I'm in the market for a 21" or 22" self-propelled, front drive, walk-behind mower. The most commons engines are B&S and Honda, but models with the Honda engine (like some in the Craftsman lineup) cost about $60 more ($470 vs $410). I know this is a subjective question, but is a Honda engine that much better?
Tecumseh seem to be out of favor. That's what's in my 3-year-old Toro. Major complaint about the engine is the flimsy plastic tabs that hold the fuel tank, and it seems noisy.
Reason I'm going for a new mower is a bad gear in the axle transmission assembly. Nothing to do with the engine. Cost to replace the assembly is $70, but I might also have problems right at both front drive wheels, so I'm going with a new one.
Thanks,
Ray