Lawn Mower Choice - Need Help

[ZeeTX]

CHOICE #1

Murray Pro Series 4.75 HP 20" Rear Bag and Mulching Lawn Mower

Murray Pro Series 4.75 HP 20" Rear Bagging, Mulching Lawn Mower has 8" front and rear wheels with 7 position height adjusters and comes with a Four Year Limited Warranty. The mower is fully assembled, simply unfold the handles and tighten 2 wing



Final Price = $260

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CHOICE #2



Final Price = $230

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CHOICE #3



Final Price = $170

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All three choices are spaced exactly $30 apart, which one would you choose ?

[aquariaguy]

Is murray a good brand?

Maybe get something from Home Depot. Or canadian tire..but i heard if you have problems they **** you over.

[blackhawk]

reluctantly for #2 but my choice would be none of them, cheap is cheap

Home Depot for customer service, stay away from CT or HH

I bought a low end John Deere straight push mower with no throttle, just on or off 6 years ago and cut a half acre and its run great the whole time, better than my previous homelite so value wise I'd go JD

[phillbert]

all depends what you need. side discharge gets messy and hard to manouvre. as well, i think you need to buy the bag seperate. thus eliminating any potential savings. i'll go with #2 as i like the option of having the rear bag and mulching. mulching is what i usually leave it at when i mow my lawn. check to see if the engine is a 2 stroke or 4 stroke. one of them needs to have gas and oil mixed, while the other has a tank that holds oil and gas seperately.

[gman]

I choose 1. I use Murray. I bought it from Home Depot 10 years ago and it is still running. Same for my neighbour, same model (I did not know that until years after). His is still working.

I know nothing about MTD but for only $30. I take the one with bigger horse power. You don't want side because it is messy. You don't really care about the bag (unless you have not mowed your lawn for looooooooooong time) because you want to mulche all the time.

[ZeeTX]

reluctantly for #2 but my choice would be none of them, cheap is cheap

Home Depot for customer service, stay away from CT or HH

I bought a low end John Deere straight push mower with no throttle, just on or off 6 years ago and cut a half acre and its run great the whole time, better than my previous homelite so value wise I'd go JD

Where can I get a "low end John Deere straight push mower"..
I have only seen - Murray, MTD/Yardworks, MTD/Tecumseh, Torro and Craftsman/Briggs & Straton - MOWERS at CdnTire, HomeDepot, Walmart and Sears..

[gman]

Where can I get a "low end John Deere straight push mower"..
I have only seen - Murray, MTD/Yardworks, MTD/Tecumseh, Torro and Craftsman/Briggs & Straton - MOWERS at CdnTire, HomeDepot, Walmart and Sears..

The place that specializes in lawn mower. I think there is (or was) one in Markham Rd and Sheppard (south of Sheppard).

[ZeeTX]

You mean - LawnBoy..
Is it not the one that carries serious professional stuff..

How much the "Low cost" (low end John Deere straight push mower) cost would actually be..

[smurfy71]

I think you need to take a closer look at the engines not the mower itself. Most mowers come with a Briggs and Straten engine. These are mass produced cheaply made engines, but can last if properly cared for. I would agree with the previous posters about John Deere or Lawnboy, cost more but last longer.
If you still want an answer to the question, I guess #3, if you are going to throw money away might as well throw the lesser amount.

My 2 cents.

Closest JD dealer to you:
NOBLETON FARM SERVICE LTD
15A FISHERMAN DR., UNIT 18
BRAMPTON ON L7A1B7
Canada
905-846-2511

[ZeeTX]

I think you need to take a closer look at the engines not the mower itself. Most mowers come with a Briggs and Straten engine. These are mass produced cheaply made engines, but can last if properly cared for. ..................

If you still want an answer to the question, I guess #3, if you are going to throw money away might as well throw the lesser amount.

The Difference between the choice#2 and choice#3 is ~ $60. But you get a rear bag, slightly powerful engine and easy/finger height adjustments in choice#2. Hence I want to know that this extra $60 or the cheapest model/choice is not just a throw away.

I have used Tecumseh engine - MTD mower (22" - 4-4.5HP). The engine has a very loud operating noise.
How are the Briggs and Straton engines..?

The same Tecumseh engines on Craftsman mowers have much lower noise than the MTD/Yardworks mowers..? Why is this..? Also I have seen that the air filters for Tecumseh engines are more commonly available (CdnTire, HD) than the Briggs and Straton.. Hence I am in a dilemma..

[biosh]

My strategy is to buy the cheapest Sears lawnmower and just toss it and replace it when it dies. The last one cost me $144 and it's still going strong 6 years later.

Also, I've never had any problem with unbagged side discharge - collecting and discarding clippings robs your lawn of the mulched compost - you just gotta cut often enough in the Spring growth spurt...

(Right now the cheapest one Sears has is $199+tax, though they also list one at $219+tax that has a Briggs & Stratton engine) - however, I would be expecting them to go on sale soon...)

[smurfy71]

The Difference between the choice#2 and choice#3 is ~ $60. But you get a rear bag, slightly powerful engine and easy/finger height adjustments in choice#2. Hence I want to know that this extra $60 or the cheapest model/choice is not just a throw away.

I have used Tecumseh engine - MTD mower (22" - 4-4.5HP). The engine has a very loud operating noise.
How are the Briggs and Straton engines..?

The same Tecumseh engines on Craftsman mowers have much lower noise than the MTD/Yardworks mowers..? Why is this..? Also I have seen that the air filters for Tecumseh engines are more commonly available (CdnTire, HD) than the Briggs and Straton.. Hence I am in a dilemma..

I guess what I am trying to say is B&S is junk. If you have the need for a bagger I guess spend the extra cash. Tecumseh engines are somewhat better but still a cheaply made engine. I would be looking at a 4 stroke engine if you want a quiet longer lasting mower. Plus no oil a gas mixing! I have a JD lawn tractor and a lawnboy push mower. The Lawnboy is about 20 years old an still going, but I just use it to get the spots the tractor can't get.

As for the Craftsman/MTD difference in noise, my guess is that Sears orders a better quality muffler on the engines built for them.

[chinaboy1021]

my concern with the mowers that have the grass bag thing, is where do you empty the grass to?

[gman]

my concern with the mowers that have the grass bag thing, is where do you empty the grass to?

1. you should not bag it but mulch it.
2. if you have to take the excessive clipping off the lawn, dump it to the composter ... if you have one.

[cipher]

Get one of these for $99 at Home Depot. No worries about having to have tune-ups, gasoline, changing the oil...since YOU are the engine.