Shopping for a new self propelled mower, 30 inches.
Narrowed to Toro timemaster and the Echo 30 inch. Both Briggs motors. Toro, mostly US made, Echo, motor US, everything else china. Echo has a 5yr warranty, Toro 3.
Echo has a cool blade system (2 blades each) like my small honda.
About $150 price difference. Echo actually higher.
Know more toro owners than echo (0).

Both Lowes and Home Depot have 0 finance for 6 months.

Have a lot of steep slopes. That 1500-1600 area is my limit.

The toro weighs 20 pounds more so it probably has more metal parts than the Echo.

You may find a mild used one on Facebook marketplace for about half price or more. I see them advertised where I live.

I have a Toro TimeMaster. It is a very good mower but with a few shortcomings.

First is probably a big one for you. The hydro-static propulsion unit is not designed for going up steep slopes. You will wear out the unit quickly using it that way. It is only for flat and minor slopes. Would be fine if you are able to mow across the slopes.

Second one is that the tensioner and idler pulleys for the blade drive belt are the weak point of the system. They will wear out and break with-in a season or two. When that happens you need to replace them with the heavy duty ones that are put on the commercial version of it (the TurfMaster). Once you do that the pulleys will last for a good long time.

Third is the fuel tank is small. You will get about 30-40 minutes of run time depending on usage.

If you could find a used TurfMaster, that may be a better way to go for you. I don't know anything of the Echo mower though.

How steep are the slopes? Too steep and you may run the risk of oil starvation and premature engine failure. An older 2-stroke LawnBoy will last almost forever as long as no one straight gasses it.

My first new mower was a 2 cycle lawn boy. First house. Traded the dealer for a almost new colt govt model 45. Everything was a series 70 then.

The oil thing does bother me as the mower is tipped for awhile going back and forth across the slopes.

No one makes a 2 cycle anymore.

Starting to wonder about those battery jobs? The toro has the same timemaster as a battery run.

quote:

Originally posted by mike56:
My first new mower was a 2 cycle lawn boy. First house. Traded the dealer for a almost new colt govt model 45. Everything was a series 70 then.

Bet it costs a bunch in ammo to mow the lawn with that Colt!

Either mower would be good. I'd hold out for a Hustler Trimstar 36. Commercial grade trim mower serviceable hydro transmission, Kawasaki engine and bulletproof design made in Kansas. Typically low hours and with searching a good used one can be found in the $2-2.5k range. Buy once cry once.

When I was looking for a big walk behind, I settled on this one:

https://www.ferrismowers.com/n...lk-behind-mower.html

Snapper makes one that is identical just with their name on it. 389cc Honda, 11HP, absolute beast. Doesn't care about hills, tall grass, wet grass, etc. Could be a bush hog if I wanted it to be.