Need a new lawn mower

[rogerwa]

Looking at getting a new mower after 14 years with my old Honda. I am looking at models that mulch and bag, have variable speed rear wheel drive, and the blade brake clutch feature. My yard is about 1/3-1/2 acre and fairly level.

I am looking at the following models. Anyone have experience with these?

Husqvarna 3-in-1 All-Wheel Drive Lawnmower ? 190cc Briggs & Stratton 725EX Engine, 22in. Deck, Model# HU725AWDBBC | Walk-Behind Mowers| Northern Tool + Equipment

Toro Personal Pace Recycler 22 in. Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower with Blade Stop System (50-State Engine)-20333 at The Home Depot

Both appear to have the same engine, the Toro is 20lbs lighter, and Husq has three times the fuel tank and AWD (whcih is not totally necessary). Not so sure I would like the personal pace.

THere is a $30 rebate on the Husq so the prices are pretty close.

Feedback?

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

I've found the personal pace and multispeed trannies don't seem to hold up as well as the old single speed ones did.
Mike

 

[oldandintheway]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Best mower I have ever had. Starts, first pull every time, even after sitting for six months. Much lighter that the heavy Honda.

Ariens Walk Behind Lawn Mowers | Walk Your Way to a Perfect Lawn

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Husqvarna is a great mower. I have one (it's a Sears, but its just a rebadged Husqvarna, same engine, frame, even same dash and tires. I called Sears and they said yes, it's just a Husqvarna with a red hood instead of an orange one) and it's a beast. I bought a Husq backpack blower, starts first or second crank, every time. It even fell off of the roof of a storage building raised 2 feet in the air (a total of 10-12 foot drop) onto hard ground and nothing broke. Still starts first or second crank. I bought my dad a Husq blower and he loves it. He bought a Husq 30" ZTR mower and loves it.

I even wear a Husq hat. It's one of the best mowers for the money.

 

[Gyrene]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Whatever you get, throw away the oil they give you and put in synthetic.
I've done it with mowers, weedwhackers, snowblowers - just makes sense.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

I have a Husq rear drive myself, got it at sears yrs ago. It is great, but it is heavy. Wish it was 4 wheel drive for the hilly property I have.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

I have to admit the AWD would have the advantage on the hillsides of the ditch along the front of our place.

I have tried two other self-propelled mowers and neither one will drive along there, I would end up muscling them along. So I gave up and weed wack it a few times. Far less work on my joints.

Is there any difference in the warranties? That could be a factor to consider. Otherwise it is a pretty close match.

I haven't looked at small mowers in a very long time. Very surprised at how high some of them can get.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

I will definitely compare warranties. What i don't like is the fact they don't publish hp anymore. Its on cc's now. My old honda has a 5hp engine, this 190cc B and S is only rated at 3.5hp or so. The Honda 190cc is rate at 4.6hp. You gotta do a lot of digging to get at those numbers. Now I am looking at a honda model as well, but that comes with a 160CC which I have not yet found the hp of. I think I am shying away from the toro as I don't think I would like the personal pace features. I took a look at both of the Husq and Honda and both seemed ot be nice.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

I will definitely compare warranties. What i don't like is the fact they don't publish hp anymore. Its on cc's now. My old honda has a 5hp engine, this 190cc B and S is only rated at 3.5hp or so. The Honda 190cc is rate at 4.6hp. You gotta do a lot of digging to get at those numbers. Now I am looking at a honda model as well, but that comes with a 160CC which I have not yet found the hp of. I think I am shying away from the toro as I don't think I would like the personal pace features. I took a look at both of the Husq and Honda and both seemed ot be nice.

Be careful, they also only rate them on torque. It makes for a larger number on the engine cowling. Don't assume the big number is HP. Read close, it might have a tiny "lb/ft" next to it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Toro makes a great mower, however the motor is a Briggs and sucks. We killed the motors on 2 Toro Personal Pace mowers in 6 years. Stick with a Honda motor on something, there is a reason you got 14 years out of the last one.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Oldjeep you are confirming my suspicions.. I want the BBC feature as I hate turning the engine off everytime you want to move a stick or empty the bag. The Husq doesn't come with a honda engine and BBC. The honda motor does and has a nice drive engage feature that would work well.

AS far as engine ratings are concerned, why did they stop with HP ratings? Its just like bulb wattage, I don't know lumens. The B&S engine is 190CC, 7.25 torque, and 3.x HP. The Honda motor is 160cc, 6.9 torque, and 4+HP. Sounds like B&S is not as efficient as the honda per CC of displacement.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Oldjeep you are confirming my suspicions.. I want the BBC feature as I hate turning the engine off everytime you want to move a stick or empty the bag. The Husq doesn't come with a honda engine and BBC. The honda motor does and has a nice drive engage feature that would work well.

AS far as engine ratings are concerned, why did they stop with HP ratings? Its just like bulb wattage, I don't know lumens. The B&S engine is 190CC, 7.25 torque, and 3.x HP. The Honda motor is 160cc, 6.9 torque, and 4+HP. Sounds like B&S is not as efficient as the honda per CC of displacement.

There is nothing wrong with a briggs engine. My father bought one on a push mower new in 1971. It's been on 3 different decks, now I think it's 4th deck. It still starts on the 3rd crank every time, 43 years later. A briggs engine is 200 dollars a honda is 400. It better do SOMETHING better to be costing twice as much.

My uncle repairs lawnmowers and while he says Honda makes pretty stuff, it doesn't last long. He's seen far more Hondas worn out beyond repair than Briggs of the same age. Not to mention their engines are complex and expensive to repair. Honda carbs are 100 dollars, briggs carbs are 39.95.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Your numbers are wrong. The two engine are only about $40 difference between the B&S 190 and the Honda 160 - the latter having a higher HP rating.. The Briggs motor from early 70's I believe would have been made at a time when they were leading in design and quality. My understanding is that is no longer the case. In the end I could probably get another 14 years out whatever I pick without it self destructing. Both choices are better than the chinese honda knockoffs that many are putting on their equipment. I have one of those engines on my snowblower and I would give it up any day for a Tecumseh sno-king engine..

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

There is nothing wrong with a briggs engine. My father bought one on a push mower new in 1971. It's been on 3 different decks, now I think it's 4th deck. It still starts on the 3rd crank every time, 43 years later. A briggs engine is 200 dollars a honda is 400. It better do SOMETHING better to be costing twice as much.

My uncle repairs lawnmowers and while he says Honda makes pretty stuff, it doesn't last long. He's seen far more Hondas worn out beyond repair than Briggs of the same age. Not to mention their engines are complex and expensive to repair. Honda carbs are 100 dollars, briggs carbs are 39.95.

The old Briggs motors are very good. My experience with the new ones is that they are terrible. My experience with the 3 Honda motors I own is that they are well built and haven't required any sort of repairs.

 

[Dogsluvtrux]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

Forget brand and color....buy from a reputable dealership. A well maintained Briggs will out perform and out last a Honda that doesn't get anything and vice versa....when it breaks, and everything breaks, how available are parts and knowledge to fix the issue?

 

[MikDee]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

I believe my Husq has a Tecumseh motor, it's powerful.

 

[Gyrene]

Re: Need a new lawn mower

You could always get some good-looking sheep instead.......:behindsofa: