Best reasonably priced push mower?

XJsavage

XJsavage

CounterCulture
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Location
Lyle's Ford SC
Short story long, I've had one or three pushers, ran over one accidentally with my Jeep, the others were sort of "loaners" from neighbor's that say if I can get it running, I can use it, but immediately want it back when they hear it has a pulse again.
To cut my yard takes longer with a weed eater than anything so lately I've done just that but it takes upwards of four hours start to finish. I got a free Murray riding lawnmower that I can get back running with the repairs needed I would have substantial time and money invested and the reality is, a rider is almost useless at my place.
Looking to buy a decent pusher and would like to know what to look for.
 
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orange150 said:
I bought a simple push mower from Lowes 12 years ago with a Honda engine. It lives outside uncovered, I’ve never changed the oil in it, a squirrel chewed the gas cap, I use it like a 22” bush hog. No signs of stopping yet.
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I think I have the same one. $175 at Lowe's like 10 years ago. All I do is keep gas in the tank and it cranks second pull without fail.
 
local home depot has a rental tool department, picked up a retired and well used Honda push mower for $165 and it's the best money i've ever spent on a lawn mower. been sitting outside since returning home from hurricane florence, started on 1st pull earlier this month
 
Cheapest one at Lowe's with a Honda engine. The warranty on the engine is handled by the local Honda motorcycle/ATV dealership if they carry Honda power equipment. Doubt you'll need any warranty work on the engine though other than a possible recall or two. Just don't let it sit long enough for the carb to gum up and it will run a long, long time.
 
I use a 32 year old Honda push mower, still starts first pull every time.
 
untchabl said:
Cheapest one at Lowe's with a Honda engine. The warranty on the engine is handled by the local Honda motorcycle/ATV dealership if they carry Honda power equipment. Doubt you'll need any warranty work on the engine though other than a possible recall or two. Just don't let it sit long enough for the carb to gum up and it will run a long, long time.
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I'm a fan of Honda for sure.
 
I bought a Honda self propelled off of offer-up, TONS of mowers on there, I hate to low ball....but supply and demand.

The honda mower is great, starts with the easiest of pulls. I did toss in some fresh oil, a new plug, and a new filter....but that is just how I roll.

Mowers are pretty basic, I went with Honda, because a honda motor is a premium option on almost every other mower on the market, might as well buy one that only comes with the honda motor.

The mulch/cut blade on the honda is a bit odd and has to be broken into two pieces to sharpen. If I had to do it again, I would look for one with the front wheels as the propelled wheels, and not the rear (easier to lift the front end up and make a 180 turn without fighting the drive wheel mechanism, even when disengaged)
 
I think the Hona motor horse has been beaten to death, but I'll throw on another whack for good measure.
Few years ago a neighbor gave me an old Honda that has been sitting awhile. I just cleaned out the carb, it started up and has run great since. Never changed the oil or done anything. Literally abused and put away wet.

awheelterd said:
Cheapest big rear wheel you can find. Big wheel > self propelled
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No, self propelled AND big wheels (mine has big front too, that's really convenient when you gotta drag it backwards and drop it on top of a bunch of weeds, or drive over stepping stones etc)
I don't know why anybody would not have big wheels.
 
I'll 2nd the self propel is going to give you problems way before the engine. I'd keep a check on craigslist, with so many people running e10 gas in small engines. I have seen a bunch with the ad stating doesn't run bought a new one, when all it needs is a simple carb cleaning. Thats how i got the one i have, like a 400 dollar push mower for 25 bucks bc it didn't run and the owner was tired of spending money on it. 30 min and some carb cleaner, starts on 2nd pull.
 
I’m still running the same troy-bilt I bought at Lowe’s when I bought my first house in 2002. Only work I’ve ever done to it is change the blade and change the drive belt. It might still be the original spark plug, I don’t remember.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
What's a push mower?
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its that thing we used to use to raise money as kids, before the Internet ruined everything.
You know, it's operated by sweat and stained tennis shoes.
 
Even Walmart has some cheap Murry's. My Wally has the pushers inside. I think there are 2 sizes, & I remember the one that looked like 22", being $184. As per sitting & gumming up, be Sure to run Non Ethanol gas! If it's stored for winter, run it out of gas with a small mixture of 2 cycle oil. Helps keep things from sticking.
 
rodney eppes said:
As per sitting & gumming up, be Sure to run Non Ethanol gas! If it's stored for winter, run it out of gas with a small mixture of 2 cycle oil. Helps keep things from sticking.
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My shitty old Simplicity riding mower has a small leak somewhere. Not enough to actually leak, but juuuust enough that after sitting more than a few days, it has to be primed at the carb.
Conveniently, this has saved me from never having to rebuild the carb each spring when I forget to purge it in the fall, b/c all the gas has evaporated out of it anyway...
 
Heh, I also just remembered, I never put an air filter in that freebie Honda I got a couple years ago. So it's been wide open since then.
They really are tough little buggers.
 
Pro tip. Most Lowe’s when they take a mower back in on return send them out to service and they are brought back every week or every other week. Most have less than an hour on them. It happens a lot someone buys a push mower takes it home realize they should HAve got a rider and return it. I got a brand new mower never had gas in it for 100.
Talk to the inside lawn and garden guys and see if your Lowe’s does it.


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Loganwayne said:
Pro tip. Most Lowe’s when they take a mower back in on return send them out to service and they are brought back every week or every other week. Most have less than an hour on them. It happens a lot someone buys a push mower takes it home realize they should HAve got a rider and return it. I got a brand new mower never had gas in it for 100.
Talk to the inside lawn and garden guys and see if your Lowe’s does it.


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Great Tip! One I had forgotten. Got a new chainsaw that way once. Guy told me some folks cut 1 or 2 limbs, & return the saw, claiming it's bad. Also, you can get some Manager Deals, near the end of the season, when they want them Gone!
 
rodney eppes said:
Great Tip! One I had forgotten. Got a new chainsaw that way once. Guy told me some folks cut 1 or 2 limbs, & return the saw, claiming it's bad. Also, you can get some Manager Deals, near the end of the season, when they want them Gone!
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Lowe’s also marks all their “sales” stuff by color. Either red or yellow is clearance non stock stuff. Basically they are changing brands, styles or something along that line. Ask to talk to department manager and be willing to buy it all even if you don’t need it and you can get stuff CHEAP when they switched to craftsman stuff I got like ten sets of tools for 35 bucks Total and they were 85 at full cost


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I lent put my push mower, the person i lent to denies they had it.. Briggs, simple and nearly as reliable as a Honda. The decks usually rot out before the motors give up. I hardly ever used it except as a man operated bush hog. Sharp blades make them easier to push. Gasoline, kerosene, & match or glyphosate work great to cut down on mowing/edging also. Pump sprayer with a valve stem to fill air works great (pump quit)
 
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