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#16
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On Thu, 29 Sep 2005 13:05:07 GMT, G wrote:
I have about .4 acres to mow. Originally I was looking I"m leaving the rest of the post. I thought you said 4 acres. This is why most people write 0.4 acres, because you don't know what my monitor or room light is like or how good my vision is, etc. There are lots of typos on the net, and if there seems to be an extra space between t and 4, no one will think that is strange. Most of what I wrote is fully applicable to the smaller lawn you have. at self-propelled, but have been convinced by a long- time mower friend (this is my 1st house and I've NEVER mowed before), that a push-model is good enough. That ROTFLOL. I thought the choice would be between self-propelled and riding. In JHS and HS, we had about 1/3 of an acrre, counting where the house was. With a self-propelled mower**, it took 90 minutes for the front lawn and 90 for the back. If we figure you'll go twice as fast as I did, that will be 18 hours to mow the lawn. **Admittledly I kept the engine running slowly and that made this model proceed quite slowly. They do make self-propelled with one throttle for the engine and a separate one for the speed the mower travels. I don't think they are common though, they probably all have big engines (see below) and the maximum mower speed at any given time is I'm sure limited by where you set the engine speed. AFAIK, It is better to have the front wheels driven than the rear. I had to shift to neutral all the time to pull the mower away from the trees etc. With front drive, push down on the handle and the rear wheels move freely while the front is off the ground, ass uming no one is in front of you to get hit by stones or sticks or pine cones. Seriously, it's immoral to injure someone this way, and these days you'll be liable, and you have to make looking the automatic first step all the time. Otherwise you'll forget to look on the infrequent occaions someone is there. the more complex a mower (i.e. Propel vs. push), the more things can go wrong, We had a Moto-mower. I think the transmission did break once in the 8 years we lived there. They don't use that style of transmission anymore, but I don't know if the new ones are better or worse. "Transmission" is an overblown word, maybe the wrong word. It was just a clutch, a little box 3 by 3 by 3, with a belt, a pulley , and a couple 45 degree gears and a lever. and I'm 30 & fit so a push should not be an issue. LOL. I was 12 to 18 and fit. My land in Indiana was totally flat. Now that I see you mean point 4 acres, it will be a lot of exercise to push the mower, but I think you can do it. And riding mowers have major problems around obstructions, like others have described. Land is mostly flat, backyard slants up about 30 degrees. Thirty degrees!!!!! You don't think it will be hard to push on that! BTW, if it is really 30, you have to go sideways, not up, and they say not even down. I think, or the mower will fall over ON you. Even if you go sideways on the hill itself, somewhere you will be pushing your mower up that hill, over and over.. If I were you, I would absolutely borrow your neighbor's mower before I bought anything***. I think you have no idea of what this will be like. If he won't let you mow your lawn (unlikely) offer to mow part of his. ***It's a good way to get to know your neighbor. But don't mow near the rock garden or any place else you might hurt the blade. Just leave that stuff for next time. It's a bad way to get to know your neighbor if the first thing you do is nick his blade, or worse. When you are mowing one swath, you can keep your eyes on the next swath to see if there are any rocks that you're going to hit next time. Not necessary most of the time, but probably is the first time you mow the lawn. There are kids around here, and I keep finding white stones that are used in a bush or flower bed. It comes and goes but sometimes I keep finding them in my yard. If he has a riding mower (likely) keep going down the street until you find someone with a push mower. If he thinks he can win an ally in the push mower brigade, he'll readily lend you his mower, because he thinks he's smarter and stronger than those with riding mowers. He may well be, but you should make sure in advance that you want to be like him. Obviously, electric not an option. After looking at Consumers Reports and reading a lot of stuff in general, I'm considering the Craftsman 38886. It's a push, large-rear wheels, with mulching & rear- The larger rear wheels mean nothing on really flat land (whether level or not). They are there to help you go over rough land, curbs, etc. The same reason a bicycle can handle ridges and bumps bagging. And you're going to bag too! Do you realize how many loads there are in 4 acres? 50? Just a guess. I predict with a wlaking mower you will never finish, even the first time. I never bag. it's good fertilizer I wish I could find out if it is ball-bearing or not (I'll go this weekend to look at it and hopefully the salepeerson would know....we'll see....is there any way to tell myself?) Any opinions on Craftsman push mulching/rear-bagging mowers, specifially the 38886? Oh yea, it's B&S 6.5hp Does it have a throttle? 