? about purchasing new lawn mower

[cliffy]

I have about a 400.00-450.00 budget set aside for a new walk behind mower. Its been awhile since I bought a mower and I was wondering what others are using. I want the option to mulch, side discharge and bag. I don’t care if its self propelled or not...my yard is small. I see some mowers describe a "vacuum" function. Is it worth it..does it work. Anyone have a push mower that starts with a key? I might be able to talk the wife into mowing the yard if it was easier to start. So, what brands would you recommend? Thanks.

Cliffy.

[Walleye Guy]

About 4 years ago I purchase a Toro 6.5 HP personal pace mower. Its the best mower I have owned (had Craftsman and Snapper before this one) It mulches, has a rear bagger and can side discharge if you like. The personal pace drive works well too. I have no compaints. I haven't priced them lately but they should be in your price range. I have also heard good things about Honda mowers. However they are rather spendy.

[Duffman]

Pulled my 13 yr old walk behind Toro out of storage yesterday, started on the second pull. But it's ALWAYS started within 2-4 pulls. And I haven't been all to kind with this mower, my next mower will also be a Toro.

[hoggs222]

I also have the Toro Personal Pace 6.5. I don't think I'd ever buy a different mower. It pushes so easy! It was around $400. Pulled it out of storage and primed it, started on the first pull.

[cliffy]

Sounds like Toro might be the way to go. Keep the info coming

[Sergeant Slabber]

I've got a Craftsman 6.5 walk behind that mulches, bags and side discharges. I used it for 4 seasons on a pretty small yard. Never had an issue with it. I moved to a larger house/ yard and went with a rider. I had the Craftsman in the shed and took it out yesterday to make sure she still works like a charm. Primed it, and she started up on the second pull. I was going to hang onto this mower incase my rider broke down, but it's just taking up space so I want to get rid of it. If you are at all interested shoot me an email [email protected] You should then have enough left over from your budget to get a lot of new fishing gear

[bgmny]

I'd agree on the Toro personal pace mower. Never had an issue (four years) with mine. The self propelled option is nice, you could mow one-handed which is nice for picking up all the kids toys on the way. Got mine at Home Depot for $400.

[dogs]

Got one of those toros self pace also. But I have had problems with the gears stripping on the drive shaft. Starts good though. Nothing last long with me

[Jim Almquist]

We have a Toro personal pace and I love it. It is the only lawnmower I have seen that can go faster then I want. With my past 2 self propelled it seemed like I was still pushing them cause I like to walk fast but I can not walk fast enough to catch the Toro-run maybe.

[Dragonsm]

I also have a toro, but it isn't a personal pace mower. It's one I bought when I was 12 to mow yards with to make extra money. 18 years later, and the darn thing just won't die. Other than a tuneup....the 3.5 hp briggs has been bulletproof and the mower has definately been put through the paces. (Well worth the $300 or so dollars I paid back then)

A personal pace mower would be nice, but I am on a mission to see how long this mower can last!

I have a co-worker that has a Honda mower, and he has absolutely nothing bad to say about them either. My father has a craftsman that has been solid for him.

The only brand that has ever been junk for me were the 2 stroke lawnboys.

[Big Dave2]

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The only brand that has ever been junk for me were the 2 stroke lawnboys.

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Don't get me wrong, I have no love for the 2-stroke lawnboys either but I do own one that is probably almost 10 yrs old. About 3 yrs ago my wife ran straight gas in it and I thought it was siezed up. I mixed some new fuel for it and started trying to pull the rope. Eventually it started pulling over and then started!

Well, I have some commercial lawn equip. so I have not used that mower in 2 yrs. I took it out of the shed last weekend, put some MIXED gas in it, pumped the primer a couple of times and gave it 1 pull and it started right up!

In my opinion, the personal pace toro would be the way to go. There are even a few professional lawn services around that use them instead of commercial 21" mowers. The commercial Toros last a lot longer if you were using it every day but they are also quite a bit more expensive, so some lawn services who don't have a lot of accounts that require a 21" will opt to use the personal pace.

