Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Go Back   Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community > Main Forums > The Off Topic Forum
Register Forum Rules FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 05-07-2012, 10:55 PM   #1
ah123
First Line Centre
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Here
Exp:
Default LF: advice on buying a lawn mower

Since I am now the proud owner of a house with a huge backyard, I need to join all others who spend part of their weekend mowing the lawn

Here's my problem: I know nothing about lawn mowers, and the more I read, the less I understand, so I am turning to the CP collective for advice. Our back yard is huge (relatively speaking), approx 3600 sq feet and has a (seemingly) slight slope.

Any advice what I should and should not be looking for in a lawn mower?
ah123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 10:59 PM   #2
Jacks
Franchise Player
 
Jacks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Exp:
Default

It's probably cheaper and better for the environment to go electric but you can't beat a gas mower for pure convenience. I have a Craftsman 6.5HP mower that goes through anything and fires up on the first pull every spring. If you mow regularly you can take the bag off and mulch, no cord, no bagging cuttings, you're done in 15 minutes.
Jacks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 10:59 PM   #3
#22
Scoring Winger
 
#22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: In the prairies, surrounded by sheep
Exp:
Default

Make sure it has a Honda motor
#22 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to #22 For This Useful Post:
Old 05-07-2012, 11:04 PM   #4
Cowperson
CP Pontiff
 
Cowperson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: A pasture out by Millarville
Exp:
Default

I have a lawn tractor with a 48" deck and it still takes about an hour and 25 minutes to cut the part of the acreage I use as a lawn . . . . .

However, as useful advice, sounds like a self-propelled push mower is something you'd enjoy. They're probably at least twice as expensive as a conventional mower though.

Cowperson
__________________
Dear Lord, help me to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. - Anonymous
Cowperson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:09 PM   #5
zamler
Lifetime Suspension
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Exp:
Default

Unfortunately cordless electric mowers are simply not as good as the gas powered versions, so I say go for a gas mower with a Honda engine.
zamler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:13 PM   #6
MoneyGuy
Franchise Player
 
MoneyGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Exp:
Default

I love my rechargeable mower. It isn't as powerful as a gas mower but the advantages more than make up for it. It's awesome.
MoneyGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:26 PM   #7
Shin Pad
Lifetime Suspension
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by #22 View Post
Make sure it has a Honda motor
I agree
Shin Pad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:33 PM   #8
drhu22
Lifetime Suspension
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Exp:
Default

Best solution is 10? yds of rock
drhu22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-07-2012, 11:57 PM   #9
DownhillGoat
Franchise Player
 
DownhillGoat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Exp:
Default

Gas. Self-propelled. Rear wheel drive.
DownhillGoat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 12:01 AM   #10
Derek Sutton
First Line Centre
 
Derek Sutton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sunnyvale
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MoneyGuy View Post
I love my rechargeable mower. It isn't as powerful as a gas mower but the advantages more than make up for it. It's awesome.
What one do you have? I'm looking for a rechargable elctric mower and my neighboor has the Black and Decker 36v with a 19" blade and really likes it. He said to get one like his, and not to get anything less then a 36v.
__________________
The only thing better then a glass of beer is tea with Ms McGill
Derek Sutton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 12:33 AM   #11
afc wimbledon
Franchise Player
 
afc wimbledon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: east van
Exp:
Default

I have a brit powered self propelled craftsmen I stole from a house about to be demo'd 4 years ago, works fine


afc wimbledon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 01:52 AM   #12
bc-chris
Franchise Player
 
bc-chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kelowna, BC
Exp:
Default

we've got a craftsman 6.5HP briggs & stratton motor.

we've had it for 5 years and it still works great.

it has 'ez walk' - so it's self propelled (rear wheel) and it has another feature that my wife said, 'oh you have to get this model.... then i can mow the lawn!'.... the 'ready start' feature....

you can pull the cord if you want too, but it actually has a 'key' that you turn and it starts right up.

