21" Mower Advice

   / 21" Mower Advice #1  

Will_C

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
1,773
Location
Upstate N.Y.
Tractor
Kubota L3560, Toro 52" and 60" ZTRs, Kubota RTV 900
21\" Mower Advice

I have come to the conclusion that a self-propelled mower would be a nice thing to have to supplement the BX 2200. I would use this mower up close to buildings, and to do my "trophy" lawn (a 1/4 acre island that the driveway wraps around.) I also could use the exercise!

I have been researching the different models, and it seems the general consensus seems to favor JD and Honda. I know you guys have the same taste for fine things I do, does anyone have any feedback or experience? Thanks, Will
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #2  
Re: 21

Will, pick up the Spring Consumer Reports. They recently did a review on 21" mowers etc. It was quite surprising. I wouldn't have guessed it, but the YARDMAN got a BEST BUY award.

The Honda's didn't, nor did the TOROS fair as well as one would think. John Deere and Craftsman are repeatedly good performers in these tests.

So, you might want to save some money and pick yourself up a YARDMAN. However, it doesn't have the name recognition. If you're into names, John Deere builds an exceptionally good mower but carries a hefty price.

Personally, I am biased towards TOROs. But this test has made me re-think by original preference.
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #3  
Re: 21\" Mower Advice

Will, for what it's worth, I worked for a Toro/JD dealer for 7 years. I also worked for a Honda dealer for a year. I bought a Toro GTS 21" 3 in 1 self propelled.
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #4  
Re: 21

You are not actually going to get a JD push mower to go with your Kubota?
Seriously, try to get an aluminum decked model regardless of manufacturer, they are much more sturdy. The Toros may be the best these days and since OMC sold Lawnboy to Toro I would still consider one of their "green" Toros. I have a 20 year old OMC Lawnboy, my father has a 32 year old OMC Lawnboy, my brother has a 26 year old OMC Lawnboy. These have aluminum decks, two-stroke engines. I think Toro Lawnboy also has a 4 stroke Lawnboy and still makes the two strokes also. I have a bagger and a mulching blade but I prefer to side discharge. The offset front wheels of the Lawnboy design allow it to get close in the front as well as the side. J
 

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   / 21" Mower Advice
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Re: 21

Tres; I knew that mention of Green paint would wake you up! I have pretty decided on an aluminum deck if I can swallow the cost. I'll have to take a good look at the Toros, had not really considered them before. I'll also stop by our library and see if I can get my hands at Consumer Reports, but I consider this board my personal Consumer Report. Thanks , I'll let you know what I choose.
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #6  
Re: 21

You really can't go wrong with a Honda, JD, or Toro. Try 'em all out and see which one has the bells and whistles you like for the price you are willing to pay.
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #7  
Re: 21\" Mower Advice

I had a Craftsman 22" mower for nearly 20 years. I just gave it to my daughter and her husband. Changed the oil every two or three seasons whether it needed it or not. It just runs and runs and runs. Sat for the last three years in my shed, pulled it out last weekend when my daughter came to visit. Primed it and pulled it about 5 times, started right up. You could smell the shellac in the old fuel, but it still ran. They took it home and cut their grass with it. You draw your own conclusions.
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #8  
Re: 21\" Mower Advice

Please dont take this the wrong way as I have absolutely nothing agaisnt a Craftsman mower or other Craftsman products, got plenty myself. One thing though on a 20yo mower in Michigan and a 20 year old mower in the deep South as in Houston where I lived for ten of the Lawnnboys 20 years and back home in the Bayou country for most of the remaineder, grass cutting is a year round event, especially in Houston. We start cutting in early Spring and do not stop till nearly December, I have cut grass in January in Houston esp if overseeded with winter rye. It is also not uncommon to have to cut twice in a week in the Summer for the manicured look my house in Houston required (covenants). Not meant to be argumentative, just pointing out something that might not be very obvious, mowers and stuff may get considerably more use in one local vs another. J
 
   / 21" Mower Advice #9  
Re: 21\" Mower Advice

I just bought a John Deere JS63. My wife and I both love it. It came with a mulching plate, baggerr and discharge chute. Always starts on first or second pull.
 
   / 21" Mower Advice
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Re: 21\" Mower Advice

IHC, My brother has the exact same model, purchased last year and he is extremely happy with it.
 

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