I will never buy anything buy a full commercial self propelled 21" mower. In fact, I just bought a Toro 22195 - $1200. I'm just a homeowner but like you said I'm sick of the $450 self propelled junk. Now for a true push mower with no drive, a $200 piece from Sears is perfectly fine - really not a whole lot to go wrong on them and you can usually get at least 5-10 years out of one as a backup mower or mowing in tight spots, but as far as self propelled mower, im willing to spend $1200 on the Toro knowing it will last me decades and knowing its actually a mower worth spending money on repairing if it ever needs to be.

Baymee: No, i didn't say, but i really didn't think the spark would be missing. After replacing the key, and checking everything else, maybe i got in too big a hurry to get it running again, so i'll have to check that. But, since i reset the flywheel with a new key and checked the flywheel gap at the coil, tell me what should i do next? Could it have twisted the flywheel/crankshaft relationship? The mower was running at operating speed when the man hit the pipe! And, the key sheared immediately! I know, that when a running engine gets stopped very quickly, that the forces inherent with the inner workings do get damaged, some severely! The flywheel nut seemed to be tight to the correct torque. It took my good half-inch torque wrench to loosen the nut. and also to retighten it. So, Monday morning, i'm going to reinspect the fly key, to make sure it is still ok. I'll let ya know what goes with it, and the fix, if it does fix it! Thanks: Rusty J. A quick thought: Maybe the shop sold me the wrong type of fly key. I'll have to check that, too!

Hi, I have a Toro lawn mower model 20076 self propelled. It has a bar to engage the blade and the bar will not move. It has worked ok till now. Does any one have any experience with this mower or problem and can help. Any help will be appreciated! Thank You BobbyS1

I don't have three acres but a 3 year old home on 3/4 acres. I have an older JD-LT155 with a 38" mower deck. It has no problems with the slopes, in fact it surprised me when it was able to climb out of the ditch in the front yard. While there are many solutions to the mowing problem, there are other uses for a tractor. I would recommend a tractor either one like the LT-155, or one of the heavier ones. With three acres and your desire to make additional planting, you will appreciated the tractor with a trailer to move all of the tools, plants, seeds, mulch, fertilizer, and things yet to be discovered that those flower beds and new trees will need. Right now I am looking at putting a water tank in the trailer to water those new remote plantings. If you can afford two I would get a tractor and the zero turn.