Hello, I'm presently in the market for a self propel and am considering the
following models:

CUB CADET SRC621 (Lowes) - Intrigued by the caster wheels, like the Kawasaki
engine, 6 speed transmission, larger bag than some. Negative is difficult
oil changes.

HUSQVARNA 5521CHV (Lowes) - Like the Honda engine, large rear wheels (have
some rough spots in one corner of the yard).

TORO 20031 (Home Depot) - I like the electric start, 22" deck, fast top
end propel speed (sometimes I jog with the mower along the straight aways).

HONDA HRX217TDA (Home Depot) - Actually my 1st choice, as It appears to
perform well in all areas and I'm intrigued at the idea of mulching and
bagging at the same time. There have been a few times I had wished I could
do that. Big negative is it's EXPENSIVE!

CRAFTSMAN 37779 - Like the Honda engine, ball bearing wheels, single wheel
adjuster.

I'm leaning towards the Toro as it seems to offer the best balance of
features for the price. Data I
would like to know, but have been unable to find:
How quiet is the engine on each of these mowers?
How do they compare in mulching and bagging performance? (Consumer reports
rates the Honda & the Cub Cadet the best among those I've selected for
mulching, and all about equal for bagging).
General ease of use.
If you own or have used these mowers, how did you like them?

Thanks for the advice!
Craig

Forgot to add the following:
My yard is flat, about 0.4 acre, relatively few obstructions (at this time,
but my wife has me planting more every year! :-) ).
Craig

"Craig" wrote in message
...
Hello, I'm presently in the market for a self propel and am considering
the
following models:

CUB CADET SRC621 (Lowes) - Intrigued by the caster wheels, like the
Kawasaki
engine, 6 speed transmission, larger bag than some. Negative is difficult
oil changes.

HUSQVARNA 5521CHV (Lowes) - Like the Honda engine, large rear wheels (have
some rough spots in one corner of the yard).

TORO 20031 (Home Depot) - I like the electric start, 22" deck, fast
top
end propel speed (sometimes I jog with the mower along the straight
aways).

HONDA HRX217TDA (Home Depot) - Actually my 1st choice, as It appears to
perform well in all areas and I'm intrigued at the idea of mulching and
bagging at the same time. There have been a few times I had wished I
could
do that. Big negative is it's EXPENSIVE!

CRAFTSMAN 37779 - Like the Honda engine, ball bearing wheels, single wheel
adjuster.

I'm leaning towards the Toro as it seems to offer the best balance of
features for the price. Data I
would like to know, but have been unable to find:
How quiet is the engine on each of these mowers?
How do they compare in mulching and bagging performance? (Consumer reports
rates the Honda & the Cub Cadet the best among those I've selected for
mulching, and all about equal for bagging).
General ease of use.
If you own or have used these mowers, how did you like them?

Thanks for the advice!
Craig

Craig wrote:
Forgot to add the following:
My yard is flat, about 0.4 acre, relatively few obstructions (at this
time,
but my wife has me planting more every year! :-) ).

Don't think of them as obstructions. Think of them as lower maintenance
than the lawn they replace.

As far as an opinion on any of the mowers listed, I have none. But if
those obstructions are resulting in tight areas, and frequent turning,
big rear wheels, or pivoting front wheels may be something to consider.
It doesn't take much to push a mulching mower in straight lines on an
even grade, and self-propelled helps with those medium grades, but if
you have lots of corners and tight spots, you need maneuverability.

Also keep in mind that self-propelled mowers are heavier, so if you have
lots of corners and tight places, but no grades to speak of,
self-propelled may be a feature that hinders more than it helps.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: Electric and cordless power tools for the garden:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blac...ker/index.html

"Craig" wrote:

Hello, I'm presently in the market for a self propel and am considering the
following models:

-snip-
HONDA HRX217TDA (Home Depot) - Actually my 1st choice, as It appears to
perform well in all areas and I'm intrigued at the idea of mulching and
bagging at the same time. There have been a few times I had wished I could
do that. Big negative is it's EXPENSIVE!

I don't know much about mowers, but this spring I asked my neighbor, a
small engine mechanic who works in a shop that sells mostly Toro &
John Deere stuff to keep his eyes open for a trade-in rear bagger for
me for $100-150. He showed up in a couple weeks with a 2 yr old
Honda. "I can get $350 for these all week long." says he, but he
gave me this one for $150. At the time I didn't think it was
really that great a deal--- Come on 'A plastic mower?'-- but I know
my neighbor & I figured I was probably also getting a lifetime
warranty with the thing. [He's the kind of guy that will hear my
mower/trimmer/chainsaw running & show up with a couple screwdrivers &
say 'Hey, let me tune that thing up for you.' Sometimes he even
brings his own beers over.]

But now I'm a believer---

-snip-
How quiet is the engine on each of these mowers?

Whisper quiet-- I didn't know an infernal combustion engine could be
so quiet.

How do they compare in mulching and bagging performance? (Consumer reports
rates the Honda & the Cub Cadet the best among those I've selected for
mulching, and all about equal for bagging).

