How long does a push lawnmower usually last?

Q.

Answer
A good quality push mower will last you a life time if you take care it it properly.
Change the oil and filters regularly etc etc.
Keep the blade sharpe so the motor doesn't have to work as hard.
Also something a lot of people forget about,
You need to clean the grass out from under the deck when you finish mowing, the damp grass clumped up under the deck will cause it to rust out in a couple of years

My Grandfather has an OOooold craftsman lawn mower that has a hand crank to start it, a handle that looks like bicycle handle bars and the front has these wicked looking teeth.
That sucker is older than I am (I'm 40) and it looks and runs just like new.

Need a new push mower: what to look for?

Joe

I need a new push mower. The old one (18+ years) is dead, but I don't know how to choose. I noticed everything is rated in torque now instead of hp. And to complicate things even further - I've seen engines with smaller cc's and more torque or vice verse! How the heck do I just find a solid mower with the power to cut dense grass. I don't need self propelled, which seems to be all they sell these days -- I just want a tough as nails push mower like my old Lawn Boy 7 h.p. that could cut and mulch grass like no tomorrow.

Answer
i cant help you make a choice really i know what you mean, especially with quality these days just not what it used to be .. i needed a push mower simply because i wanted an easy way to bag leaves and clippings for mulch and chicken nesting material and have a large field type yard that can get quite wooly so it couldnt be a weeny powered 'manicure' type mower .. i like quality stuff that appears it will last and have functionality so i considered wheel size, whether the deck and wheel mounting areas are all metal or 'plasticized' ect .. i didnt need self propelled but wasnt against the idea ... what i found was nothing i was satisfied with within a reasonable price range, what we are talking is for what i personally considered to look solid all around is in the 3-400$ range and even most of those looked to have weak links like part plastic in structural areas ... so ... finally after much frustration i just decided to concentrate on reviews of satisfied customers on bare bones cheap ones all i needed was a bagger .. i settled on a base model non self powered Yardman and it was pretty cheap .. its got plenty of go power, starts first or second lick every time now for going on 3 years of pretty much constant use .. ive changed the oil, bang out the air filter every few runs and pull the wheels and clean the holes and spindles and re-grease about once a season .. its been a real champ ..

this is the one i got but not from target, i forget where i ordered it from tell you the truth
http://www.target.com/p/Yard-Man-190cc-Briggs-and-Stratton-Gas-Powered-Side-Green/-/A-12235953?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=|12235953&CPNG=patio%20garden&ci_sku=12235953&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=
the review on the page i totally disagree with, one thing you dont do with a mower is let gas sit in it for more than a couple of weeks is all i have to say on that one .. learn what fuel stabilizer is ya know .....

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Please recommend a reasonably priced, but quality lawn mower?

Michael

My dad already has a riding mower and just needs a push lawnmower to clean up around the edges where it's hard to maneveur the riding mower.

Ideally, looking for well designed, well built lawnmower that is reasonably priced (couple hundred dollars?)
I doubt my dad is going to do routine maintenace like oil changes and air filter changes.

So I guess a lawnmower that can take that type of neglect and still continue to work fine might be best.

Answer
Here is something most people dont know. Most stamped steel lawnmowers are built by the Roper corporation (even if they have a fancy name on them). Grass clippings are very acidic and will cause the average steel mower to rust through within 3 to 5 years even if they are kept in the garage. Now the main difference is the engine. These engine manufacturers produce engines to different mowers specifications and can differ greatly even though they look identical on the outside. One Briggs and Stratten is not the same as the next. Honda makes the best mower engine hands down but can be pricey. Briggs and Stratten is second but due to demands from low budget manufacturers they will vary as well. Tecumseh has historically been the bottom of the heap with minimal adjustments and frequent need for service. Go to Home Depot and get the best steel deck mower in your range. Their version of the John Deer is a good buy. Change the oil every forty hours of operation max! Always clean around the dipstick before checking the oil so nothing falls into the motor. Replace the air filter at the beginning of every season and more if your area is exceptionally dusty.Wash the clippings out from under the deck before you put it away. Never put STP or oil additives in the oil, air cooled engines work different than your car (the oil gets hot enough to fry fish) and this stuff kills. Follow the engine manufacturers guidelines and you will be OK no matter what you buy.
I worked for Toro for five years at the distributor level as a warranty mechanic and although I like Toro, I think Snapper makes the best mower on the planet.
Go figure.

