Lawn mower

[javan]

What is the best 21inch gas powdered mower and price ?

[bloom2708]

Tough one. Lots of options.

Self-propelled? Bag grass? How big of a yard?

https://www.mowersdirect.com/Toro-20382 ... b695c55f64

The cast aluminum, personal pace, Honda engine, bag, mulch, blow, Toro Super Recycler is still a top consideration.

Kawasaki makes a good engine, Kohler, Honda, Briggs & Stratton. Commercial for home use, but big $. Kubota makes an expensive push mower. $1,000+ with a Kawasaki engine.

[dalbright]

I would keep an eye out at walmart towards the end of the season as every year they have them on super-clearance. The one my wife uses now was around 50$ for a basic no frills mtd that keeps on going. She wanted a light one so it fit the bill. I have bigger toys for the backyard . Whatever you choose, either run it dry at the end of the season or put stabil in it and run for a bit before winter storage.

[megabad]

What is the best 21inch gas powdered mower and price ?

The best one is the one that runs. I just keep buying them off facebook and craigslist for $20-50. They usually last about 3 years with absolutely no maintenance. It is almost cheaper to replace (with another old model) than change the oil and filter depending on the model. My most recent was a cub cadet sc100. Works fine, starts every time so far. I think it is maybe 4 or 5 years old. Bought if for 50 bucks. No frills though (not self propelled).

[ellsbebc]

If looking for a quality machine that will mulch or bag, look no further than the Honda HRX217 or Toro Super Recycler. Will probably run you $500-600 unless you can find a used version.

[Broken Man 1999]

Honda small engines are great. I've had them in lawn mowers, generators, and pressure washers.

Very dependable. You won't wear your arm out cranking them if you don't have an electric start.

Probably some premium to buy, but worth it, IMHO!

Broken Man 1999

[Housedoc]

Honda HRX @ Home Depot. About $700 for the best one. I love mine.

[muddlehead]

1/2 acre. Lots of grass. Have had good success w/ Cub Cadet. Not cheap. 21 or 22 inch gas self propelled so I can go back and forth about $300. I'm on my second one now. Old one after 3 years, starter cord disengaged in my hand after a starter pull. I'm not handy enough to fix it. Gave it away and got the same model again.

[RickBoglehead]

I'd look on a forum dedicated to lawn mowers, of which there are many, versus Bogleheads...

https://www.mylawnmowerforum.com

I use https://www.mytractorforum.com/ for lawn tractors.

Note that if you take care of your lawn mower / tractor, and do annual winterization, keep it clean and blade sharpened, replace parts (many videos online, good sites like JacksSmallEngines and RepairClinic) you should get many, many years out of it.

Our first push mower was bought in 1987, we gave it away in 2007.
First lawn tractor bought in 1996, sold it in 2010 and bought a new one, still going fine.

[Buckeye Chuck]

Honda hrx217. 4th mower I've owned and the best. Tried and true.

[Bacchus01]

Whatever you do, get a branded engine (KOHLER, Honda, Briggs).

Do not buy private-label Chinese junk made for Toro and others Fromm loncin, RATO And Zongshen.

[JoeJohnson]

Whatever you do, get a branded engine (KOHLER, Honda, Briggs).

Do not buy private-label Chinese junk made for Toro and others Fromm loncin, RATO And Zongshen.

Some Briggs are not made in the US

[Bacchus01]

Whatever you do, get a branded engine (KOHLER, Honda, Briggs).

Do not buy private-label Chinese junk made for Toro and others Fromm loncin, RATO And Zongshen.

Some Briggs are not made in the US

Not their lawn mower engines.

[daheld]

We have the Toro Super Recycler self-propelled. Had it for about 5 years now and it has been a beast. I can count on one hand the number of times it hasn't started on the first pull. Highly recommended.

[RobLyons]

Toro Recycler $299 big box store

[Nowizard]

Honda is top-rated by many rating companies. Just bought one with rear-wheel drive which is preferred if you have a yard with different elevations. It has positions for mulching, which it does nicely since it has two blades, bagging and distributing unmulched grass. Seems OK so far and cost about $400.

Tim

[alfaspider]

I'd consider an electric lawnmower. They've come a long way in the last few years and there are plenty of models that will handle a 1/2 acre no problem. Nothing to maintain, no gas/oil to store, and much quieter.