6.5 make a lot of noise, for no good reason unless you're trying to mow a baby forest. Even 3 HP make too much noise to run at full speed. You can run most engines, especially big ones, at half throtte, even in the spring, and still mow the lawn fine, including mulching. 1/3 throttle would be enough when the weather has been dry. IF it has a throttle. BTW, when I didn't have a "mulching mower" I duct-taped a business size envelope over the grass opening and voila, a mulching mower. I only did this in the fall when I wanted to mulch the leaves. It worked fine. I would think every engine, especially on lawn mowers, would have a throttle, and they used to, but lately not all do. I have a mower with no throttle coontrol but seemingly a place to connect one. I also have a Craftsman with no trottle and NOWHERE to connect one. I may keep it for its other features and wear earplugs, but I'm very unhappy about this lack. Also 6HP engines weigh more, and that will matter a lot when you are pushing the mower. A couple years ago I had one push mower that didn't start, but I borrowed one from a friend, and 've been keeping my eyes open and I've found 4 mowers in the trash. 3 looked brand new, although one of those was made in 1978. Some are 6 or 6.5HP and some 3.5 I have to lift one side to get it up on the cement slab where I store it during the summer, and with some of them, I can just twist the handle and the right side goes up. Others are so heavy I can't do it and I'm afraid I'll bend the handle. I have to go up to the side of the engine, bend down and lift it up, and push it on the slab at the same time. No big deal, but it would be if I had to push the thing everywhwere. Thanks a ton, trying not to make a bad decision considering I've never owned a mower before, and I figure a $220 Craftsman is better than spending $700 on a Honda HRX217HXA now that I have mortgage payments... I buy alsmost everything second-hand. Your house was second-hand, right? Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also. |
#17
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"G" wrote in message k.net... I have about .4 acres to mow. Originally I was looking at self-propelled, but have been convinced by a long- time mower friend (this is my 1st house and I've NEVER mowed before), that a push-model is good enough. That the more complex a mower (i.e. Propel vs. push), the more things can go wrong, and I'm 30 & fit so a push should not be an issue. Land is mostly flat, backyard slants up about 30 degrees. Obviously, electric not an option. After looking at Consumers Reports and reading a lot of stuff in general, I'm considering the Craftsman 38886. It's a push, large-rear wheels, with mulching & rear- bagging. I wish I could find out if it is ball-bearing or not (I'll go this weekend to look at it and hopefully the salepeerson would know....we'll see....is there any way to tell myself?) Any opinions on Craftsman push mulching/rear-bagging mowers, specifially the 38886? Oh yea, it's B&S 6.5hp Thanks a ton, trying not to make a bad decision considering I've never owned a mower before, and I figure a $220 Craftsman is better than spending $700 on a Honda HRX217HXA now that I have mortgage payments... I have a 20" Craftsman Eagle mulching mower. It's about 15 years old. Parts are available from any small engine repair shop or home improvement center. Like the Eveready bunny, it keeps going and going. I've replaced the wheels, starter cord, filters, plug, and had some carburetor work done on it last year. Still runs fine. The only problem with Craftsman mowers are that they're built from several suppliers (MTD, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler) and the parts they use this year may change in the future. For 0.4 acres, if you're only going to mulch with it, a push mower would be suitable. However, if you're going to bag the clippings, consider a self-propelled, especially for the incline (30 degrees? - steep). Those bag changes get pretty tiring after awhile. |
#18
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
On Thu, 29 Sep 2005 13:05:07 GMT, G wrote:
Any opinions on Craftsman push mulching/rear-bagging mowers, specifially the 38886? Oh yea, it's B&S 6.5hp For some reason, I have had absolutely terrible luck with Sears Craftsman lawn mowers... and yet I keep going back because they are the least expensive (when on sale) and I am not rich. This last time... after my 2 season old Sears Craftsman side discharge with a 4.5 HP B&S engine cracked its block (no, I didn't hit anything) and started leaking oil everywhere... I bought another Sears Craftsman like you have described but with the 5.5 HP Honda engine. I really thought the Honda engine would make a difference, but all I got was an insane level of vibration (hand blisters every time I use it) and terrible, terrible performance, especially when mulching. I have complained and brought it back to Sears twice with no satisfaction. They would not give me a refund. All they would do is rebalance or replace the blade, but its obvious that was never the problem. I am so disgusted with Sears I could scream. If I ever buy another Craftsman lawn mower, someone... anyone... please shoot me and put me out of my misery! :-( Jake |
