Choosing a Lawn Mower

[NeedMoreFans]

Once again, I turn to BF.net for some advice/personal stories. We move into our house this weekend, which means that I have to purchase a lawn mower pretty much right away, especially if we get rain like they say we will this week. I have done some research and some shopping around, and I am trying to decide what type of mower to get.

 

Our yard isn't very big, so my first instinct was to consider a reel mower. However, we have lots of trees, and I have read that they don't do well over even the smallest of sticks, and I want something that can mulch/pick up leaves this fall. Now I'm considering either a traditional 2-cycle gas mower with self-propulsion, or a corded electric mower. My parents have a Toro personal pace mower, and I loved that when I had to mow my parents yard. The pros of a gas is they are more powerful, tend to have a wider mowing deck, and there is no cord to futz with. The pros of an electric are they are cheaper, don't use gas, are quieter, and I'm guessing have less maintenence than a gas mower...but you have the cord. (Note...I'm not considering a cordless electric because I have read too many reviews about the batteries not holding charges.)

 

I'm just curious as to what people have themselves. I'm more interested in hearing if anyone has a corded electric mower, because that's what I'm leaning towards right now. Thanks!

[DatHoser]

We have a plain 21 inch mower that's not self-propelled. Briggs motor, cheap (less than $150), and works great. I used the money I saved on not buying self-propelled and bought a grinder to sharpen the blade and a weed-whacker. It is a rear-bagger, which I prefer.

 

EDIT: Forgot to add - with lots of trees, you may be better off not buying self-propelled.

[cubfan1126]

Absolutely get a rear-bagger even if you are not planning on bagging. At some point in the season you will bag (late when you have a lot of leaves or when a lot of rain prevented you from mowing and all of a sudden the grass is 9" long). anyway the side bagger/chute will get in the way.

As far as self-propelled or not? How old are you? How long do you plan to keep the mower? Do you have any slopes to deal with? I'm 60, have 1 severe slope and wouldn't be without a self-propelled.

The cord of an electric is not worth the money you will save.

And don't forget that in about 2 months you will have to get a snowthrower.

Congrats on home-ownership and good luck.

[Fatter than Joey]

A place I rented once had a corded mower -- I would say that the experience was much like watching The View, or cutting your hair with a cheese grater. I could not properly express my disdain for corded lawn mowers... If I had to try it would go something like this

 

Cauliflower > Ned Yost > Corded Lawn Mower > Kevin Costner.

 

I'd get a rear-bagging, traditional 2 cycle mulching lawn-mower. Don't overthink this.

 

What sort of trees do you have -- big leafed types?

[NeedMoreFans]

If I get a self-propelled, it would be a personal pace mower...not too many of those available, though. I won't consider a side-bag. We had one of those a long time ago, and it was annoying. We have a large maple, then a smaller tree with small leaves (I don't know what kind it is).

 

I'm trying not to over think it too much...but I am curious to hear experiences with a cord. I can foresee it being very difficult using a cord, especially around the trees.

[Diskono]

A place I rented once had a corded mower -- I would say that the experience was much like watching The View, or cutting your hair with a cheese grater. I could not properly express my disdain for corded lawn mowers... If I had to try it would go something like this

 

Cauliflower > Ned Yost > Corded Lawn Mower > Kevin Costner.

 

I'd get a rear-bagging, traditional 2 cycle mulching lawn-mower. Don't overthink this.

 

What sort of trees do you have -- big leafed types?

Also, if you get a corded lawn mower, your neighbors will laugh at you because it looks ridiculous.

 

I've never used one personally, but watching other people try makes me feel like it must be the most annoying thing in the world to operate. Its bad enough when you have to stop to move hoses or toys out of the way every few swipes, I can't imagine what it would be like to have to move cords around constantly.

[homer]

I don't know if anyone would be into this kind of thing, but my friend started a company that makes an attachment that puts stripes on your lawn like a golf course or a baseball field. It's only available on walk behinds right now but will be available for riding mowers later this year.

 

Lawn Stryper

[cubfan1126]

If you buy electric, you can avoid tangling by mowing in a specific pattern. You cannot just go around the yard in circles. (experience from when I was a teen.)

 

http://images.yuku.com/image/bmp/3e636d0f128a4f9cd216d77d2b3b91ea9ad9ed8a.bmp

[homer]

I don't know why, but that drawing makes me laugh.

[falloutboy]

This probably won't be a good manswer

 

I bought one of these back in '07 for $120 or so

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8284055

 

The reviews on the site are terrible, but I've used mine weekly for three summers now and it still starts in one pull after it's primed 3x. I only go through about a gallon and a half of gas per year too and my lawn isn't that small. I can tell you I've never had an issue with it at all. Probably the cheapest mower with the best motor you'll find. But walking in to walmart to plop $120 on a mower isn't very manly. I can tell you that when I get tired of it after 5 years or it stops working like it once did, it'll be a lot easier to justify replacing.

 

One thing to consider, and this is why I didn't go with a bag.. I live in wolf spider heaven. When I take my dog out in the mornings you can see the dew on their webs all over the lawn. Probably no more than two feet apart. I hate leaving grass lay around, so it's a reason to always rake. I don't know if it does any good but I see far fewer webs this way and it makes me feel better.

 

The weedeater brand weed whackers are terrible though. That thing is a pain in the but to start.

[Diskono]

This probably won't be a good manswer

 

I bought one of these back in '07 for $120 or so

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8284055

Nah...without getting into Tim the Tool Man levels of ricerism, a lawn mower can only be so manly. Something like that would be great for small yards without many hills or obstructions.

[Fatter than Joey]

but I am curious to hear experiences with a cord.

 

Based on my experiences, I began to hate living.

 

I'd rather see you install a shrine to Wrigley Field, than buy a corded mower.

[Menotti80]

speaking of striping lawns... here's a shameless plug for the company i work for...

 

 

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/

 

when it comes to striping, Simplicity is definately "The way to a Beautiful Lawn"

[NeedMoreFans]

Menotti, do they still make Simplicity tractors and snow blowers in Port Washington? I knew many of people who worked at that plant. Don't they still test them right outside of Port, too? I think my dad goes out to that field to fly his remote airplanes.

 

Joey, that post made me bust out laughing. Classic.

 

I see Home Depot has a fairly cheap, no-frills mower that has a Briggs engine...similar to Fallout's link, only with a rear bag and mulching (which I want), and it's under $200. I'm sort of going away from the idea that I need self-propelled. If I would get it, I'd get the personal pace from Toro, but I'm not sure if it's worth the money right now.

[Menotti80]

the Port Washington plant is closed. I work in Engineering and we are down in Wauwatosa at the main Briggs & Stratton facility.

 

The tractor and snowblower production has moved to Georgia, Tennessee and New York...

 

Some testing is still done in Port Washington though at the same place.

[mothershipconnection]

I too bought my mower at Wal Mart. I think it was $209 and has a Honda motor, bagger, and oversized back wheel. It works great, and if it stops working, I sell it as a fixer-upper on craigslist for $50 and buy a new one.