Looking for a good Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

[Steelfan]

I looking for a good rear wheel drive self-propelled lawn mower to do trimming, and banks with. I figured Sears would be a good place to start. Well I was wrong. I bought the 6.75hp 21" model, and tried it out. It's going back tommorrow after just one week. I noticed some pull to the right after about 1 hour of mowing, so I pulled the back wheel off. I found metal gears against plastic. The outside of part of the wheel on the side near to the mower is the drive gear. The wheel is made of plastic. So now I'm looking for a new mower. This one cost me $400. Anyone know of any good mowers in that price range? I'm going shopping tommorrow after getting my money back. Thanks for any help.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have a JD (rear wheel drive) self-propelled mower, eight years old and still going strong. My father has a Toro self-propelled mower that he really likes. The '03 Consumer Reports lists the JD Model JS63C as a "Best Buy" at a list price of $410 but for what thats worth they also list the Craftsman Model 37779 as a "Best Buy" at a price of $500 Is that the model you have? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Steelfan]

Thanks for the reply, JDGREEN4ME.

No, I've got the 917.377682, but I'd bet all Sears mowers have the same gearing. Hard to understand how they can charge $400 for something like that.

Kent

 

[hazmat]

I'd check out Honda, Toro, & Deere - At the dealers, not Home Depot.

I was in sears last weekend. They had a 20" push 3.5HP on sale for $100. My push mower isn't running right now, I thougt, hmmm $100 will save me a bunch of aggravation, considering I don't know what is wrong with mine & it's old. Better yet the wife was in favor of it.

I pull it off the rack. Go to tip the front wheels up like when you make a turn, you could see the deck flexing under it's own weight. I doubt it would have lasted 2 years! Glad I figured that out in the store rather than at home.

 

[Steelfan]

Hi Hazmat,

I guess Craftsman mowers aren't what they used to be. I've got a Craftsman Garden Tractor that I've owned for 14 years. It still runs like a top. The plastic vs metal thing really worried me. I can't imagine that working for long.

Kent

 

[Will_C]

My brother has the JD 63 and is very happy with it. I think they are in your price range. I have a feeling though, that you might not be happy with anything in that price range. I went through the same endeavor last summer and ended up not buying anything /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. I really was not impressed with anything that was less than $600-700, and I did not want to spend that much.
Will

 

[Steelfan]

<font color="blue"> I really was not impressed with anything that was less than $600-700, and I did not want to spend that much.
</font>

I can understand that. I did look at the JD mowers on the website. They were about $440-$540. I was surprised. Can I ask why you didn't like the JD 63 that your brother has? It may help me figure things out. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Kent

 

[rmorgan]

Kent--

I've been in quest of a decent self-propelled mower which would hold up to the pond banks but which my wife could start when she wanted to. Ended up last month with a Honda 6.5 hp "HRB217." I did get it at the Depot, primarily because of the return option--I took two back last year because they didn't perform acceptably. This one, on the other hand, is pretty impressive. Starts like a Honda, of course, but also is light due to a nonmetallic deck; leaves almost no clippings even in really, really high grass; and has a hydrostatic drive. The handle is not hinged in the middle, which always drives me nuts. And you can walk away from it without the engine dying, to boot. Three years of warranty (five on the deck). The bad news is it was close to $700. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Bird]

I was in a Smith Farm & Garden store about a week ago and they had a Honda walk behind self propelled with a hydrostatic transmission. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Something new to me and the price; $995.00. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I had the Honda hydrostatic walk behind. Really great mower. If they would just add a reverse to it would be perfect. I paid about $750 for it at Home Depot. Highly recommended.