I bought a Ryobi self-propelled (RWD) recently (~$300) and been very pleased. It has a second battery storage compartment, so you can hot-swap batteries if needed for a large yard.

[Polymorphic]

I'll join the "Honda" chorus. Mine is seven summers old now and has been trouble-free, aside from routine maintenance.

[Championship0911]

I'd consider an electric lawnmower. They've come a long way in the last few years and there are plenty of models that will handle a 1/2 acre no problem. Nothing to maintain, no gas/oil to store, and much quieter.

I bought a Ryobi self-propelled (RWD) recently (~$300) and been very pleased. It has a second battery storage compartment, so you can hot-swap batteries if needed for a large yard.

I agree. I purchased an EGO 21 inch lawnmower from HomeDepot about three years ago now and love it. My lawn is about a third of an acre, so it's not too small. I'd never go back to a gas mower. There is no maintenance other than sharpening the blade. I ended up getting the matching blower, string trimmer and snow blower. One of my neighbors was so impressed he bought some EGO products as well.

[Fletch]

I have had only three lawn mowers since 1972 all used about 35-40 weeks/year at 5 different properties in 3 different states.

First: Lawn Boy 20 or 21 inch, 2-cycle engine, push only, not self-propelled. Used about 1 hr/week. Lasted until about 1993.

Second: Honda HRX21 (I forget exact model), self-propelled. Changed oil and spark plug yearly, air filter every couple years. Used about 1/2 hr/week. Lasted until 2010.

Third: Honda HRX2172HXA, self-propelled. Changed oil and spark plug yearly, air filter every couple years. Still in use at about 1/2 hr/week.

If my current Honda dies before me, I will likely get an EGO - based upon favorable experience with an EGO leaf blower I bought when my Stihl 2-cycle blower died last fall.

[gd]

Best I ever had was a K-Mart no-name I bought for a one-summer rental, but used it hard for at least a decade. Worst was a Craftsman. Now I get my power equipment from a local store, whatever they've got in stock that fits my need. Supports a local business, and they'll give me advice, parts and service long afterwards.

[tainted-meat]

I'm not a fan of self-propelled as those mowers feel heavy and hard to maneuver. Over 20+ years I've had the best luck using inexpensive 20" mowers with a Briggs and Stratton engine.

[dm200]

If possible/practical - consider an electric model.

[fortfun]

Honda small engines are great. I've had them in lawn mowers, generators, and pressure washers.

Very dependable. You won't wear your arm out cranking them if you don't have an electric start.

Probably some premium to buy, but worth it, IMHO!

Broken Man 1999

Agreed. I bought my Honda mower over 10 years ago at HD for 500 or so. I have done absolutely no maintenance on it and it is still running great (no oil change, no emptying gas, no new filter, no new plugs, nada). I sharpen the blade every year or two. I figure it should run for 10 more years, easily. Starts first pull every time. Does a nice job mulching too. Rarely bag.

[Teague]

Agreed. I bought my Honda mower over 10 years ago at HD for 500 or so. I have done absolutely no maintenance on it and it is still running great (no oil change, no emptying gas, no new filter, no new plugs, nada). I sharpen the blade every year or two. I figure it should run for 10 more years, easily. Starts first pull every time. Does a nice job mulching too. Rarely bag.

I suggest you do yourself a favor and change the oil. Skip the rest if you must, but change the oil.

Cue the late James Doohan:
She simply ca'not take any more, sir! If ye keep pushin her like this, she's gonna blow!

[fortfun]

Agreed. I bought my Honda mower over 10 years ago at HD for 500 or so. I have done absolutely no maintenance on it and it is still running great (no oil change, no emptying gas, no new filter, no new plugs, nada). I sharpen the blade every year or two. I figure it should run for 10 more years, easily. Starts first pull every time. Does a nice job mulching too. Rarely bag.

I suggest you do yourself a favor and change the oil. Skip the rest if you must, but change the oil.

Cue the late James Doohan:
She simply ca'not take any more, sir! If ye keep pushin her like this, she's gonna blow!

I know. I'm religious about my 2 Toyota vehicles. Easier to neglect the old mower...