laaawnmower
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
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So I managed to bend the crankshaft (probably) on my 3yo Craftsman with a Briggs & Stratton engine. It seems that engine replacement cost is probably prohibitive, so I'm in the market for a new mower.
I know Honda is the sheeit, but I don't want to spend that much money. I'd like to keep it around $400.
I prefer self-propelled, but light weight is more of a concern now that I've been pushing this 80lb thing around for a few years.
High durability is a plus, although I don't think anything could withstand hitting the edge of a sidewalk (just bent the blade when that happened) or a tree root (common in my yard, and the fatal blow)
Anyone have any suggestions? Or should I try to get this thing fixed?
Last edited by Ken.C; 04/18/15 03:30 PM.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
A few years back I went for a very highly rated John Deere. I like everything about it EXCEPT that it is front wheel drive. Seems so dumb, but so many push mowers are front wheel drive these days, so I thought "must be OK." I hate it. Any amount of slope to your yard, and the front wheels do nothing for you. After all, you are pushing down on a handle that applies a downward force (even when just pushing forward) on the rear wheels. Makes sense if the propelled wheels were in the rear.
OK, so I can muscle through the fact that I tend to have the front wheels spinning a lot and not helping me propel the unit, but there is another pain.. You can not push the mower straight up to something and cut within about 5 inches. By that I mean that the drivetrain mechanism is up front, preventing the cutting blade from getting really close to whatever it is that you are trying to cut close to. I've got a corner of my yard that has a fence on each side. I can't get into that corner for crap to get it cut because there is 5-6 inches of drivetrain up front. I find that this is a problem around a lot of the yard actually and then I have to get the trimmer out for more and more of it...
So whatever you pick, make sure that it is rear wheel drive.
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
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I'm looking at a bottom of the line Honda from HD right now: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21-in-3...43?N=5yc1vZc5apI didn't realize you could get them for $400. It's not as light as I would like, but the push version of it (20 lbs lighter, no bagging) is online only and 2 weeks out for shipping.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767 |
There are lots of manufacturers using Honda motors - my 2 year old Troy Built has one; however, I understand that there are 2 grades of Honda motors. The Honda brand name mowers get the top grade version hence the higher price.
My Honda starter pull rope broke after a year that kinda ticked me off. It had to go away for a month for repair (4 year warranty). My previous B&S Motor's pull cord lasted over a dozen year, but the wheels literally fell off the mower deck.
If you have lots of sloping land, get a rear wheel drive as it will climb slopes better. If you have mainly flat ground, get a front wheel - it is much easier to turn corners by tilting the front wheels up off the ground without disengaging the clutch.
That's why they make two types of drives...
TAM
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
Whatever you do, don't get an Apple iMower. They suck.
I have a Toro that I like a lot. Watch your email!
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,171 Likes: 6
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,171 Likes: 6 |
yea.. those apple mowers are ultra thin and light and look really sexy, but too over priced for what they are. ROTFL
Anthem: AVM60, Fosi DAC-Q5 Axiom: ADA1500, LFR1100 Actiive, QS8, EP500, M3, M3comp, M5
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
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After quite some effort, I've managed to bring home the Honda I linked above. It did not fit in my Flex with the second row up. Unfortunately, the second row would not go down, so it was a bit of effort.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357 |
I have a Toro that I like a lot. Toro's suck .
The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: laaawnmower
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
Who wouldn't be a Honda fanboy? They make the best mowers.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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