Mowers

[live4golf]

Narrowed the search down to 4....

Toro http://www.toro.com.au/product/personal-pace-self-propelled-recycler-20332c?c3=walk-power-mowers&c4=22-56cm-recycler-1

Honda http://powerequipment.honda.com.au/Domestic/HRR216VYU
Honda http://powerequipment.honda.com.au/Premium_Domestic/HRX217HYU

Husqvarna http://www.husqvarna.com/au/products/lawn-mowers/lc-19ap/

Any experience/thoughts?

[Steve57]

I have had a Honda residential mower for around 15 years now and it hasn't missed a beat.
From memory I paid around $650 new back then so the self propelled one for $799 looks to be good value to me.
When I bought ours I was advised to get one with a Briggs & Stratton 4 stroke motor so I did and have not regretted it one bit.
Starts first time every time.

[oldracer]

Narrowed the search down to 4....

Toro http://www.toro.com.au/product/personal-pace-self-propelled-recycler-20332c?c3=walk-power-mowers&c4=22-56cm-recycler-1

Honda http://powerequipment.honda.com.au/Domestic/HRR216VYU
Honda http://powerequipment.honda.com.au/Premium_Domestic/HRX217HYU

Husqvarna http://www.husqvarna.com/au/products/lawn-mowers/lc-19ap/

Any experience/thoughts?what's the area??? flat, hilly??

[markTHEblake]

let the missus choose, after all she is gunna be the one pushing it.

[990B Luva]

How much lawn do you have to mow? I've got a Few Hondas (commercial use) and haven't had an unexpected drama. The worst is a cable snapped after about 500hrs use.

[spanner039]

Kills me to say it as a Toro man but the hondas are the way to go, you don't need the upmarket one it will last you forever

Wouldn't bother with the orange thing

[Ferrins]

I have sold my Honda 196D and 197D in favour of my 216's. Both are driven by 3 gears and one has a safety clutch brake. Never had any problems with the commercial mowers and purchased all second hand off private sellers. Paid $500 for the 196D that had been used by a short lived mowing contractor and sold it after 4 years for $575. Try doing that with a golf driver!

[goughy]

My mate raves about his Honda.

[Ferrins]

Having said all that I still use an old Victa 4 sroke that I bought not running for $20. New spark plug and cleaned out the carbie and Bob's your uncle.

[AlexMc]

If you are thinking Honda, take a look at John Deere. Self-propelled for $200 less than the Honda equivalent...

[hardboiled]

If you are thinking Honda, take a look at John Deere. Self-propelled for $200 less than the Honda equivalent...
That's what I did and bought a John Deere Js38.
Have regretted ever since.
Doesn't cut well with wet grass and has constant issues with the spark plug.
Wish I had poneyed up for the Honda.

[Ferrins]

Honda's don't like wet grass clogs up the catcher real fast.

[Scifisicko]

Bought a 2 year old Honda off a Jim's mowing guy that had been hammered. It's still mighty 10 years later. I've had it serviced twice by a Honda dealer for about $120. It mows a lot of lawn. Starts first pull every time. Same thing with the petrol trimmer.

[spanner039]

Honda's don't like wet grass clogs up the catcher real fast.

And they arnt going to change the new versions, the three year old ones that dont clog up command bid $$$$ 2nd hand

[spanner039]

That's what I did and bought a John Deere Js38.
Have regretted ever since.
Doesn't cut well with wet grass and has constant issues with the spark plug.
Wish I had poneyed up for the Honda.

WTF, You did what????????

[thecollective]

based on the feedback I have had from a number of pro gardeners - do not go anywhere near a Toro - they are not designed for Australian backyard conditions.

TC

[spanner039]

based on the feedback I have had from a number of pro gardeners - do not go anywhere near a Toro - they are not designed for Australian backyard conditions.

TC

Que awkward silence

[PeteyD]

:D

I bought a second hand victa tornado, has a 190cc B & S. Works good for our little block. Replaced a Viking Mulcher that I had for 12 years.

