Recommendations - lawn mowers

[SamSpade]

Not to move you away from electric, but what about a gas push mower with electric start?

Dunno - how much do those run?

Actually what would be really great is a better weed eater. Maybe they just don't make 'em like they used to, but I've grown weary of replacing them, either because they just won't start or the heads just break down too easily.

 

[GWguy]

Dunno - how much do those run?

Well, here's a few from Lowes. More expensive, because they are all Hondas, and you pay premium prices for Honda anyway.

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Electric-start--Gas-push-lawn-mowers-Push-lawn-mowers-Lawn-mowers-Outdoor-tools-equipment-Outdoors/4294612703?refinement=4294775631&cm_mmc=src-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-seasonal_and_outdoor_living-_-DSA_SOL_238_Walk-And-Snow-_--_-0-_-0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyPbzBRDsARIsAFh15Jb-R6VwqftOd0DUgYDf24NkCnfhVEXzyha82t_gJn_zRxg2UAmmCeQaAsaaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[PrchJrkr]

Next time you are in the neighborhood, I'll have you look at my Troy-Bilt with B&S 093J02 series engine.

I would be happy to! That has the composite carburetor. The best thing B&S has ever done to protect against the evil that is ethanol.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Dunno - how much do those run?

Actually what would be really great is a better weed eater. Maybe they just don't make 'em like they used to, but I've grown weary of replacing them, either because they just won't start or the heads just break down too easily.

Stihl is what you want if you want a weed eater worth a crap.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

On my last job, I was a small engine mechanic. All the engines listed below run well if properly maintained, but there is a difference in quality/longevity. My favorites mowers are Toro and Husqvarna. Craftsman and Poulan have been cutting corners year after year.

My personal engine ranking:

1. Honda GVC OHC
2. Honda GX OHV
3. Kohler OHV
4. Briggs and Stratton L head (flat head)
5. Briggs and Stratton OHV

My Toro has the Kohler OHV.

I change the oil, plug, and air filter every year and no matter how long it sits, it fires up on 1-2 pulls. It's been a fantastic mower for the last 7 years I've had it.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

When someone can invent a gas-powered lawnmower that can actually consistently start without me breaking my back - I'll buy that one exclusively.
I have bought every brand (except Honda) - even ones that claim instant starting (no priming or anything). Instant start - nope.

But now from what I am reading, I'm definitely leaning toward electric. I only use a push mower for the stuff the tractor can't get.

I've had the same ttroy built from Lowes I bought 14 years ago, it starts on a single pull every time. I've been wanting it to crap the bed for a few years now so I can buy a nicer mower. I haven't seen it with movers but generally for chainsaws and weed wackers the mixture is set too rich from the factory, even at our sea level altitude.

Do you replace the spark plug and air filter?

 

[SamSpade]

I've had the same ttroy built from Lowes I bought 14 years ago, it starts on a single pull every time. I've been wanting it to crap the bed for a few years now so I can buy a nicer mower. I haven't seen it with movers but generally for chainsaws and weed wackers the mixture is set too rich from the factory, even at our sea level altitude.

Do you replace the spark plug and air filter?

Not typically - but - since it gets used maybe four or five times a year, I usually don't worry about it. When it doesn't start, I check it - and see the filter still looks new and ditto for the plug.

Admittedly, at least ONCE it's because the gas was just in there too long - got some water in there.

 

[limblips]

Weed whacker? Shindaiwa or Stihl. A little pricier but much longer lasting. I try to buy what I see hanging on the landscaper's trailers..

 

[PeoplesElbow]

Weed whacker? Shindaiwa or Stihl. A little pricier but much longer lasting. I try too buy what I see hanging on the landscaper's trailers..

Stihl also has one for taller people, having to bend over with one too short killed my back.

 

[glhs837]

When someone can invent a gas-powered lawnmower that can actually consistently start without me breaking my back - I'll buy that one exclusively.
I have bought every brand (except Honda) - even ones that claim instant starting (no priming or anything). Instant start - nope.

But now from what I am reading, I'm definitely leaning toward electric. I only use a push mower for the stuff the tractor can't get.

I would. Over the last year, I've gathered most of the Lowes 80v line, either new or used, and couldnt be happier. Chainsaw, backpack blower, weedwacker, snow blower. Not tested that last one.



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[Clem72]

I have a 1990-something Craftsman riding mower that still runs like new. Also have the 80v push mower from Kobalt which I have abused for two seasons (bush hogging, running over pinecones, sticks, etc.) and other than needing the blade sharpened is basically in perfect condition.

Pretty happy with both. Wouldn't go back to a crappy gas powered push motor that I have to clean the carb every damn year.

 

[PrchJrkr]

My Toro has the Kohler OHV.

