My wife wont let me get a riding lawn mower for the 17' x 30' front yard. I'm sick of paying $40 per visit for the lawn service and crap disposable lawnmowers like my last 6.5hp Craftsman with the large rear wheels. What a POS!
So, Id like some recommendations on a decent lawnmower that's going to start on the first or second pull and doesn't sound like a top fuel dragster. Id love to get one without the "Lawyer Bar" (auto shut off bar)! Dont know if such an animal exists anymore. Might have to Mod it!
I'm leaning towards a Honda.
If your yard is truly 17' x 30' why not just get an old fashioned reel mower that you push.
They actually give the best cut and it's as green as it gets!
Quote from: alfisti on May 10, 2010, 10:28:45 AM
If your yard is truly 17' x 30' why not just get an old fashioned reel mower that you push.
They actually give the best cut and it's as green as it gets!
You beat me to it.
My brother has a rather small yard and he grabbed our Grandfather's 50+ year old 100000 pound old school reel mower.
Took it to a hardware store to get the blades sharpened, he put some elbow grease into cleaning it up, and bam! works like a charm.
However........he finally did buy a mower.
He got a Honda.
My parents have had the same Honda push mower for 15 years and runs like a dream with basic maintenance. The oil gets changed once a year and blade sharpened when needed.
you want green?
(http://www.treehugger.com/lawnmower_sheep.jpg)
and besides, if the missus is ever out of town, cyrus can tell you how to make them pull double duty.
For a lawn that size, I would also consider an electric mower. No plugs, gas, nothing-just plug it in and learn to not run over the dang cord.
I would look for a miniature cow...there used to a be a place in Olney/Laytonsville that had em for sale...
aside from that...I might have a Murray with a 28inch( I have to double check that) that has a Briggs & Stratton motor on it for sale for cheap if Lisa and I get a place with little to no lawn....yes, it has a lawyer bar....and it has been a bulletproof mower for me for the 6 years I have owned it.
Quote from: alfisti on May 10, 2010, 10:28:45 AM
If your yard is truly 17' x 30' why not just get an old fashioned reel mower that you push.
They actually give the best cut and it's as green as it gets!
As a previous landscaper - I really must agree that the manual mowers give the best cut. [thumbsup]
for Lawn mowers I recommend someone here illegally who is willing to work for subsistence wages
Why wife once told me that she would much rather sit on the deck and drink a glass of wine with me than have me waste time mowing (and weeding and fertilizing and mulching and aerating, etc.) every Saturday. So we went this route:
http://www.foodnotlawns.net/ (http://www.foodnotlawns.net/)
I will never in my life mow a lawn. If I'm going to put time and effort into growing a plant its going to give me something for my effort be it food or flowers or privacy or habitat for some creature I want around.
sac
Obscure?
(http://www.tokecity.com/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=92593&stc=1&d=1230573651)
sac
It must be the landscaper in me, but I love the smell of fresh cut grass. I love the immediate gratification of seeing how amazing your lawn looks with stripes in it from nice sharp mower blades, and I love seeing how awesome edging looks right after someone with skill has manicured it with a string trimmer.
[thumbsup]
Wow, this thread makes me yearn to live back in the midwest where there were lawns to care for....
If you're looking for the best brand of mower, take a look at Snapper mowers.
Quote from: SacDuc on May 10, 2010, 11:07:29 AM
Obscure?
(http://www.tokecity.com/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=92593&stc=1&d=1230573651)
sac
Lawnmower Man!
I went with a Toro 6 years ago with no regreats. Guaranteed to start 1st or 2nd pull for 5 years I think. Plus, it is called a s4r, and is ducati red ;D
But, I agree with a manual or electric for such a small yard.
mitt
http://www.klippo.com/node2997.aspx (http://www.klippo.com/node2997.aspx) [thumbsup]
My favorite is the reel mower. [thumbsup]
The 2 stroke mower I have was handed down to me from my Dad which in turn was handed down to him from my Grandmother, who passed away 25 years ago.
I've had it for 15 years, & since I've had it, I have never changed a spark plug or cleaned it's air cleaner.
Starts first time just about every time.
