Lawnmower Engine Displacement - How Important?

[duck2]

Hello,

Both of my walk behind lawnmowers have finally reached end of life. I need to buy a new walk behind, high rear wheel mower. If one prospective mower is a 140cc engine displacement and another model is a 190 cc engine displacement, will this be a significant difference in the mower's cutting power?

Also, I have never owned a self propelled mower. I have a huge area that I mow, that typically takes me 90 minutes of continuous mowing. Does a self propelled mower really cut your mowing time or merely make it less strenuous? I am leery of the self propelled feature, as it is one more point of failure in a piece of equipment.

Thanks

[Jim Almquist]

We have a Toro that is self propelled and will move at what ever pace you want to go. It will easily move faster than what I want to go and I walk very fast compared to most. The harder you push the faster it will go. We always set it up for mulching but it will side discharge or bag. I thought ours was a 6hp but not sure how that is as far as cc. It might be faster to cut the lawn, but I know it is much easier to push because you can do the lawn one handed if you like.

[trolloni]

they can say whateverthey want ,but theres no replacement for cubic inches!

[CAMAN]

they can say whateverthey want ,but theres no replacement for cubic inches!

140cc = 8.54 cubic inches

190cc = 11.59 cubic inches

That better?

To answer your questions, the larger mower will have more power for cutting long or wet grass and won't bog down nearly as fast when going through the tough stuff.

Self propelled will only speed up the cutting to as fast as you can comfortably move, it won't magically cut the lawn in half the time. It will tire you out less, so you may take less breaks thus speeding up cut time, but if you don't take any breaks now, it won't take much off the cut time.

I suggest staying as far from Craftsman and the like, as you can, they are absolute junk IMO. Look at brands like Toro, they will outlast any big box brand by years and you will be much happier.

[hanson]

I'll 2nd or 3rd previous poster's recommendations of a Toro. There are others as well... I'd get a Honda in a heartbeat but they are significantly more money. My Honda snowblower is the slickest thing since sliced bread... fully variable hydrostatic transmission is crazy!!

My Toro lawnmower is a couple years old and has the rear wheel drive personal pace system in it. I still don't understand how it works (well I do) but it is very slick. The faster you walk, the faster the mower moves. I mean it really is effortless and I can mow with one hand on the mower if I want to. I think mine is 6hp and the only thing that slows it down is how full the bagger is. 2 thumbs up!

[Tom7227]

If you want to learn the difference between various makes and price ranges go to a shop that sells power equipment and listen to the salesman. A big issue is the availability of replacement parts. If you buy a $150 mower chances are when it breaks you will have a tough time getting replacement parts. Learn about the difference in the quality of the engines - things like how the cylinders are made. IMO you have to spend at least $300 to get something that will last. You may even be able to find a used mower that was built well that will suit your needs if you can't afford a good quality new one. Shop and learn in the process.

[duck2]

Many thanks to all who responded. I had originally set my sights on a low end mower, the Puolan 148cc non-self propelled. However after some advice garnered here and discussions with a mower sales pro at a large hardware store in New Brighton, I will be picking up a Toro Super Recycler model 20092. It is more than I had planned on spending, but seems to have the power and reliability I am looking for.

Incidentally, the hardware store guy told me that Toro makes a "Big Box" edition of the Toro recycler (model 20331) for the Orange Store chain. It is cheaper, but also inferior in many respects to its big brother, the model 20092. A large number of negative customer reviews seem to bear out this contention.

When it comes to shopping big box retailers, it is certainly caveat emptor (buyer beware). Whether it is underwear at Wally Mart or Lawnmowers at the big box, the chains often drive down price from their suppliers at the expense of quality. If your Jockey boxer shorts disintegrate after a few washings or your prized Toro mower clogs in high grass or stalls out, chances are that you have "gotten what you paid for" from our ubiquitous big box discounters."

Thanks again

[Duffman]

I'm on my 16th summer with a Toro recycler, two pulls max to start. I'm waiting for it to die on me so I can go get another, but it refuses to do so. I think you will enjoy your purchase, happy mowing.

[CJH]

I've had good luck with Toro's and Honda's.

Good Luck!!

[CAMAN]

I'm on my 16th summer with a Toro recycler, two pulls max to start. I'm waiting for it to die on me so I can go get another, but it refuses to do so. I think you will enjoy your purchase, happy mowing.

Same here, though I think mines closer to 20 years.