Life Buying a lawn mower with $400 budget

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.

Hammock Parties · 06-01-2012, 07:45 AM

Craigslist.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-01-2012, 07:46 AM

Ace Gunner · 06-01-2012, 07:48 AM

if you have a lawn with hills or grades;

I like FWD mowers because they pull up hill and cut better going up hill and are easier to use on grades than RWD.

**Saul Good** · 06-01-2012, 07:49 AM

I bought a Yard Man and really like it. It isn't self-propelled, and only cost $200 or so. It's so light that it doesn't need to be self-propelled.

I had one that was four years ago before I bought this one, and it really didn't seem to have much benefit.

Honda makes the motor on the Yard Man, and I've never had an issue. (My lot is about half an acre and has a moderate grade.)

**Bwana** · 06-01-2012, 07:49 AM

Honda makes a damn good mower.

If things really get out of hand, I would move up to a swather.

Msmith · 06-01-2012, 07:50 AM

To SG: I like to buy from the local dealers (not Home Depot or Lowe's) so I can get good service from them down the road.

To Dave: That actually crosses my mind. But how do you sharpen it?

suds79 · 06-01-2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Craigslist.

This.

I was amazed in by looking the other day to think I could find a used riding lawn mower and not have to drop a G plus in the process.

Fairplay · 06-01-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satanic Goat

Craigslist.

Save some money and look on here. People sell lawn mowers all the time on the site. plus no taxes.

jspchief · 06-01-2012, 08:01 AM

I have a personal pace Toro and it's a great mower. It has 5 year sure start and I've had it at least 5 years and it always starts on 1 or 2 pulls.

**Renegade** · 06-01-2012, 08:09 AM

I buy as cheap as I can because I have so many rocks in my yard. I can only get 2-3 years out of a mower, so I buy a lot at garage sales. Also if you can wait until the end of the cutting season, they usually go on sale.

**Saul Good** · 06-01-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmith

To SG: I like to buy from the local dealers (not Home Depot or Lowe's) so I can get good service from them down the road.

To Dave: That actually crosses my mind. But how do you sharpen it?

Service? It's a lawnmower, not a Jaguar. You pour gas in the round hole and sharpen the blade every so often.

WV · 06-01-2012, 08:25 AM

I don't care for self propelled, but my next push mower I actually buy will have a Honda engine. That being said, I mostly use hand-me-downs or freebies that I fix because I don't use one that much.

Chiefshrink · 06-01-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Honda makes a damn good mower.

If things really get out of hand, I would move up to a swather.

Duly noted. I am in the market

Brock · 06-01-2012, 08:32 AM

Fix it and pocket the extra 300.

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, 07:45 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $870478	Craigslist. __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-01-2012, 07:46 AM	#3
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	__________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali
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06-01-2012, 07:48 AM	#4
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	if you have a lawn with hills or grades; I like FWD mowers because they pull up hill and cut better going up hill and are easier to use on grades than RWD. __________________ The Greatest
Posts: 10,580

06-01-2012, 07:49 AM	#5
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	I bought a Yard Man and really like it. It isn't self-propelled, and only cost $200 or so. It's so light that it doesn't need to be self-propelled. I had one that was four years ago before I bought this one, and it really didn't seem to have much benefit. Honda makes the motor on the Yard Man, and I've never had an issue. (My lot is about half an acre and has a moderate grade.) __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870

06-01-2012, 07:49 AM	#6
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2135903647	Honda makes a damn good mower. If things really get out of hand, I would move up to a swather. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
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06-01-2012, 07:50 AM	#7
Msmith Veteran Join Date: Jan 2004 Casino cash: $8218035	To SG: I like to buy from the local dealers (not Home Depot or Lowe's) so I can get good service from them down the road. To Dave: That actually crosses my mind. But how do you sharpen it?
Posts: 2,070

06-01-2012, 08:01 AM	#10
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I have a personal pace Toro and it's a great mower. It has 5 year sure start and I've had it at least 5 years and it always starts on 1 or 2 pulls. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

06-01-2012, 08:09 AM	#11
Renegade Just Lurking Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ozark Mountain Country Casino cash: $-1892096	I buy as cheap as I can because I have so many rocks in my yard. I can only get 2-3 years out of a mower, so I buy a lot at garage sales. Also if you can wait until the end of the cutting season, they usually go on sale.
Posts: 2,121

06-01-2012, 08:25 AM	#13
WV Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: In the Holler Casino cash: $10004950	I don't care for self propelled, but my next push mower I actually buy will have a Honda engine. That being said, I mostly use hand-me-downs or freebies that I fix because I don't use one that much.
Posts: 4,983

06-01-2012, 08:32 AM	#15
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Fix it and pocket the extra 300.
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