Quote from: SacDuc on May 10, 2010, 11:03:48 AM
I will never in my life mow a lawn. If I'm going to put time and effort into growing a plant its going to give me something for my effort be it food or flowers or privacy or habitat for some creature I want around.
sac
What is the difference between flowers and a well manicured lawn if they are both for looks?
I like to walk around outside with no shoes on. Patios, pavers and concrete don't feel nice to walk on barefoot. It also isn't as pleasant to lay down on gravel, flagstones or mulch.
+1 to the smell of fresh cut grass and how nice it looks right after it is cut. Im not sure if there is another smell that brings back so many different memories.
RO-BO MO-WER (bloop, bleep)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61611B3HKKL._SS350_.jpg)
Amazon link (http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Robotics-RL1000-RoboMower-Automatic/dp/B0001ZI54W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1273527700&sr=8-1)
I am also of the mind that I could be doing better things. I spent roughly half of one weekend day of my pre-adult life mowing, edging, and cleaning the pool (Yes, I know. I most certainly will cry you a river.) If this thing lasts a year, and you currently pay 40/week for lawn service (assuming 40 mowings a year) it pays for itself in a year.
My current lawn is small, so no FHE.
Quote from: rgramjet on May 10, 2010, 10:23:13 AM
I'm leaning towards a Honda.
I bought my 1st Honda mower 5 years ago when we came back to the states. Best sub-$500 purchase I've made in my entire adult life. Starts 1st time every time. All I do is change the oil at the end of the season and stabilize the gas.
I think that briggs gets a bad rap because people have had experience with the 200$ versions from wal mart. The good grade briggs engines are every bit as good as the hondas. I am seeing more and more honda engines on 300$ big box mowers as well, so it will be interesting to see if they keep their mystic.
mitt
Quote from: Vindingo on May 10, 2010, 12:56:16 PM
What is the difference between flowers and a well manicured lawn if they are both for looks?
I like to walk around outside with no shoes on. Patios, pavers and concrete don't feel nice to walk on barefoot. It also isn't as pleasant to lay down on gravel, flagstones or mulch.
+1 to the smell of fresh cut grass and how nice it looks right after it is cut. Im not sure if there is another smell that brings back so many different memories.
Not much at all. 'Cept you can't bring grass clippings as a gift if you are invited to someone's house for dinner. ;)
I have no argument what so ever with anything you said. I'm glad you like your lawn. You should grow it just as thick and lush as you can. I just don't want to mow lawn myself. Ever. I was just pointing out that there are options to mowing. Like growing stuff you don't have to mow.
The smell of grass clippings brings back memories for me too. Mostly those memories involve being 16 and waking up at 4am to get to the golf course and on the tractor/mower by 5am so I could be done with work by 1pm so I could sleep for an hour before heading to my other job. Perhaps that might explain my current attitude towards grass. I think I may have already mowed my acreage allotted for this lifetime.
sac
/would rather much lay in my hammock than grass anyway
Cutting Grass with TREX600 Nitro Helicopter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STHS4Je4BVc&feature=channel#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Reel mowers will give you a good cut if the reels are ground right with a -10* relief and that you flat grind the bedknife. After this is done it must be backlapped with some diamonite cutting compound for about 20 minutes. That way they will be sharp. I did this for a living a long time ago, I was a mechanic for Toro. If you want a good mower that is a gas mower buy a snapper. I worked for Toro Industrial Turf and bought a snapper. The decks on the snappers bag better than the Toro. Toro uses Florida (crunchy grass) as their deck testing ground, Snapper uses Michigan. Most people in the northern US have grass that is not crunchy grass so there fore the snapper is the better choice.
Toro makes a good machine but the decks are heavy and they dont bag as well.
Reel mowers need to be set up properly to cut well and if done properly you should be able to slide a feeler gauge of about 1/1000th between the reel and bednife.
I did this work for a long time and know reel mowers inside out. I worked mainly on Toro Greensmaster 3000's and also the gang mowers. Rotary mowers are good but a blunt blade will hack the grass not cut it and if the grass stem does not get a good cut it will discolor and look like crap within a few hours.