I change the oil, plug, and air filter every year and no matter how long it sits, it fires up on 1-2 pulls. It's been a fantastic mower for the last 7 years I've had it.

I've had the same performance from mine. The only problem I've had is restarts. Sometimes I'd have to let it cool down for a few minutes. Since I switched to ethanol free gas. No problems whatsoever.

 

[GWguy]

My '84 craftsman is still running well, but keeping an eye on electric mowers for when it dies. I only have to mow a very small patch by hand, so an electric seems to make sense. It's just the replacement of the battery every few years (even if you maintain it properly) that makes me hesitate. One battery replacement would probably cover the cost of all the replacement parts in the gas mower for the past 20 years.

 

[black dog]

Not just a mower with a Honda engine, but a Honda Mower:

https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers

Bought mine many years ago from Amazon in Mid winter. UPS guy probably thought I was crazy.

The crap you see in Lowes and WalMart these days drove me to it.

This right here, money well spent. Honda builds amazing mowers, generators and rototillers.
My neighbor bought a husqvarna 4 wheel drive hand mower last summer, it does hill very very well.

 

[mdff21]

Buy a few goats. You get your grass cut and fertilized at the same time.

 

[Goldenhawk]

My '84 craftsman is still running well, but keeping an eye on electric mowers for when it dies. I only have to mow a very small patch by hand, so an electric seems to make sense. It's just the replacement of the battery every few years (even if you maintain it properly) that makes me hesitate. One battery replacement would probably cover the cost of all the replacement parts in the gas mower for the past 20 years.

I wouldn't worry about battery lifespan if I were you.

I've had my set of electric lawn tools (described above) for at least two, or I think three, years, with no noticeable reduction in battery life so far. With four batteries, and randomly cycling through them, no one battery is getting used all that often. And lithium-ion batteries have a typical life of 600-1000 cycles. At maybe 25 lawn mowings per season, that's >30-year life IF I used the same battery each week, which I don't.

I don't actually expect 30 years - but still it's likely to be much longer than a gas mower will last.

I used to use at least a half gallon of gas each week, depending on whether I also used the weed eater and blower, so over 12 gallons during a season. Even at today's low gas prices, that's at least $25 gas per summer. That would pay for replacing the battery every four years or so assuming battery prices don't drop (which they do).

That would be offset VERY slightly by the electricity used to charge the battery - but BARELY. If I fully discharge a 4AH battery once each week (which I don't), that's about 0.48 kWH at about $0.15/kWh, so it's costing me just a dollar or two per summer of electricity.

Caveats and recommendations:

1. I don't really count on the ability to find a direct replacement for the battery in several years, since technology changes so quickly, so I would suggest having several batteries at the start, and rotating them periodically.
2. Don't buy anything with NiCad battery packs. Just don't.
3. Be sure to use each battery every so often; they have built-in charging-monitor circuits that need a small charge to stay alive, and if the battery goes completely dead you can have trouble charging it again. But that "shelf life" is several years under average conditions.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

This might be worth a look if you are interested in battery powered.

RMA 460 Lawn Mowers - Mechanicsville, MD | STIHL Dealer

The STIHL RMA 460 is available to buy at Milt's Sales & Service in Mechanicsville, MD.

milts.stihldealer.net

 

[PeoplesElbow]

On a somewhat related topic I love this style replacement trimmer head.

Weed Warrior Universal Fit Pivo-Trim Hybrid Residential Grade 10.75 in. L Trimmer Head Mfr# 17080 - Ace Hardware

The Pivotrim Hybrid replacement trimmer head is a durable 2-in-1 trimmer head with pivoting lines to cut grass or nylon blades to cut light brush. The head is made from carefully crafted glass-filled nylon for superior durability and abrasion resistance, it can withstand the extreme demand of...

www.acehardware.com

 

[PrchJrkr]

On a somewhat related topic I love this style replacement trimmer head.

Weed Warrior Universal Fit Pivo-Trim Hybrid Residential Grade 10.75 in. L Trimmer Head Mfr# 17080 - Ace Hardware

The Pivotrim Hybrid replacement trimmer head is a durable 2-in-1 trimmer head with pivoting lines to cut grass or nylon blades to cut light brush. The head is made from carefully crafted glass-filled nylon for superior durability and abrasion resistance, it can withstand the extreme demand of...

www.acehardware.com

I bought up all the Gator trimmer heads with metal blades and all the spare blades from Charlotte Hall Ace when they were discontinuing them about a year ago. The owner didn't know they had been discontinued in our store and sent some more up from Leonardtown.

They work beautifully when installed on my 31cc Ryobi or 32cc Homelite (or vice versa). I use them to cut heavy reeds at an elderly neighbor's place.

 

[WingsOfGold]

I just bought a 4cycle weed whacker........... somebitch is heavy. Quiet but heavy!