Recommend a quality push mower that will last.

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Yeah my Toro died a few days ago and I need a new one now before the lawn is to long. I don't have the $1000+ for a true commercial mower so I'm hoping a Wal-Mart Mower will last me another 5 years and then I can get a nice heavy duty mower that will last till I die...LOL


Are you handy? You can get a much nicer mower than the ones you are considering, and for less money, if you look for a used mower on Craigslist. The title of this thread is "recommend a quality mower that will last" and you're looking at Walmart mowers with plastic front axles. These mowers are not high quality mowers, and you're more likely to have problems with these mowers than you will with pre-owned higher grade ones.

I understand that you don't have $1,000 for a new commercial mower; I don't either. I'd personally never spend that much money on a mower, new or used. I bought my commercial-grade mower for 300 bucks, in full running condition. That's less than the Snapper you're considering, and the Honda will still be mowing in 15 years, long after the deck on the Snapper has rusted through or the plastic front axle has broken.

I agree with punisher above; there's not necessarily anything wrong with MTD mowers, as long as you understand that you're getting what you paid for. You simply have a higher risk on those consumer-grade models of parts breaking because, well, the parts are simply cheaper. The FWD or RWD transmissions on those are not very robust.

If you would prefer to buy a newer inexpensive mower, I would recommend one that is not self-propelled, and I wouldn't spend any more than $150 for it, unless you have a requirement to bag. A $129 Walmart special will last just as long than a $214 pusher with a bag on it.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I did a search on Denver's Craigslist. I don't know your location in Colorado, but just for example...

http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/3881258238.html
A running 2-stroke Lawn-Boy for 40 bucks. Alloy deck; will run for generations. An absolute steal.

http://denver.craigslist.org/for/3865234264.html
Here's a Snapper with the awesome 6-speed disc drive. Replace the recoil starter and you're (premumably) good to go. $75.

http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/3877061292.html
Another excellet deal on a quality Snapper. $140.

http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3879042509.html
Here's a new Honda, still in the box, for $350. Much better value than the $314 Snapper from Walmart.

http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/3878864471.html
Here's a self-propelled Honda with commercial grade engine, thick alloy deck, and they say it runs great. 150 bucks.

You get the idea. There are probably many mowers like this in your local area to be had. In my opinion, these are far better values than a new Walmart mower.

 

[afoulk]

For what your looking to spend on those mowers at Walmart, you could easily get a running, used commercial grade mower off of craigslist. Or do as hokeyfied suggested and go with one of the cheapo's from Walmart. But if you feel you need self propelled and it has to be new, have you looked into husqvarna or craftsman? Both are made by the same company ( most models anyway), are priced similar to what you were looking at, and are available with Honda engines. I feel both are a little better quality than those mowers at Walmart. Those cheaper snappers are nothing more than rebadged murrays as Briggs and Stratton now owns both brands. And what ever you do decide to get, I whole heartedly recommend buying from a dealer if possible. The price will probably be the same, or close, you know it will be put together correctly, and they will be much more willing to help you out with warranty work, repairs, maintenance, and advice than if you bring it in for work after buying it at a big box store. Not only that, but they might have a used, reconditioned commercial mower in your price range, or even a better quality, leftover residential model on clearance

 

[Chris B.]

Thanks! I'll do a search to see what I can find. I just feel rushed because my grass is growing and I only have a few days...LOL

 

[Chris B.]

Now you guys have me thinking!!! I'm searching craigslist for a good mower. Can you guys search northern Colorado/fort Collins and post any that stand out as good mowers? I'm searching but don't want to miss any good ones. Many thanks!!!

 

[Malo83]

My 15 yr old CRAFTSMAN is still going strong

 

[afoulk]

if you have a smart phone, there is a craigslist pro app. that is really awesome, way better than trying to search craigslist on your pc. you can view from different locations at the same time, save your favorite adds that you wanna keep track of, email or text the seller, and even look up directions to the seller, all through the app. There is a free version, but you have to get the premium version to be able to save as many adds as you want. I think its like $1.99 or $2.99

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Now you guys have me thinking!!! I'm searching craigslist for a good mower. Can you guys search northern Colorado/fort Collins and post any that stand out as good mowers? I'm searching but don't want to miss any good ones. Many thanks!!!


http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/tls/3882328668.html
This one may be a touch over-priced. Because it still looks dirty, you might offer this guy $100.

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/grd/3877739926.html
Here's one that would be as good or better than the Walmart Snapper, for 100 bucks.

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/grd/3873467418.html
Here's another commercial quality Honda for $150.

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/grd/3828284590.html
Excellent top quality Snapper with a Robin engine.

http://boulder.craigslist.org/grd/3882089709.html
I don't know how close this one is to you, but it looks interesting. No pic.

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/grd/3840637559.html
This is an old posting, but it's for a 1967 Lawn-Boy. The 2-cycle engine will run forever, and it'd be a very very lightweight push mower.

 

[Chris B.]

Ok I went looking yesterday at a real outdoor power equipment shop and found some that might fit the bill. They had a Toro model 20383 with aluminum deck and 7.75 engine with the rear wheel drive personal pace feature and blade break. The wheels had grease zerks and appeared to be all metal. The whole mower seemed much more heavy duty then my Toro but the engine is made in CHINA!. They want $630 for it which I could swing and it also has a full 5 year warranty.
They also had the Husqvarna AWD mower with the Honda engine for $500 and a Kawasaki commercial for $1,200 but it did not mulch which I need a mulcher.
Home Depot had a Honda with a heavy duty plastic deck for $500.