[live4golf]

based on the feedback I have had from a number of pro gardeners - do not go anywhere near a Toro - they are not designed for Australian backyard conditions.

TC

Did you get any more feedback? - Seems an odd comment that our backyards are so different to US ones that their mower would not work.

[live4golf]

Had a look at the JD, not going to go that way. The Husky is out, between Toro and Honda. The Honda looks a bit too plasticky but I do like the twin blade system and the blade safety feature. Toro has a washport and side chute...might just buy a goat

[spanner039]

The personal pace is a good machine as for no good for Australia? its the same here as it is there and if that were the case id be out of business, most contractors go the Honda though, for no special reason but they have there issues as well.

What prices have you been quoted?

Your in Brisbane? yes

[live4golf]

The personal pace is a good machine as for no good for Australia? its the same here as it is there and if that were the case id be out of business, most contractors go the Honda though, for no special reason but they have there issues as well.

What prices have you been quoted?

Your in Brisbane? yes

In Sydney. Just going off the price listed, Toro - $749, Honda - $779

How do you go with the Toro not being able to rev down or idle when emptying the catcher? - Do you need to stop and start it everytime you step away?

[TheNuclearOne]

Just pay someone, this guy is good apparently

http://s2.postimg.org/ovgx014u1/jeff_fahey_the_lawnmower_man_1992.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[live4golf]

Just pay someone, this guy is good apparently

http://s2.postimg.org/ovgx014u1/jeff_fahey_the_lawnmower_man_1992.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Let me know when you untie him from your bed

[TheNuclearOne]

You don't recognise him? Some older members may.

[backintheswing]

Shadesy?

[PeteyD]

Ha. Don't have to be that old do you?

[TheNuclearOne]

Ha. Don't have to be that old do you?

I wouldn't have thought so but L4G didn't recognise it i reckon.

Glad someone did :D

[spanner039]

In Sydney. Just going off the price listed, Toro - $749, Honda - $779

How do you go with the Toro not being able to rev down or idle when emptying the catcher? - Do you need to stop and start it everytime you step away?

Gee thats a great price on the Toro RRP is $848.00!!! i havnt found an issue with the revs, you just release the cutter bar handle the blades will stop but the engine will still run.

[live4golf]

Gee thats a great price on the Toro RRP is $848.00!!! i havnt found an issue with the revs, you just release the cutter bar handle the blades will stop but the engine will still run.

Ohh, that's cool.

http://www.stihlshoprutherford.com.au/gardeningequipment/lawnmowers/toro-walk-power-mowers-20332c.html

I am reading this right aren't I? - same one for 749?

[spanner039]

Ohh, that's cool.

http://www.stihlshoprutherford.com.au/gardeningequipment/lawnmowers/toro-walk-power-mowers-20332c.html

I am reading this right aren't I? - same one for 749?

Yes its the same one (20332C) - really good price.

[thecollective]

Did you get any more feedback? - Seems an odd comment that our backyards are so different to US ones that their mower would not work.

Rang him to obtain more information.

Issue was with the older Recycler models (20066 was quoted) stated that the model had an issue with the starter motor and clogging in the recycler. Toro's apparently don't like steep blocks and shut off in steep terrain. He moved to selling Victa models and since has never looked back. Got sick of ongoing maintenance with repairs and recalls.

Noted buying a Toro is like purchasing an Alfa Romeo - good machine but high maintenance. Apparently the cloth catcher bags ain't too flash either - messy and leaves a trail on your lawn.

TC

[spanner039]

Rang him to obtain more information.

Issue was with the older Recycler models (20066 was quoted) stated that the model had an issue with the starter motor and clogging in the recycler. Toro's apparently don't like steep blocks and shut off in steep terrain. He moved to selling Victa models and since has never looked back. Got sick of ongoing maintenance with repairs and recalls.

Noted buying a Toro is like purchasing an Alfa Romeo - good machine but high maintenance. Apparently the cloth catcher bags ain't too flash either - messy and leaves a trail on your lawn.

