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#1
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Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
My 33 year old Lawn Boy mower (2-stroke engine) finally died last week. It is too time consuming and expensive to fix it. So, I am now in the market for a new mower. I have been researching different ones on the internet and have decided on another self-propelled walk behind mower with mulching bagging and side discharge capability. I have narrowed it down to models from 3 different brands. One of the brands is TroyBilt. I have no experience with TroyBilt products. Does anyone here have any experience (good & bad) with Troybilt outdoor equipment? If so please post your comments about your good or bad fortune with this brand.
Thanks. Please don't recommend Craftsman mowers. I am the guy who has very bad luck with powered Craftsman products. I love their hand wrenches but not their power tools.
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Larry III & The Beautiful Naviguesser '19 Tungsten Pearl Outback 3.6R Ltd...."AISHA" '08 Harvest Gold Outback 3.0L. L. L. Bean...."AIJOU" '07 Gray Diamond Pearl Outback XT Ltd..."AH SO" '05 White Pearl & Silver BAJA Turbo..."AH HA" '97 Bordeaux Pearl SVX LSi..."SUBYDOO" '94 White Pearl SVX LSi..."PEARLY" '92 White Pearl SVX LSL w/touring pkg..."SVXY" '92 Teal SVX LSL w/touring pkg..."ALCYONE" '96 Polo Green LSi ... "MIDORI" '00 Black Dodge VIPER RT-10... "VINNIE" Engineers do it with precision. English teachers are novel lovers. Home: larrysingeriii@comcast.net SVX FEVER, CATCH IT AT A MEET NEAR YOU !! |
#2
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
I have been happy with my Toro mowers. And I agree, Craftsman sucks for mowers.
Troy is an MTD company, which isn't considered one of the better companies. A better MTD mower is Cub Cadet. They have a walk behind mower with front caster wheels. That's a nice feature. I think they are also pretty good at mulching, though not as good as Toro. My two favorite brands for mowers are Toro and Simplicity. Simplicity also make Snapper. They are also very good mulchers. Within that, stay away from Tecumseh engines. Briggs is OK but there are better options. Honda makes a great engine but my experience is that their mowers suck at mulching.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#3
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
John Deere?
How big is your yard? -Bill
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Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#4
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
What about Lawn Boy? Your old one lasted 33 years. They have Kohler engines and many options including electric start and Sens-A-Speed which adjusts to your walking speed.
I have an old Lawn Boy 2 stroke that still runs well and it is probably close to 30 years old. The smoke keeps the mosquitos away. |
#5
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
I can recommend Honda from my own use.
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1994 SVX LSi JDM Tailbar and Grill, Clear Corners, 15min-mod, Nevin Blue RSB, G-FORCE SPORT COMP-2 Tires, Phenolic Spacers (Manifold & Throttle Body), SS Brake Lines, Maniac Electric Motors 160A Alternator 2008 Legacy 3.0R |
#6
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Forget another machine, Larry; at your (our) age the only lawn boy involved should be the one you relish with 30 bucks to do the job while you supervise from the hammock whilst sucking down the Chivas.
Ron - from the lazy-boy.
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Good s**t happened. 69 was worth the wait. '92 stock semi-pristine ebony - 160K '96 Grand Caravan - 240K '01 Miata SE - 79K '07 Chrysler Pacifica - 60k - future money pit. |
#7
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Get a rider, mang. My Ariens tractor has a beer holder, but could easily be modded for boxed wine.
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Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
#8
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Gotta say it: mowed lawns for many years long ago and hated Lawn Boys. I want to hate Craftsman too but have ended up with a self-propelled and a second hand riding mower (couldn't refuse the price.) I treat 'em like a red-headed step child hoping to move up to something with a Honda motor but they don't die! Sorry I'm not really answering your question but if someone offers a good deal on a Craftsman, you might try to break your bad powered- Craftsman juju by accepting it. Also beginning to hear things about Yamaha motors being better than Honda.
