Self-Propelled Mower?

[Wilfred Xavier Pickles]

I got a tiny little lawn (1k sq. ' at most) at my house in the midwest US, but it's on a hill, no retaining walls, lots of inclines and declines, and sink- holes to boot. Front yard declines maybe 40 degrees as it meets the sidewalk.

For about 10 years I've been running an old MTD 21" rear-bag mower with around a 5 hp B&S motor. Smokes like a freight train, it's about to roll over and die.

I am (gasp!) old and infirm. Running the mower over all the uneven surfaces is a painful PITA.

I've never owned a self-propelled mower. Your candid opinion is solicited: would I be better off with another push-only mower or with a self-propelled? I can't afford a super hi-end mower, but $300 sounds do-able.

If SP, front or rear-wheel drive? Would a rear-drive 6+ hp likely pull up a 40 degree incline? Etc, etc.

Thx, Will

[Hustlin' Hank]

Probably not on its own. Not because of power, but because of traction. It will make it easier if you are pushing it up now.

Hank

[Rich]

Have you thought of hiring it out? In this economy you might have a price war and get the yard done for little money per week?

Rich

[KC]

I have owned both front and rear drive mowers. I found rear drive mowers were far better. However neither would pull/push on their own, they just made it easier. But on the other hand, you have to be able to walk at the pace that the mower operates at. KC

[Bob F]

The Toro "Personal Pace" mowers are really nice that way. They go your speed, up to the limit of the mower.

[LouB]

Any self propelled is going to be on the heavy side. I like the suggestion of hiring someone. Just make sure they understand how to do your kind of lawn

[gfretwell]

Front wheel drive sucks on a hill. The weight is on the back wheels and the front wheels slip. I think the whole "front wheel" thing was just a scam to get past the "squeeze the handle to start the mower" law as cheap as possible.. They usually don't have a clutch for the drive, you tilt it back to pull the mower back and when you let go of the handle it stops. At least that is the way the cheap K mart (American Lawn Products) FWD mower I had worked. The other problem is they simply pushed the RWD tranny over to the front wheels but that had the belt pulling the gears to the "un-meshed" position and the bushing wore out right away. Once was fixed on warranty, once by me, then I set the whole thing on the curb.

[Ernie Willson]

I recommend a self propelled rear wheel drive unit. The larger the rear wheels the better.

BTW when I lived in a house with a steeply sloping yard, I always mowed perpendicular to the slope. This way I didn't have to fight the hill.

YMMV, EJ in NJ

[Rich]

Did you mean parallel to the slope? Perp would put you uphill at all times or at least 50% of the time if you made it to the top?

YMMV indeed.

[Bob M.]

That's a feature I can't stand. Parent's mower has it and for me, it's much easier for me to speed up/slow down than to try and keep up with the ever-changing pace of the "personal pace" mower.

[Hipupchuck]

Forget the front wheel drive for going up hill. A small riding mower would be better. Plenty of used ones for 300.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Depends on the lawn. Self propelled is good when you have relatively flat and long straight stretches to cut. Going around trees, shrubs, bird baths, is more difficult to maneuver and the mower is heavier. Mine also broke a few times making it even worse to push than a regular push mower. Next mower was a plain push John Deere. Nothing runs like a Deere with a Kawasaki engine.

OTOH, I've not fueled my mower for about four years now. Neighbor has a big zero turn rider and does mine along with his and I pay him a few bucks.

[Freckles]

I'm 71 and I have had a Toro Personal Pace mower for 7 years. It works great.

Last year the self propelled cable broke and I had to finish cutting my lawn by pushing the mower. Didn't think I would live through it. Had it repaired the very next day.

They go for more than $300, but if you can find your way clear to buy one, I think you would be very happy you did.

Freckles

[salty]

I have a Toro "personal Pace" mower that I can push wioth one finger. It adjusts speed automatically to your walking speed by sensing pressure on the handlebar. It also goes right up very steep slopes with no problem or help from me.

It's only 6 horsepower. Not $300, though. I figure that with an aluminum deck, it will last a lot longer than a $300 mower, so the real cost is probably quite a bit less than the 3 $300 steel decked mowers it will outlive.

[salty]

Heavy side?

First of all, the propulsion on self propelled mowers usually consists of 2 pulleys and a belt. 5 pounds? Second of all, who cares what it weighs? It's SELF PROPELLED.

Sheesh

[salty]

If you run a mower a lot at steep angles, make sure the particular engine's oil sump is designed for that. Some of them will be oil starved when tilted sharply in certain directions. The higher end push mowers used by commercial maintenance companies have an oil pump like a car to overcome this problem.

[salty]

What?

Maybe it is broken or needs some adjustments. I have had one for years, and basically you just hold the handle and walk. The mower seems pretty much weightless. If there is a low hanging branch, I simply walk alongside the mower and guide it with one hand.

[salty]

My mower's drive automatically and completely disengages if I pull on the handle. I find almost zero difference in close work than with previous non-propelled mowers. I have all sorts of slopes, plantings and other obstacles.

Those Kawasaki engines are very nice.

[ransley]

It smokes probably because the inclines starved the motor of oil, a 2 stroke Lawn Boy is what alot of citys use on road incline areas, my town was blowing out 4 strokes every year, You will have to get a used one, I dont think 2 strokers are made anymore. Or be sure you research what motor design wont starve of oil at your angles, go to a pro lawnmower dealer, he will have all the answers.

[Ernie Willson]

I mean exactly what I said. If the slope is downhill from north to south then the mower should run perpendicular (east to west).

I doubt that the slope is anything like 40 degrees. If it actually is then there might be a problem with oil distribution in the crankcase.

EJ in NJ