Honestly, if you're not into Lawn-Boy 2-cycles, you might want to pass. All it takes is somebody using it with straight gas one time and it's history. On the other hand, it's a really good mower that could outlast most 4-cycles with good care. The 6.5HP Duraforce engine is the most heavy-duty 2-cycle Lawn-Boy/Toro ever built. The drive mechanism is Toro's 'Personal Pace'. Cleaning/oiling the air filter is a chore. You could just use new pre-oiled foam filters that cost the same or less as the pleated paper filters on other mowers. Most parts you'll have to get on-line, but they're available. Remember, with a 2-cycle, every compression stroke pulls a fresh oil charge into the engine - that's why they can last so long, but that also makes the air filter ultra-important. The 10550 should be about 20 lbs lighter than the Snapper, and will have correspondingly quicker and easier handling. Full retail on a 10550 was about $550 when they were still being made. If you can get it for less, you could probably turn it right around for a profit. The Snapper w/Kawasaki is definitely a premium mower.

Just be aware that they were made for 4 years starting in 2001. I purchased one recently the guy only said he purchased it brand new last year. Never occured to me to ask the year of production. It was a 2001, so it was 5 years old regardless of the fact that it only had 4 hours use. Second hand owner makes me out any warranty. Hard to believe he purchased a brand new mower last year and it was a 2001 and he paid the full retail price according to his word.

I own six duraforce engined Lawnboys and I wouldn't trade them for a truck load of 4 stroke mowers. Having said that, Properly tuned and maintained they will out power most similar sized 4 cycle engines. The pro's are: light weight, powerful, longlife, no oil changes, very simple design. The con's are: mixing oil in the gas, finicky carbs, a bit of smoke sometimes, worries of someone using straight gas in it. If you are mechanicaly inclined and don't mind learning the quirks of the Duraforce carb then by all means get yourself a 10550. If on the other hand you want to grab your mower and cut the grass and then toss it back in the shed until next time, then maybe your not Lawn-Boy material. I'm not trying to scare you off, just to enlighten you that some times Duraforce Lawn-Boy engines require a bit of tweaking to get them to run smoothly, and start easily. I think the Duraforce is the best 2 cycle engine lawn-boy ever sold and I wouldn't hesitate to recomend one for you, but that's just my opinion.

Go for it !! I think LB's are fun to operate. They last forever...less moving parts as compared to a 4 stroke. VERY simple operation.

Everyone on this forum will have a favorite brand of mower for a magnitude of reasons, to that person the reasons are valid. Memories as a kid, experience with the equipment, the way is handles, price, curb appeal, even favorite color all are reasons for making a choice. There is no doubt in my mind the 10550 is a quality piece of equipment which would serve you well, a host of mowers will do that. What I find most appealing about the 2 cycles is that they are just different. All my neighbors with their various mowers hum away to the same note on the weekend, they are only doing a chore. But my ear notices the different tone when a suzuki 2 stroke fires up down the street. There is the appeal of owning something not made anymore, a historic perspective. Don't be afraid of the quirks you hear about on these machines. I don't find them any harder or easier to work on than other machines. Along the same lines they are no more resistant to abuse than any other brand. Is mixing oil with gas harder than an occational oil change, no, its just different. Go for it! You'll immediately become a 1 percenter, not that the neighbors will care.

Look at it this way, Buy the Lawn-Boy 10550, use it but take real good care of it, you will have two years of warranty to decide if you like it or not, if you don't then list it on ebay. Most likely you'll get most all of your money back out of it two years down the road. I like most all of the Lawn-Boys however the Duraforce is the most powerful and strongest design, and what's more fun than having a unique two cycle mower? Anyone can buy a 4 stroker!

And they give off a nice smell too. I leave my choke on longer than required so prevailing winds blow the scent into the neighbors pool area. I then lower the throttle so it pops and burbles...they always look around to see what the rukus is about.

I think the only negative on a Duraforce is being prone to lean condition surge. But a replacement of the carb jets (or drilling out the existing jets) seems to cure that problem. So I guess the best advice is if you are willing to get your hands a little dirty the LB will offer alot of performance & longevity for the money.

If you prefer to just mow and let the shop take of any service - a Snapper or Toro might be a better choice. Based on some of the negative comments on Snapper lately I might look at Ariens ahead of Snapper.

Jim

I can especially relate to your question as I was in a similar situation about four years ago. My four cycle craftsman mower had seen better days and I had always seen mowing as a chore. A lawn boy enthusiast at work wasted no time recommending I look at the lawn boys.

At first I was miffed, asking why I would want 'old' two stroke technology with a louder motor and the 'chore' of having to mix gas and oil. He pointed out that mixing gas and oil for a two stroke is easier and faster than changing the oil on a four stroke and pointed out the power and constant lubrication benefits of the two stroke. These were good points that I had not considered. I had experienced the four stroke engine, even a 6PH unit, bogging down in thick grass. He explained that would be very unlikely to happen with the LB.

The exact model I ended up buying as the 10550. I still have it and have been extremely happy. The 'easy stride' system is very intuitive and simple to use in my opinion and I love the power and aluminum deck. It is easy to clean, no oil changes, and I find removing and cleaning the air filter pretty easy . It is a reusable foam type that you pull out after swinging open a lid that is similar to a fuse box lid. The filter is accessable from there. The manual shows to soak it in soapy water and then oil the filter. I supposed tossing a paper element and putting a new one in would be faster, but I like the idea of reusable parts.

I never considered the extra bonuses of forum support from the numerous LB enthusiasts until my 10550 died on me about two months ago. By searching the forum I was easily able to determine the issue and correct it. This type of support is invaluable in saving time and money in case you should need anything done to your mower. Resale is another huge plus that someone mentioned. This varies, but with many LB enthusiasts out there you should be able to get quite a bit for your 10550 if you don't like it.

Good luck with your decision, but I am very happy with mine.

Its all up to you. Im 30 years old and I have been using Lawn boys since I was 9. I have my own house now and that is what I use. Mixing gas and oil takes about 5 min. I use lawn boy oil so one can 2 gal of gas and shake, your done. I have not yet had the oppertunity to own a Duraforce LB yet but from what I have read its a hell of a mashine. Yes lawn boys have there querks but so does my 1966 Volkswagen and I would not have it any other way. They have personality!!!