Lawnmower advice needed.

[volvoguy87]

Looked at the Honda today.

That beast is quite heavy. My biggest concern is that it rolls forward easily, but there is significant resistance when pulling it backward. I have to pull the mower backward up short steep hills often. Unless Honda's hydrostatic drive has reverse, that could be a problem. Also, Does the Honda have a limited slip differential? My old Snapper did not and when the hill was too steep, one wheel would spin and the other would do nothing until I gave it a hard shove. How hard is it to get the Honda around a tight curve with the drive engaged and not engaged?

I'm going to look at the Snapper after work tomorrow.

Dave

PS: Turboace, My Volvo is an '87 240 GL. I've had it for 15 years and yes, the AC works! At the end of the month, I'm taking it on the longest road trip it's been on since I got it. Hopefully, it will go well.

 

[washer111]

Off-Topic

There's something "inspirational" I feel about a vehicle having a long life, driving hard miles.

 

Hope all goes well - might be worth making an off-topic posting on the forum of your adventure (After all, a car is a type of appliance, right?)

 

Is the vehicle an auto or stick?

 

[tolivac]

Abandoned home lawns-this would be an ideal job for a Kee mower,or an older style walk behind Gravely walk tractor mower.Any of these can cut like a small Bush Hog.
Cleaning mower chutes----NEVER-NEVER use your hands---use a stick instead-even if the mower isn't running.If by any chance the motor should start from the blade being moved-better it chops into a stick than your fingers or hand.This is especially true if you have a mower that has one of those older style crank spring starters.Sometimes the blade will get jammed by grass or some other thing.You don't want to reach into one of those types of mowers with the starter cocked.The force if it lets go can still chop you and worse if the engine should start.Had one of these-treated it with the same caution as a cocked gun!

 

[volvoguy87]

More research:

I went and saw a Snapper dealer and another dealer who sells many models and battery mowers. I was advised to avoid a battery powered electric mower, given the type and amount of mowing I do. I looked at the Snapper Ninja series with their traditional disk drive system.

The Snapper is lighter than the Honda HRX series, it's easier to pull backwards, and has a cup holder. It's better balanced, and it has superior ergonomics, at least to me. The Honda has a better bagging system that is a whole lot easier to use (I don't bag, however), it's likely of better quality, as well as quieter, and more fuel efficient. The Honda also has a blade clutch, so the engine can run without turning the blade, which is nice but won't make that much of a difference to me.

At this point, I'm leaning toward the Snapper with the OHV 190cc 875 series Briggs & Stratton engine with oil filter and oil pump. It has no primer bulb and no choke, just pull the cord and go. I'm going to try and pick it up on Saturday.

Thoughts?
Dave

 

[turboace]

The blade brake clutch could be a good safety feature mowing on hills in case you fell. It's also fun to freak out neighbors and nice that it doesn't shut down every time you let go of the handle.

 

[combo52]

Mowing a Steep Hillside

Why even consider mowing something that is difficult and possibly dangerous to do. In the front of my home I have a steep hill that is over 100 feet long and at least 15 feet high, it was a PITA to mow and dangerous as well, 30 years ago I just planted it in with azaleas, ground cover etc, now it takes almost no maintenance.

When I bought this home I was 24 years old and it took me about 2 hours to mow the entire yard, now at 60 years of age it takes 20 minutes with a battery push mower.

In life I always try to make the best use of time so I can do more of the things that I want to be doing.

Mowed expanses of grass are horrible environmentally and as an environmentalist I certainly an not going to spend my time and money to do further harm to the environment, the only thing worse than mowed lawns environmentally speaking are paved over areas, LOL.

For the amount of money a NEW mower will cost you could easily pay some local people to tear up the steep hillsides and plant ground cover etc, this would pour much needed money directly into your community. Then you could buy a cheap used [ less than $100 ] mower that will serve the rest of your mowing needs, used mowers are as plentiful as used washers, dryers, DWs etc in this country.

