After 15 years my trusty Craftsman self-propelled will soon need replacing. Any suggestions for a new self propelled? I mulch and never bag. The Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that will mulch the leaves in the fall as that is how I deal with leaves.

Get a illegal Mexican.

Just went through the same.

Toro Recycler probably is the best generally available mower for mulching if you're OK with the 'Personal Pace' thing. I hate it and it doesn't work well for my yard where I'm going around things and back and forth all the time. Went with the Honda myself. Toro deck design probably is a little better for mulching. Honda is much better built overall. Mulches very well when dropped down but not as well when you have to raise it up. Both are around $399 on the low end of their model range at Home Depot. Worked another $50 off of that by dealing a little with the lawn and garden manager.

Don't know much about the mowers themselves but Sears has some good deals if you'd use their points. They're not available all at once though. They stagger them out over months. I wouldn't so no point.

Higher-end Snapper mulcher that I had was great but that's a bunch of money. Don't think that it's really worth the difference in price for most people. Wasn't enough for me to buy another though I am impressed that it hung in there for 15+ years with little maintenance or repairs required.

If you have a smaller yard then there are some decent electrics now. Mine's too big and too tough to get through when missing cuts because of rain or whatever. I've tried my neighbor's and and watched him struggle this year with the Ego with is considered one of the best.

I bought one second hand from a local small engine repair shop. It's a Toro, self propelled mulching mower. Seems fine. It's probably a decade old? I have replaced the control cable and carburetor.

Looking at mowers recently, they all seem to built in the same plant in China somewhere.

Mulch Master Mark Wrote:
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> Just went through the same.
>
> Toro Recycler probably is the best generally
> available mower for mulching if you're OK with the
> 'Personal Pace' thing. I hate it and it doesn't
> work well for my yard where I'm going around
> things and back and forth all the time. Went with
> the Honda myself. Toro deck design probably is a
> little better for mulching. Honda is much better
> built overall. Mulches very well when dropped
> down but not as well when you have to raise it up.
> Both are around $399 on the low end of their
> model range at Home Depot. Worked another $50 off
> of that by dealing a little with the lawn and
> garden manager.
>
> Don't know much about the mowers themselves but
> Sears has some good deals if you'd use their
> points. They're not available all at once though.
> They stagger them out over months. I wouldn't so
> no point.
>
> Higher-end Snapper mulcher that I had was great
> but that's a bunch of money. Don't think that
> it's really worth the difference in price for most
> people. Wasn't enough for me to buy another
> though I am impressed that it hung in there for
> 15+ years with little maintenance or repairs
> required.
>
> If you have a smaller yard then there are some
> decent electrics now. Mine's too big and too
> tough to get through when missing cuts because of
> rain or whatever. I've tried my neighbor's and
> and watched him struggle this year with the Ego
> with is considered one of the best.


Thanks for the write up. Hondas are rated so high then they get a lot of complaints in reviews. Odd. Ill miss my old Briggs and Stratton - 15 years of mowing 1/4 lots and mulching all my leaves in the fall. I hope this isnt a case of 'they dont build them like that anymore.

The new Craftsman have Honda engines but looks like it has an integrated bagger. Who bags - that has to be the dumbest thing I can think to do with lawn clippings. Just get a good mulcher and feed your lawn.

You can get a Troy-Built form Lowe's with a mulching kit. You can choose either a Briggs and Stratton or a Honda engine. I have a push Try-built with the B&S motor and it has run great for 8 years. I should do some better maint. on it. Changed the oil out once probably could use it again. May just take is some where and have them do a full tune up and check stuff out.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Troy-Bilt-TB200-150-cc-21-in-Self-propelled-Gas-Lawn-Mower-with-Briggs-Stratton-Engine/50119625

Great Repy Thanks Wrote:
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>
> Thanks for the write up. Hondas are rated so high
> then they get a lot of complaints in reviews.
> Odd. Ill miss my old Briggs and Stratton - 15
> years of mowing 1/4 lots and mulching all my
> leaves in the fall. I hope this isnt a case of
> 'they dont build them like that anymore.
>
> The new Craftsman have Honda engines but looks
> like it has an integrated bagger. Who bags - that
> has to be the dumbest thing I can think to do with
> lawn clippings. Just get a good mulcher and feed
> your lawn.


Yeah, saw the same when I was trying to decide what to do.

Like most things the complaints with the Honda seem to be a mix of idiots and reality. Those that you see a lot of about not being able to back up are for the most part people who didn't read the manual and don't know how to make a simple cable slack adjustment. Leaving a strip of grass is somewhat real and somewhat user error. Mostly only when you're trying to cut grass that's too tall and you have the deck raised up. Which is the same as a lot of mowers my old Snapper included. Dropped down it works well. The dual blades chop stuff into tiny bits even when wet. Haven't used mine for leaves yet so don't know about that. Starts very easy.

