The demise of the $100.00 lawn mower

[Geoff]

Now that I'm a suburban drone again, I need a freakin' lawn mower. I figured I could go down to the local discount store and buy a push mower with a Briggs & Stratton and no bag or self-propel features for $100.00. The price was a stunning $175.00. I'm of the school of thought that I can buy and discard 3 or 4 cheapo lawn mowers for less than it would cost me to buy a gold-plated Honda, pay for service on it when it breaks or when I forget to drain the fuel in the fall, and eventually give up on it 10 years from now. My yard is tiny. I don't need much in the way of a mower.

Looking around on the internet, I can find a 22" Craftsman 18 miles away at a Sears Outlet for $119.00 or buy the same thing at the Sears or a KMart 4 miles away for $30.00 more. KMart also has a Yard Machines for $129.00.

 

[drjeff]

I have what I call my "disposable" push mower that I use for around plant beds/trees/etc where my tractor/power bagger can't get too. Bought the most basic MTD/Yard Machines mower at Walmart 20" cutting width, 3.5hp Briggs & Stratton engine, pull start - as I remember it was about $140/$150 when i bought my most recent one - I got 5 years out of the 1st one, with the only maintenance I did was just fill up the gas tank and add some oil every now and then (didn't even drain the tank for the winter months - probably why I "only" got 5 years out of it :dunce: )

Bought the same thing 2nd time around and it's now on it's 4th season - this time I'm actually doing some winterizing off it and it runs as smooth as it did the day it came out of the box. FYI, it gets used once a week April - November, and by the time I've finished using it for all the trimming/edging in my yard it's been running for about 30 - 35 minutes and almost a tank of gas - so it gets a fair amount of use

My hunch is the Kmart Yard Machines one you mentioned Geoff is basically the same one that I have - simple, basic, dependable

 

[Marc]

I used to get all my pushmowers at the dump or yardsales for free or less than $10.

 

[wa-loaf]

I have a 22" push mower from Lowes with a Brigs and Stratton engine. I bought it for $150 2 years ago, you can have it for $50 if you want to pick it up. Only lightly used for 2 years. I think it's a 5hp. Might need an oil change but runs fine.

 

[hammer]

I spent more for my pushmower but it was my primary lawn cutting tool at the time. With the size of my lawn it's nice to have one that's self-propelled, but if this one dies on me I'd go with a HD/Lowes special.

I owned a Honda self-propelled push mower a number of years back. Initially it was nice (ran smooth and always easy to start) but the transmission lasted only a few years before it started to slip. Not worth the additional $$ IMO.

 

[ctenidae]

Have an HD special of some description, Works as well as the WalMart specials we had as a kid, so I don't really have a good comparison. One thing I've noticed is the lack of a side chute sucks- the bag fills up really fast (plus, where are you supposed to dump the clippings?) but without a side chute, you can't not use the bag.

 

[wa-loaf]

Have an HD special of some description, Works as well as the WalMart specials we had as a kid, so I don't really have a good comparison. One thing I've noticed is the lack of a side chute sucks- the bag fills up really fast (plus, where are you supposed to dump the clippings?) but without a side chute, you can't not use the bag.

If you can close the chute, it probably is a mulching mower. As long as you don't let the lawn get too long the idea is it just chops everything up small enough the clippings fall back onto the lawn and helps to fertilize.

 

[Talisman]

The $100 lawn mower still exists during the end of Summer sale. The yard sale or share shed at the dump may get you through the season until the Fall sale. Briggs & Stratton engines are easy to work on and many 'junk' lawn mowers need a new fly wheel key, spark plug or other easy repair.

Since you live in Cow Hampshah, have you considered a grazing animal for your yard? They aren't just for companionship any more.

 

[Mapnut]

Looking around on the internet, I can find a 22" Craftsman 18 miles away at a Sears Outlet for $119.00 or buy the same thing at the Sears or a KMart 4 miles away for $30.00 more. KMart also has a Yard Machines for $129.00.

I have that Craftsman, I think $119 is about what I paid for it. It's a good mower, light and never fails to start. My previous one was similar and it lasted 12 years with no maintenance whatsoever.

 

[Geoff]

The $100 lawn mower still exists during the end of Summer sale. The yard sale or share shed at the dump may get you through the season until the Fall sale. Briggs & Stratton engines are easy to work on and many 'junk' lawn mowers need a new fly wheel key, spark plug or other easy repair.

Since you live in Cow Hampshah, have you considered a grazing animal for your yard? They aren't just for companionship any more.

I'm now a Masshole for the summer. ...and I'd have a serious problem if I waited until the End of Summer Sale.

 

[ctenidae]

If you can close the chute, it probably is a mulching mower. As long as you don't let the lawn get too long the idea is it just chops everything up small enough the clippings fall back onto the lawn and helps to fertilize.

That's what I thought. Only, for $150, it doesn't so much "mulch" as "gum" the clippings, packing them tightly around the inside of the deck.

 

[Marc]

That's what I thought. Only, for $150, it doesn't so much "mulch" as "gum" the clippings, packing them tightly around the inside of the deck.

You're not supposed to mow the lawn in the rain, you know.

 

[wa-loaf]

I'm now a Masshole for the summer. ...and I'd have a serious problem if I waited until the End of Summer Sale.

$50 easy pick-up off of 495 on your way between VT and Dartmouth ...

 

[ctenidae]

You're not supposed to mow the lawn in the rain, you know.

But, that's the only time there's not something more fun to be doing outside.

 

[Glenn]

I bought a "Poulon" last year at WalMart for the VT lawn. I call it the "Wal-Mow". It's got a 3.5 or 3.75 briggs. I'm so used to HP figures on lawn equipment; the cc stuff baffles me unless we're talking ATVs.

Anyways, the thing chugs along just fine. The only thing you have to watch on those Briggs 3.5/3.75 Is the tank is mounted to the carb...that sometimes gets a bit loose, air gets in, and the mower will studder a bit. A quick tightening with a phillips head takes care of it.

 

[ta&idaho]

Here you go: and a penny to spare. :grin:

 

[Black Phantom]

I'm now a Masshole for the summer. ...and I'd have a serious problem if I waited until the End of Summer Sale.

Why not hire a Groundskeeper???

 

[Geoff]

Why not hire a Groundskeeper???

I was thinking about having the French Maid do it.

 

[bigbog]

......... I'm of the school of thought that I can buy and discard 3 or 4 cheapo lawn mowers for less than it would cost me to buy a gold-plated Honda...

HA!...funny how you mentioned the auto Geoff. The top line John Deere tractor parked outside local HomeDepot's front entranceway is ~$250+/- below the price of my then-new 73' Toyota Corolla...~$3,400+/-....are those days gone or what..($350 = comprehensive coverage..upper NYS)...maybe hydrogen or some other fuel might bring back better days for driving.
Given as sometimes chincy as store-brands often get, my (Sears)Craftsman push with bag(best to have)..with a drivetrain is going strong on its 7th year. Just a worn drivetrain belt in year ~5 but an easy order. Not crazy about the rather short cutting surfaces on the blades(~5") but never a problem.

 

[Black Phantom]

I was thinking about having the French Maid do it.

I am sure she can be cross-trained.