What's a good lawnmower?

[SweetErika]

Our lawnmower bit the dust (it was used when we got it), and our (maybe 600-800 sqft) lawn is getting unruly. We only mow the lawn up to 12 times/year, so I don't need anything that's too heavy duty or expensive, but it still needs to be able to cut an overgrown lawn and I want an exceptional value.

I know pretty much nothing about lawnmowers. Any suggestions on the right specs for the job and/or brands and/or models I should look at? If I can find a really good mower at a great price used, I'm certainly up for that as well.

 

[Primalex]

Our lawnmower bit the dust (it was used when we got it), and our (maybe 600-800 sqft) lawn is getting unruly. We only mow the lawn up to 12 times/year, so I don't need anything that's too heavy duty or expensive, but it still needs to be able to cut an overgrown lawn and I want an exceptional value.

600 sqft?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BRQw5XPlL.jpg

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LADY G is pretty good at grazing grass in retention ponds.

 

[JulieAnn42]

We actually have a reel mower like the one above. It is good exercise and I have used it, but it does not cut the grass as well as our Honda. I like our Honda mower because it is easy for me to start and use. Otherwise, go to the hardware store and buy whatever is cheapest, or even an electric mower. We have one of those too. I hate messing with the cord and am always afraid I will run it over.

 

[1sickbastard]

600 sqft?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BRQw5XPlL.jpg

Definitely this^^^^

They can be bought brand new for less than $100, never need gas, electricity or engine maintenance, can be stored in very little space and are pretty decent exercise to use.

One of those with a basic string trimmer are about all you need to keep that postage stamp lawn looking good.

 

[1sickbastard]

We actually have a reel mower like the one above. It is good exercise and I have used it, but it does not cut the grass as well as our Honda. I like our Honda mower because it is easy for me to start and use. Otherwise, go to the hardware store and buy whatever is cheapest, or even an electric mower. We have one of those too. I hate messing with the cord and am always afraid I will run it over.

The key thing (I have one and use it regularly) is to get the blades up to a high rotating speed, so I use a rapid push-pull, push-pull motion.
I've also use a my weed-wacker to cut the tall, thicker stalks the reel mower misses.

For me, it's the low maintenance needs that's the real draw, that an not having to mess with gas, oil, spark plugs, or extension chords (except for the string-trimmer).

 

[MaryanneB]

I love my John Deere riding mower but I have over an acre of lawn.

 

[SweetErika]

We had a push mower when we first moved in, and it sucked. The front lawn has odd dimensions, so I may be totally off on my sqft estimate. It takes about an hour to mow with a non-self-propelled mower if it's not too overgrown, including emptying the bag multiple times. It's also sloped and has some humps and dips, so it takes a good amount of effort to mow.

We also have a 30'x10' lawn/weed situation in back, but my husband will have to get a cheap used mower to store back there (it's like 25 feet up and accessed by either our back deck or like 6 giant rock steps). I'm pretty sure hauling our old mower up and down that didn't do it any favors.

 

[1sickbastard]

We had a push mower when we first moved in, and it sucked. The front lawn has odd dimensions, so I may be totally off on my sqft estimate. It takes about an hour to mow with a non-self-propelled mower if it's not too overgrown, including emptying the bag multiple times. It's also sloped and has some humps and dips, so it takes a good amount of effort to mow.

We also have a 30'x10' lawn/weed situation in back, but my husband will have to get a cheap used mower to store back there (it's like 25 feet up and accessed by either our back deck or like 6 giant rock steps). I'm pretty sure hauling our old mower up and down that didn't do it any favors.

If y'all don't have any HOA requirements to have a lawn, your yards sound like really good candidates to be turned into gardens for flowering shrubs and vines.

 

[FGB]

I have one of these...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_538026-270-...6&UserSearch=538026&productId=50119635&rpp=32

Easy to start... a little strange in the handling, but it will mow the fuck out of a yard!

 

[Que]

The platform/ brand does not matter but get one with a Honda motor on it. They start every time easily and run flawlessly. A yard that side I would avoid self-propelled. one more thing to break. A mulcher is nice. I prefer rear baggers, easier to get into the corners.

Check Craigslist for a used one. If it starts with one pull, the oil looks clean and does not smoke it should give you years of service.

 

[Aphro]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e9/c1/01/e9c1019b41bcb3054fb871730fc11430.jpg

This one.

 

[glynndah]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e9/c1/01/e9c1019b41bcb3054fb871730fc11430.jpg

This one.

I was going to suggest a little goat, but that's much better.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Or you could go the way of the United States Marines...

http://nobacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Hand-Holding-Scissors-2-500x415.png

No power tools for them.

 

[Ozfetishguy]

Our lawnmower bit the dust (it was used when we got it), and our (maybe 600-800 sqft) lawn is getting unruly. We only mow the lawn up to 12 times/year, so I don't need anything that's too heavy duty or expensive, but it still needs to be able to cut an overgrown lawn and I want an exceptional value.

I know pretty much nothing about lawnmowers. Any suggestions on the right specs for the job and/or brands and/or models I should look at? If I can find a really good mower at a great price used, I'm certainly up for that as well.

Whatever mower you get, make sure you don't cut your neighbour's grass

http://www.answers.com/Q/Does_the_phrase_'cut_your_neighbor's_grass'_mean_something

 

[gregor2001us]

If you are not too worried about cost, and have other tools you need, and like electric and cordless, this is an interesting option:

http://www.greenworkstools.com/gmax...less-lawn-mowers/16-inch-cordless-lawn-mower/

I do not have the mower, but I do have the hedge and string trimmer and the leaf blower, all work great and a single battery runs all three with power to spare. So potentially, you could get a number of tools, all running on the same battery, including the mower.

cheers!

 

[ReadyOne]

FYIW -- The WSJ also liked the TB320, and one that stores vertically: the Toro Recycler with SmartStow.

The Most Innovative Cordless and Gas Lawn Mowers

 

[SweetErika]

If you are not too worried about cost, and have other tools you need, and like electric and cordless, this is an interesting option:

http://www.greenworkstools.com/gmax...less-lawn-mowers/16-inch-cordless-lawn-mower/

I do not have the mower, but I do have the hedge and string trimmer and the leaf blower, all work great and a single battery runs all three with power to spare. So potentially, you could get a number of tools, all running on the same battery, including the mower.

cheers!

That's a cool idea, but I AM worried about cost because our mower gets so little use and we already have a fairly new gas weed whacker (we need gas to get through the tall grass/weeds and brush in our backyard). Our neighbor has an older cordless mower that she frequently tames our lawn with (we're gone most of the summer and I can't mow due to allergies and old injuries), and it works great.

FYIW -- The WSJ also liked the TB320, and one that stores vertically: the Toro Recycler with SmartStow.

The Most Innovative Cordless and Gas Lawn Mowers

Great article! I'd love to have that SmartStow feature!

Toro is typically considered to be a pretty good brand, isn't it? I checked our local Craigslist, and it seems to be one of the better bets among lots of Craftsmen and crappy big box store brands. A lot of them have the hose port for washing out the deck and some other useful features.

 

[loveroflove]

I love my John Deere riding mower but I have over an acre of lawn.

hell yea! i have 5, cut about 1-2. up close to my house i use a husquavarna walk behind trimmer