I do think that the Toro probably does a better job in general as far as that goes. I've used one of my neighbor's and it works very well. I probably would have gone with that but the Personal Pace thing is something that you'll either like or hate. I hate it. Feels like I'm pushing it too much vs letting it pull me and just walking behind it. Also it's hard to "bump" it around things to move a little at a time. I'm used to having a hand control that I can squeeze on/off as I need to move like that and the push bar is awkward to use in that way. Might be better if you had mostly long straight runs.

Side-by-side you can see pretty easily that the Toro isn't nearly as well made. Wheels are plastic just bolted on. Moving the handle back and forth you watch and feel them wobble. Deck seems more thin. Overall just not as well designed and put together. I think that Toro now is using a Chinese motor made to their specs on the base models. Doesn't mean it's bad, I just have more confidence in the Honda being solid.

Bagging is a pain in the ass. I haven't bagged lawn or leaves for 20 years.

A Break From Rapist GOP Topic Wrote:
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> After 15 years my trusty Craftsman self-propelled
> will soon need replacing. Any suggestions for a
> new self propelled? I mulch and never bag. The
> Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that
> will mulch the leaves in the fall as that is how I
> deal with leaves.


This one is GOP approved... By Bob Packwood and B. Kavanaugh.


Oh hell Bill Clinton loves it too....there are rapists on both sides...
Attachments:

Any fucking mower is fine, just don’t leave the shit gas we have in the tank during the winter and use fresh gas each season. Ethanol is 90% of small engine problems. You can thank the Libtards.

I'm surprised you got 15 years from a craftsman product. Everything craftsman I've bought has been kinda weak - except maybe a few wrenches.

Honda motors are quite reliable from my experience.

.
Attachments:

Ethenol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any fucking mower is fine, just don’t leave the
> shit gas we have in the tank during the winter and
> use fresh gas each season. Ethanol is 90% of
> small engine problems. You can thank the
> Libtards.


Blaming Ethanol on Liberals is only partially correct Conservatards and Trumptards are equally to blame. 7 Billion a year to farmers and no Presidential candidate yet has had the balls to call bullshit on Ethanol with the Iowa primary being the kick-off the the Presidential run. Gore, Bush, Obama and Trump have all promoted putting a food product in our engines. Al Gore has admitted backing Ethanol was a big mistake btw.

Eat corn dont pump it into your car.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/al-gores-alcohol-problem-admits-ethanol-subsidies-a-mistake

Hire an iguana eater for a few bucks.

Turns out the air filter was soaked with oil. I had tipped the mower over a little more than normal to clean the deck of wet compacted grass and it soaked the filter. I cleaned the carb and ordered new filters and a new plug. This Craftsman 6.25 2 stroke just wont quit. Still it does burn oil and pollute like crazy. It cuts and mulches and pulls itself around so well though. I just cannot let her go.

Sorry Honda, youll have to wait a little longer.

A Break From Rapist GOP Topic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After 15 years my trusty Craftsman self-propelled
> will soon need replacing. Any suggestions for a
> new self propelled? I mulch and never bag. The
> Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that
> will mulch the leaves in the fall as that is how I
> deal with leaves.

I'm %100 sure honda (and all other mowers) are weak on leaves.

You need a blower or a vacuum - honda is neither. Rake is ok some seasons - depending on rain.

many things in life are unfair, economically unwise, but are still ultimate truths

one of them is that if you let your lawn go to weeds (by poor care) you loose property value and curb appeal by on-lookers

another example: is a clean restaurant sign and a dirty kitchen! i think there's allot of that in fairfax county
Attachments:

Thank God! The law is safe for Cheerleader practice again!

Leaves kill grass but a layer of leaf powder kills it just as well.

Honda will just shred the leaves into powder and throw it into the grass not in the bag. You'd be better off with a normal rake than doing that.

there's no mpg rating for mowers. the "gas saving" issue is total bunk

Most landscape companies use power blowers. There's a reason...

They're easy and their power can "dethatch" the lawn - not just blow leaves around. A good blower actually blows out all kinds of material that prevents grass from spreading. (grass can spread by it's own seed or by roots or be dormant under thatch)

A Break From Rapist GOP Topic Wrote:
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> The
> Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that

? every mower i've tried has bugs in parts of the design. i wouldn't call any fantastic including honda

budun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A Break From Rapist GOP Topic Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > After 15 years my trusty Craftsman
> self-propelled
> > will soon need replacing. Any suggestions for
> a
> > new self propelled? I mulch and never bag.
> The
> > Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that
> > will mulch the leaves in the fall as that is how
> I
> > deal with leaves.
>
> I'm %100 sure honda (and all other mowers) are
> weak on leaves.
>
> You need a blower or a vacuum - honda is neither.
> Rake is ok some seasons - depending on rain.

