Mower Questions to Toro or not?

[herbicide]

Anybody have a preference on rear-drive vs. front-drive? What's the benefits of each? I'll likely be purchasing a new mower this year, as the wife hates using my reel mower, but she likes mowing the lawn.

Rear. More traction, especially on hills. If you ever plan on bagging, front drive is pretty much worthless. Plus they are almost always (if not always) better built (but more expensive) than the fwd ones.

The only advantage to the front drive ones is that you can be 'lazy' and not have to turn off the drive as you lift the front wheels off to turn the mower. But even with that the wheels tend to just spin instead of actually driving the mower.

 

[Wesley]

Five years with my Sears 22 inch without oil change or sparkplug trplacement or blade sharpening.

However, I felt sorry for it and just changed the oil.

150 bucks non propelled and started on first pull of the year.

No smoke and mulches great.

My backyard drops off 25 feet and I mow with the mower tilted. Frankly, I am impressed with its durability.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

(do not recommend Deere for their walk-behind mowers)

My John Deere Silver Bullet walk behind mower would disagree with this statement. If you can find the Silver Bullet I would definitely recommend buying one.

 

[cy8]

Correct, Toro is Toro no matter where purchased. I work in this industry...the main reason is customer service and service down the road. Dealers give preference to items sold in their shop, and box store units are at the back of the line. I have seen many dealers get back-logged beyond 2-3 weeks in season and turn business away that has been purchased in big box stores.

My preference on Toro...Super Recycler with aluminum deck. That wash-out port on a steel deck is askign for nothing but trouble...a rusted out deck!

This is why, and in some cases large companies will allow smaller companies to build cheaper mowers for them with the large companies name on it. Also you will get better customer service if anything were to go wrong with the mower.