I took advantage of the cooler temps and low humidity last Tuesday evening to mow for the first time in 10-14 days (it has been dry here). I was about 10 minutes into mowing, of my usual 1 hour 10-15 minutes, when the forward assist cable broke off the handle. It didn't just unhook itself, the connector broke as I was engaging the assist for a turn. I actually felt it bounce off my boot but it is so small I couldn't find it even with a magnetic sweeper.
Of course, I had mowed the flatter part of the yard first (from the driveway to both sides of the roadside garden and the drainage area behind the shrub garden), so it was miserable pushing the 83 pound mower up the hills and over bumpy ground. Even though I usually only use the assist to start up the hills, and get around corners/curves/turns, I was way more hot, sweaty and muscle tired than I normally would be by the time I was done. And, my fingers were sore from the assist bar bouncing up into them. Sure, I would try holding the bar, but I am so used to only holding it for certain parts of mowing that I would automatically let go, and the finger beatings would recommence like a nun at school with a ruler - LOL.
The Toro Recycler mower is into its 3rd year and has had absolutely no maintenance besides gassing up, and adding Sea Foam to the gas at the end of the season. In my defense, this is a "no oil" type - as in you just need to top off the oil, not change it. In fact the only way a committed person could change the oil is to turn the entire unit upside down and drain out of the oil fill spout. All this time it has been an absolute rock and always started up for me, which means it has been the best mower I have owned. I contacted a local guy to come pick it up and give it the works, including sharpening/replacing the blade.
He picked it up on Thursday (yes, on the 4th) and I'm waiting to hear back from him. But, I would expect it to be a couple of weeks.If my place doesn't get rain, that is fine. If I get a good rain, then the weeds will grow like crazy.
Meanwhile, I've been eyeing some Ryobi 40v battery mowers. One of those would be a great backup mower as it can sit forever and not need any maintenance at all - unlike a gas mower where the gas and oils can cause problems if the mower just sits. Batteries are something I already have for other tools, so I would not need to buy extras. And, the Ryobi can be folded up and leaned against a wall (try that with gas and oil - LOL).
But at this time I can't convince myself to commit. Not that the one I am looking at is all that expensive at about $40 more than a comparable mower of the type I already have. But the cheap, er frugal, person inside of me thinks that if I wait long enough, it may go on sale (maybe for Prime Days?), which would make commitment easier. Part of my reluctance is also because Ryobi just blew out a bunch of its riding lawn mowers and tractors at HD last week for 1/2 price (and even less in some cases). No, I'm not sad that I missed that one since at least 1/2 of my yard doesn't lend itself to a riding mower, and one of those certainly wouldn't fit in the fence gates, but I also wouldn't want to commit garage space to something like that (takes away on pellet storage space ;) ).
Oh, and of course, I had a 10% off coupon for HD which expired on 6/30, which is another reason I rebel at buying a mower at this time. If I get another coupon soon, that could change the equation in my mind also.
I hear you. I wanted to get a battery-powered mower the last time ours was replaced but they weren't quite yet available in the riding mowers.
Eighty-four pounds?!!! That is one hefty mower.
Posted by: Cop Car | July 07, 2024 at 07:24 AM
I think around 80 pounds is about typical for a gas powered push mower of any decent quality and of metal body (at 21-22" anyway).
I did have a push mower (Honda maybe?) that was lighter and it was a push only, without assist. It was probably 50-60 pounds and was a backup to a Craftsman mower. It probably would have been fine on a fairly smooth yard, but mine is so lumpy and bumpy that the mower would bounce all over, really beating my arms/shoulders.
Hmmm, the battery lawn mowers are fairly light because they are plastic. Now I have even more to think about (although for a back-up, that can be lived with)
Posted by: bogie | July 08, 2024 at 03:36 AM
Decisions, decisions.
Posted by: Cop Car | July 08, 2024 at 07:47 AM
He delivered the mower back to me yesterday. It has a new cable and he said he just sharpened the blad instead of replacing it - but that is the last time it can be sharpened. I laughed and said it was the first time. But, I actually believed it would have to be replaced as I've shortened some rocks and hit tree roots with it, so I'm happy with just sharpening.
Haven't started it up and won't for another week or more. My place is in drought, so nothing is growing in the yard. Meanwhile the north country of NH & VT got hammered with destructive floods a couple of days ago. Wish we could have taken some of that rain off their plates, but Mother Nature had other plans.
Posted by: bogie | July 12, 2024 at 04:37 AM
We had heard on a weather channel that NH was in line to get a thorough drowsing. Sorry you didn't benefit from it.
Posted by: Cop Car | July 12, 2024 at 06:14 AM