I only have 4 mature trees on my 1/4 acre so while I do use a blower to get leaves out of the beds, off the decks and out of the corners my mower eats them all up. I havent had to bag or even compost in the 16 years I have had a lawn (previous to that it was a condo). I hate raking and I refuse to put leaves in plastic bags - that is the worst.

I just blow them into the center of the lawn and run them over with the mower. A 2 foot deep pile of leaves might take 2-3 passes but those are just the piles. It does burn gas to do this but its cheaper, easier than bagging. A good mower like my Craftsman will do this no problem.

Tom Basil Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Leaves kill grass but a layer of leaf powder kills
> it just as well.
>
> Honda will just shred the leaves into powder and
> throw it into the grass not in the bag. You'd be
> better off with a normal rake than doing that.

If you bury the grass under leaf mulch yes you can damage it. If you mulch the leaves as they fall by mowing once a week when the are DRY its not a problem. By the time the leaves are at the end of falling the grass is almost dormant anyway. I have never had a problem with killing grass mulching 100% of the leaves.

If you see a large pile reduced to a thick coating of leaf mulch you just use a blower to disperse them. Please dont be an idiot and bag your leaves - it advertises to all in your neighborhood what an absolute idiot you are.

we no need mowa in Shitstainastan...BTW, any new young guys registered here I can stalk?

if you don't have one of these your just a small fry

We need another thread so we can debate which oil is best for a performance mower.

I vote royal purple.

GOP RAPISTS BAG LEAVES/TEENS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tom Basil Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Leaves kill grass but a layer of leaf powder
> kills
> > it just as well.
> >
> > Honda will just shred the leaves into powder
> and
> > throw it into the grass not in the bag. You'd
> be
> > better off with a normal rake than doing that.
>
> If you bury the grass under leaf mulch yes you can
> damage it. If you mulch the leaves as they fall
> by mowing once a week when the are DRY its not a
> problem. By the time the leaves are at the end of
> falling the grass is almost dormant anyway. I
> have never had a problem with killing grass
> mulching 100% of the leaves.
>
> If you see a large pile reduced to a thick coating
> of leaf mulch you just use a blower to disperse
> them. Please dont be an idiot and bag your leaves
> - it advertises to all in your neighborhood what
> an absolute idiot you are.

WRONG

if leaves are wet a mower isn't going to pick them up. if they're on the yard days before drying: it's too late - when you mow they turn TO POWDER

the only way to get powder out from coating the dirty between the grass blades is: a powerful blower - which you were avoiding

if your lucky the mower can help. if you normally bag your grass with your leaves for disposal - which also isn't the best idea.

4rgf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> GOP RAPISTS BAG LEAVES/TEENS Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Tom Basil Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Leaves kill grass but a layer of leaf powder
> > kills
> > > it just as well.
> > >
> > > Honda will just shred the leaves into powder
> > and
> > > throw it into the grass not in the bag.
> You'd
> > be
> > > better off with a normal rake than doing
> that.
> >
> > If you bury the grass under leaf mulch yes you
> can
> > damage it. If you mulch the leaves as they
> fall
> > by mowing once a week when the are DRY its not
> a
> > problem. By the time the leaves are at the end
> of
> > falling the grass is almost dormant anyway. I
> > have never had a problem with killing grass
> > mulching 100% of the leaves.
> >
> > If you see a large pile reduced to a thick
> coating
> > of leaf mulch you just use a blower to disperse
> > them. Please dont be an idiot and bag your
> leaves
> > - it advertises to all in your neighborhood
> what
> > an absolute idiot you are.
>
> WRONG
>
> if leaves are wet a mower isn't going to pick them
> up. if they're on the yard days before drying:
> it's too late - when you mow they turn TO POWDER
>
> the only way to get powder out from coating the
> dirty between the grass blades is: a powerful
> blower - which you were avoiding
>
> if your lucky the mower can help. if you normally
> bag your grass with your leaves for disposal -
> which also isn't the best idea.

You ok? Ive done this for 16 years. Wet leaves will dry out fine so long as they are not around for several weeks. If you let them dry they do turn to mulch and yes some power - this is perfect. If it is too thick in the areas you have piled the leaves too high you can rake or blow after mulching to spread them out. The leave powder does not turn to concrete in fact it breaks down quite quickly and is gone by the time the grass becomes active in the Spring.