Just my 02.
BGB.
Quote from: RAT900 on May 10, 2010, 11:00:28 AM
for Lawn mowers I recommend someone here illegally who is willing to work for subsistence wages
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
Mr. Incredible,
Funny you mention that. I remember as a kid a neighbor about 12 doors down had an electric mower. This had to be one of the first. We are talking early 90's here.
Well, the problem was the dude had a make the beast with two backsing huge hard. I'd say almost a 1/4 acre of mowing.
We'd always ride our bikes by several times when he was out there fighting with about 1,000 feet of extension cord to power that damn thing. It was hilarious.
For a smaller yard......that is a great idea. I'd imagine it'd get a good speed on the blade since electric motors are torque as hell.
electric mowers with cord = stupid invention. my dad had one when i was a teenager. what a PITA.
oddly enough, he got a gasser right about the time his sons stopped being available to mow his lawn.
i also like the idea of the reel mower. but if thats not your thing, get a Honda. i bought one in 1996, and its still running.
Quote from: herm (not herb) on May 10, 2010, 07:20:05 PM
electric mowers with cord = stupid invention. my dad had one when i was a teenager. what a PITA.
oddly enough, he got a gasser right about the time his sons stopped being available to mow his lawn.
i also like the idea of the reel mower. but if thats not your thing, get a Honda. i bought one in 1996, and its still running.
Meh-I had one for over a decade when I had a small yard. Worked like a charm.
Like I said-0 maintenance.
All this talk about electric mowers and no one mentioned a rechargeable...
Great for a small plot and...
NO CORD!!!!
[thumbsup]
Another suggestion, since no one is going to second my brilliant robot suggestion :'( - my dad had one of these for years. He loved it, but nowadays they are kind of spendy.
The Hover Mower (http://www.hovermower.com/)
Hover Mower by Eastman Industries (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7RcjT2LYUE#lq-hq-vhq)
Just like they use for greens on the golf course.
Hover Mower
(http://www.gardencentre.co.uk/images/large/24638.jpg)
and yes I know it is above
I have a craftsman reel mower.
works great in the front yard, but the back yard has a large cottonwood tree that drops lots of sticks...those are a pain.
whenever i am mowing the front, some smartass walking by has to have a comment 'you're doing that the hard way', etc
the front yard is maybe 8x12 [roll]
I got one of these the other day
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07137051000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Walk-Behind+Lawn+Mowers&sName=View+All&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07137051000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Walk-Behind+Lawn+Mowers&sName=View+All&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4)
on sale for $150.00
We have somewhat small yard so it works perfect. The handle folds forward so it fits perfectly in our garden shed, and the one touch height adjustment is the coolest thing ever.
I had reel mower that worked fine for a few years, but I was doing more damage to the yard by using it than good. In just the short time I've been using the new electric.... the grass is greener and waaaaay thicker.
Make sure to dump a shit ton of nitrates on your yard (or maybe it was some other fertizler, I was half paying attention)
Same moronic brother did that last year.
His yard was so make the beast with two backsing green, it didn't look real.
Quote from: MrIncredible on May 10, 2010, 08:27:42 PM
Meh-I had one for over a decade when I had a small yard. Worked like a charm.
Like I said-0 maintenance.
except for all the cut extension cords :P
Quote from: herm (not herb) on May 11, 2010, 07:34:02 AM
except for all the cut extension cords :P
I still laugh at my neighbor growing up with his hundreds and hundreds of feet of cord.
Electric Yard Power Tools that are connected with a cord are worthless.
My parents had a set of power trimmers........old craftsman ones.
The cord got hacked and cut pretty make the beast with two backsing quick.
Quote from: herm (not herb) on May 11, 2010, 07:34:02 AM
except for all the cut extension cords :P
I don't zipper up my junk in my pants.
It's just not that hard to watch out for your cord.
Quote from: MrIncredible on May 11, 2010, 08:45:51 AM
It's just not that hard to watch out for your cord.
