FIL needs a new push mower...

[deeter16317]

He burnt his up...its an older 6.75HP B&S on a Craftsman, three years ago I found it completely plugged full of grass (pretty sure that cooked it really good), and fixed it up then...not sure he's changed the oil (I filled with Rotella SAE30) since then. He said it went bang...I tore it down tonight, the cylinder was scored, loaded with carbon, two head bolts were only finger tight (gasket appeared to have been leaking), there is play in the connecting rod, and the whole deal is pretty tight indicating the crank/rod is likely galled.

So between the poor diagnosis and the fact it has a ton of hours on it...he's on the hunt for a new mower. Wants a bigger self-propelled...he mows about 1/4 acre at a time. He wants at least equivalent to what he has now...a bigger (22+ inch) self-propelled, mulcher capable of bagging...

What's the preferred brand at this time, and the best bang for the buck? He would like to get one pretty soon...he could always use my OLD Craftsman push, but that's a last resort.

 

[SrDriver]

I highly recommend a Toro Personal Pace mower.

 

[Hokiefyd]

It really depends on his budget and priorities for a mower. Is he really into using a mower and would/could appreciate higher quality parts? Or will a 22" Craftsman answer the mail? There are a ton of decent mowers in the $250-350 range that will work nice, like a Toro Recycler, a number of Craftsmen, the lower line of the Hondas (steel deck Harmony, etc). For a good decent deck with a decent value, I'd probably recommend one of the Toros.

Myself, I'd buy a Honda like what Johnny just bought, but if your FIL's budget isn't north of $500, that'd kill that option.

 

[tomcat27]

In order of quality and (reverse) price: Honda, Toro, Craftsman

 

[boraticus]

I say buy him a pair of scissors.

Maybe he'll learn to take care of his equipment better.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
I say buy him a pair of scissors.

Maybe he'll learn to take care of his equipment better.
LOL I have to agree!

 

[123Saab]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
I highly recommend a Toro Personal Pace mower.


+ 1

Mines done now, but not because of the usual problems.
Was Very reliable until something very heavy fell on it (Long Story)

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
It really depends on his budget and priorities for a mower. Is he really into using a mower and would/could appreciate higher quality parts? Or will a 22" Craftsman answer the mail? There are a ton of decent mowers in the $250-350 range that will work nice, like a Toro Recycler, a number of Craftsmen, the lower line of the Hondas (steel deck Harmony, etc). For a good decent deck with a decent value, I'd probably recommend one of the Toros.

Myself, I'd buy a Honda like what Johnny just bought, but if your FIL's budget isn't north of $500, that'd kill that option.
I wouldn't buy a honda unless its the commercial type. The kind you buy from home depot for 500-600 dollars have cheap throw away engines on them.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
I say buy him a pair of scissors.

Maybe he'll learn to take care of his equipment better.


Wow.

I was going to suggest one of those Weed Eater mowers from WalMart....I mean if you execute one of those,

oh well.

but your suggestion

 

[doitmyself]

It's important to know that Boraticus' expertise in mower care started at an early age:

 

[Ken42]

I say go to harbor freight and get a replacement engine
Ken.
Sorry eating hard to type.

 

[engineerscott]

Originally Posted By: Ken42
I say go to harbor freight and get a replacement engine
Ken.
Sorry eating hard to type.


Not to criticize your FIL, but if that is how he maintains his equipment I can't see spending any real money on a good mower. I'd either do what Ken suggested above (Harbor Freight has 6.5HP Chonda engines on sale btw currently for $89.99) or I'd go to someplace like Walmart and get the cheapest thing that will get the job done. No sense spending real money on a good mower if it isn't going to get minimal maintenance.

 

[greenaccord02]

Pick him up one on garbage day that has a rusted deck and use that engine.

No sense wasting money, and it'll likely last just as long as something you paid for.

 

[deeter16317]

I thank everyone for their recommendations.

Before everyone hangs the FIL, let me explain some things...

First, the design of the engine shrouding allows a lot of grass to become entrapped behind it...and you cannot see it unless you (guess what) pull all of the shrouding from the engine. How many of you do that on a routine basis??? I only happened to notice it that one time...it was clean this time.

Second, the reason I believe it ran out of oil in the first place is probably because I suspect it has several broken rings...which (based on the carbon buildup) probably sucked most of the oil out of the crankcase without him even knowing it. He does check the oil each time he used it...but he made the comment he had to add more after this happened (but then couldn't get it to start).

While unfortunate, its not exactly his fault...its not neglect that killed it. And further...he made the comment to me that it nevr had the power he expected, which makes me wonder if there wasn't something bad to begin with. It has a LOT of years worth of mowing on it, so its not like it died after a single season's mowing.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

 

[boraticus]

"It's important to know that Boraticus' expertise in mower care started at an early age:"

Hey!!! I still have that hammer. It was passed down from my father who fixed everything with it.

My earliest recollection of it and him using it, was when I was about ten years old. He had the whole family packed into our 1957 Oldsmobile and we were traveling to our home town to visit relatives. On the way, the car stopped running for some reason so the old man pulled over to the side of the road, grabs his hammer and lifted the hood on the car. After a couple of taps on something under the hood, a big dog come charging down the road toward the old man with what appeared to be bad intent. Needless to say, he "fixed" the dog with that very hammer. Whatever he tapped under the hood got the car running and whatever he "tapped" on the dog got it running too!

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
I highly recommend a Toro Personal Pace mower.


+3 I really like mine.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
I wouldn't buy a honda unless its the commercial type. The kind you buy from home depot for 500-600 dollars have cheap throw away engines on them.


Even Honda's residential OHC engines have proven themselves to be fairly durable, and on-par with other residential-grade small engines. You pay more for the Honda engine, but in my experience, you don't get shrouds that rattle themselves apart or oil fill tubes that loosen up in the press-fit bores either (Hondas have thread-in tubes). They tend to be smoother and quieter, at least they have for me. Small details like that go a long way with me, and I'll pay extra for it. Some people won't, though, which is why I asked what his budget and quality expectations are up front.

 

[deeter16317]

Thanks all!

He's going to look at the Toro and Craftsman, and possibly a Honda.

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: deeter16317
Thanks all!

He's going to look at the Toro and Craftsman, and possibly a Honda.



Why not peruse Craig's List? You might just find a real gem!

 

[deeter16317]

Its one of those things...he gets to buy a NEW mower, and he rarely gets to buy anything for himself!

I found two Toro Personal Pace on Craigslist, but he's set on buying a new one.