#19
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
I'm not sure who is making mowers sold by Sears under the Craftsman name
now. Sears cares little about the quality of the Lawn Mowers and other items itsticks the name Craftsman on these days. They will milk the Craftsman name until everybody finally realizes it is no different than the cheap throwaways available at Walmart, Lowes. Home Depot, etc. You have to look at every aspect of the mower you anticipate buying. Even John Deere Mowers are mostly manufactured by whoever will meet John Deere's price point of the WalMart marketing philosophy clones. John Deere still manufactures all of its John deere labeled Commercial mowers, I believe. Briggs bought Simplicity, Snapper and a number of others. The who owns what has changed so much, in the last 3 years, I cannot remember just who is manufacturing what and for who. Thanks to Wal Mart there is not much American Made Quality left out there. |
#20
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 22:25:11 -0600, tightwad wrote:
I'm not sure who is making mowers sold by Sears under the Craftsman name now. Sears cares little about the quality of the Lawn Mowers and other items itsticks the name Craftsman on these days. They will milk the Craftsman name until everybody finally realizes it is no different than the cheap throwaways available at Walmart, Lowes. Home Depot, etc. You have to look at every aspect of the mower you anticipate buying. Even John Deere Mowers are mostly manufactured by whoever will meet John Deere's price point of the WalMart marketing philosophy clones. John Deere still manufactures all of its John deere labeled Commercial mowers, I believe. Briggs bought Simplicity, Snapper and a number of others. The who owns what has changed so much, in the last 3 years, I cannot remember just who is manufacturing what and for who. Thanks to Wal Mart there is not much American Made Quality left out there. I hear you loud and clear. But where does one turn today who is not filthy rich? Which line(s) of lawn mowers and lawn/garden tractors are truly designed and built to last without going $$$commercial$$$ ? Or did I just answer my own question? I thought that Honda engine was the answer to all my past Sears Craftsman woes. It was not. While it hasn't failed to start or started leaking oil or exploded yet... the performance is absolutely abysmal and the vibration is nothing short of astonishing. I just shake my head every time I use it. :-( Jake |
#21
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
Tightwad hit the nail right on the head. WalMart has run all the good
little companies out of our area. Sears has gone downhill so bad it is terable. But as for the Honda Motor, If Sears won't do anything I think I would contact Honda. The Honda Co really stands behind the products with that name on it. After you contact Honda Sears might change there mind. From Mel & Donnie in Bluebird Valley |
#22
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
Dixie Chopper is making a Residential Model now. It costs some bucks but
it is made to last. It even has a stainless steel deck to stop the rust out problem. I am lucky in the fact the factory is only 20 miles from me and there is dealers everywhere around here. From Mel & Donnie in Bluebird Valley |
#23
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
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#24
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
G wrote:
I have about .4 acres to mow. Originally I was looking at self-propelled, but have been convinced by a long- time mower friend (this is my 1st house and I've NEVER mowed before), that a push-model is good enough. That the more complex a mower (i.e. Propel vs. push), the more things can go wrong, and I'm 30 & fit so a push should not be an issue. Land is mostly flat, backyard slants up about 30 degrees. Obviously, electric not an option. After looking at Consumers Reports and reading a lot of stuff in general, I'm considering the Craftsman 38886. It's a push, large-rear wheels, with mulching & rear- bagging. I wish I could find out if it is ball-bearing or not (I'll go this weekend to look at it and hopefully the salepeerson would know....we'll see....is there any way to tell myself?) Any opinions on Craftsman push mulching/rear-bagging mowers, specifially the 38886? Oh yea, it's B&S 6.5hp Thanks a ton, trying not to make a bad decision considering I've never owned a mower before, and I figure a $220 Craftsman is better than spending $700 on a Honda HRX217HXA now that I have mortgage payments... Consider your mower a long term investment and purchase the best you can afford at the moment. Craftsman also make mowers that are Honda powered. Honda power is definitely better that B&S. |
#25
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:53:18 -0500, Joe Canuck
