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?

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.

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=5yc1vZc5ap

I 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.

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

Whatever you do, don't get an Apple iMower. They suck.

I have a Toro that I like a lot. Watch your email!

yea.. those apple mowers are ultra thin and light and look really sexy, but too over priced for what they are. ROTFL

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.

Toro's suck .

Honda FanBoy!

Who wouldn't be a Honda fanboy? They make the best mowers.

I've had the exact same Honda for four years now Ken. It's a dandy. Starts every friggin time, just runs and runs and runs. Heck, I just leave it under the deck all winter, it gets drifted in, covered in ice, then I pull it out in the spring, couple pulls..... Honda does make some things right. Their little suitcase generators and snow blowers are two other things they do extremely well.

Ken, Consumer Reports has their mower test results in the May issue. The Hondas are top-rated with several Toros close behind. The Honda you linked(and now bought)was given a "Best Buy" designation.

Thanks for all the input guys. I feel like I made a good choice. Now to go forth and not bend the crankshaft on this one with my stupid tree roots.

John. I'm surprised the Goat did not make the top of the list. It is undeniably the most reliable self propelled mower ever conceived.

This is precisely why I don't trust Consumer Reports reviews.

Apple makes the best lawnmowers, bar none. I have never seen a mower with better fit or finish than my Retina iLawn pro.

Edit: Just scrolled up and saw that MSJ made the same joke. Great minds.

My next to last mower was a Snapper for $300. Was rear wheel drive propelled. I used it for about 7 years before buying a Husqvarna (has honda engine) for $500.

I much prefer the Snapper. Still runs good, but smokes a bit now.

Note: Was going to buy an Apple mower so it would mate with my iPhone, but Siri said I shouldn't.

The Honda is awesome. Mulched wet, 6 inch high grass with no problems at all.

...not good for the grass though.

Well, no, but this is my backyard, so... it's already pretty trashed. It tends to turn into a marsh whenever it rains, since it's sloped down and then has a raised bed at the back.