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

Hello gang,

Haven't posted in a while because I've been so dang busy doing stuff on my house!!..

Thinking about getting a new self-propelled but I'm torn between a Briggs engine and venturing into Honda 'territory" for my next mower.   I liked the new HRX models I saw at Home Depot($599.) Don't think I want to buy it there as I've seen some of the OPE they assemble..LOL.

Anyone have any experience wth their mowers??

I want my next mower to last a good, long time as my current 8 year old Murray's drive system has been hit or miss lately and it may be on it's last leg. It's got a Briggs 5.5 quantum engine on it that's served me well, though. Would like to go to a 6.5 because there's been times when I could have used the extra power.  Don't want a push model, either. Will probably stay between $500.-600, or so price wise. Although I like the idea of a light weight deck ,is plastic the way to go?..or should I go aluminum?? I've a lot of concrete edgeing(sp?) on my property , of which I'm always running against, so I'm a little concerned about the durability of the plastic decks!

Also am considering the "higher -end" Toro's as I'd like to stay clear of the Tecumseh engine on mowers...just my prejudice, I guess. 

Any thoughts?...Recommendations?...

Thanks..

when i purchased my home i got a new craftsman mower. used it 1 season and gave it to my brother inlaw. purchased a toro. hated it so much that i sold it cheap to a neighbor. purchased an ariens and liked it the first season. second season i started feeling the quirks. sold it. now i have a honda 215 and i love it. it cuts the grass nice and clean. starts on the first pull. and feels like a mercedes compared to the others which felt like old chevys with bias ply tires. i am now a honda guy. i would check them all and buy the one you feel best with.

Good to hear from you mountainMan....been awhile.

Now you got me thinking I made a bit of a mistake.  Friday I stopped at a garage sale a few houses down, at a neighbor who has the best of everything.
He had a Honda rear Bagger walk behind there........looked a bit dusty, but very solid.
Wife said all it needed was a tune up......they had $20 on it.   I almost took it, because I think I may need another walk behind soon, but I did not only because I do not really want a rear bagger.

I should have done a "Marty", cleaned it up, etc,  and  sell it for a profit.      Oh well.

Frank D.

The engine alone was easily worth the $20. Heck, it would be a handy mower for those few times you need to bag leaves or tall grass.

I would go and see if it is still available.  It's a good deal, if not sell it. 

MountainMan wrote:

MountainMan--

Don't quite understand?? Do you mean that the wheels don't adjust as they normally should for different heights of cut??..

Tried adjusting the 217 HRX model at "Home Deeps" and it seemed fine??... 

Not to speak for MM but I think what it was referring to is that their height adjustment on went to 3 inches high. I think they changed them to 4 inches now though, which is fine.

Marshall- You may be right, now that I think of it.

I remember my brother's next door neighbor saying something to that effect about his Honda. I checked on their website and it looks like they've fixed that as the last notch on the wheels is supposed to be 4" approx.

I think I've narrowed it down to either the Honda 217TDA model or the Toro 20056 Super-Recycler,  which has the aluminum deck, blade clutch,  B & S  6.5 engine( don't know if it's an Intek or Quantum??...) I think the Toro offers a longer warranty, but can't be sure. 

                            

I sent emails to Mayberry's just to see what thay could do price-wise.  Anyone have experience with them??

OldToroOwner wrote:

Maqrshal answered it. There was a thread a while bach about how the height adjusters only wnt as high as about 3". Not good for summer heat and drought. I usually cut 3.5 or so.

Its so humid and wet in Ct now that ive been cutting evry 5 days again