Go ahead and put your free organic mulch/fertilizer in a plastic bag that wont break down for 2000 years like a fool if you want - I cannot stop you. For others be advised mulching saves a ton of time and money.

GOP WANTS TO RAPE UR DAUGHTERS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 4rgf Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > GOP RAPISTS BAG LEAVES/TEENS Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Tom Basil Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Leaves kill grass but a layer of leaf
> powder
> > > kills
> > > > it just as well.
> > > >
> > > > Honda will just shred the leaves into
> powder
> > > and
> > > > throw it into the grass not in the bag.
> > You'd
> > > be
> > > > better off with a normal rake than doing
> > that.
> > >
> > > If you bury the grass under leaf mulch yes
> you
> > can
> > > damage it. If you mulch the leaves as they
> > fall
> > > by mowing once a week when the are DRY its
> not
> > a
> > > problem. By the time the leaves are at the
> end
> > of
> > > falling the grass is almost dormant anyway.
> I
> > > have never had a problem with killing grass
> > > mulching 100% of the leaves.
> > >
> > > If you see a large pile reduced to a thick
> > coating
> > > of leaf mulch you just use a blower to
> disperse
> > > them. Please dont be an idiot and bag your
> > leaves
> > > - it advertises to all in your neighborhood
> > what
> > > an absolute idiot you are.
> >
> > WRONG
> >
> > if leaves are wet a mower isn't going to pick
> them
> > up. if they're on the yard days before drying:
> > it's too late - when you mow they turn TO
> POWDER
> >
> > the only way to get powder out from coating the
> > dirty between the grass blades is: a powerful
> > blower - which you were avoiding
> >
> > if your lucky the mower can help. if you
> normally
> > bag your grass with your leaves for disposal -
> > which also isn't the best idea.
>
> You ok? Ive done this for 16 years. Wet leaves
> will dry out fine so long as they are not around
> for several weeks. If you let them dry they do
> turn to mulch and yes some power - this is
> perfect. If it is too thick in the areas you have
> piled the leaves too high you can rake or blow
> after mulching to spread them out. The leave
> powder does not turn to concrete in fact it breaks
> down quite quickly and is gone by the time the
> grass becomes active in the Spring.
>
> Go ahead and put your free organic
> mulch/fertilizer in a plastic bag that wont break
> down for 2000 years like a fool if you want - I
> cannot stop you. For others be advised mulching
> saves a ton of time and money.


Mulching is illegal in VA, you jackass.

A Break From Rapist GOP Topic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After 15 years my trusty Craftsman self-propelled
> will soon need replacing. Any suggestions for a
> new self propelled? I mulch and never bag. The
> Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that
> will mulch the leaves in the fall as that is how I
> deal with leaves.


OP here. I actually forgot I posted this. I think the problem was stripped drive wheels. I just ordered 2 new for like 20 dollars. Also replaced the drive belt, fuel line and air filter/spark plug. My real concern was it was starting to smoke and burn oil but I treated it with seafoam in the oil and gas/carb then added ATP AT-205 to the oil. Runs like new and hardly smokes at all. Still going strong I cannot believe I was going to retire it.

A Break From Rapist GOP Topic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After 15 years my trusty Craftsman self-propelled
> will soon need replacing. Any suggestions for a
> new self propelled? I mulch and never bag. The
> Craftsman has been fantastic. I need one that
> will mulch the leaves in the fall as that is how I
> deal with leaves.

if you mulch leaves it will kill your lawn - don't say i didn't warn you - grass replacement seed is the most expensive thing you can face ?

mulching grass is attractive especially if your lawn is healthy: but it causes a thatching problem. if your willing to de-thatch (a machine for this is un-available even at home depot - a farmer would hate you for using a chain strapped to a blade - ask you if you were trying to kill your field?)

dethatching with a rake is a can-do. but my guess is your too lazy to do all that work yearly. it will be a slow death for your lawn, not nearly as quick as as your grass thinning and yellowing due to mulching leaves - which are too far too acidic and contain no nutrient grass can grow on, and promote mold that kills grass, and blocks light if that all didn't kill it

illegal aliens all use heavy equipment. they ride on hills and through wet spots on the lawn they don't care

it causes bad problems in your lawn that will be expensive to repair (when your hoa begins threatening you to fix it)

the illegal aliens will of course deny that they can be held responsible for damaging the law they were supposed to be taking care of

so to fix that patch on the lawn, you'll need to aerate, put down really expensive seed, pay the company a small bundle for "special professional extras" on your lawn

and of course during all that weeds will come in - you'll need to pay the extras on weed control

all caused by the equipent that was supposed to trim the lawn not damage it

"simple"