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Post by redskyatnight on Jul 29, 2008 10:50:53 GMT -5
I need to buy a gas powered push lawn mower. After looking at consumer reports, I'm a little overwhelmed and amazed at the prices.
So, I'm soliciting your personal experience with lawn mowers. Have one you absolutely love? Let me know.
Have one you absolutely hate? Let me know.
This is going to be a fairly big investment for me, so I want to make a good choice.
Thanks
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Post by jules on Jul 29, 2008 11:19:19 GMT -5
Ok, I just went through this after wrecking the mower I had (don't ask -- only me.)
You want one with a Briggs and Stratton engine. It says so right on the engine part. Craftsman was recommended to me as the best brand for mowers for non-professional purposes.
Before you buy, ask around if anyone is getting rid of a mower. You may be surprised. I had been asking for advice, and this one girl I know (who hired a lawn service) told me I was welcome to hers for free (!) Also check craigslist. People get rid of mowers all the time, it seems. And I've been told that the older mowers are actually better than the new ones on the market these days.
Another place to check out for used mowers would be a local mower repair place. They often have a limited selection for sale.
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Post by goods on Jul 29, 2008 12:23:24 GMT -5
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Post by freckles on Jul 29, 2008 12:52:38 GMT -5
I need to buy a gas powered push lawn mower. After looking at consumer reports, I'm a little overwhelmed and amazed at the prices. So, I'm soliciting your personal experience with lawn mowers. Have one you absolutely love? Let me know. Have one you absolutely hate? Let me know. This is going to be a fairly big investment for me, so I want to make a good choice. Thanks How big is your Yard ? |
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Post by redskyatnight on Jul 29, 2008 12:59:02 GMT -5
Word of advice, don't run over stumps and check the oil before every use.  Bummer if you are speaking from experience,  but I'll keep that in mind. I've actually got two horseshoe spikes that are only sticking up about 3 inches out of the ground. I keep forgetting to dig them out. Better remember now. Jules - thanks for all the advice on buying a used one. I'd like to go that route, I just don't want to buy someone else's headache. |
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Post by freckles on Jul 29, 2008 13:03:19 GMT -5
Wal-Mart has Lawn Mowers for $119.00  |
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Post by sheyd on Jul 29, 2008 13:13:39 GMT -5
If your lawn isn't too big, you might consider an electric mower? I had one before and LOVED it. You let it charge, and just unplug and go. No fuss with messy gas and works as well or better than a gas one. It does run out of charge eventually, but my lawn isn't so big (and I am lazy and run out of charge myself! ;D)
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Post by kittenhart on Jul 29, 2008 13:43:55 GMT -5
Mine's a Toro 5HP and it is older and great...has the B&S engine in it. There is a good manual by B&S for maintenance on this engine that has color pics etc....so anyone can fix it/maintain it just by looking at the book. My advice is to put only premium gas in it...otherwise you will have to drain the gas out each fall (pain in the arse). Otherwise, the cheaper gas congeals and gets coated on stuff and you will have to take it apart, clean it, and reassemble....go ahead, ask me how I know  I took the lawnmower when I left, even though I now live in a condo, because it was mine before (I was bitter ) and I figured I may one day end up in a house again and yes, the older mowers are definately better made and have less electronic stuff on them so easier to fix yourself....so craigslist would be a good option. |
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Post by JimB on Jul 29, 2008 13:58:30 GMT -5
Whatever you buy, strongly recommend used over new. Lawn mowers are like cars - new ones lose about half their value as soon as you take them home, because the market is glutted with good used ones. If you lived in Calgary, I'd send you to my dad - he tends to accumulate used mowers and fix them up. |
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Post by jules on Jul 29, 2008 14:32:16 GMT -5
My advice is to put only premium gas in it...otherwise you will have to drain the gas out each fall (pain in the arse). Otherwise, the cheaper gas congeals and gets coated on stuff and you will have to take it apart, clean it, and reassemble....go ahead, ask me how I know Alternatively you can add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank before storing it for the winter, and it'll be fine. But thanks for the reminder that I need to buy gas for the mower soon! Word of advice, don't run over stumps and check the oil before every use. Yeah... watch out for rocks, too. I somehow managed to bend my blade into a 90 degree angle. No one can figure out how I achieved that one... |
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Post by rocko on Jul 29, 2008 21:05:31 GMT -5
Mine has plastic rims on the wheels and they are just crap. I will have to look at the brand, but I bought it new in June or July of 04 and it is a POS since August of 04. The motor is GREAT (briggs & strat), but the wheels are just useless. They make pushing the yard much more difficult.
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but I'll keep that in mind. I've actually got two horseshoe spikes that are only sticking up about 3 inches out of the ground. I keep forgetting to dig them out. Better remember now.