What are some of the best reel push mowers available?

Matthew

I have a couple of lawns lined up to cut. I want a push mower for the exercise and the fact that I won't have to pay for gasoline. I've just heard that some of them don't cut very well no matter how much muscle you put into it. Suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer
I'm in the market for one too. We bought one second-hand to check things out and get a real feel for this type of mower. Here's what we learned. Most reel push mowers are good to maintain short grass, which is no good if you want to control weeds. I want my lawn to be 3+ inch high. When the product specs say you'll need to sharpen once a season, it means 2-4 times a season. The blades on our Great States mower were sharpened before our first mow and after mowing three times, the ends of the blades of grass looked riped (and our lawn is small - 1200 sq ft). If you're obsessive about having your lawn cut evenly (like me), you'll get your cardio workout in by mowing your lawn (and it still might not end up even- argh!). My approach to mowing the lawn is I don't mind mowing 3 times a week, if I only have to do it for 10 minutes each time; but the results have to be clean and even.
The main thing to remember is if your lawn is level everywhere (ie no pot-holes anywhere) and free of hidden rocks and twigs, you can consider a manual reel mower. But if it's not, then you'll either have to fix it or restrict yourself to the more expensive manual reel mowers. However, don't confuse price with quality: we thought that a Brill was the top of the line. Not so. First figure out what kind of lawn you have and the kind you'd like to have and maintain, and what you're willing to put up with, then choose the best mower for you.
After some research, I've decided that the Fiskars Momentum is the one for me. Problem is, it's not cheap. Lowes has them at the cheapest price around: $200. Or maybe I'll go for the Scott reel mower for $130. Which boils the question down to: will I be irritated at myself the next four years for saving $70 on the initial price of the mower? How much do I value 4 years of peace of mind, little to no sharpening of the blades and an easier mowing job for an evenly cut lawn? Kind of a biased question, I know.
You might decide to do like we did and check craigslist for a second hand mower to figure out what you like and what your lawn is like to mow. Then, when you're ready to get "the one", go for it and sell old one again on craigslist for a slightly lower price than what you paid for. Turned out to be a pretty cheap "rental" for us.
Here are the sites that are helping me choose:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2010/02/product-preview-fiskars-manaul-reel-mower-black-decker-lawn-mower-ratings.html
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2010/03/best-reel-mowers-consumer-reports-reviews-scotts-200020-fiskars-momentum-317736-easun-naturcut-class.html
This page is awesome: http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/mower_compare.htm
and here's another review of the Fiskars Momentum Reel Mower:
http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2009/11/fiskars-momentum-reel-mower-review-part.html
That's part 1. You can link to part 2 from that page.
http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/fiskars/index.htm

Here's info on grass cutting height:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/4000/4020.html
http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/info/lawn.htm
http://www.american-lawns.com/lawns/mowing_heights.html

Enjoy!!

Anna

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What is a better self propelled mower - front wheel or back wheel?

best quality push mower image

Baja_Sessi

I am looking to buy a self propelled lawn mower. Just wondering what people seem to prefer, front wheel propelled or rear wheel? Can you tell me your choice and why? Thanks

Answer
tinman and renpen make some excellent points. Generally, if I'm going to save the exercise on pushing, I'd opt for the more expensive rear wheel drives. They usually have a clutch, which will allow you to make your turns without lifting anything moving. The cheaper ones are usually front wheel driven. I'd spend the money on rear-wheel, usually it's also better quality. Also, I've used these, and they give better control. Look/inspect the better brands/models, they're usually rear-wheel driven.
But to each his/her own. Good luck and happy mowing.

My lawn mower wont start?

