Need Lawnmower advice

[Snapdragon]

Ok, I bought a Kobalt cordless electric rechargable lawnmower from Lowe's. It's a PITA. Won't hold a charge long enough to do the back yard, let alone the front. I have to recharge the batteries once or twice to finish, so I have to wait a few hours or overnight before I can do both front and back.

Called Lowe's, and since it's past the 30-day return window, they will let me exchange it for another model.

I definitely want self-propelled. Any comments or advice, pro or con, on any of these mowers? Briggs&Stratton vs. Honda, Troy-Bilt vs. Husqvarna?

Edited to add: I'm no longer limited to Lowe's, so I'm open to suggestions from other places.

 

[poppy]

Honda

 

[aclark]

I have a husqvarna with kohler engine that is 3 years old, still running like new. Had to replace the carb, but that was my fault. I have a Troy snowblower with a Troy branded engine that's running great as well. I had a craftsman snowblowrr with Briggs and straton that died after a few hours.

I would go husqvarna personally followed by Troy.

 

[Crbn79]

I hate those Rechargeable mowers, it's darn near impossible to do anything with them before the die. I've talked a couple people out of them and left a sales person pissed. Oh well, they were gonna sell em junk.
Shop Husqvarna HU725AWD 190-cc 22-in Self-Propelled 3 in 1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and Mulching Capability at Lowes.com

This one looks okay.

 

[GLOCKMAN23C]

1.Honda 2. Briggs in that order.

 

[mrjarrell]

Husqvarna has a really good reputation for just about everything they build. I wouldn't be afraid of owning one.Hard to go wrong with a Honda, either.

 

[dyerwatcher]

Honda

 

[bobbittle]

How big is your yard? I assume you bought the Kobalt with the expectation of mowing the whole thing on one charge? I know one guy who has < 1/3 ac and does his on one charge. Anything more than that is unrealistic.

I have a Husqvarna FWD with Honda engine and have had no problems (except for trying to mulch tall wet grass, doesn't work very well . They have an AWD in the same price range ($320ish) that is severely underpowered so be careful.

This is the mower I have : Shop Husqvarna 160cc 22-in Self-Propelled Front Wheel Drive 3 in 1 Gas Push Lawn Mower with Honda Engine and Mulching Capability at Lowes.com

 

[PeaShooter]

honda or Toro, then husqvarna.

 

[Snapdragon]

Yard is not big--I would say less than 1/4 acre. Cul-de-sac lot, so back is bigger than the front. I noticed that they do not even carry the mower that I bought two months ago. I wonder if it has been discontinued? This is the one I got, which is no longer listed on the site for sale. And they definitely lie about the 1-hour charging time. Kobalt 40-Volt Max* 20-in Mower - Kobalt Tools

 

[Leadeye]

They must only cut 1/4" off the grass to make that time.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

It's been a long time since I've shopped for a push mower. But I've got a pressure washer with a Briggs engine and it's fine. Honda definitely has the rep. I've got a Husqvarna string trimmer and it's great--I don't know if that translates over to their mowers though. FWIW.

 

[Snapdragon]

Ok, rules have changed. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I called the manager back and asked him if I could get a refund since I don't really see a mower that I'm satisfied with. He said OK.

So... the field is wide open now. Any other recommendations, now that I'm not limited to Lowe's? Self-propelled, price range is under or around $400.

And thanks, everyone, BTW. Ingo rocks.

 

[bobbittle]

New? I'd recommend a Honda mower but I don't think you'll get in one that low. For that range my previous recommendation stands.

 

[Rookie]

There is a downside to self propelled, they are heavier to turn.

Just FYI...

 

[aaron580]

Toro with the personal pace. I am just SLIGHTLY biased, but it really is a fantastic machine!! Buy anything you are looking for from a dealer as well, support and parts are everything. Lowes doesnt do any of that. Even if people are not buying my product, I would rather them buy something else off a dealer.

 

[Snapdragon]

The last two or three mowers I had were self-propelled. I didn't realize how much it helped until I didn't have it. One thing that helps me with turning is that at least in the back yard, I do 90 degree turns rather than 180's. I just start around the perimeter and work my way in. I do nice pretty diagonal stripes in the front where it shows.

 

[aaron580]

The last two or three mowers I had were self-propelled. I didn't realize how much it helped until I didn't have it. One thing that helps me with turning is that at least in the back yard, I do 90 degree turns rather than 180's. I just start around the perimeter and work my way in. I do nice pretty diagonal stripes in the front where it shows.

Come down to the south side of indy and Id give ya a discount on exactly what you need

 

[rhinoabe]

Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers: Order Self-Propelled Mulching Lawn Mowers I bought this for mom 2years ago. She is 73 and uses the ship out of it. It starts on first pull and is easy on gas. The rear wheel drive will move well in tall wet grass and the swivel front wheels means you don't have to lift it up to turn around all the time. It also has a brigs engine.

 

[Snapdragon]

Come down to the south side of indy and Id give ya a discount on exactly what you need

It's tempting... Let me see what I can find tomorrow. Thanks