Any tips/advice on buying a lawn mower?

[mtemm]

We sold our townhouse and bought our house in october, and will need to buy a lawn mower soon. Any tips/advice on buying one? Or favorites? Any you can't stand?

We have a pretty big yard. The owner before us owned a riding mower, but the lawn is in between...doable with a regular one. Honestly I don't think a riding one is in our budget. I have mowed lawns before at my parents house, but never had to shop for a mower before.

 

[dandave]

I'd go for a self-propelled model with large rear wheels.

 

[BounceyOne]

I second what dandave said! self propelled is a must!

 

[becka]

Get one that comes with an operator!

I can't remember the brand of mower we bought last spring but it was the large back wheels that make it easier to manuever. We didn't get self-propelled because DH said he didn't need it so it was not worth the extra $50 or whatever it was. He now wishes he paid the extra but the mower is still quite usable.

 

[DawnCt]

I would choose a self propelled mower with multiple walking speeds. It would have to be able to bag and mulch. I use the bagger in the fall to get the leaves. Mulching enables you to return all of the fertilizer that you put on the grass back into the lawn. I like Honda. It has three speeds and a good, rapid pace. You can use the faster pace if the lawn isn't too long. I have had three Hondas. They last and they are good but my lawn is big and I prefer to walk instead of ride. I have also worn out the tread on the tires, so I mow alot! In the summer, twice a week. It takes an hour and a half each time so a fast pace is important to me!

 

[smileybrat]

i third the self-propelled. a lot easier than pushing it around. you only need the large whells if your yard is especially bumpy. we have a honda that's lasted almost 20 yrs. they last a long time with regular maintanance.

 

[mtemm]

Any idea on how much a self propelled should cost? I definitely would do self propelled...learned my lesson when we bought our new vacuum last fall.

with the mulching one, does that mean no bagging? it just mulches the clippings and leaves them as they fall? That would definitely be nice!

 

[DawnCt]

With mulching, just let the clippings fall where they may. I think I paid around $650 for my Honda.

 

[dandave]

Here's a Honda for $398:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...t=4890&type=1&dept=5428&path=0:5428:4091:4890

 

[mtemm]

Wow! What's the difference between a $398 model and one for $650?

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by mtemm
Wow! What's the difference between a $398 model and one for $650?

I wanted a blade brake clutch that allows the engine to continue running when the blade stops, thus eliminating the need to restart the engine when you let go of the handle to empty the bag or move an obstacle. The clutch adds extra costs to most mowers. My $650 included sales tax I think. In also has Xenoy deck that can't rust.

 

[Cindy B]

We bought a large wheeled one at Sears. We got lucky because there were some that were either returned or floor models, and we got it at a better price.

I want to say ours is a Craftsman, but I'm not sure. I can't remember.

We used to have a real nice one, but something died in it.