Ask DS: Push Mower & Weedeater

[msudawg8087]

Need some input from the brain trust.

Closing on our first house at the end of this month. In an apartment now so will also be getting my first yard. Gotta say im pretty excited about it. Think I inherited the yardwork trait from my dad.

It's not a big yard so I'm in the market for a good pushmower and a weedeater. Theres not much incline to the yard at all so I feel like I would be ok with a mower thats not self propelled...maybe. To this day, my dad still talks about the one he bought from Roses in South Jackson years ago that the deck rusted out befor the motor quit. Not sure cheaper is better these days though.

Any suggestions on a mower and weedeater?

[DuckBoat]

I haven't found a one that I like to use....

[deltadukman]

Honda Mower, Stihl weedeater. you can get them both in Brandon, as well as insurance for that new house! Come see me Logan!

[country_20boy]

Honda Mower, Stihl weedeater.

End of discussion. This thread is closed....

However, if $600+ isn't in your budget right now, pretty much any name brand mower should last you 6-10+ years if you keep the ethanol gas away from it.

My first mower was a $129 Murray from Walmart and it lasted 14 years until the self-propelled gears went out. The motor was still running strong and cranking easily when I sold it last year.

I would go ahead and spend the money on a good weedeater. The cheap ones tend to be a lot harder to crank and a lot more aggravating to keep running. Too many small parts and things that will break easily.

[landscaper]

Yep. What they said. I will add, though, that the main consideration for me on a push mower has always been the brand of the engine. Look for Honda, Briggs and Stratton, or Kohler. I like one with a deck that is thick too. They just seem to last longer. What ever you get, run all the fuel out every time you use it and clean it before you put it away and it should last years.

You will never go wrong with Stihl weedeaters but there are other brands out there that won't break the bank and are nearly as good. I have Shindiawa (that I treat the same as my mowers) that is going on 12 years old and it cranks and runs like it did the day I bought it.

[southernvaughan]

Not sure about the push mower but I'd recommend a stihl FS45 I think it is... It's the smallest one they have with a straight shaft. It's strong enough to edge with too. And it can use the saw blade attachment that's handy for all sorts if things.

[slayem]

Well I don't know bout the mower but I prefer a good dose of roundup for a weed eater!

[meddawg]

Husqvarna mowers are pretty good. They come with Honda engines. I've got a Husqvarna weedeater as well. Whatever you get buy a self propelled mower. Get a weedeater that takes attachments for edger, polesaw, etc.

[msudawg8087]

Ha! Vickers with the shameless plug! Forgot you were doing that honestly. We have already passed that stage for ours but I'll send some folks your way.

Thanks for the input fellas. I'll look for the models with the type of engines that were suggested. I'm not gonna skimp on the mower but I do intend to put a little more towards the weedeater because I won't always have a small yard and need the push mower. I'll always need that weedeater. I've heard really good things about the Stihl line. Dad bought a commercial grade Redmax 7 or 8 years ago and that thing is bad. Gonna look at those and the Stihl when I go.

[Barq's]

echo weedeater....I cut grass for 20+years on and off professionally and the echo seemed to hold up better than the Stihl and the cost was about the same. I like the honda pushmower too....I wouldn't skimp on one of those either if you want one that will last.
.02
barq's

[Rowdy53103]

The old man bought a cheap Walmart MTD or Murray push mower in 2000. I think it was less than $100 then. It was used to cut grass in the summers and spent weekdays and winters parked outside under a picnic table. He gave it to me when I bought my first house in 2010 and I still use it today. The oil and plug has never been changed.....I'm scared to now to be honest. It still cranks on the third pull every time.....even after sitting all winter. It has a Briggs I think. You can spend as much as you want to impress your neighbor on one. If mine craps out, I'll go drop $150 on another one.

Stihl or Husq for a weedeater.....

[MudHog]

I'll put my Shindaiwa T242 string trimmer against y'all Stihls anyway. Stihl for chainsaw, but Shindaiwa for string trimmer.

Go to the local pawn shop and get a push mower. High wheel models push easier. Decks can be repaired very easily.

[ScottyLee]

I own a 200 dollar self propelled Murray. It's just fine. And weedeater. I like stihl

[MSDawg870]

If yal think you got a better weedeater than I do I'll give you my address, you can bring it to my house, and make me a believer for a couple hours.

[mlj300]

I'll put my Shindaiwa T242 string trimmer against y'all Stihls anyway. Stihl for chainsaw, but Shindaiwa for string trimmer.

Go to the local pawn shop and get a push mower. High wheel models push easier. Decks can be repaired very easily.

+1 on the string trimmer. I have a FS 250 stihl and a Shindawia T242. The shindawia gives less trouble, starts easier, and cuts grass just as well. It is six years old and has never been in the shop vs the 2 year old stihl already having to go in. The stihl takes a brush blade though and works better when clearing heavier brushy type plants or saplings. If all you need is something to trim grass you cant beat a shindawia. My folks have one that is 16 years old and still running strong.