21" Mower Advice

[Buster57]

Re: 21

Commercial lawn mowers with steel decks are very heavy. Typically over 120 lbs. They have very large gas tanks~always over a quart.
They have some items that homeowners do not need, such as blade speed control, and typically cost 50% more.
I never see Al decks on commercial lawn mowers. Additionally, proper maintenance will prevent rust or at least prolong life of most well built lawn mowers.
I do not mind paying $500 for a lawn mower but I expect it to last. The JD did not last so I have a long memory about JD and Al decks.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 21

Well, I bag grass clippings in one area of my multiple acre lawn: within about 50' of the front door where the house dogs "go". First, there is enough nitrogen deposited in this area that the loss of the clippings do not matter, and it keeps them from eating, rolling in, and carrying in grass clippings.

 

[Will_C]

Re: 21\" Mower Advice

Well, after a year of looking, contemplating, anf thinking, I just bought a Toro Super Recycler. I really looked the features of the high end, commercial models, but this Toro seemed to be the best combination of price/value. It has a bagger and is supposed to be one of the best at mulching. I was a little leery of the Personal Pace system, but I bought the machine off from a local guy whom I trust, and he claims no problems in the 4-5 years the Personal Pace has been out. I suppose time will tell.
The mower did come with the aluminum deck, and has a 5 year full warranty, with the engine (a Briggs 6.5 hp) even warrranted to start for the entire 5 years on the first or second pull.
Will

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 21\" Mower Advice

My son-in-law has a Toro with Personal Pace. I tried it out the other week. Very nice! My own mower is slow. I've been trying to figure out how to speed it up. The Toro went as fast as I wanted to go. I don't think you'll be sorry.

Rod

 

[rancar]

Re: 21\" Mower Advice

<font color="blue"> I know you guys have the same taste for fine things I do, does anyone have any feedback or experience? </font>

After a couple weeks shopping, we have decided to purchase a John Deere JX75 walk behind mower. This is a well built mower for the home owner or light commercial user. It's powered by a Kawasaki 6HP OHV engine, full pressure not splash lubrication, aluminum deck, and blade/break clutch (no zone start on this one). We decided to purchase this model after reviewing the opinions of 20 other buyers who posted on the epinions.com website. See link below and attached web pic of the JX75.

After visiting another closer JD dealer, we decided to buy from KC-Canary, Fultonville, NY. They came in at over $100 less than the other dealer. The JX75 with side discharge chute should be coming in in a couple days. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Epinions on the John Deere JX75 Walk Behind

...Bob

 

[Will_C]

Re: 21\" Mower Advice

Bob,I really considered the JX, but I chickened out on spending that kind of money. I hope the Toro will work out fine for me. I have used the JD 14, the predecessor to the JX75, and it is a fine machine. Good luck with your new mower.
Will

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Re: 21\" Mower Advice

I have the JD 14SB which I believe based on price and options is an older version of the JX75. If I remember right I have had it about eight years, works great. Other than sharpening the blades and changing the oil it hasn't cost me another cent. Always starts on the first or second pull, (I didn't opt for the electric start) even after setting over the winter. Some day down the road when I need too I would buy another one with out any reservations. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rancar]

Re: 21\" Mower Advice

Thanks Will and Bill. Yep, this JX75 is an expensive machine. I won't deny that. The JX75 will cost me $695. The side discharge chute is an extra $18. But, I'm willing to spend this amount because the last mower I bought was a Murray in the late 1980s for about $150. That mower lasted just one year. The following Spring I was having problems with that new fangled zone control start system (the recoil rope would extend and never retract) and the engine just wouldn't start in spite of all attempts I made to correct the problems. I decided then never to buy a cheap mower again.

I figured with all these epinions buyers raving over this mower, I couldn't go wrong. I'd rather spend an extra few hundred up front for a dependable mower than endure potential difficulties with lower priced units sold by the likes of Sears and Home Depot.

...Bob