JD push mowers- worth it?

[tremor]

Looking to save a couple turns and complicated sections of my mowing duties, by getting a push mower. I know I can get a hardware store push mower for a couple hundred dollars, but are JD (or other big names) push mowers worth a couple extra hundred or so bucks more?
While I'm at it- what's with all this self propelled nonsense? In my day, your feet propelled the mower. Do they still make the old style anymore?

 

[Deere Dude]

Generally, you pay for what you get. I have a JD push mower for 20 years or so and needed a clutch about 7 years ago. Self propelled is the only way to mow, unless you can drive it. Maybe you can find someone you can go to for a test drive and judge for your self. I had a non self-propelled real cheapy for may years and worked fine except for the wheels tilting in from wear.

 

[rekees4300]

I have a JD riding mower and it's very well built. You get what you pay for. Here's a link to what's available in Canada.

https://www.deere.com/en_INT/products/equipment/walk_behind_mowers/walk_behind_mowers.page

 

[thatguy]

Years ago in Consumer Reports - the JD push mower (im pretty sure it had self drive as well) was a top rated mower...

im guessing you cant go wrong with one..

Brian

 

[DK35vince]

While I'm at it- what's with all this self propelled nonsense? In my day, your feet propelled the mower. Do they still make the old style anymore?

I have a feet propelled mower. It never gets used.
Several years ago we got a Toro Super Recycler walk behind mower with the personal pace self propelled feature, blade stop feature, aluminum deck, electric start, etc.
Beats the **** out of that foot propelled mower. I will never use that one again.

 

[Will_C]

I have had a Toro Super Recycler for 10 years now-not a single problem with it. It does not get used a lot now that I have a ZTR, but it continues to start and run every time I go to use it. I think I paid $500 for it back then.

Will

 

[RalphVa]

Around here in central Va, JD quality in their push/self-propelled mowers went to **** when they sold them in Lowes. So, JD and Kubota tractor dealers are selling Honda mowers. That's what I bought last time, a self-propelled, electric-start Honda. Great mower.

I've an old JD 14SB self-propelled that still works good. Pain in the butt with its old-fashioned shift-the-gear box on it.

All the new self-propelled stuff is variable speed and even changes (in Toros) to your walking speed.

I lamented the passing of the self-propelled gearbox on my variable speed 2 cycle Lawnboy. Donated it to Habitat. They have little lawns, typically, so pushing it would be no big deal.

For our hills around here, you gotta have self-propel unless you need very light weight and small for tight spaces. For those, I've a push rechargable Kobalt 40v.

Ralph

 

[tremor]

Looking to do in areas where the rider won't fit. Would also like to get around tight areas andunder some evergreens, so this self propelled, would probably get in the way for me, maybe not for the girlfriend though.

 

[Code54]

I have a JD push mower and a Honda - Personally I like the Honda better and mainly use the JD as a backup. The Honda was also a little cheaper....

 

[JimRB]

I have a 20+ year-old Honda 3 speed self-propelled with a blade clutch. Engine can keep running when you go to empty the bag. I was happy with that mower. My father-in-law was moving so I grabbed his plastic decked Honda with a variable speed self propelled which also has the blade clutch. It mulches and mows better than my old Honda. I suppose my 20 year old mower might work a wee bit better with a fresh engine. The variable speed is nice and they did some sort of engineering that the mulching blades work better on the newer mower. I tried a rding lawn mower but the cut is so much better with teh walking mower. It only takes me an hour to mow and I need the exercise. Sometimes my knees whine but I still need the exercise. Not a lot of exercise when you do not have to push the mower.

 

[coobie]

Looking to save a couple turns and complicated sections of my mowing duties, by getting a push mower. I know I can get a hardware store push mower for a couple hundred dollars, but are JD (or other big names) push mowers worth a couple extra hundred or so bucks more?
While I'm at it- what's with all this self propelled nonsense? In my day, your feet propelled the mower. Do they still make the old style anymore?

We have 10 year old self propelled honda walk behind mower that has been flawless.It was a few extra $$ when bought it but I do believe I can get another 10 years out of it.

 

[jenkinsph]

I bought a Deere self propelled JS45 in 2011 I think and it has been flawless so far the bagger does a good job too. I use it for small areas and courtyards. At any rate it was the last one in the series with front caster wheels and bagger. I prefer this model because I have had no issues with throwing rocks or debris at glass doors and windows. The casters allow you to keep the deck on the ground in turns. I think all of the better mowers today adjust to your walking speed, I know mine does.

I think the Honda mowers are good too.


JS45 with bagger removed,

 

[bigtiller]

The last time i seen someone over 40 with a push mower, it and 3 more were being pulled behind a JD garden tractor with a home made hitch cutting a 9' swath.

 

[thatguy]

I have had a Toro Super Recycler for 10 years now-not a single problem with it. It does not get used a lot now that I have a ZTR, but it continues to start and run every time I go to use it. I think I paid $500 for it back then.

Will

We also have a Toro Super Recylcler that is close to 15 yrs old - Great mower- the wire to control the self propel broke and I was like - i dont need that.. I was WRONG - that thing weighted a ton LOL I quickly got the replacement part..

b

 

[davesl708]

I have a 16 year old 6hp Craftsman 21" mulcher foot propelled. Still starts on one or two pulls and cuts great.
I cut the front lawn in front of the house with it and the rest with the BX2200.
If I remember right I paid about $99 for it new.

 

[Code54]

The last time i seen someone over 40 with a push mower, it and 3 more were being pulled behind a JD garden tractor with a home made hitch cutting a 9' swath.

Thats funny - a few weeks ago I cut 2 ½ acres with my little 20 some inch Honda because it was so darn wet and I didn't feel like running that day - turning 45 in a few weeks...

 

[murphy1244]

I have a Scotts by JD and have had it for over 15 years. Love the 3 speed trans but you must maintain it. If I bought one now I would look at Toro.

 

[Garandman]

The current version of CR does not have a rating for a JD push mower. Honda and Toro take the top six spots. You can now by Toros with Honda engines as well as B&S.

A few years ago I volunteered with a bunch of others to cut three lacrosse fields for a tournament: there'd been so much rain the big machines couldn't do them. We brought our 21" self-propelled [variable speed] Honda, about $400.

Most of the other machines struggled in the tall wet grass. The Honda went through it as fast as I could walk. Best testimonial ever.

Honda has a commercial grade push mower, but their standard line does a great job. Mostly made in USA.
Honda Lawn Mowers - HRX HRR HRC HRS Mowers

 

[s219]

I don't think the modern JD push mowers are any good -- like the stuff they sell in the box stores and their entry level riding mowers, it's basically engineered and priced to compete with all the other junky brands, but maybe carry a bit more "name". In recent years, the best push mowers you can buy are Hondas. That's actually what my local John Deere dealer sells. I have only seen the Deere push mowers in Lowes.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I cannot comment on JD, but approx 30 years ago I bought a 21" Honda, 2 speed self propelled with aluminum deck. Watched it being taken out of the shipping box, oil added, gas added - - -started first pull. Still going strong and starting first pull. Never been in the shop.