My only comparison on this lawn is with a Craftsman rider, so the
Honda wins hands down. It even handles semi-wet grass handily. I
just cut damp 3" grass down to 1" & didn't see so much as a blade
sticking to my sneakers.

General ease of use.

It starts with 1/2 a pull of the cord. Switches from rear-bagger to
mulcher in 10 seconds. There are 2 forward speeds but I've
only ever used the fast one. It did take me a while to learn that
you release the clutch & free-wheel on the corners to keep from
spinning the rear tires.


If you own or have used these mowers, how did you like them?

Before I had this thing I couldn't imagine paying $6-700 for a walk
behind mower-- now I can. [though I like my $150 one betterg]

Jim

"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
My yard is flat, about 0.4 acre, relatively few obstructions (at this
time,
but my wife has me planting more every year! :-) ).

With that size yard, have you considered the battery powered electrics?
No pollution, quieter, no fire hazard, etc.. And they do come self-
propelled, although that obviously uses up the battery power quicker.

Who makes a rechargeable self-propelled mower? That sounds exactly like
what my mother needs.

How about one of those self-guided robots that toddles around the garden
going "zip" when it moves & "bop" when it stops & "whirr" when it stands
still, all the while killing slugs, then uses dead slugs for fuel to keep
rollin' & killin' slugs. I hope there'll be a Japanese movie version,
Slimegiant vs Mechaslugbot.

-paghat the ratgirl

Slugbot articles:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1542588.stm
http://news.com.com/Robot+eats+slugs+to+generate+power/2110-1040_3-276967.html
http://hardware.silicon.com/pdas/0,39024643,11029900,00.htm
http://www.robotbooks.com/robotic-slugs.htm
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,39020381,2100781,00.htm

--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
Visit the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com

My former neighbor thought his Honda was a gift from heaven. From my point
of view, I noticed that no matter how long or damp the grass was, his mower
always managed to mulch perfectly, without leaving clumps of wet grass. I'll
be buying one shortly.

"Craig" wrote in message
...
Hello, I'm presently in the market for a self propel and am considering
the
following models:

CUB CADET SRC621 (Lowes) - Intrigued by the caster wheels, like the
Kawasaki
engine, 6 speed transmission, larger bag than some. Negative is difficult
oil changes.

HUSQVARNA 5521CHV (Lowes) - Like the Honda engine, large rear wheels (have
some rough spots in one corner of the yard).

TORO 20031 (Home Depot) - I like the electric start, 22" deck, fast
top
end propel speed (sometimes I jog with the mower along the straight
aways).

HONDA HRX217TDA (Home Depot) - Actually my 1st choice, as It appears to
perform well in all areas and I'm intrigued at the idea of mulching and
bagging at the same time. There have been a few times I had wished I
could
do that. Big negative is it's EXPENSIVE!

CRAFTSMAN 37779 - Like the Honda engine, ball bearing wheels, single wheel
adjuster.

I'm leaning towards the Toro as it seems to offer the best balance of
features for the price. Data I
would like to know, but have been unable to find:
How quiet is the engine on each of these mowers?
How do they compare in mulching and bagging performance? (Consumer reports
rates the Honda & the Cub Cadet the best among those I've selected for
mulching, and all about equal for bagging).
General ease of use.
If you own or have used these mowers, how did you like them?

Thanks for the advice!
Craig

"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...

"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
...

With that size yard, have you considered the battery powered
electrics?
No pollution, quieter, no fire hazard, etc.. And they do come self-
propelled, although that obviously uses up the battery power quicker.

Who makes a rechargeable self-propelled mower? That sounds exactly like
what my mother needs.

Assuming you're in the US, I've seen them at Sears, DeWalt, and now and
then at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.. Do a Google.

I'm in the market for a mower so I have been to every major store in the
area including all you have mentioned. There are plenty of electric mowers.
Some are cordless. I have never seen an electric mower that is
self-propelled. The Sears website doesn't show one. A google search only
bring us the robotic mowers like the Toro iMow when specifying cordless self
propelled mowers.

I own one of these and really like it. It is not self propelled, but it is
lighter and pushes much like a baby buggy.

http://www.countryhomeproducts.com/T...ome&LinkType=3


I'm leaning towards the Toro as it seems to offer the best balance of
features for the price. Data I
would like to know, but have been unable to find:
How quiet is the engine on each of these mowers?
How do they compare in mulching and bagging performance? (Consumer reports
rates the Honda & the Cub Cadet the best among those I've selected for
mulching, and all about equal for bagging).
General ease of use.
If you own or have used these mowers, how did you like them?

