Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Here's my situation - I hope someone can offer some suggestions that will help me select a good mower. I have a new 1500 sq ft lawn, dead flat with LOTS of curved edges but no trees or shrubs. It certainly doesn't need much of a machine, but my kids are getting to the age that they might want to start cutting neighbor's lawns which are a little bigger (up to 1/4 acre) and have some slopes and obstacles, so I would like to get a mower with enough capabilities to handle more difficult cutting. Good mulching performance is a priority because I don't have anywhere to dump the clippings except the trash can. It needs to be safe for a (sane) young teenager to handle.

I was considering a Neuton electric but have trash-canned that idea because of battery concerns. So I am thinking a good quality small gas powered rear bagger/ mulcher would be best. Self propelled would be good, but not absolutely essential. I like the idea of castor front wheels for the maneuverability.

One machine that has caught my eye is the Ariens SLM21 SW ($639 MSRP), but I think it may be overkill. Also, I don't know anything about the Kawasaki engine and it seems pretty darn heavy at 125 pounds. Comments?

http://www.ariens.com/lawn_products/walk_behind_mowers/slm_21_sw/

One other choice is a Honda Harmony  HRZ16TDA ($539 MSRP). It has a steel deck (tho lighter gauge) like the Ariens but weighs only 92 pounds. It has 3 speeds rather than the infinitely variable system of the Ariens.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=HRZ216TDA

And finally, the John Deere JS63C (MSRP $550) seems like a good choice. It reportedly is an excellent mulcher. But I don't see a power ratin for the Briggs engine...

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?

Are there other highly-maneuverable (castoring) small push mowers I should consider? I kind of like Honda engines, but otherwise don't have any real preferences there. I really don't like MTD stuff, so that rules out a whole mess of brands.

Please help. Cost isn't a major factor, but I would like to stay at less than $600 from a discount store.

Thanks very much