wrote: Consider your mower a long term investment and purchase the best you can afford at the moment. Craftsman also make mowers that are Honda powered. Honda power is definitely better that B&S. Joe - I am experiencing extremely high vibration levels... felt back through the handle and with audible/visual handle chatter... with my new Sears Craftsman lawn mower with the 5.5 HP Honda engine. Can you shed any light on this? After two lengthy visits back to their shop, Sears insists there is nothing currently wrong with it and will not let me try out a different one or give me a refund. So much for buyer satisfaction. Is it normal for Honda engines to cause handle vibrations so sever that you get blisters pushing it for 30 minutes? I have owned many lawn mowers in my life, most of them from Sears I am sorry to say, but nothing that came close to vibrating and causing blisters like this. Any ideas? Thanks in advance, Jake |
#26
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
Joe Canuck wrote: Consider your mower a long term investment and purchase the best you can afford at the moment. Craftsman also make mowers that are Honda powered. Honda power is definitely better that B&S. I would look at mowers for long term use in this order: all honda (fairly expensive, but worth it) John Deere Cheaper model with a honda engine. Going any cheaper might give you grief later, but most people have not used a good mower to know how much better they are new not to mention 5 years later. You get what you pay for. Kirb |
#27
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
Jake H. wrote:
On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:53:18 -0500, Joe Canuck wrote: Consider your mower a long term investment and purchase the best you can afford at the moment. Craftsman also make mowers that are Honda powered. Honda power is definitely better that B&S. Joe - I am experiencing extremely high vibration levels... felt back through the handle and with audible/visual handle chatter... with my new Sears Craftsman lawn mower with the 5.5 HP Honda engine. Can you shed any light on this? After two lengthy visits back to their shop, Sears insists there is nothing currently wrong with it and will not let me try out a different one or give me a refund. So much for buyer satisfaction. Is it normal for Honda engines to cause handle vibrations so sever that you get blisters pushing it for 30 minutes? I have owned many lawn mowers in my life, most of them from Sears I am sorry to say, but nothing that came close to vibrating and causing blisters like this. Any ideas? Thanks in advance, Jake Definitely not normal. Was it like this new? Take it back and be firm & polite while insisting they rectify the issue. If no satisfaction, return it for your money. |
#28
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
Jake H. wrote:
On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:53:18 -0500, Joe Canuck wrote: Consider your mower a long term investment and purchase the best you can afford at the moment. Craftsman also make mowers that are Honda powered. Honda power is definitely better that B&S. Joe - I am experiencing extremely high vibration levels... felt back through the handle and with audible/visual handle chatter... with my new Sears Craftsman lawn mower with the 5.5 HP Honda engine. Can you shed any light on this? After two lengthy visits back to their shop, Sears insists there is nothing currently wrong with it and will not let me try out a different one or give me a refund. So much for buyer satisfaction. Is it normal for Honda engines to cause handle vibrations so sever that you get blisters pushing it for 30 minutes? I have owned many lawn mowers in my life, most of them from Sears I am sorry to say, but nothing that came close to vibrating and causing blisters like this. Check the bolts that hold on the motor. Twice (over 17 years) I've found the motor on my tractor was being held by about 2 bolts! |
#29
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:04:19 -0500, Joe Canuck
wrote: Definitely not normal. Was it like this new? It was like this since day one... or, more specifically, on the first day I started it up and ran it. And no, I never hit any rocks! There was not a single ding visible on the blade. I could hardly believe how bad it was. I always thought Honda engines were supposed to be so smooth! Take it back and be firm & polite while insisting they rectify the issue. If no satisfaction, return it for your money. I have returned it twice so far. My apparent mistake was not demanding a refund immediately and allowing them to tinker with it... twice... for more than 5 weeks (elapsed time) each visit. I honestly thought they would fix the damn thing. They obviously didn't. After the second service, they took the position that the mower was running normally and that there was nothing more they could (or would) do for me. At that point I demanded a refund, but they said no way after so many months (5 months to be exact at that point) even though over two months were spent in their shop and it had been run by me a grand total of 4 times. Oddly enough, the only scratches on it at that time were scratches put there by the Sears repair folks. No joke. Jake |
#30
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Craftsman lawnmower opinions?
On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:38:26 -0500, Stubby
wrote: Check the bolts that hold on the motor. Twice (over 17 years) I've found the motor on my tractor was being held by about 2 bolts! I will do that! Thanks for the tip! Jake |
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