Toro's are great, but take a look at Honda too. I got one about 3 years ago and it has been great. You control the self propelled speed with your thumbs on the handle (sounds weird but it works well) and yes, the blade can be disengaged with the engine running. It has consistently started easily and mowed/mulched well since I have had it. It wasn't cheap but it had all the features I wanted including the ability to easily fold the handle for storage and easy starting.
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Jim
64sedan_at_gmail.com -
Agreed on the Honda's too. I haven't had the opportunity to push one - but I'm guessing that the thumb drive system could be a work-around on any existing patents TORO might have had. For what it's worth, I had the opportunity to provide design assistance on a Honda mower design about 10 years back. So....it says to me that they don't skimp on development or quality - it's in the DNA of the company.
Honda spends the right amount of time on figuring out the human factors for their equipment (I own a Honda tiller, and Honda powered pressure washer).
Their engines are top-notch from my experience. My little 4-cycle tiller has broken ground on many of my friends new gardens - took a little longer than the 'behemoth' tillers, but I can carry this one in one hand.
TORO or Honda, it's a tough call. If you have the opportunity to take a 'test-push' with both brands, that's probably the best way to choose what you might prefer.............Comment
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If you're getting talked into a Toro, there's good reason.
I bought my dad the Toro Personal Pace mower about 5-7 years ago as a gift. I've used it a couple times and really liked it. My dad loves it. He's got bad knees and a large yard with hills and it works great for him.
A few years ago I needed a new mower and had just sold a house to a guy who worked for Husqvarna. He hooked me up with one of the top walk behind Husqvarna lawn mowers for about $275-300 if I remember correctly. It retailed for $500 I think.
The Husqvarna is REALLY good. It's got a Honda engine and I've done nothing to maintain it except change oil once a year and it's been great. It's a beast. BUT, it's no Toro Personal Pace.
The Husqvarna has a trigger you pull. Holding this trigger can get a little tiring (I'm not a wimp, but it's just like clamping anything for an hour or more with your hand), and there is a problem with the trigger setup. If you pull the trigger too hard, the mower speeds up. If you can't keep up with it, it causes you to pull back on the trigger even more as the mower runs from you ...causing a snow ball effect. It's minor ....and takes some getting used to....but it's not as good as the Toro.
If I had the budget and could buy any walk behind out there, even though I like my Husqvarna and wouldn't talk anyone out of it, I would go with the Toro.F#$@ no good piece of S#$% piece of #$@#% #@$#% #$@#$ wood! Dang. - Me woodworkingComment
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Sounds like a powered reel mower my dad had when I was young. The front grass was like the stuff on a golf course, so he got a reel mower for it, but it wasn't one of the front bagger types. It had two speeds; walk fast and run. It also didn't have a safety cutoff like mowers now. I tried it once and it ended up halfway down the block with me chasing after it.ErikComment
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I had a Honda. Best mower I've ever had. I ended up getting a zero turn, otherwise I'd still be using it. Easiest start ever----no priming, just move the lever to choke and aways started on 1 pull. Also, my neighbor had a Toro but I'm not sure which model, I know it was in the last year and was the personal pace. There was nothing wrong with it, but I can tell you the cut quality was ok, but not nearly as good as the Honda. The twin blades on the Honda make mulching a snap.
If you've ever had a Honda small engine, you'd understand.Comment
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I have to agree the Honda motors are awesome.. My Honda Pressure washer is 11 years old and still starts with only 2-3 pulls after sitting all winter. After it's been primed for the season it's usually good to go with 1 pull.
If you are a Honda motor fan you can get a Toro with Honda power.
If budget is an issue aww if your dealer sells used.
Ours takes in Toro mowers in trade, services and re-sells em..
My Personal Pace is a 2010 Briggs 3 in 1 model I got used for $190 from the dealer.William's Law--
There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it
cannot be solved by brute strength and ignorance.Comment
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The Toro propulsion system is hands down the best I have ever used. It matches your gait without you even realizing it and it can't get away from you. I've had mine, with a B&S motor, for 5 or 6 years now without any problems.
No priming or even setting the choke. Just one pull and you are mowing. Even my wife can start it with one pull, and that is saying something. I was in a hurry when I bought it and didn't want to wait to order one with the Honda motor. At the time I was a little worried but it has performed quite solidly.Comment
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Not a walk behind, just a John Deere Rider.
Dated 1992, model LX178, 38" cut, 13HP Kawasaki liquid cooled engine.
We've used this little lawn tractor for the 3 years we've been managing this RV park.
I've pulled 750-1000 lb logs with it and had no problem.
It starts every day and mows about 1 1/2 acres when we mow.
It uses less fuel than our JD 737 ZTrac, and worn out 4 sets of tires with it.
We have a cart that we pull around, rated for 900lbs. I changed the tires/wheels and the bearings, It now hauls over 1500 pounds of green white oak regularly while we are getting rid of some oak trees, Elm trees and even an old Black walnut.
All of this goes to the burn pile unless I can find someone who wants fire wood.
Anybody want some free wood in Central Texas? Bring a truck, trailer and a chainsaw! LOL.Comment
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http://www.snapper.com/push-mowers/Commercial%20Mowers/ , Last mower you'll ever buy and prolly anyone it might be handed down too for the next 25-30 yrs. Hands down the best made lawnmower in the biz ,If you can find one used even better,but they are very hard to come by even new sometimes depending on the season, Oh yea and made here in the states.
FWIW I had one of these for over 25 yrs used daily in the biz and saw it hit the pavement at 65 m.p.h out on the interstate and all it got was a bent axle, Show me a Toro or Honda that'll take that and I might consider buying one, but till they pass that test this mower is still the king
Last edited by tommyt654; 08-16-2012, 07:40 PM.Comment
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My Toro doesn't typically start first pull. But my odds are a lot better if I tap the dust out of my air filter. It seems to clog much more quickly than any other mower I have owned. Then it starts harder and eventually will stop running. So now I know to take it off and clean it when it starts taking 3 or 4 pulls to start.
JimComment
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I worked on Honda mowers for many years and can testify to their durability.
If I were in the market for a new mower I would go with a Honda Hydrostatic model such as the HRX217.Comment
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Like Motor said he's worked on Honda's for many years and they do make a great engine,unfortunately thats where it ends. A great way to determine which mower you really want to buy is to go to a general lawn maintenance /mower shop and don't buy the ones you see the most of sitting in the repair shop or out front,90% of the time they will be Honda mowers as well as the cheaper lower end brand names of mowers you can buy at Walmart,Home Depot,Lowes, Sears,etc. You won't however see many Snappers as they rarely if ever break. Just my 2 cents and the end of my opinion on this matter,FWIW.Comment
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