Before my hip surgery, I couldn't mow my yard (had a small push mower) so I have had a young man mow it for me all last year and this year so far. Now that I am up and mobile, I'm looking at getting a good self propelled push mower or possibly a small riding lawn mower, been looking at a rear engine 30" cut model at Sears and Wal-Mart. Heck, might even get both. With the size of my yard I really don't need a riding mower, but, it gives me the option of not having to push it if my hip is bothering me, I'm pushed for time and need to get it done quicker, can also do the neighbors yard as she seems to have a hard time with it sometimes, etc.

 

Anybody have any suggestions on what to look at? Anyone have any experience on the "variable speed" self propelled push mowers? Anybody have a small rear engine model rider?

I would avoid John Deere push mowers based on my own experiences with their products.

Probably just me, but I can't stand self-propelled.

Probably just me, but I can't stand self-propelled.

 

Had a Craftsman self propelled several years ago...inherited it from my girlfriend. Was terribly slow, so slow I couldn't use the self propelled feature. But, it was heavier than Lawnboys FedEx truck, so it would flat wear you out when you mowed without using it. Hated it. However, talking to the guy at Sears, the new self propelled models with the variable speed he says will go about as fast or slow as you want. Don't seem nearly as heavy and bulky either.

Get a zero turn.

I would avoid John Deere push mowers based on my own experiences with their products.

 

Ive had my John Deere Self Propelled Push Mower for over 20 years, still purrs like a kitten.

Ive had my John Deere Self Propelled Push Mower for over 20 years, still purrs like a kitten.

 

Mine purrs like a kitten that's been shot and caught in a bear trap.

Get a zero turn.

 

WAAAAAYYYYYY too big for my yard, and even the cheapest new ones are way more than I want to spend. Can get a small riding and a self propelled push for less than I can the most inexpensive Zero turn. Kid that cuts my grass now does it with a zero turn...just too big and doesn't really do a very good job on the yard.

WAAAAAYYYYYY too big for my yard, and even the cheapest new ones are way more than I want to spend. Can get a small riding and a self propelled push for less than I can the most inexpensive Zero turn. Kid that cuts my grass now does it with a zero turn...just too big and doesn't really do a very good job on the yard.

 

They make a few zero turn mowers that are like "regular" riding mowers. But zero turns are definitely more expensive.

They make a few zero turn mowers that are like "regular" riding mowers. But zero turns are definitely more expensive.

 

I've looked at getting one of the "residential" zero turns. As was mentioned, they are still pretty expensive, and reviews on almost all of them are spotty on reliability. My yard has a few trees, a fence line and other obstacles that will require a bunch of trimming, so a zero turn would be a neccessity. I'd probably invest in a good self propelled for a medium sized yard. Nice self propelled mowers will run you $500-$600 or more. I have a Toro that works very well. Honda makes nice mowers too. Previously I had a Cub Cadet that I paid very good money for. It was a problem from day one, and spent more time in the shop than any other mechanical item I've ever had.

In case your interested in waiting, next spring there will be low cost zero turns hitting the market. I'm guessing in the $1000-$1200 range but that is a complete guess. I assume they will also be smaller.

 

In terms of low cost lawn tractors, there isn't really any difference except the color and name. They are all primarily made by the same 2-3 companies. They pretty much all have the same motors and drive trains.

 

Low cost push mowers are pretty much in the same boat.

Don't get a Cub Cadet; my dad has one the self propel has went out on. My brother has the same one as Dad got it for him when he moved in his house, and he's had problems also.

Once upon a time I would have said get a Snapper or Toro, but now a days they're all pretty much the same.

 

B&S 10.5 or 11.5 motor

28-30" cut.

 

The only one that I have heard everybody hate is the weedeater one.

 

If you want a small one, I saw this on Craigslist.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/grd/5108126842.html

Once upon a time I would have said get a Snapper or Toro, but now a days they're all pretty much the same.

 

B&S 10.5 or 11.5 motor

28-30" cut.

 

The only one that I have heard everybody hate is the weedeater one.

 

If you want a small one, I saw this on Craigslist.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/grd/5108126842.html

 

Yep, that's the style I'm looking at for sure, but probably going to stick with new rather than buying used.

How large is the area you mow? 1/2 acre and down, I recommend a wide walk behind. 1 acre or greater I definitely recommend some kind of rider to reduce the mowing time. A zero turn of course is the ultimate choice, but they are ~5 times the cost of a lawn tractor. With a rider, the key is to invest in a mower that reduces the time you are mowing. If you get too small a rider, you aren't saving time...but too large, then too expensive and maneuverability can be compromised.

 

From 1/2 to 1 acre, it is up to how much time you have and how much exercise you want. OR, you have a teenager in the house.