..... yea... she has yet to mow the lawn
__________________
"...and there goes Finger up the middle on Luongo!" - Jim Hughson, Av's vs. 'Nucks
bc-chris is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to bc-chris For This Useful Post:
Old 05-08-2012, 07:34 AM   #13
Rubicant
First Line Centre
 
Rubicant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Peterborough, ON
Exp:
Default

I also am looking at getting a lawnmower, and am leaning towards a cordless electric mower.

Have they progressed at all? I would much prefer to not have a gas powered mower but if the cordless is simply not up to the job I would go with gas.
Rubicant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 07:51 AM   #14
speede5
First Line Centre
 
speede5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Exp:
Default

If you can afford a Honda you will not be disappointed. I had a scott's, with a B&S that worked great for about 6 years and then seized. Probably our fault as I had hit a few rocks over its life and once hit a dirt clump which bent the body into the blade, stopping it dead. (it ran for 3 years after though).

When it died I bought a used Honda (1994 model) 21" self propelled. It is amazing. 1 pull, clutch, bag/mulch, and I am sold on the Honda product. Best mower ever. I have an acreage and it would take me just under 2 hours with this mower and it never skipped a beat.

I now have a JD riding mower (yay, took 3 years before we could afford it), but I keep the Honda for edges and bagging a bit of grass to cover shrubs and keep weeds down.
speede5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 08:06 AM   #15
Hevishot
Scoring Winger
 
Hevishot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

Go buy a Toro!
__________________
Westerner by birth, Canadian by law, Albertan by the grace of God
Hevishot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 08:10 AM   #16
Northendzone
Franchise Player
 
Northendzone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Exp:
Default

I have had a Lawn boy for a couple of years now and it cuts the grass as I expect it to.

As an aside, I am surprised how many guys have self propelled mowers.
Northendzone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 08:18 AM   #17
Nufy
Franchise Player
 
Nufy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Exp:
Default

I'm rocking a Canadian Tire Special with a tecumseh 4 cycle motor...

Going strong for 6-7 years now...

Traded it with my mother in law so she could go electric for her small condo...

The had it for 4 -5 years previous to that...

I Change the oil every year and make sure not to store it with any gas in the system.

Maintenance is the key....
__________________
Nufy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 08:25 AM   #18
speede5
First Line Centre
 
speede5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone View Post
I have had a Lawn boy for a couple of years now and it cuts the grass as I expect it to.

As an aside, I am surprised how many guys have self propelled mowers.
Self proppelled is the only way to go. The bigger the yard the more you want it. Makes the job that much easier. Plus the wife likes it so you don't have to mow as often.
speede5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 08:27 AM   #19
speede5
First Line Centre
 
speede5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nufy View Post
I'm rocking a Canadian Tire Special with a tecumseh 4 cycle motor...

Going strong for 6-7 years now...

Traded it with my mother in law so she could go electric for her small condo...

The had it for 4 -5 years previous to that...

I Change the oil every year and make sure not to store it with any gas in the system.

Maintenance is the key....
Had to read that twice, I was excited for a minute that I could trade my mother in law for a lawnmower. Heck i'd trade my mother in law for a new blade for my lawnmower.
speede5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2012, 08:29 AM   #20
You Need a Thneed
Voted for Kodos
 
You Need a Thneed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone View Post
I have had a Lawn boy for a couple of years now and it cuts the grass as I expect it to.

As an aside, I am surprised how many guys have self propelled mowers.
I have a Lawn Boy Commercial 21" push mower that must be about 18 or more year old now. Starts easily all the time. The thing has a magnesium deck and is so light, that is absolutely no point to it being self propelled. If it had a little bit more power (it only 4.5 HP) it would be the perfect mower.

Last edited by You Need a Thneed; 05-08-2012 at 08:37 AM.
You Need a Thneed is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:14 AM.

Calgary Flames
2024-25




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright Calgarypuck 2021 | See Our Privacy Policy