Time to replace the mower. Looking for something with electric start and enough self-propelled guts to get through zoysia. SWMBO likes to do the chore now and then, but has limited upper body strength. Approx 60x180' of mostly flat yard. Experienced based suggestions?

I would take a look at the Toro Personal Pace mowers. I can't speak to the electric start option other than to say that I know it's available. However, I have had a pull-start Personal Pace for years and have found it to be extremely reliable.

Most folks think it is hard to beat a Honda. Buy once, cry once.

What Gene Hillman says...

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Most folks think it is hard to beat a Honda. Buy once, cry once.

This is our experience. Do the maintenance and they go forever.

Jim

My baby: Toro TimeMaster

I used a Honda HRX217HXA for about 7 years. It was a HELL of a mower. Always, and I mean always started on the first pull. I sold it to one of my employees, and he's been using it for about a year. Still no issues. It is a great machine. What it isn't though, is wide. 21" deck meant it took me about 2 hours to mow, weed-eat, and edge.

Last year, I decided I wanted some time back. I started looking for wider mowers, and the TimeMaster was the one that came out on top for many reasons. The new mower has cut my lawn time back to 1.5 hours. Not a lot of time, but it certainly feels like it on a busy weekend!

Not that you are in the market for a WIDE mower, but consider this me throwing in for Toro, Briggs & Stratton, and the Personal Pace System.

I have the electric start model, and it's worth the extra scratch. Even if it's nothing more than a pure luxury feature, it's still worth it. The deck, mower, drivetrain, etc., all perform very well. The Briggs engine is strong and quiet.

The Personal Pace system is extremely easy to get used to. I would dare say it's the best way to adjust mower speed. Really all you do is just walk. The mower will move as fast as you do. You don't have to suffer with a speed setting that is just a bit too fast or a bit too slow.

Bonus points: it leaves a better finish on the lawn than the Honda ever did.

I have heard many good things about Honda, but have used Toro for 50 years.

The Toro will leave a nicer cut than the Honda. My 21" Toro is a pro model so it runs faster and so do I. It gets the work done.

The homeowner models have plastic wheels and drive gears (or at least they used you) so you may want to look at a pro model that will outlast anything out there.

I just bought a Toro personal pace although without the electric start. Starts every time on the first pull so far and the personal pace system is awesome.

Here's what I got:

https://www.toro.com/en/homeow...al-pace-3-in-1-20381

Toro is also offering $50 off on select models currently.

Wow! $943 for a PUSH mower.

21" (53 cm) Heavy Duty Toro OHV Push (22289)

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Most folks think it is hard to beat a Honda. Buy once, cry once.

Right there with you!
Honda makes great mowers.

Husqvarna AWD?

I had a toro personal pace. It worked good for a long time. Drive belt went out and seemed like a lot of money to have replaced.Probably should have bought one and did it myself, but went and bought a new Honda. Not the electric start, but that was the only one above the model I got. Strong mower, a little hard to start though.

Honda!!
My $225 Honda is going on 8 years and has never failed to start on the 1st pull.
Kept outside and if you have paid attention to my posts it seems to get borrowed without permission from time to time.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Most folks think it is hard to beat a Honda. Buy once, cry once.

This is our experience. Do the maintenance and they go forever.

Jim

Even without much maintenance they last a good long time.

Another vote for the Toro personal pace with the aluminum deck. I just bought my second one last year, it has a Honda engine. My first was still running great but I took it to my father in laws since I cut his grass too and I got tired of hauling it back and forth. My first one is 15 years old. All I do is change oil, spark plug and air filter as well as grease the wheels.

quote:

Originally posted by heisrizn:
Husqvarna AWD?

Junk

Toro Super Recyler from an actual Toro dealer. $600 to $700.

These are the best mowers on the market under $1000. And they are built with heavy duty components so you can actually use them for 20 years, not like the 6 year throwaways at the big box stores.

I have enjoyed Honda for many years. I use a commercial grade Honda now, which never fails. Earlier I had a plastic deck consumer Honda with the self-propelled feature.

I bought a 28 inch cut electric start Cub Cadet with independent turning front wheels last year. It has the self paced self propelled system. It has dual blades so you get a professional looking cut. Excellent mower if you don't mind dropping $800