I'll look into the links above too but what do you think about the mowers I just talked about above?

 

[mechanicx]

I think the Toro would be a good choice, but get the 20381 without the BBC at most. Toro are a little pricey and the dealer is asking list price and should come down. But many people say they like the cut and the personal pace drive. Also they're not so dog heavy as some self propelled mowers.

The Chonda motor as I understand it, is a copy of the highly esteemed Honda GXV commercial engine. Toro probably made sure it is good for a china motor, but I don't like the idea of paying good money for china powered mower. You could get the 20382, that has a real Honda motor although a residential one and you'll be paying more for it.

I wouldn't be so quick to write off the top model snapper at Walmart with a quasi commercial Briggs engine, RWD ball bearing wheels, single height adjustment, or it's equivalent at a power store. The Snappers are priced more reasonable and come with Briggs engines. It's a matter of do you like the lever actuated drive or the personal pace. Would the lever actuated Snapper be more controllable despite the mower being heavier than the Toro?

I'm not sure about the Honda. Most say a Toro and snapper will cut better. I think if you are going to go with a Honda (and I've already mentioned the finicky carbs), don't get the plastic deck and expensive models. Get the ~$350 push model HRS. It's light enough to not really need self propel. I have this mower and one thing it does well is the mower never get dirty on top, and also is not hard to push and very maneuverable.

Also, some people say mowers at the big box stores are not exactly the same as at a dealer. I'm not sure if that's true. I would make the dealer give me the same price at least. Also while I'm for supporting smaller business. Don't assume a dealer is easier to deal with or all that helpful.

The husq I think is overpriced version of a craftsman.

It's tough because no one brand of mower does everything the way you want.

 

[mechanicx]

Snapper makes various models, besides the affordable SP line Walmart also carries. They have the Ninja mulcher ~$500 (should be the same Snapper of lore). And you can get a commercial Snapper with a Briggs or real Honda even commercial engine at prices no too much higher ~$700 than a Toro or Honda mere midlevels.

I would look into that. If you got to have self propelled, Toro or Snapper. And if you want commercial level plus a Briggs or real Honda engine then Snapper seems to be it.

A ninja commercial Snapper just might be the most quality for the money if you like the way they work http://www.snapper.com/push-mowers/ninja/

 

[mechanicx]

Hmm, I'm really liking the Snapper Ninja and Ninja commercial for the price and rugged design. Toro is nice but I'd wonder about about what looks to be a lower priced Snapper SP level drive with a chonda engine and higher price. I think the Snapper Ninja and ninja commercial (maybe SP for lower price but probably not), Toro super recycler w/o BBC, and Honda HRS would deserve the most focus.

 

[afoulk]

As much as I like the snappers, might I also recommend an ariens classic lm 21 s that has the Kawasaki engine, it can be had for the same money as the commercial snapper with the Honda engine

 

[Chris B.]

Ok did more research on the Snapper SP80 and SP90. Both have great reviews and very powerful engines. Both have steel axles and the 90 has bearings in them too but I can't seem to find if the 80 has the bearings too. Off to Wal-Mart to check out both tomorrow.

 

[mechanicx]

I don't think the FWD Sp80 has wheel bearings like the SP90. The Sp90 also has an OHV Briggs.

Lawnboy makes a push mower and also a self propelled with Briggs engine that look interesting. Home depot carries the Lawnboys I think.

 

[mechanicx]

But according to this I'm not sure about the SP line, http://www.greenindustrypros.com/news/10855759/snapper-mowers-available-at-walmart.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/01/17/walmart-to-sell-briggs-stratton.html

Apparently they are not made by Snapper but another partner company in America. They might be OK but I think the Ninja Snapper is better quality.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't think the FWD Sp80 has wheel bearings like the SP90. The Sp90 also has an OHV Briggs.

Lawnboy makes a push mower and also a self propelled with Briggs engine that look interesting. Home depot carries the Lawnboys I think.


Thanks! So the SP90's OHV engine is better?

 

[threeputtpar]

Originally Posted By: afoulk
As much as I like the snappers, might I also recommend an ariens classic lm 21 s that has the Kawasaki engine, it can be had for the same money as the commercial snapper with the Honda engine


This is the mower that I've been lusting after lately, but with the swivel front wheels becasue my landscaping is all curved and it's a pain to try to "steer" my current fixed wheel mower. Well, actually I'm looking at its twin brother the Gravely, because I don't think I can look at the Ariens orange for the next ten years.

List price of $749, but that can be bargained down some.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't think the FWD Sp80 has wheel bearings like the SP90. The Sp90 also has an OHV Briggs.

Lawnboy makes a push mower and also a self propelled with Briggs engine that look interesting. Home depot carries the Lawnboys I think.


Thanks! So the SP90's OHV engine is better?


Well it's the motor series snapper uses on their highest models. Should run smooth and more fuel efficient too.

 

[Hokiefyd]

A Walmart Snapper is...a Walmart Snapper. You're paying less because you're getting less. The Briggs and Stratton Professional Series on the SP90 is a good engine, but the deck and controls will likely let you down. It also apparently sells for $350...or at least $300 at retail likely.

The thing I don't like about the Ninja is the Briggs 725ex engine. This is essentially a dressed-up side-valve Quantum. It's an okay engine, but I'd much prefer an OHV Briggs or OHC Honda. It's too bad that this is the only available engine on the Ninja, and it's probably why it's priced at only $500 for what is otherwise a commercial-level lawn mower.