Where to buy a new lawn mower?

[MacGurl]

Our old Sears lawn mower is on it's last legs. I've had it since about 1998, and at one point the right front wheel had broke/rusted loose of the deck. My Brother was able to drill some new holes and cobble it back together for me, getting a few more years use from it, but now it's barely hanging on by a steel "thread" - tipped severely to the right (very hard to use that way), and ready to break free the next time it takes a whack.
Stupidly, I just invested $90 in the dumb thing a few weeks ago, getting it running again, after finding it dead dead dead after the winter. I should have just bit the bullet and gotten a new one back then. Mowing is a weekly affair here, and if I pay the ex-neighbor boys to do it it's $25 a pop, so that's ok in a pinch, but not long term.
As much as I'd love a top of the line self-propelled mower, financially, I don't have a lot to invest. I am leery of the super cheap mowers, in the $150 range. I suppose what I would be in the market for is a 21"/22" deck, high wheeled, mulching, push mower. The yard here is too large, with fairly thick grass, for an electric.
Looking at Sears web site I'm seeing some in the $200 - $240 range that look that they might be what I'm looking for. Any thoughts for me?

[timg]

You KNOW Greg wants it!

[jdc]

I just bought a basic mower from HomeDepot 8 years ago, (made in Canada, eh) still running strong.

Its all about the motor -- make sure its got the power.

[OWC Jamie]

If you have no intention of bagging , go with the (less costly) model that doesn't have the option.
No sense parts lying around never getting used.


The other option is to find the retired guy in town that fixes old mowers and has hundreds of repaired ones in his garage (sometimes across the yard) He might have a deck for your motor or trade ya plus some cash.

[Carm]

Lowes. http://www.lowes.com/pd_183623-270-11A-4...Id=1052451&Ns=p_product_quantity_sold|0&pl=1¤tURL=/pl_Push%2BMowers_4294857303_4294937087_?newSearch=true$ddkey=http:CategoryDisplay$Ns=p_product_quantity_sold|0

$179.00 Picked this one up about a year ago. Gardener was retiring and the new guy didnt really do a good job of cutting the front lawn.(Dogs in back) I still had to do the back yard. Decent little cutter with a bag.
EDIT: What BillB said. If you rake up your clipping, get a bagless model.

My only suggestion would be to get a mower with a bag. Easier on you, little to no raking. I had an electric, but it started acting up, so I bit the bullet and got a gas model. Lower end push models usually have the same model motor in them. Same company that is... I had a self propelled model at my old house, I loved it, but ended up giving it to my sister when I moved. The model above is the same minus the self propelled parts.

Joe

[mattkime]

its best to leave clippings on the lawn unless they're so thick that they blanket it.

[Mac1337]

I have a Sears riding mower, a self-propelled mower and a push mower. My favorite: the push mower. It is like walking. Last winter I left it outside with no cover. Started with one pull. I was ready to at least squirt some ether in it.

[Ombligo]

Look for a used one at either a mower repair shop or on Craigslist.

No reason to pay full retail for one.

[JoeM]

A lot depends on what size lawn you mow and how you do it. If you are on an incline or have a large lawn you probably want a mower with a drive. Otherwise for small lawns you could get the old traditional push type.

You might want a mulcher if you don't bag and mow regularly. I have owned Sears mowers for about 20 yrs and they have been fine. Toros are usually rated best but are costly.

Just checked consumer reports for you. In your price range, they recommend:

Push mowers:
Lawn-Boy 10640 $240. Electric - battery powered 50 minutes
Cub Cadet 11A-18MC $240 **Best Buy
Black & Decker MM875 $240

Self Propelled:
Toro Recycler 20330 $300
Craftsman 37435 $300
Yard Man 12A-18M7 4280
Lawn-Boy 10641 $270

[TLB]

I've gotten some great deals on yard and garden equipment on craigslist. If you spent $90 on the engine you may be able to get a Craftsman with a dead engine and good deck and swap the motor for cheap and hold off on the new mover for another year or two.