IMHO, the Toro is the machine to beat for mulching although the Honda is good.The steel deck Toro's are less effective.

In comparing the Toro's the 20053 is a a better buy. The 20033 is able to side discharge, but only with an optional chute / tunnel kit. They discharge much nicer out of the side of the deck. Both have the permalube wheel bushings that don't wear out. It doesn't hurt to pull the bolts , clean and lube them every couple of years tho. Honda still have the ball bearings? There bbw stay nice for a long time if so. As Canguy said, the cast aluminum deck Toro's are much nicer cutting (more aggressive recycling componants) and better built. Either engine will outlast how long you want the mower IF properly maintained.

Thanks tomplum...

After doing a little more research I really like the cast aluminum deck on the Toro. However, another dealer showed me Snapper's push mower for $299. I like the fact that the snapper has a front axle for the wheels instead of bolting them to the deck. The Shapper has the same B&S engine as the Toro. The only thing I didn't really like was the big plastic piece over the back of the deck.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Snapper and it's mulching prowess?

I have a toro from the 80's.......still works great,the aluminum deck picks up very well.........I'd buy another 1 in 2 seconds........

Honda may have good engines, but the plastic decks on their more expensive consumer line would be a deal breaker for me. I would much rather buy an aluminum deck Toro or Lawnboy or a steel deck Snapper.

I use to work for Honda as an internal auditor and audited Honda Power Equipments plant in Swepsonville, North Carolina. The plant management told me Honda made the switch from aluminum to plastic to cut costs. I got a Honda Harmony mower for my brother at a company discount. Even though he only uses this mower sparingly as a trim mower and is careful with his equipment, the deck cracked. To top it off Honda delivered this mower without an air filter element and my brother did not catch their mistake until he was doing preventative maintenance, approximately one year after taking delivery.

A neighbor bought a plastic deck Honda Harmony a few years ago and did not like its maneuverability and lack of mulching power and gave it to his mother. He bought a much cheaper Troy Built and likes it much better.

The Lawnboy Insight Platinum, the Toro Super Recycler, or the Snapper HI-VAC would be better choices than the plastic deck Honda mowers and the Toro and Lawnboy are significantly less expensive. I would choose the Toro if you primarily mulch and the Lawnboy or Snapper if you primarily bag.