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Non-Electric Lawnmowers

CYdTracked

CYdTracked

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2006
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Grimes, IA
Since we have a thread on electric lawnmowers may as well have one on regular ones. I've been looking to upgrade my 21" push mower that I've had since 2004 when I bought my 1st house. It's a 4.5 HP Craftsman with a bagger and no self propel I think I paid $125 new at Sears so I've definitely got a lot of value out of it over the years. My issue now is I'm ready for an upgrade as I have a .28 acre lot that takes me around 90 minutes to mow with that mower and would like to save a little time and effort as when the grass is thick like it is right now that mower is a little underpowered.

Been looking at the Toro Timemaster which is a 30" push mower but between the price and some of the issues people have with it when I have researched it over the past 2 years or so I am hesitant to get serious about buying one. I don't want to go with a rider or zero turn mower as I think that is overkill for the size of my lawn and I'm still in my mid 40's and could use the extra physical rigor of mowing with a push mower. Any other affordable options out there for a larger walk behind mower that won't break the bank but still get the job done? Maybe I am overthinking the negatives with the Toro Timemaster as I hose down my mower after each mow and do regular maintenance on it so maybe some of the horror stories about the belts and pullies not being of good quality and it plugging up due to poor design are over exaggerated? Not coming up with good alternatives when I search either as most are commercial grade mowers out of my budget that I may as well buy a rider at those prices.
 
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CYdTracked said:
Since we have a thread on electric lawnmowers may as well have one on regular ones. I've been looking to upgrade my 21" push mower that I've had since 2004 when I bought my 1st house. It's a 4.5 HP Craftsman with a bagger and no self propel I think I paid $125 new at Sears so I've definitely got a lot of value out of it over the years. My issue now is I'm ready for an upgrade as I have a .28 acre lot that takes me around 90 minutes to mow with that mower and would like to save a little time and effort as when the grass is thick like it is right now that mower is a little underpowered.

Been looking at the Toro Timemaster which is a 30" push mower but between the price and some of the issues people have with it when I have researched it over the past 2 years or so I am hesitant to get serious about buying one. I don't want to go with a rider or zero turn mower as I think that is overkill for the size of my lawn and I'm still in my mid 40's and could use the extra physical rigor of mowing with a push mower. Any other affordable options out there for a larger walk behind mower that won't break the bank but still get the job done? Maybe I am overthinking the negatives with the Toro Timemaster as I hose down my mower after each mow and do regular maintenance on it so maybe some of the horror stories about the belts and pullies not being of good quality and it plugging up due to poor design are over exaggerated? Not coming up with good alternatives when I search either as most are commercial grade mowers out of my budget that I may as well buy a rider at those prices.
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What are the issues with the Toro? If they are about being under powered they made the engine larger after the first edition.
 
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I bought a Troy Built at Mennards. My biggest issue is that it always takes two pulls for it to start. It bothered me buying from a big box store versus someone who could work on them. Then I remembered the last 40 years and I never had a lawnmower break that I couldnt fix it myself. Never had an engine problem. I had a customer once that owned a lawnmower repair shop. He was in his late 50s at the time. He told me he wouldn't be able to make a living if everyone would use care with keeping grass and dirt out of the tank and use stabil or something similar for long term gas storage. I am also on my second snowblower in 30+ years. I have never had an engine problem.
 
I bought a pricey Echo string trimmer 20+ years ago and the thing amazes me. Every year I take it down from its wall bracket, give it one yank and it starts right up and runs like a champ. I don’t know if Echo makes a lawn mower or has a subsidiary that does but if they do, I suspect it would be trouble free.
 
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I have a 4 year old Toro Super Recycler (the first year they converted the color to black) with the personal pace. I love it! I didn't splurge on the one with the Honda motor but it has a good Toro motor.
 
NWICY said:
Honda makes a good push mower or at least did a few yrs ago.
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I have a Husqvarna walk behind with a Honda engine, probably 15 years old. It always starts on the first pull, even the first mow of the year.
 
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CYdTracked said:
Since we have a thread on electric lawnmowers may as well have one on regular ones. I've been looking to upgrade my 21" push mower that I've had since 2004 when I bought my 1st house. It's a 4.5 HP Craftsman with a bagger and no self propel I think I paid $125 new at Sears so I've definitely got a lot of value out of it over the years. My issue now is I'm ready for an upgrade as I have a .28 acre lot that takes me around 90 minutes to mow with that mower and would like to save a little time and effort as when the grass is thick like it is right now that mower is a little underpowered.