Tiffany

I have a Craftsman Briggs and Stratton 6.75 push mower. It ran out of gas one time and hasn't worked right since. Starter fluid will get it going but it takes a lot of it to keep it running and if I cut it off I have to repeat the whole process again for it to start back up. I have replaced the air filter, and spark plug. I completely took apart the carburetor and gas tank and cleaned them and then refilled with new gas. There's nothing wrong with the fuel line, its fairly new and I also cleaned that out. I have no idea what else I can do. The only thing I can think of is that the gasket between the air filter and the carb ripped and now it doesn't have one. Could that be the problem? Any ideas?

Answer
The carburetor is the problem. In order to really clean a carburetor you have to remove it, take it apart and soak it in a quality parts solvent. You can sometimes get them clean with a spray can of carb cleaner but than again you may not succeed. The gasket between the air filter and the carburetor is not the problem, the problem is the carburetor is still plugged.

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What is a good reliable weed trimmer?

best quality push mower image

SLM

I need a weed trimmer and I don't know what kind to buy. I need to weed eat my fence line and I have five acres. I already have a riding lawn mower, push mower and weed hog. I have used electric weed trimmers and they haven't worked so well. Where can I get a good gas weed trimmer?

Answer
Don't use an electric one. If you are above 5.10, you need to get one with a straight shaft and not one that is curved.

Best brands are Stihl, Echo, Huscavarna, and I have had good luck with a toro also. See if you can find one with a Honda Engine on it.

You want to get a high quality trimmer that allows you to replace the line very easily. With 5 acres you are going to have to let the line out 7 or 8 times. Also get a heavy duty one that uses a thicker line so you won't have to keep replacing it. Best Luck!

What is a better self propelled mower - front wheel or back wheel?

Baja_Sessi

I am looking to buy a self propelled lawn mower. Just wondering what people seem to prefer, front wheel propelled or rear wheel? Can you tell me your choice and why? Thanks

Answer
tinman and renpen make some excellent points. Generally, if I'm going to save the exercise on pushing, I'd opt for the more expensive rear wheel drives. They usually have a clutch, which will allow you to make your turns without lifting anything moving. The cheaper ones are usually front wheel driven. I'd spend the money on rear-wheel, usually it's also better quality. Also, I've used these, and they give better control. Look/inspect the better brands/models, they're usually rear-wheel driven.
But to each his/her own. Good luck and happy mowing.

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What is a better self propelled mower - front wheel or back wheel?

best quality push mower image

Baja_Sessi

I am looking to buy a self propelled lawn mower. Just wondering what people seem to prefer, front wheel propelled or rear wheel? Can you tell me your choice and why? Thanks

Answer
tinman and renpen make some excellent points. Generally, if I'm going to save the exercise on pushing, I'd opt for the more expensive rear wheel drives. They usually have a clutch, which will allow you to make your turns without lifting anything moving. The cheaper ones are usually front wheel driven. I'd spend the money on rear-wheel, usually it's also better quality. Also, I've used these, and they give better control. Look/inspect the better brands/models, they're usually rear-wheel driven.
But to each his/her own. Good luck and happy mowing.

My lawn mower wont start?

Tiffany

I have a Craftsman Briggs and Stratton 6.75 push mower. It ran out of gas one time and hasn't worked right since. Starter fluid will get it going but it takes a lot of it to keep it running and if I cut it off I have to repeat the whole process again for it to start back up. I have replaced the air filter, and spark plug. I completely took apart the carburetor and gas tank and cleaned them and then refilled with new gas. There's nothing wrong with the fuel line, its fairly new and I also cleaned that out. I have no idea what else I can do. The only thing I can think of is that the gasket between the air filter and the carb ripped and now it doesn't have one. Could that be the problem? Any ideas?

Answer
The carburetor is the problem. In order to really clean a carburetor you have to remove it, take it apart and soak it in a quality parts solvent. You can sometimes get them clean with a spray can of carb cleaner but than again you may not succeed. The gasket between the air filter and the carburetor is not the problem, the problem is the carburetor is still plugged.

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