Another Honda here; HRX217HYA with the hydrostatic drive. It's only 2 yers old but has been flawless. I expect it to be the last mower I'll ever buy.

Good to know folks. We'll go to an equipment store tomorrow and start our search.

I had a small engine shop and owned hundreds of second hand mowers, that I fixed and resold. I am of the opinion that the Toro Super Recycler (sold only at dealers, for about $600-$650) is the best mower on the market. Followed by the Honda 217. The personal pace system on the Toro is just wonderful to use. I've done "test drives" for many folks with the Toro and Honda side by side and almost everyone prefers the Toro afterwards.

The Toro Super Recycler has heavy duty components and is an honest to god 25 year mower (if you maintain it). The modern Honda sold today is still decent, but nothing compared to its 1980's ancestor. A 1980's built Honda mower is an absolute work of art, extremely overbuilt. Unfortunately, to buy the same quality today would be a $1500 mower.

I have a Lawn-Boy Gold Pro series model #10547 from 1989. It has the 6.5 hp Duraforce 2-stroke engine, 3 speed transmission, electric start, and aluminum deck. I picked it up from a lady that had it sitting out for sale. $50, with the bagger attachment, owners manual, and a spare wheel. It starts on the first pull and cuts through grass a foot tall.

Found it on sale, marked down/no box for $360. I wanted the next higher model, but wife got involved. Guess she uses it the most, let her have what she wants....HRR217VK

That is the one I have. Paid 400 for it. Great choice.

Another good option is a Snapper with a Honda motor. You'll probably be at a small dealer/hardware store when you see one of these.

I had that setup and ran it 14 years. It was still kicking just fine when I moved to TX and sold it there. It was still, literally, a first pull mower every single time.

I think the Snapper drive system was best at the time, but this was circa '98 so clearly some updates to others and theirs have no doubt occurred.

I echo the advice to buy from a shop that does their own small engine repair if you can. May be an extra $50, but that's a relationship worth building!

Our Honda from Home Depot is almost 15 years old and has been a great mower.

I'm very happy to hear plaudits for Toro.

I have the MX5060 Zero Turn. Kawasaki engine, welded deck, blah, blah...

Never a problem.

At this point the hours are low...260, and yes I maintain the hell out of it.

Since, my skill at fixing stuff sucks, I'm a big believer in preventive maintenance. Change oil earlier sometimes than is necessary, replace plugs, really work at cleaning air filters and then finally change out air filters earlier than I need to according to manual, grease zirks, etc.

I mow a relatively large yard, 2 acres, and my My MX5060 is a 2013 model and has never failed me. Of course, I bought it new from a dealer and paid a premium price for it, but it's worth it.

Oh yeah, I swap out blades, that I keep sharpened twice during mowing season.

I sharpen them (3) with a special tool with a drill when I used to laborious did so with a file. Fuck that..

I also still prune all my trees.

Doesn't sound like a big deal, right?

I'm getting geezeish, like over 70, which I can't really boast about as most of my friends and a whole butt load of my family have croaked so before my next sentence...

You got the same one I got for $375 4 years ago. You did good.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
You got the same one I got for $375 4 years ago. You did good.

Jim

Thanks. I miss the picture of you and that nice big fish!!