"Neil" wrote in message
...

Hello All:

Just moved into a house after living in an apartment all my life. The
lawn is Bermuda and the total yard is about 4000 sq. ft. It is time to
purchase a lawnmover but the types/models options are sooooooo
confusing. I have never used a lawnmower before.

The neighbor suggested not buying a Rotary mower (because of the
Bermuda grass) but instead going for a reel mower or a high end rotary
mower (not as good though in comparison). I have also been told that
Rotary mowers are the more popular ones used by homeowners. I don't
want to get a riding mower because of lack of storage space.

I have narrowed it down to 2 new Year 2005 self-propelled models: the
Honda HRX and the Toro SR4 20056 (Super Recycler). Both models will
bag, mulch, and side discharge, have a 6.5HP engine and the usual
features such as

Personally I don't mind paying a little more upfront for the machine
but would like it to be sure I get the best one that offers lowest
maintenance in the long run.

Any advice on:
1) reel vs. rotary mowers, and

I've got both. With a properly leveled and smoothed (no holes, no bumps)
yard, the difference between the quality of cut with a reel and a rotary
mower is minimized. With that small of a yard, I'd be tempted to mow with a
manual reel mower, which can be purchased for $100 or so. Sharpen it once a
year and you're good to go unless you like to run over rocks and sticks. It
doesn't need gas or oil and it'll never refuse to start or need a tuneup.
The downside is that you'll need to mow more often, because manual reel
mowers simply can't deal with tall grass.

If you don't want to mow every 4 days, get a rotary mower. I like Honda,
because they *always* start easily and seem to be as reliable as a hammer.


2) deciding between these two models listed above for Bermuda lawn
will be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance

Neil