Please Help Me Choose A Self-Propelled Mower

17 years ago

Hello Everyone,

I am going to buy my parents a new mower - they are currently using a 20+ year-old Craftsman mower that is unfortunately rusting away.

I am looking at a self-propelled model because they are getting up there in age, and our house is built on a double-lot, and I figure they will be able to take advantage of a self-propelled unit.

I was looking at a Honda 3 speed mower or the Toro Super Recycler 20054 mower.

My first question is about the transmissions on these mowers - are they serviceable, or would I have to buy a complete unit? I have read some reviews on the Hondas and some people have had trouble with the transmissions - I have tried calling up local Honda dealers who tell me none of their customers ever had problems with them. I priced out a new Honda transmission, and they cost over $100.00, less installation. I am not sure about the TORO model.

My second question is about those of you who have either model or brand - have you had problems with the transmissions? If so, could you please elaborate?

The Toro has an aluminum deck - anyone have any likes/dislikes about them? What about Toro's 5 year warranty? How is Toro's personal pace system?

This is the only lawnmower forum I could find online, and rather than talk to a salesperson at a local dealer who will try and sell me any product they carry, I thought I would put these questions out to you kind folks who actually own and use these models, or similar models.

I thank you in advance for your time, and any input would be welcomed, as I am confused as to which model I should buy.

Mark

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Comments (7)

rdaystrom
17 years ago
All are probably seviceable but Honda parts will be sky high. The most user serviceable trans is Snapper. Toro personal pace takes a little getting used to. It responds to your walking speed so it doesn't pull you along. I vote for Snapper.
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blacknumber1
17 years ago
If you want a rugged and durable drive system that will give years of service go with Snapper, hands down. I don't like the Personal Pace system, it seems more trouble than it's worth. Find a Snapper dealer, buy one with a Honda engine, problem solved.
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fairyprincess
17 years ago
I am Canadian:

I vote for the Snapper 21" self-propelled due to the simplicity and easy maintenance of the transmission.

The curled under deck also helps against blade jams and bent crankshafts. Cut the grass high and those problems will not happen.

Considering your parents advancing years and double lot, consider a Snapper rear engine riding mower with electric start.

Fairyprincess
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1saxman
17 years ago
I had a 2000 Honda HRB216TDA (3-speed). The trans worked fine but even with light use (I always have several mowers) it started getting hard to pull back. I made a grease port in the trans box and loaded it with Sten's #00 - it seemed to improve a little but I wound up selling it to a guy starting a lawn business. The Toro/Lawn-Boy 'Personal Pace/Sens-a-Speed' has proven to be a very easy-to-use and durable system. The 'transmission' is really only a single-speed reduction box. The variable speeds are produced with a constantly-slipping belt, controlled by normal pressure on the handle exerted by walking forward with the mower. Most users who have never had a self-propelled mower like Personal Pace right away, because you don't have to do anything at all except hold the handle and walk.
Aluminum decks are generally one of the hallmarks of a premium mower - there is no flex in them, giving a solid 'feel'; the thick aluminum tends to damp engine and blade noise; the deck won't rust or develop cracks from stress induced during stamping as steel does. I would say they're also lighter, but being so thick (4-6mm) a much thinner steel deck could be the same weight.
There are some other very good choices, you know, like the Lawn-Boy 10795 (Honda engine, Sens-a-Speed, aluminum deck), about $539. The Xenoy deck on the Honda HRX is a great deck too, but has a lot of flex in it. This doesn't bother some, but I don't like that aspect of it. It's the only deck made that will never need painting (except for certain stainless steel decks), and if it gets a scratch you just rub it out and polish it away. The Honda is big and heavy, though. Compare weights to mowers you're looking at.
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baymee
17 years ago
I like the Toro personal pace because it's not pulling you around and it's a fairly simple set-up
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fairyprincess
17 years ago
Hey Baymee:

If you get as old and handicapped as I currently am, you will appreciate a mower that can help pull you up the small inclines I have on my property, especially at the super slow, high torque speed I have modified my two (2) Snappers to operate at.

Baymee, one of my best friends is giving me a 42" cut 16hp, 6-speed shift on the go tractor.

It is an old 1991 Murray and I saw it yesterday. It is in fantastic shape and runs great, but getting on it even with the open frame design is still going to be a challenge with my knees.

I'll probably build a ramp for it to get on and off but not having to walk while mowing will greatly enhance my safety.

Fairyprincess
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pkguy
17 years ago
How old and decript are your parents, I hope you're not 20 and they're only 50 otherwise I'm in trouble LOL. Thing to remember is that some of the models available in the USA aren't available in Canada and they cost about $150-$200 more in Canadian dollars. The Honda price discrepency between Canada and the US is much greater. I just bought the Lawnboy 10672 (Honda engine) at Home Depot here in Canada, it's model 10695 in the USA. I like it so far. The Sensa Speed self propel feature is the same as the Toro Personal Pace, it doesn't feel self propelled it just feels like a very very light lawnmower you guide over the lawn. It doesn't pull you, or worse, elderly parents along. You just walk behind it at a natural pace and it stops instantaneously when you/they stop walking. It starts very easily as well. knock on wood.
Snapper dealers are few and far between in many parts of Canada. Most independent Toro or LB dealers will deliver and set up the mower for free and probably pick it up when it needs servicing as well, something to think about if you're not actually there living nearby to help them.
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Please Help Me Choose A Self-Propelled Mower

Comments (7)

rdaystrom

blacknumber1

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