TC

They stopped making them (the 20066) in 2008

[mrbluu]

They stopped making them (the 20066) in 2008

so exactly like alfa's ???

[thecollective]

spanner039: sounds to me like Toro has addressed these issues in the newer models. Perhaps you could shed some light on the history?

TC

[spanner039]

spanner039: sounds to me like Toro has addressed these issues in the newer models. Perhaps you could shed some light on the history?

TC

Not much to add the older versions were crap until 2010, they realigned the brand more to a global audience that don't tolerate shit like the Americans do. Toro is fricken huge in the US domestic and commercial market to get more exposure in a global sense, they have been very strong in there acquisitions - being it either smaller and sometimes large company's to take advantage of there technology instead of just trying to do a poor mans copy.

In the commercial world (my bit) in golf its something like 90% of the market is Toro, its not worth it and almost impossible to get it to 95% so more time and money is being spent on the the development of consumer products.

[thecollective]

Spanner: I know they dominate the commercial golfing market - but like you said breaking that technology down to the consumer backyard lawn market is a difficult kettle of fish to manage. I was in the market for a Toro a few years ago but got put off by a mixture of online reviews, advice from retailers and a funny american youtube video clip (I will have to dig out the link and post it).

TC

[thecollective]

Here tis


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4r55_EODHk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4r55_EODHk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4r55_EODHk)

[spanner039]

I've seen those online reviews a lot are not to flattering and went a long way into realigning the product into something better.

However there is no way the general punter is going to spend 10k - 15k on a hand mower like what turf guys do, they (Toro) have there cheap models that are sold in Bunnings that i think are being phased out cause they in the end were hurting the brand, and will be replaced with other brandings that exist within the Toro empire.

Really there is only so much evolution in consumer mowers one can do, really they haven't changed since the first Victa.

[spanner039]

Here tis


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4r55_EODHk

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4r55_EODHk)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4r55_EODHk






Nice!!!

[davepuppies]

I almost bought a toro a couple of years ago, but read way to many bad reviews.

I don't think the quality is as good in their resi range as commercial.

I bought a mas port with a Briggs and Stratton motor, and have been thrilled with my decsion

[Steve]

I have one of these with twin catchers

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzU2WDc1Ng==/z/CwMAAOSw0t9U2BL5/$_12.JPG

[mrbluu]

I have one of these with twin catchers

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzU2WDc1Ng==/z/CwMAAOSw0t9U2BL5/$_12.JPG

I didn't think your lawn was that big???

[Steve]

you aint seen the back yard and the block :)

And Puked knees

[spanner039]

I bought a mas port with a Briggs and Stratton motor, and have been thrilled with my decsion

Great choice!!!!!

The presidents are really, really good

and if you wanted something that wasn't self propelled this is a great mower!!!

http://www.dawnmowers.com.au/residential/lawn-mowers/masport-president-3500st-combo/

(http://www.dawnmowers.com.au/residential/lawn-mowers/masport-president-3500st-combo/)blatent plug

[spanner039]

I have one of these with twin catchers

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzU2WDc1Ng==/z/CwMAAOSw0t9U2BL5/$_12.JPG

Nice but i prefer these

http://www.dawnmowers.com.au/commercial/toro-groundsmaster-series/toro-groundsmaster-5900-5910/

[AlexMc]

That's what I did and bought a John Deere Js38. Have regretted ever since. Doesn't cut well with wet grass and has constant issues with the spark plug. Wish I had poneyed up for the Honda.I've had mine for 3 years - yup, doesn't like wet grass but not many mowers do. Has never missed a beat, has a B&S engine too. A mates parents owns a mower shop that sells both Honda and JD and they told me to save the extra cash and go with JD. No regrets here...

[mrbluu]

Why are u guys (non commercial) mowing wet grass for???? If it has rained or looks like its about to rain then its another job I can put off and go and play golf!!!!