I have a Troy-Biltself-propelled lawn mower, rear wheel drive (model
860). Purchased 2009, not used one year due to personal health reasons.Comments: The handle appears to be made of aluminum and bends with normal use (I've replaced it twice so far ($40 + 7 shipping). It does not appear to be properly supported where it attaches (design flaw?).
I replaced the transmission last year, ($85 + quite a bit of work, most of it reading a manual relating to the mower--I won't call it a service manual, and it wasn't completely accurate, but it was much better than nothing).
I replaced the drive cable (to the transmission) this year just this week ($20 + a fair amount of work). In the midst of the repair (I had "given up" because I couldn't remove the drive cable), I started shopping online for my next lawn mower. An hour or two later, with a fix it/break it/I no longer give a darn attitude, I went back to the mower and pried/forced the rubber baffle out of the way and *drilled out* the cable connector at the transmission (it's inaccessiblity was the big issue). This process would have been much easier with instructions or a more consumer-friendly design.
I have no further complaints with the lawn mower besides what I regard as "high maintenance". Reading numerous (hundreds) of reviews for various mowers online since, I know some have it much worse.. The "reel-mower" I used in my youth seemed a more durable design. IIRC, a chain turned the wheels.
What I learned:
-Even Honda's HRR216K9... seems to have trouble with it's carburetor this year. Though I still think "next year's" model may be my next choice upon replacement. It caught my attention that it has a *steel* handle. 3 year warranty.
--Snapper (model AVB2A2) also has a 3 year warranty, maybe the only other mower in this class besides Honda. Also one of the few models Not manufactured by the MTD Corp (search for "MTD Products" on Wikipedia to reveal a surprisingly long list of familiar brands). Some owners found it difficult/impossible to order pars for their Snapper mower, and I verified their concerns (e-replacement parts, for instance, doesn't have all the model numbers). This is obviously a big negative. Amusingly, Consumer Reports regards Troy-Bilt as premium to Snapper, at least "marketing-wise".
So, in short, what is the "sweet spot" for a self-propelled lawn mower (lawn is 1/3 acre)? Go cheap as possible, and replace often or something else? I think there are not as many options as it might appear that there are at first glance. I hope that what I have written might be helpful to others in their selection...
Thanks! Bill