Is a Riding mower overkill?

[Guado]

It's only 1/4 or was it 1/3 acre..eh either way it is heavily landscaped so there is not alot of open grass. However the grass is thick.

Should I just get a nice self propelled walk behind or go for the rider? I know with the Rider I can knock out the lawn in about 30 minutes or less and with the walk behind it would take me probably 45 minutes.

My only hesitation with the walk behind is there is a nice grade the the whole lawn. Does anyone have any experience with the newer RWD self propelled models? The last self propelled mower I used was probably from 1990, and that was probably the last time I did yardwork.

Any CONSTRUCTIVE input is appreciated.

[J-Dizzle]

ehh its not worth the
$$ for a rider.. i thought bout it and we have bout a 1/4 to1/2 acre lots of thick grass in the back yard. but i went for a self propelled mulcher, not to bad..nice pace

[1BADP71]

dont forget things like storage space , resale , and parts cost when either one breaks .

[Mars_302]

I wouldnt evne get a self propelled. The last mower my family had was a non one and it was easier to use than a self propelled. Its better if you find the ones that has the really big back tires, they make it so much easier to move around.

I would not for sure do a rider though, it can be more time consuming with a complicated yard than if you had used a push mower.

[oh1coupe]

I wouldnt evne get a self propelled. The last mower my family had was a non one and it was easier to use than a self propelled. Its better if you find the ones that has the really big back tires, they make it so much easier to move around.

I would not for sure do a rider though, it can be more time consuming with a complicated yard than if you had used a push mower.


+1 The self propeled drive always goes too slow.

[Guado]

+1 The self propeled drive always goes too slow.

The new ones you set to your own pace and up to 4.8mph on some :)

That is why I was mentioning is anyone had used the newer ones....especially the RWD self propelled. I keep reading they are superior to the older FWD models.


Storage and space is no issue. But The more I think about it yes I do feel it is overkill.

[Joe]

I have an acre and about 2/3rds of it is grass. The kid I pay $25 to uses a push mower if that counts for anything... :haha:

[corey r.]

Some say M16's and AK 47's are over kill.

[Just Dave]

the RWD self propelled. I keep reading they are superior to the older FWD models.


Words to live by :lol:

I have a half acre, and it takes about the same time to mow with a push vs a rider. I hate mowing, not because of the actual mowing part, but because the riding mower is always screwing up and needs something. Right now it needs a $40 belt. Luckily my parents live across the street so I borrow their mower, but between buying a battery every year (they always die during the winter and won't hold a charge), fucking with the carburetor all the time, replacing belts, tightening belts, greasing it, etc, its well worth it to just buy a $50 push mower once every couple of years.

[TNathe]

hydrostatic zero turn FTW! :lol: At least it puts fun into mowing your yard. haha

[keith455]

hydrostatic zero turn FTW! :lol: At least it puts fun into mowing your yard. haha
You mean like one of these. We have about 3 acres to cut.

[Unregistered]

I've seen riders for around $300

[94DOHCDELSOL]

We bought a push mower about a year ago, and am glad I didn't waste the money on a rider. I also have about 1/4 acre. It is a Honda mower, and it starts right up everytime. It is FWD, but is still very easy to manuver. I would say go w/ the push mower as you have more control, and like you said, it'll take under an hour, you'll get a good workout, is less expensive, easier to maintain, easier to store, and much more reliable.

[Guado]

Yep, definitely gonna get the RWD pushmower. I went and messed with it today. Holy crap has technology improved on those suckers! It weights about 5 pounds more than the standard mower. The last self propelled one I had weighed 40lbs more than a standard pusher.

also the one I looked at actually goes faster or slower depending on teh amount of force you use to push on the spring loaded sliding bar. It was very neat. I never new pushmowers got NICE! Oh yea and it has an electric starter too...lol

Thanks for the feeback...and dave thanks for bringing me back down to earth on the real life of a riding mower. ;)

[Rich]

If you don't feel like walking, the Snapper RER is as good as it gets for a small residential lawn. I have three of them, but the one that I have been mowing with for a season and a half is 35 years old and was purchased for $100. The deck is just bigger than a push mower, but its maneuverable, easy to work on, almost maintenance free and takes up no more room than a big push mower in the garage if you store it on end. They are $1200+ new, but you can find them used for a good price. Either way, if you buy a self propelled, I would avoid the variable speed ones and get something 2 or 3 speed, they last longer. The Honda HR216K3TDA is a great choice.

[Guado]

If you don't feel like walking, the Snapper RER is as good as it gets for a small residential lawn. I have three of them, but the one that I have been mowing with for a season and a half is 35 years old and was purchased for $100. The deck is just bigger than a push mower, but its maneuverable, easy to work on, almost maintenance free and takes up no more room than a big push mower in the garage if you store it on end. They are $1200+ new, but you can find them used for a good price. Either way, if you buy a self propelled, I would avoid the variable speed ones and get something 2 or 3 speed, they last longer. The Honda HR216K3TDA is a great choice.


I saw those at homedepot but can't find any online reviews of them. I do like the honda OHV/OHC motor.

[Rich]

I saw those at homedepot but can't find any online reviews of them. I do like the honda OHV/OHC motor.

Just about any small engine you can buy will perform well enough, but the honda will start every time.