Thanks for the advice!
Craig

I also have a Neuton, bought it last September, and just had a maintenance
issue with it--I had to get very *ugly* with the folks at Country Home
products to get any assistance with it--there are very few lawn mower repair
places that will service them, and the first technical support rep I spoke
with felt it was *my* job to find someone to fix my machine, and failing
that, attempt to fix the machine myself. I ended up getting a techinical
supervisor involved, and taking the mower to a local repairman who has
repaired my gas powered lawn mowers for years. I'll also add that 3 other
local repair shops flat out refused to even look at the unit. I live in
Hampton Roads Virginia, far from the sticks, and there were only two
*authorized* repair shops within 70 miles of me--in opposite directions, and
one of them very inconvenient for me to get to.

In any case it looks like the mowerblade started coming loose for no
reason--I certainly didn't loosen it myself, I haven't run over anything I
shouldn't have while mowing, and my repairman says he thinks the blade
wasn't tightened down properly at the factory, and came loose over time.
I'll be picking up my mower Monday morning, and we'll see later in the week
if its truly fixed.

I told the technical supervisor that they need to find more authorized
repair shops--especially considering the demographic they're marketing the
product to--middle aged women who may not have the ability/knowhow to do
much equipment maintenance on their own. I shouldn't have to call one
local repair shop after another and *beg* them to fix their product!

Also, since the mower's cut width is relatively narrow (14" wide, I think),
it takes a longer time to mow a lawn than what you might be used to with a
traditional gas powered mower.

Unless you have a small townhouse sized lawn, I suggest that the Neuton is
more of a *backup* mower, best used when you're too tired/sore to use your
gas mower.

My two cents--

Jean in VA

So, although I
"Gemini" wrote in message
...
I own one of these and really like it. It is not self propelled, but it
is
lighter and pushes much like a baby buggy.


http://www.countryhomeproducts.com/T...tonMower2Step&
Chap=CEMModels&SiteEntryMode=1&BC=0%3aHome&LinkTyp e=3


I'm leaning towards the Toro as it seems to offer the best balance of
features for the price. Data I
would like to know, but have been unable to find:
How quiet is the engine on each of these mowers?
How do they compare in mulching and bagging performance? (Consumer
reports
rates the Honda & the Cub Cadet the best among those I've selected for
mulching, and all about equal for bagging).
General ease of use.
If you own or have used these mowers, how did you like them?

Thanks for the advice!
Craig

"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
I'm in the market for a mower so I have been to every major store in the
area including all you have mentioned. There are plenty of electric
mowers.
Some are cordless. I have never seen an electric mower that is
self-propelled. The Sears website doesn't show one.

OK, I stand corrected. It's been a couple of years since I'd looked. I
know they did exist, but after doing my own search I'm convinced they
don't now.

I did find a couple of articles saying that manufacturers had cut back
or discontinued cordless electrics due to low sales. Maybe that's the
answer.

I did find that there are cordless electric *reel* mowers, which I
didn't know :-).


Yes, I found the cordless reel mowers. Very interesting. I also think that
the Toro iMow may be a good solution for my mother. My biggest concern is
that since she is 76 (but in excellent health) that the whole concept of a
robotic mower may be too alien to accept. She has never figured out how to
use the VCR. I replaced her thermostat with touch-screen programmable
digital model. Every time she need to change from the programmed
temperature, she has to call me to get instructions. She has a great
convection oven but is afraid to use the convection feature for some reason.

snipped...

I don't know much about mowers, but this spring I asked my neighbor, a
small engine mechanic who works in a shop that sells mostly Toro &
John Deere stuff to keep his eyes open for a trade-in rear bagger for
me for $100-150. He showed up in a couple weeks with a 2 yr old
Honda. "I can get $350 for these all week long." says he, but he
gave me this one for $150. At the time I didn't think it was
really that great a deal--- Come on 'A plastic mower?'-- but I know
my neighbor & I figured I was probably also getting a lifetime
warranty with the thing. [He's the kind of guy that will hear my
mower/trimmer/chainsaw running & show up with a couple screwdrivers &
say 'Hey, let me tune that thing up for you.' Sometimes he even
brings his own beers over.]

Where do you live? I want to move in next to your neighbor!.. I don't
think mine would dial 911 if they saw me fall from ladder... everyone
minds their own business .. too much so..

Chuck


snipped the rest..

Just an update for the group and those who may have been following this
thread. This past Saturday, we purchased the Toro 20031 (recycler with
electric start). It was a close call between the Cub Cadet and the Toro,
but ultimately price and the ease with which we can lift the handle (to save
space in the garage) won out. Now the bad news. On Sunday, my wife, eager
to see how the new mower felt, said she'd mow the front yard. After she
finished the front yard, I told her I could take over and mow the rest. Her
reply? "No sense in both of us needing a shower...I'll finish." I never
did get to mow, except for a couple of short stripes! :-) The self propel
handles nicely, although when I tried jogging, I found that I could outrun
the self propel mechanism. (Although it is plenty fast for "normal" mow
speeds.) Only real negative is that it does burn more gas than our old
3.5HP push mower. (And the engine noise is noticeably less than the old
mower. Probably not as quiet as the Cub or the Honda, but an improvement
all the same.) On another added note, the self propel allowed us to finish
the 0.4 acre in about 1.5 hours as opposed to the 2 hours it used to take.
Craig