Been looking at the Toro Timemaster which is a 30" push mower but between the price and some of the issues people have with it when I have researched it over the past 2 years or so I am hesitant to get serious about buying one. I don't want to go with a rider or zero turn mower as I think that is overkill for the size of my lawn and I'm still in my mid 40's and could use the extra physical rigor of mowing with a push mower. Any other affordable options out there for a larger walk behind mower that won't break the bank but still get the job done? Maybe I am overthinking the negatives with the Toro Timemaster as I hose down my mower after each mow and do regular maintenance on it so maybe some of the horror stories about the belts and pullies not being of good quality and it plugging up due to poor design are over exaggerated? Not coming up with good alternatives when I search either as most are commercial grade mowers out of my budget that I may as well buy a rider at those prices.
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My husband bought one. Brought it home, filled it with gas, ran a couple test strips and it worked great. He had other things to do, so put it in the garage with the intent to mow later. Came back and all the gas was on the floor. It was under warranty and took a couple weeks to get fixed, but he really likes it and has not had a problem since.

I would advise buying one where they can also work on them. He bought ours at a True Value, but had to take it to a different dealer for the repairs. I have no clue what was wrong, but can ask him later if you’d like.
 
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CYdTracked said:
Since we have a thread on electric lawnmowers may as well have one on regular ones. I've been looking to upgrade my 21" push mower that I've had since 2004 when I bought my 1st house. It's a 4.5 HP Craftsman with a bagger and no self propel I think I paid $125 new at Sears so I've definitely got a lot of value out of it over the years. My issue now is I'm ready for an upgrade as I have a .28 acre lot that takes me around 90 minutes to mow with that mower and would like to save a little time and effort as when the grass is thick like it is right now that mower is a little underpowered.

Been looking at the Toro Timemaster which is a 30" push mower but between the price and some of the issues people have with it when I have researched it over the past 2 years or so I am hesitant to get serious about buying one. I don't want to go with a rider or zero turn mower as I think that is overkill for the size of my lawn and I'm still in my mid 40's and could use the extra physical rigor of mowing with a push mower. Any other affordable options out there for a larger walk behind mower that won't break the bank but still get the job done? Maybe I am overthinking the negatives with the Toro Timemaster as I hose down my mower after each mow and do regular maintenance on it so maybe some of the horror stories about the belts and pullies not being of good quality and it plugging up due to poor design are over exaggerated? Not coming up with good alternatives when I search either as most are commercial grade mowers out of my budget that I may as well buy a rider at those prices.
Click to expand...

Buy the smallest zero turn mower (42"?) and go to the gym for the hour you save yourself cutting grass.

When I had a larger property, I am serious, buying a ZTR was the best decision I ever made. As long as you don't have a lot of hills/steep slopes it's a slam dunk.
 
BACyclone said:
Buy the smallest zero turn mower (42"?) and go to the gym for the hour you save yourself cutting grass.

When I had a larger property, I am serious, buying a ZTR was the best decision I ever made. As long as you don't have a lot of hills/steep slopes it's a slam dunk.
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I can’t imagine trying to ride on a .28 acre lot. Even with zero turn, I think it might take longer.
 
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Personal Pace Toro. Tires are bald on it. Probably about 10 years old. Just blow it off every once in awhile, change the oil every year, clean the air cleaner and the engine off, and sharpen the blade. Starts everytime.

FYI- The personal pace drive belt system is a biotch to put back on if it ever comes off. Dang engineers!! Going to have to replace it eventually. I'm sure I'll be F-bombing it while trying to install it.
 
I have a Deere 330 rider but still use my Honda sometimes around the perimeter. The self propelled still has a lot of get up and is effortless. Would highly suggest the Honda.
 
ripvdub said:
I have a Deere 330 rider but still use my Honda sometimes around the perimeter. The self propelled still has a lot of get up and is effortless. Would highly suggest the Honda.
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I was between a Honda and a Toro when I bought mine. I think Honda makes a great mower but the difference for me was the Toro personal pace system. I didn't like the Honda self propel controls.
 
Honda Top 5
X217HZA
HRN216VLA
HRN216VKA
HRX217VKA
HRN216PKA

Pretty close after that, with Toro leading the pack.
Toro
Super Recycler 21387
Super Recycler 21386

I prefer dealers vs box stores. (Differing grades of craftsmanship)
 
cyputz said:
Honda Top 5
X217HZA
HRN216VLA
HRN216VKA
HRX217VKA
HRN216PKA

Pretty close after that, with Toro leading the pack.
Toro
Super Recycler 21387
Super Recycler 21386

I prefer dealers vs box stores. (Differing grades of craftsmanship)
Click to expand...
What do you do to have a top five list of slightly different Honda push mower models lol?
 
I have had both the Honda and Toro self propelled models. The Honda does a super job bagging or mulching 2 1/2 inches or lower. Mowing thick grass 3 inches and taller the mower leaves a mohawk about 2 inches wide 2 -3 inches in from the right side. It is the subject of countless blog posts over the years. If mulching relatively high go with the Toro and add the traction bar to the handle so you can squeeze it to activate the personal pace instead of semi pushing forward like a push mower. Saves a lot of effort.
 
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