New mower.

[pat2bear]

Well my old dinosaur Snapper finally gave up the ghost. I'm pretty sure something major in the valve train. It's got other issues as well so trying fix it I think would be a waste. So I'm in the market for a new walk behind. I've been looking at the Troy Built's at Lowes and they come with either Briggs or Honda motors. Anyone have one and got some opinions them or others. Trying to stay at about the $300-$350 range. Thanks!

[wildmanoutdoors]

I bought a Troy Built 3 years ago from Lowes with the one pull start (briggs motor). It has been great with no issues. I got it for 260 as it was a return that went to the service shop for something.

Starts on the first pull, even after sitting all winter.

[KenPCPilot]

I bought a Honda for $525.00 electric start self propelled so even my wife can operated it.  I have a honda in my 12 year old pressure washer that runs like a top.  I last bought a Toro 6 years ago.  for the last year it ran a little rough and it June it just flat blew up.  The Honda has a double blade system so it cuts the blades of grass finer so you do not have to empty the bag as often.  My son really loved this feature as he only has to empty twice and I have a yard that is about 0.5 acres of thick irrigated lawn. 

[Band]

Based on it being a "best buy" by Consumer Reports, I also have a Troy Built, purchased at Lowe's.  It took about 7 years for it to NOT start on the first pull (every single time), and even now, after about 10 years it starts easily (not always on the first pull) and runs like a champ.  I have changed the oil twice and the air filter once in that 10 years.  No reason to pay a lot for a "better" brand in my book.

[pat2bear]

Cool thanks.  Sounds like they are pretty reliable.  Now to just decide whether to get one with a Briggs or Honda. Only ever had Briggs but heard good things about Hondas.

[Buzz2401]

Honda's are always my first choice but I had a toro once and it was a great mower. If I couldn't get a honda the toro would be next in line.

[GrainfedMuley]

Well my old dinosaur Snapper finally gave up the ghost. I'm pretty sure something major in the valve train. It's got other issues as well so trying fix it I think would be a waste. So I'm in the market for a new walk behind. I've been looking at the Troy Built's at Lowes and they come with either Briggs or Honda motors. Anyone have one and got some opinions them or others. Trying to stay at about the $300-$350 range. Thanks!

Troybuilt grass catchers are garbage. I bought a Troybuilt from Lowes a few years ago and the design of the grass catcher sucks, I wore the bottom of the catcher completely out in the first year. I have talked to other Troybuilt owners and they have had the very same problem.

[hntrspud]

We are a Honda and Toro dealer and I can tell you that the Honda is by far a much better option for you in your price range.  If I were you, look at the HRX model of the Honda.  It has a much better bagging and mulch capability, and a longer warranty period. This model has the plastic deck that is unbeatable.  The Toro decks tend to rust through if you don't keep good care of them. The Honda also offers a BBC which allows you to dump the bag without shutting off the mower. If you do decide to get a Toro then at least get a rear wheel drive one. They last a little longer. 

[Band]

Troybuilt grass catchers are garbage. I bought a Troybuilt from Lowes a few years ago and the design of the grass catcher sucks, I wore the bottom of the catcher completely out in the first year. I have talked to other Troybuilt owners and they have had the very same problem.

I'm surprised to hear that.  My grass catcher is in near perfect shape after all these years.

Mine has the Briggs & Stratton motor.  They have an excellent track record, but if it were only a little bit more $ I would likely opt for the honda motor.  They put out top quality stuff.

[Alchase]

I wont buy another if it does not have a Honda four stroke on it.
My Honda is nine years old, replaced a blade
(I had teen age sons that can't seem tell the difference between grass and rocks, I thought maybe the color would give it away)
replaced a wheel, changed the plug and oil every couple of years, still cranks first pull.
The best part, is it is half as loud as the other mowers in my area.

[NRA4LIFE]

Hondas are truly the best engines out there.  That is, until you have to buy parts.  I won't go into the $94 muffler story for my splitter engine.

[thinkingman]

I have a Honda/Craftsman rear-drive that has been fantastic.
Parts like blades probably cost a little more than they should but it's needed nothing else.

[Blacklab]

I use 22in toro runs great 1 or 2 easy pulls self propelled. My only complaint is when the grass is even just a little wet. Makes it a pna, clods real easy and doesn't pick up very  well    .

[pat2bear]

A follow up on this: I decided to go ahead and get the Troy-Bilt at Lowe's. Went in there yesterday after work. I noticed that the display model was gone so I figured they were probably out of stock. It was a dead zone in that dept will no CSR's around and there was actually another guy there looking for help too. After about 15 minutes of wondering around I finally found someone to help me and asked him if they had any of those models in stock. He said they had 4 but they were all in for repairs and they had a used one out front. (which I had already looked at) I told him I wanted a new one because the used one was only $40 off the original price. It's worth the extra 40 bucks to me to just get a new one. So I asked If they were getting anymore in or if I could order one. He said he didn't know it's not his department. I just stood there a moment confused. I said, "Ok??? Soooo.... Your leaving me with no choice but to just go somewhere else." He didn't say anything. So I said ok and left. I was dumbfounded. I was in there to make a purchase and the guy just seemed annoyed and inconvenienced that I was taking up his time. Not everyone at Lowe's is like this because I've had people that were very helpful before but this was by far the worst experience I've ever had. Sorry, I don't want to rant on Lowe's but I've never had a store not want to take my money before. 

[b23]

We are a Honda and Toro dealer and I can tell you that the Honda is by far a much better option for you in your price range.  If I were you, look at the HRX model of the Honda.  It has a much better bagging and mulch capability, and a longer warranty period. This model has the plastic deck that is unbeatable.  The Toro decks tend to rust through if you don't keep good care of them. The Honda also offers a BBC which allows you to dump the bag without shutting off the mower. If you do decide to get a Toro then at least get a rear wheel drive one. They last a little longer.

I still have the Honda commercial walk behind mower my grandparents bought new in spring of 1985.  It was used multiple times per week, all summer long, until 2001 then I only mowed my own lawn 1 time per week until 2012 when I bought a new HRX 217 because I thought it would have better mulching ability.  I still have the old one and don't use it much anymore but when I pull the old girl out of the shop she starts right up.  If my new one lasts as long as that old hand me down 1985 one, I'll be thrilled.  The ONLY thing the old has needed was a new valve.  It broke the top out of the keeper and let the valve drop and smack the top of the piston which bent the valve stem.  I took it apart myself and replaced it, put it back together and used it a few more years till I bought the new one in 2012.  I also had to zip tie the bag around the metal frame on the corners a few years back because they finally wore thru but considering it's the original bag, I figured a could afford a few little zip ties. 

Honda's higher end models are more expensive but the fricken things last forever!