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Lawn mower suggestions?
#391931 04/12/13 02:55 AM
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Looking for a self propelled walk behind mower. I think I have it narrowed to a Honda or husqvarna. Honda I want is $599, husqvarna is $499. I get 10 % off on either one. I get another 5% off husqvarna through Home Depot and chase CC bonus points, plus a $50 rebate.

Thoughts? John, what does the latest CR say? An old CR rated the Honda I am looking at as #1 I think. I don't have the model numbers for either mower handy right now.

Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391932 04/12/13 03:31 AM
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I bought the Husqvarna 4 wheel drive from Lowe's for $499 before $50 rebate. Probably the same one you're looking at. Had good reviews. Haven't used it yet. It's on the CatBrat thread, page 99.

Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391938 04/12/13 11:35 AM
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Yeah, that is the one. $50 rebate ends tomorrow.


-David
Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391939 04/12/13 12:02 PM
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I should have said I get another 5% off husqvarna through lowes... (Not Home Depot)


-David
Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391940 04/12/13 12:17 PM
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From the 2013 CR buying guide.

"The best self propelled gas mowers we tested come from Honda and Toro. But we found some differences in value and performance for the 100-plus other mowers we tested this year.

Honda HRX217VKA
Toro 20381/82
Honda HRR216VYA
Honda HRR216VKA

...then they list the Toro Recycler, a few craftsmen models, a few Troy-Bilt, a Lawn-Boy. The Husqvarna models they have rated at 14/15 and lower.

CR recommends the Honda HRX217VKA and HRR216VYA, Toro 20381/82. Their best buys are the Honda HRR216VKA and the Toro Recycler 20333/32/34.

John Deere, Husqvarna and Troy-Bilt were the most repair-prone brands among self-propelled mowers. Sample size of 31,371 from 2007-2011.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391941 04/12/13 12:36 PM
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I bought a Toro last year that I REALLY like. Best mower I've ever owned. I liked the Honda models as well, but they were quite a bit more money for the same features....at least at the time.


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391951 04/13/13 01:32 AM
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David, the current May issue of CR includes new tests of lawn mowers and tractors. The top ranking brands are much the same(Honda and Toro)as in the Buying Guide which Blue Jay discussed and which uses 2012 test results. The Honda HRX217VKA($600)was first, but the HRR2169VKA at $400 did nearly as well and was given a "Best Buy" designation. Some Toro and Troy-Bilt models were also highly rated. The Husqvarna models tested somewhat lower in performance and also were noted in the Reliability Survey of owners as being lower than average in reliability. They didn't receive either a "Recommended" or "Best Buy" designation.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391952 04/13/13 02:11 AM
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I have a buddy who works for the city, he had to do several years of lawn duty..


When i asked him about lawnmowers. He simply said "buy a Honda". He said the Toro's that are good are the commercial ones. The ones that you have to get at the lawn shops, not the ones homedepot carries..

This is the input from someone that had to dow lawn mowing for a living in Texas. So basically mowing 5 days a week... Oh, and city employees aren't exactly easy on the equipment....

Hope this helps..

Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391955 04/13/13 01:40 PM
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I don't know about walk behind lawn mowers, but my brother in law has a commercial Cub Cadet zero turn and I have a Toro ZTR (purchased from home depot). The internal parts quality like the engine are pretty much the same. Just a slightly bigger engine of the same make. They even use the exact same air filter. The differences is in the outer shell. No plastic on the commercial unit, has a larger cut diameter and an engine guard is standard.

I don't think it matters all that much for a residential cut, but I do take pride in the build quality aspect. Reminds me of my older John Deere (residential) riding lawn mower. But my older JD even has a superior engine to the commercial unit. They don't make residential lawn mowers like they use too.



I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Lawn mower suggestions?
terzaghi #391956 04/13/13 01:48 PM
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I bought a Toro Recycler ~6 years ago. Still running like a champ; never had it "tuned-up". Best mower I've ever had.

Whatever you buy, make sure it's rear-wheel propelled (or 4 wheel); you will regret buying a front-wheel.

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