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#9
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Quote:
had a Craftsman self-propelled w/B&S motor for 10 years with no problems. sold it to a co-worker and its still running. currently have a Craftsman B&S big wheel push for the past 8 years that never needs more than 3 pulls to start. it doesn't take the abuse that my first one did at my old house (only used for the perimeter and places the rider won't get), but it still gets 30-45 minutes of use per week when its warm out. can't speak for newer ones, but i've never had any troubles with mine, other than i can't name drop that its a Honda or John Deere.
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Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
#10
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Don't buy z troybuilt from Lowes as they are made for lowes and share no parts that you can get from a troybuilt dealer. Also, a lot of the cheaper Honda motors have plastic cams in 'em or at least mine did. Lasted about 2 years.
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British vehicles are my last ditch attempt to keep the nasty Italian thoughts in my mind at bay. So far its working. |
#11
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
I have older Cub Cadets and a Snapper RER 16hp Briggs 2 cyl.
The Snapper eats anything, but seems to be weak in the 'duribility' department. Stuff breaks off of it. The Cubs will push snow, cars, mow, plow, whatever. I was 'working' about 15 acres each month, so they take a beating. The Cubs have to work year round. They drag logs, push snow, etc.
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I'm not a REDNECK! I am an Appalachian-AMERICAN!! "Can't go to work today. The 'voices' said to "Stay home and clean the guns". Most famous Red-Neck last words... " Hey Everybody, Watch This!!) http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn272/subi-crosser/ Jerry |
#12
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
I drive past lowes daily. Have not darkened their doorstep for 6 years now. LOWES BLOWS!!
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I'm not a REDNECK! I am an Appalachian-AMERICAN!! "Can't go to work today. The 'voices' said to "Stay home and clean the guns". Most famous Red-Neck last words... " Hey Everybody, Watch This!!) http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn272/subi-crosser/ Jerry |
#13
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
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Craftsman decks suck at mulching. If you don't mow twice a week when the grass is growing fast, the deck is basically a food processor that spits out a ball of goo every few feet and, in the process, misses a lot blades of grass due to the buildup under the deck. And when I bought mine it had a Tecumseh engine that drank oil faster than I drink water. Every company that builds stuff for Sears puts lower end stuff in the mowers just like they do for Lowes.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#14
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Bad timing! I just sold a 20 year old 2-stroke LawnBoy that had been used for 2 years and sat for 18. Wasn't self propelled but it did all the other stuff on your list. It had the alloy deck and weighed next to nothing, so I never saw a need for the self-propel complexity. Anyway it's gone.
I don't have a push mower anymore. Rider is a Simplicity Broadmoor with Briggs v-twin, 15+ years old and still going. Lots of little things happen to it such as vibration cracks and stuff falling off and whatnot, but the expensive bits have been dead reliable. I agree with a lot of the comments about big-box store mowers. Even if they have the same name, they're very often custom made for the big-box and the quality isn't the same as the ones at the local mower shop. My suggestion is to find a local mower shop you like and buy what they sell.
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1995 Caterham 7 Twincam 2002 Porsche 911 targa -- now with FSI 4.0L power! 2007 BMW 328i Cabriolet 2012 Tacoma 4wd v6 Access Cab 2013 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon 2005 STi - totaled after 10 great years 1994 SVX LSi 5spd - sold but not forgotten 2000 Legacy GT 5spd sedan - gone after 150K miles of bliss |
#15
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Re: Definitely Not SVX-Help with Lawnmowers
Quote:
That's the Snapper. It's 13 years old. It doesn't 'mulch' at all. It cuts the grass at the blade and throws the entire piece of whatever you are mowing about 10 feet. Stress cracks galore! The city used it for 10 years to mow the flood control 'dikes'.
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I'm not a REDNECK! I am an Appalachian-AMERICAN!! "Can't go to work today. The 'voices' said to "Stay home and clean the guns". Most famous Red-Neck last words... " Hey Everybody, Watch This!!) http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn272/subi-crosser/ Jerry |
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