now a side discharge................from hurling rocks.
Engine still starts on the first pull, after 25 years, but the Hydrostatic transmission is going. Looking into a replacement. All the small lawn maintenance stores, in this area, do not carry lawnmowers........can't compete with the big box stores. Their big on the zero turn mowers.
Honda's are sold by Home Depot but don't expect local service. Dealer is an hour away.... in West Plains, MO or Harrison, AR. The reason I would only chance another Honda............I think they wouldn't require any service or warranty work. Honda still makes their own engine. Most of the others have a hodgepodge of manufactures within their lines/models. Biggest thing now is no oil changes required, just keep topping if off. Not going that route.
Decks on Honda's are either steel or the resin with so called limited lifetime warranty. FWIW, the commercial Honda's with the Hydrostatic transmission, now only come with steel decks..........that should be a clue. I called Honda's Customer Support and asked what would hold up better when hurling rocks. The hemmed and hawed, then said the steel deck................but cutting rocks would void the warranty on either one.
This is the mower I settled on:
Used it one time, so jury still out. Started on first pull, after taking it out of box, and adding oil and gas. It's pretty fast. In high speed you have to run to keep pace with it. For my extreme situation, I'm looking at mowers as throwaways. So I'm not going to buy another commercial Honda. I'll run the old one till it gives up the ghost. Save the new one for the less rocky areas, for the time being.
Engine still starts on the first pull, after 25 years, but the Hydrostatic transmission is going. Looking into a replacement. All the small lawn maintenance stores, in this area, do not carry lawnmowers........can't compete with the big box stores. Their big on the zero turn mowers. Honda's are sold by Home Depot but don't expect local service. Dealer is an hour away.... in West Plains, MO or Harrison, AR. The reason I would only chance another Honda............I think they wouldn't require any service or warranty work. Honda still makes their own engine. Most of the others have a hodgepodge of manufactures within their lines/models. Biggest thing now is no oil changes required, just keep topping if off.
Not going that route.Decks on Honda's are either steel or the resin with so called limited lifetime warranty. FWIW, the commercial Honda's with the Hydrostatic transmission, now only come with steel decks..........that should be a clue. I called Honda's Customer Support and asked what would hold up better when hurling rocks. The hemmed and hawed, then said the steel deck................but cutting rocks would void the warranty on either one.
This is the mower I settled on:
Used it one time, so jury still out. Started on first pull, after taking it out of box, and adding oil and gas. It's pretty fast. In high speed you have to run to keep pace with it. For my extreme situation, I'm looking at mowers as throwaways. So I'm not going to buy another commercial Honda. I'll run the old one till it gives up the ghost. Save the new one for the less rocky areas, for the time being.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Winelover, I look at lawnmowers the same as toasters. Fresh oil every year (3/4 quart of 5X30 Mobil 1) and filtered gas. B&S new engines last 3 years, Honda's about five and Yamaha's about 7. Buy them in September here for about $200 (pushers). Don't start? Having problems? I donate them to the HS shop class for projects. FWIW
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Once the big box stores start selling them exclusively, it a crap shoot. They now need to compete ,price wise, with the other brands.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
I think the Honda motor will last at least triple that estimate. I avoided B&S engines like the plague that they
are on 3.5 HP mowers. I had a Tecumseh 3.5 with the internal governor and oil pump that went 20 years and
I bought it used. B&S had no cyl sleeve, no valve guides, no valve seats, except cut in the aluminum
die cast case. The Tecumseh had cast iron sleeve, a steel valve seat insert and pressed in valve guides,
and an internal flyball type governor, not the stupid plastic air flap of the B&S. IMO, the engineering was
10X better than B&S bottom end engines. And it lasted for 20 years in my service, was old when I got it
used in 1980. Replaced it with another $199 special, with Tecumseh motor, internal gov, and that one is
still in service, with new plastic wheels for rough duty trim service, bought about 2000. The Honda mower
is about 2 years old, IIRC, this is it's third summer. My brother and I ran a number of B&S engines to death
on minibikes in the 60s, thank goodness for the mowers we pulled from the dump to get us parts for free.
Bill
are on 3.5 HP mowers. I had a Tecumseh 3.5 with the internal governor and oil pump that went 20 years and
I bought it used. B&S had no cyl sleeve, no valve guides, no valve seats, except cut in the aluminum
die cast case. The Tecumseh had cast iron sleeve, a steel valve seat insert and pressed in valve guides,
and an internal flyball type governor, not the stupid plastic air flap of the B&S. IMO, the engineering was
10X better than B&S bottom end engines. And it lasted for 20 years in my service, was old when I got it
used in 1980. Replaced it with another $199 special, with Tecumseh motor, internal gov, and that one is
still in service, with new plastic wheels for rough duty trim service, bought about 2000. The Honda mower
is about 2 years old, IIRC, this is it's third summer. My brother and I ran a number of B&S engines to death
on minibikes in the 60s, thank goodness for the mowers we pulled from the dump to get us parts for free.
Bill
Last edited: