New Walk Behind Mower

[RalphVa]

Anyone gone through exploring the various walkbehind mowers lately? I did this recently, thinking my JD 14SB had finally given up the ghost (but found a simple fix to it later). Came to the conclusion that Toro probably makes about the best walkbehind for the price. They're about 2/3 the price of the Honda mowers that're at the local JD dealer now (even he doesn't deal in JD walkbehinds any more because they lost their reputation in building for the Lowes market). I bought a Honda with those paddle things to regular the speed of mowing. Wife cannot use them, with her arthritic hands. She can start the old 14SB with its cord starter right on top the engine and likes the bail to start and stop it. Toro has a speed sensing start/stop/speed of walking feature that seems to make it far ahead of others. Some (not many) have had troubles with the Toro locking up to not be able to reverse it.

Ralph

 

[TimberXX]

I would check out World Lawn. They have a 34 inch mower for 1800 bucks. Commercial duty.

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[dragoneggs]

I have owned Craftsman, Toro, JD, and Honda. I like my Honda best. Easy start, lightweight, powerful and never had anything break on it. I can't say that about the rest of my machines. The Toro was pretty good, JD next and the Craftsman (of course) pulling up the rear. My Honda has a plastic deck and I thought that would be its down fall but it is very tough, I have banged it around, hit big rocks from the outside and with the blade, and it is still in great shape. Only thing going bad are a few stick on decals .

Granted this isn't a scientific study and my sample size is one of each... but if I have to buy another one, it will likely be a Honda. Just love those engines.

 

[RalphVa]

Since my 14SB got a recent 2nd lease on new life, I replaced its frayed self-drive cable. This cable now comes with a replacement bail, too. Did it. Now, the wheels won't reverse. Oh, well, it works otherwise, and the wife likes it. She cannot use the Honda with its paddles for self-drive due to arthritis in her hands. Only Honda like the JD that she could use is the HRX which runs about $899. Except for the paddle issue, I like the (HRV?) Honda I have. Went to start it in the middle of the winter for some reason, and the battery was down. Gave it one pull on the starter cord at the push handle, and it started right up. Easiest to start mower I've ever owned.

Ralph