 

[volvoguy87]

Landscaping.

I would like to plant some sedum on the steepest parts of the front yard as part of my landscaping plan. Unfortunately, I must wait until renovations on the exterior of my house are finished so the landscaping I'd like to do doesn't get trampled or smothered by construction crews and/or equipment, materials, and debris. I have hated mowing the steep front areas as long as I've owned the house and have wanted to eliminate the grass on the steepest sections.

Dave

 

[volvoguy87]

I picked up my new Snapper Ninja this morning.

Here it is at the shop while my payment was being processed:

I ended up not getting the bag (and getting a slight discount) because I still have my old bag from my stolen mower.

It has the 190cc Briggs & Stratton engine in the 875 Pro series, with an oil filter. It starts on one pull, without a choke or primer bulb.

 

[volvoguy87]

Giving it a stress test.

After I got it home, I mowed my lawn. Here it is mid-way through mowing Elginkid's lawn a few blocks away from my house. I'm also mowing the lawn of the abandoned house next door. The grass is thick, tall, and wet. Did I mention I'm MULCHING the clippings?

 

[volvoguy87]

It gets my vote of approval.

3 yards of tall,thick, wet grass, all of it being mulched. The mower never stalled, never hesitated, and cut through all of it like butter. It's not the most sophisticated mower on the market, but it does what I want it to and I am satisfied.
Dave

 

[circlew]

Hey Dave, glad you got your new mower, and like it.

Where did you purchase it? The place looks like one I went to with a friend a few years ago.

 

[volvoguy87]

Dewar's / Don's Hobby Shop.

I bought it from Dewar's Equipment aka Don's Hobby Shop on Glenway Ave. across the street from Price Hill Chili. It's a funky little shop selling model trains, bicycle parts, and several brands of lawn-care equipment. They know their mowers, however, and are very nice to work with.

Dave

 

[iheartmaytag]

Good choice

The 8.75 is the engine I have on my new Hi-Vac.  My old one only has a 3.5.  Makes a world of difference when mulching.  The Ninja blade does a great job with the clippings.

 

Hope you have many years of good use.   Hope you bought a lock?

 

[sudsmaster]

Dave,

Don't for get to hose off the underside of the deck after each mowing session. The deck will last longer and cut better.

 

[mayguy]

Glad yo like the Snapper.. I love mine, and as you said, it's simple, and starts on the first pull.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Enjoy the Snapper

May you use it in good health. Also remember to change the oil after the first 2 hours of use. The engine will last much longer if you do.
WK78

 

[jamiel]

Very slightly off topic, Friday I had a short window to get the lawn mowed. It's a 25 minute job with a gas mower (35 with a hand reel mower) so small yard. First time of the season, but I've traditionally had trouble with the mower (a used Snapper of indeterminate vintage)...seems no matter what I did I could never get the mower started every year...always had to take it in to the dealer for a $75 service...just thought it was the way of the world :O Anyway, I'd picked up a quart of the "Craftsman 4 cycle motor fuel" at KMart earlier this season to try it (literally might finish the quart this year...can I repeat I don't have much mowing to do...). Poured it in and da** if the mower didn't start on the first pull---a couple pumps of the primer bulb and off I went. I'd already asked the neighbor to borrow his until I could get the mower to the dealer. Livin' large!

 

[volvoguy87]

Mower Fuel.

I do my best to maintain my equipment. When I bought a new engine and rebuilt my old Snapper, the Briggs & Stratton engine had a fuel cap with a provision for a self-dispensing capsule of fuel stabilizer. I used it faithfully, and even after sitting all winter, the mower always started. I'm using the same thing now on the new engine. I've got one or two more mowings to do, then I shall change the oil.

Dave

 

[circlew]

Dewar's - went there a few years ago with my friend Jake when he was getting a part for his mower. I'll have to stop in there next time I have time when in that area.