Life Buying a lawn mower with $400 budget - Page 2

Msmith · 06-01-2012, 07:43 AM

Not long ago there was a thread about buying lawn mower. I stated that I have a self-propelled Toro for 18 years. Well, it still cuts grass but no longer self-propels. Because it is a steel cast so it is very heavy to push. I purchased that 19 years ago for $399. I try to spend the same amount more or less for a new one.

Upon doing a bit of research, I come up with two brands:

Toro 20333 - 22 in. Personal Pace with Blade Stop System Self-Propelled Mower

Honda HRR216VKA - 21 in. Steel Deck Smart Drive Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower

Both are priced about $400.

The Honda HRR216VXA has a blade stop system but costs $100 more. I wonder that is it worth it for the extra cost.

Need suggestions from you guys.

Fat Elvis · 06-01-2012, 08:39 AM

I've had the Toro (not the blade stop one) and now have that very Honda. Cuttingwise, they are pretty equivalent in my book. My wife seems to think the Honda does a better job, however. I've never had to pull more than once to start the Honda-because of that, I don't think the blade stop is that important. Besides you should pick up stuff before you start to mow.

I think the personal pace of the Toro is a little more comfortable, but I am getting used to the "paddles" of the Honda. The Honda is a bit faster, but the Toro has a 1" larger cutting deck so the cutting time is pretty equivalent.

Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either mower.

Molitoth · 06-01-2012, 10:22 AM

I've had the same Craftsman for 8 years and it still works awesome.
I've only maintenance it one time (last season) with a carb clean, new filter, and new blade.

malachi47000 · 06-01-2012, 10:29 AM

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

This is what we bought last summer...starts right up still to this day...best mower I have had yet

listopencil · 06-01-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

**Bwana** · 06-01-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

Oh, go full trailer park, slather some of this stuff on, and don't ever have to mow!

**Bugeater** · 06-01-2012, 10:50 AM

Honda, no doubt about it. My mom had one of those personal pace mowers and I could never get used to it. It was fine in open areas, but whenever I tried to maneuver around tight areas the thing was hard to control. With that said, I only used it occasionally at her place, maybe if I used it on a constant basis I would adjust to it.

PhillyChiefFan · 06-01-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malachi47000

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

This is what we bought last summer...starts right up still to this day...best mower I have had yet

That's what I'm probably getting next. I have a Troy Bilt 22in with a Honda engine. I bought the thing because I thought "hey a honda engine...it must be good"...dumbass me. Engine's great...the rest is junk.

I had to put a new $165 trans-axle in it the very first season I had it, and it's already starting to do the same thing again after less than a season of having the thing fixed.

durtyrute · 06-01-2012, 10:56 AM

I got one that won't start that I'll sell to you for 400 bucks. Damn good mower it just won't start and we don't need it anymore, so I never got it fixed. John Deere L-130

06-01-2012, 07:43 AM
Msmith Veteran Join Date: Jan 2004 Casino cash: $8218035	Buying a lawn mower with $400 budget Not long ago there was a thread about buying lawn mower. I stated that I have a self-propelled Toro for 18 years. Well, it still cuts grass but no longer self-propels. Because it is a steel cast so it is very heavy to push. I purchased that 19 years ago for $399. I try to spend the same amount more or less for a new one. Upon doing a bit of research, I come up with two brands: Toro 20333 - 22 in. Personal Pace with Blade Stop System Self-Propelled Mower Honda HRR216VKA - 21 in. Steel Deck Smart Drive Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower Both are priced about $400. The Honda HRR216VXA has a blade stop system but costs $100 more. I wonder that is it worth it for the extra cost. Need suggestions from you guys.
Posts: 2,070

06-01-2012, 08:39 AM	#16
Fat Elvis Sexiest Athlete Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $-2028075	I've had the Toro (not the blade stop one) and now have that very Honda. Cuttingwise, they are pretty equivalent in my book. My wife seems to think the Honda does a better job, however. I've never had to pull more than once to start the Honda-because of that, I don't think the blade stop is that important. Besides you should pick up stuff before you start to mow. I think the personal pace of the Toro is a little more comfortable, but I am getting used to the "paddles" of the Honda. The Honda is a bit faster, but the Toro has a 1" larger cutting deck so the cutting time is pretty equivalent. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either mower.
Posts: 12,702

06-01-2012, 10:22 AM	#17
Molitoth Mahomes Fanboi Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $194969	I've had the same Craftsman for 8 years and it still works awesome. I've only maintenance it one time (last season) with a carb clean, new filter, and new blade.
Posts: 20,296

06-01-2012, 10:29 AM	#18
malachi47000 Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $9834937	http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051 This is what we bought last summer...starts right up still to this day...best mower I have had yet
Posts: 355

06-01-2012, 10:50 AM	#21
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Honda, no doubt about it. My mom had one of those personal pace mowers and I could never get used to it. It was fine in open areas, but whenever I tried to maneuver around tight areas the thing was hard to control. With that said, I only used it occasionally at her place, maybe if I used it on a constant basis I would adjust to it.
Posts: 70,546

06-01-2012, 10:56 AM	#23
durtyrute MVP Join Date: Mar 2011 Casino cash: $5556085	I got one that won't start that I'll sell to you for 400 bucks. Damn good mower it just won't start and we don't need it anymore, so I never got it fixed. John Deere L-130
Posts: 5,831