[cliffy]

Well, I pulled the trigger this morning and bought a Toro 22 inch recycler or something like that....and this thing KICKS A#$!! Key or pull start, 3-1 and personal pace....LOVE IT....a little spendy...but well worth it.

Thanks for all the suggestions...

Cliffy.

[jweitgen]

I was going to suggest a Honda but it looks like I am too late. I bought a new Honda last year and I love everything about it. Maybe this will help someone else.

[cliffy]

Honda was at the top of my list as well....I heard a lot of good things about them. I just couldnt find one in my price range that offered the same things as the Toro. I sorta broke my budget with the Toro and couldnt afford to spend anymore....but if I would have had the cash...a Honda very well could have been sitting in my garage!!!

[vern]

Yep, the Toro Personal Pace mower is nice. I bought one a couple years ago. I love mulching the leaves in the Fall instead of bagging. I went from about 15+ bags to just 2 or 3. I hardly have to touch a rake anymore. Good choice.

[lawdog]

personal pace? What does that mean? I assume its either that there are a couple different speeds to choose from or this really isn't self propelled, but more like just assistance with propulsion?? I don't understand...

[BRULEDRIFTER]

There is a "throttle/speed" cable attached to the handle, the harder you push the handle the faster it goes. Let off the handle and it's spring loaded to slow it down. I do sometimes "walk" faster than it can go so I guess I would consider that assisted propulsion. Some of the neighbors do get a kick out of it when I am on one of these high speed mows as you are almost running.

[Justfishing]

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personal pace? What does that mean? I assume its either that there are a couple different speeds to choose from or this really isn't self propelled, but more like just assistance with propulsion?? I don't understand...

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Personal Pace is variable speed but it has the easiest setup to use. Some variable speeds are like a gear shift and set it at one speed and when you pull the handle that is the speed you go. Others rely on how much you pull the controller as to how fast it goes. In either case you have to let up for the mower to stop.

With the PP the engagement happens when you push the bar you hold on to. The farther you push it the faster it goes. If you walk faster it automatically gets pushed farther and goes faster. When you slow down it causes it to slow down and when you stop it stops. No need to do anything.

I have had my PP for 3 years and no problems. I think it has the easiest system to use which helps out with the wife and kids. It also has the highest speed.

[SomethingFishy*]

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Well, I pulled the trigger this morning and bought a Toro 22 inch recycler or something like that....and this thing KICKS A#$!! Key or pull start, 3-1 and personal pace....LOVE IT....a little spendy...but well worth it.

Thanks for all the suggestions...

Cliffy.

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Which model did you buy? What did you end up paying?

I just picked up a new Toro 20074 Personal Pace with Electric Start (haven't even taken it out of the box yet). HD had it on sale for $350. Seemed like a fair price, I don't need it yet as the lawn is not ready, but let me know your thoughts on your new purchase. It also came with a 3rd year warranty for free. I figure it'll be a 3-4 weeks before I even open the box.

I also considered (considering) a Honda or an Ariens.

[iffwalleyes]

Personal Pace are the best self propel mowers out there in my opinion. If you want to walk or run it will keep up to your pace.

[cliffy]

I dont recall the model number off the top of my head...its out in my unattached garage and its hailing right now...so I not stepping outside for awhile.

It was about 485.00 dollars at HD. It has the elec. start, mulch, bag or side discharge and Personal Pace feature. It has one other feature that I am finding to be very handy...it allows the motor to stay running but the blade stops when I am putting on or removing the bag. My old mower didnt do that and I always thought it was a pain to have to restart the mower after dumping each bag of clipings. It also has a water hook up on top of the housing...I just attach the garden hose and turn it on...engage the blades...and it cleans itself.

Overall I am very, very, very happy with it. Did I mention that I am happy with it? I enjoy it so much...I find myself WANTING to cut the grass!!!! Well worth the money in my opinion.

Cliffy.

[SomethingFishy*]

Sweet, thanks for the reply. I haven't taken mine out of the box yet. It sounds like you got the step up from mine ( I can't disengage the blade). I wanted that model but they had only the one I got on sale (I couldn't spend the extra $135)as I have a smaller lot (70x125) that I'll mow it with.