It's just a pain in the ass
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 11, 2010, 09:13:05 AM
It's just a pain in the ass
you're confusing that with prison sex
Quote from: bobspapa on May 11, 2010, 10:11:58 AM
you're confusing that with prison sex
especially with references to zippers and junk :-X
Quote from: bobspapa on May 11, 2010, 10:11:58 AM
you're confusing that with prison sex
My Aunt works for a national prison healthcare provider in state prisons.
I could tell you stories that will make you vomit on the spot.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 11, 2010, 12:06:17 PM
My Aunt works for a national prison healthcare provider in state prisons.
I could tell you stories that will make you vomit on the spot.
I owe MMH a sponge bath...... your stories will have on effect on me.
Quote from: bobspapa on May 11, 2010, 12:25:29 PM
I owe MMH a sponge bath...... your stories will have on effect on me.
hey now. i'm not that disgusting...am i? :-[
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 10, 2010, 07:11:16 PM
Funny you mention that. I remember as a kid a neighbor about 12 doors down had an electric mower. This had to be one of the first. We are talking early 90's here.
I had to mow our yard with an electric mower. In 1983. Electric mowers suck. Cord gets in the way.
Just don't get the bigger, faster lawnmower, don't want Sac to get upset.
;D
Quote from: Ducaholic on May 12, 2010, 01:04:01 PM
Just don't get the bigger, faster lawnmower, don't want Sac to get upset.
;D
Well, if your lawn is big enough to get it up to top speed . . . [evil]
sac
Step 1: Find an old mower deck for free at a garage sale. Or the dump.
Step 2: Find a big-ass DC gearmotor. Adapt to deck.
Step 3: Affix deep cycle marine battery to mower deck, and wire it up as you see fit.
Step 4: Enjoy Frankenmower.
Ill get an electric lawnmower when I trade in my truck for a prius and my cromo for an electric scooter.
Its Husky time!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07137723000P?mv=rr#reviewsWrap (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07137723000P?mv=rr#reviewsWrap)
So I went to Sears today to check out the Huskys and the Snappers......I then left the lingerie section and proceeded to the garden department.
Both brands were ok......not compelling enough to drop the cabbage. I then looked on CL once again. Found a John Deere with a cast aluminum deck, rustproof! $100!
I sent the seller an email that contained 3 simple questions. He sent me back a rude email basically reiterating the verbiage in his ad and then asked what time I wanted to pick it up.
I'm torn. Its a good deal but I might end up punching him.
Cast Aluminum!
The husqvarna mower will be a brand labeled mower made by someone else. In fact, if you look close, it may be exactly the same as one of the craftsman or snapper models with different colors and stickers.
Some of the things more important than the engine brand in my opinion but are often overlooked:
- robustness of the wheels and height adjustment system
- quality and ease of the bag mount design and discharge attachments
- deck material and mulching capability
$100 for a decent used JD mower sounds pretty good too.
mitt
I have an aluminum deck 5 horse John Deere. Self propelled bagger. Its a good mower. Briggs motor.
Just go this route:
(http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/0ModernMower2.jpg)
[cheeky]
when i lived in oregon, i tried to get a coworker who had lots of goats to graze them on my property (about 4 acres of useless to me tall grass.)
he was willing, but wanted to charge me for the use of the goats ????
i figured i was doing him a favor by offering to feed his goats for a few weeks....ended up renting a tractor with a brush hog.
(http://cheesebyhand.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/Steve_Goats.jpg)
Quote from: herm on May 14, 2010, 09:08:52 AM
he was willing, but wanted to charge me for the use of the goats ????
Maybe he was used to hanging out with the Moose Humper.
I thought everybody smoked grass nowadays? ???
Quote from: Desert Dust on May 22, 2010, 06:32:51 PM
I thought everybody smoked grass nowadays? ???
I think more people do than don't.
Some are just more discrete about it than others ;)
Quote from: rgramjet on May 13, 2010, 05:27:18 PM
So I went to Sears today to check out the Huskys and the Snappers......I then left the lingerie section and proceeded to the garden department.
This was clever enough to quote. Well done, brother. [thumbsup]
8)
Quote from: MrIncredible on May 14, 2010, 05:39:32 PM
Maybe he was used to hanging out with the Moose Humper.
it's just mooses. not goats