Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

The place for discussions about mowers, stripers, edgers, weeders, etc.
Post Reply
Bales9er
Posts: 415
Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Location: Western Massachusetts
Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Bales9er » April 18th, 2022, 7:01 pm

I'm in the market for a walk behind mower and looking for suggestions. I know there are a lot of fans of the Honda HRX on here but I need something a little bigger (30+"). Mulching capability is a priority.

User avatar
turf_toes
Posts: 6042
Joined: December 17th, 2008, 8:46 pm
Location: Central NJ
Grass Type: 77% Blueberry/23% Midnight Star KBG in front. Bewitched KBG monostand in back.
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by turf_toes » April 18th, 2022, 9:19 pm

You’ll see a lot of folks suggest a Toro time master.

But if you’re going that large, I’d suggest looking at the commercial Exmark mower.

Bales9er
Posts: 415
Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Location: Western Massachusetts
Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Bales9er » April 19th, 2022, 8:35 pm

Yeah I've seen a lot of the time master recommendations so that's on my list but wanted to see what else is out there too.

edslawn
Posts: 475
Joined: July 2nd, 2019, 9:22 pm
Location: South Central PA
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by edslawn » April 19th, 2022, 9:26 pm

I picked up a toro timemaster last year and love it. The personal pacing is really slick and the cut of great too.

Bales9er
Posts: 415
Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Location: Western Massachusetts
Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Bales9er » April 19th, 2022, 9:52 pm

Have they finally weeded out the engine issues from a few years ago? I remember that was quite a talking point for awhile but I believe was remedied by the 223 cc engine?


edslawn
Posts: 475
Joined: July 2nd, 2019, 9:22 pm
Location: South Central PA
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by edslawn » April 20th, 2022, 7:23 am

I have the larger engine and haven't had any issues. Starts easy and runs well.

Bales9er
Posts: 415
Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Location: Western Massachusetts
Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Bales9er » April 20th, 2022, 7:47 am

Good to know. How about mulching leaves?

Turk
Posts: 116
Joined: February 26th, 2021, 12:51 pm
Location: Annapolis, MD
Grass Type: TTTF
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Turk » April 21st, 2022, 1:08 pm

Bales9er wrote:
April 20th, 2022, 7:47 am
Good to know. How about mulching leaves?
Point about mulching leaves: be sure to keep the gear drive clean after mulching leaves (spray with water or pressurized air). My gear drive on my Toro Super Recycler went out last fall, tech said it was due to mulching leaves turning into fine powder that clogged up and busted the gearing.

edslawn
Posts: 475
Joined: July 2nd, 2019, 9:22 pm
Location: South Central PA
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by edslawn » April 21st, 2022, 1:21 pm

Bales9er wrote:
April 20th, 2022, 7:47 am
Good to know. How about mulching leaves?
Works great for mulching. My backyard is surrounded by 70-90' hardwoods and tends to have soft ground, so I avoid the garden tractor and use the Toro instead. I used it pretty hard this past fall and had no problems with power or level of pulverization.

User avatar
turf_toes
Posts: 6042
Joined: December 17th, 2008, 8:46 pm
Location: Central NJ
Grass Type: 77% Blueberry/23% Midnight Star KBG in front. Bewitched KBG monostand in back.
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by turf_toes » April 21st, 2022, 3:25 pm

Turk wrote:
April 21st, 2022, 1:08 pm
Bales9er wrote:
April 20th, 2022, 7:47 am
Good to know. How about mulching leaves?
Point about mulching leaves: be sure to keep the gear drive clean after mulching leaves (spray with water or pressurized air). My gear drive on my Toro Super Recycler went out last fall, tech said it was due to mulching leaves turning into fine powder that clogged up and busted the gearing.

All the Toro Mowers with a personal pace system require regular lubrication (easy enough if you have the grease gun to do the job.

Most folks never bother to read the manual though. Keeping the gears lubricated regularly is key to avoid problems.

In fact, it’s really the only maintenance I have to do on my battery powered Toro Super Recycler. (Aside from sharpening or changing the blade)

Bales9er
Posts: 415
Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
Location: Western Massachusetts
Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Bales9er » April 21st, 2022, 5:21 pm

Thanks for all the input, especially about the lubrication tip. With such limited options and not wanting to spend $2500 on the Scag in this category i feel like the Time master is the way to go

User avatar
MorpheusPA
Posts: 18129
Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
Grass Type: Elite KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Advanced

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by MorpheusPA » April 21st, 2022, 6:40 pm

turf_toes wrote:
April 21st, 2022, 3:25 pm
Most folks never bother to read the manual though. Keeping the gears lubricated regularly is key to avoid problems.
98% of machinery maintenance comes down to this, really. Roomba. Regular vacuum cleaner. Lawn mower. Robotic lawnmower. Blender. Fans. Electric razor. Most things with moving gears--keep them clean and lubricate them regularly. They'll last ages.

It's the Great Often-Shared And Never Listened-To Not-That-Secret Secret.

I recommend White Lithium as a grease for most things that don't come in direct contact with food. Stinks horribly. Works fantastically well. You only need the tiniest bit.

Turk
Posts: 116
Joined: February 26th, 2021, 12:51 pm
Location: Annapolis, MD
Grass Type: TTTF
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by Turk » April 23rd, 2022, 5:05 pm

turf_toes wrote:
April 21st, 2022, 3:25 pm
Turk wrote:
April 21st, 2022, 1:08 pm
Bales9er wrote:
April 20th, 2022, 7:47 am
Good to know. How about mulching leaves?
Point about mulching leaves: be sure to keep the gear drive clean after mulching leaves (spray with water or pressurized air). My gear drive on my Toro Super Recycler went out last fall, tech said it was due to mulching leaves turning into fine powder that clogged up and busted the gearing.

All the Toro Mowers with a personal pace system require regular lubrication (easy enough if you have the grease gun to do the job.

Most folks never bother to read the manual though. Keeping the gears lubricated regularly is key to avoid problems.

In fact, it’s really the only maintenance I have to do on my battery powered Toro Super Recycler. (Aside from sharpening or changing the blade)
FYI, I use a grease gun 2x / season. Agree regular maintenance (including cleaning the mower) is important.

napper
Posts: 423
Joined: April 28th, 2010, 9:51 am
Location: Northeast Nebraska
Grass Type: Midnight II, Rhapsody, Blueberry, Bewitched
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Experienced

Re: Walk Behind Mower Recommendations

Post by napper » April 27th, 2022, 3:36 pm

Scag SFC 30"

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests