Self-propelled walk behind mowers - Which One?

[Bird]

Was the aluminum deck a big selling point for you? Which engine does yours have?

Yep, Steve, the aluminum deck was important to me. I used to have one of the old 2 cycle OMC made Lawnboys that I used for many years. With that alloy deck they had, you didn't have to worry about rust. I was in a habit of washing the mower good after each use, then I'd turn off the gas at the petcock under the tank, start the engine, and let it run until it ran out of gas. Now some of the new Toros have a port on top to connect a garden hose to wash the underside of the deck. Mine does not have that. The manual shows to park on concrete with the engine running, blade turning, and spray water with the garden hose just in front of the right rear wheel and let the blade suck it up to wash under the deck. That sorta works, but I have a "custom made weight" I put on the handle bar to keep the mower tilted all the way back so I can wash under the deck with a good spray nozzle, then I run it to dry itself out. Sometimes I clean it with compressed air, other times with water, depending on how wet the grass was when I mowed and how dirty the machine is afterwards. The one I have is the SuperRecycler 20058 with the electric start 6.5 hp Briggs & Stratton side valve engine. I'm not sure how they decide which engine to use but my dealer told me the overhead valve engines have a little more power, but if you ever need engine work, the parts for the overhead valve engines are much more expensive.

The only thing I didn't like was when I learned that the engine running does not charge the battery. Instead, it comes with a little battery charger and supposedly the battery only needs charging a couple of times a year. I guess that's alright, since I "tested" it myself to find that it starts very easily with the pull rope if the battery should happen to go dead at the wrong time.

 

[IllMarty1]

I have a Toro rider with 16 HP BS and a Toro self-propelled walk behind with 6.5 HP and both have been excellent. My uncle is a Toro dealer in Wisconsin.

Marty

 

[Lindblom Lawn Care]

The Toro is a good choice. There have been some troubles with the Personal Pace System. I belive they have been resolved.

 

[RalphVa]

My vote goes to a 2 cycle Lawnboy. I bought mine for $400 and change at Lowes about 4 or 5 years ago. Starts good, lightweight, variable speed drive (just depends on how much you squeeze; no gear changes). Take a look at the trailers of the lawn mowing service people. Think you'll find a Lawnboy there for their trim mower.

Ralph

 

[Bird]

My vote goes to a 2 cycle Lawnboy. I bought mine for $400 and change at Lowes about 4 or 5 years ago. Starts good, lightweight, variable speed drive (just depends on how much you squeeze; no gear changes). Take a look at the trailers of the lawn mowing service people. Think you'll find a Lawnboy there for their trim mower.

Ralph

Ralph, I bought a used 2 cycle Lawnboy in '71, used it for 18 years, and it was still a fine mower when I retired, went to full time RVing, and gave away the Lawnboy. Of course, back then they were made by OMC (Outboard Marine Corporation).

So I'd agree with you except for one small problem; they don't make them anymore. Lawnboy is now owned by Toro, so in simple terms, if you want a new Lawnboy, you're getting a green Toro instead of a red Toro, but it'll have a Honda or Tecumseh engine. You can look at the various models here.

Before I bought my current Toro, I sure looked for a 2 cycle Lawnboy, but in fact my Toro dealer is, of course, also my Lawnboy dealer.

 

[WayneB]

I bought my JD-63C from my local JD dealer and really like the mower. Cut is great plus the caster wheels make getting into tight spaces really easy. I think I paid around $475.00 for it.

I did break one of the caster wheels when I dropped the mower taking out of the truck, can't blame the mower for that, although I have noticed the newer models have a different design on the caster wheel attachment.