Gas Push Mowers

Push mowers are less expensive and give you a workout

Push lawn mowers are recommended for relatively flat lawns up to a third of an acre. They're usually less expensive than self-propelled mowers. They're also apt to need fewer repairs than self-propelled mowers (which use more complicated drive systems.) However, since most push mowers are powered by less expensive engines, most models don't last quite as long on average -- about five years, compared with about seven for self-propelled lawn mowers.

One poll finds that among push mowers, Bolens is the brand most apt to need repairs. Lawn-Boy push mowers have also been more prone to breakdowns -- especially compared with Craftsman, Toro or Honda push mowers. Now that Lawn-Boy mowers are made in the same plants as Toro mowers, experts speculate that their reliability is apt to improve, but the jury is still out. It's interesting that although MTD makes both Bolens and Troy-Bilt mowers, the latter are the brand least apt to need repairs, according to owner surveys.

The 21-inch Troy-Bilt 11A-542Q711 push mower, also called the Troy-Bilt TB542 (*Est. $250) uses a 160cc Honda OHV engine that meets even the stringent California emission (CARB) standards. It has large 12-inch rear wheels, which expert reviews recommend for maneuvering on bumpy lawns. In past years it has earned positive ratings at Lowes.com, but the current average rating there is middling -- with especially low ratings for quality and value. Owners do say it's easy to use, and objective tests elsewhere agree -- though other push mowers rank higher overall. The main drawbacks are the short-ish 3.5-inch maximum cutting height, plus the need to adjust cutting height at each wheel separately. The warranty is for two years.

Craftsman push mowers have established a good repair record too. Among the push mowers reviewed at Sears.com by owners, two very basic, inexpensive models stand out for the best average ratings. The 22-inch Craftsman 38512 (*est. $150) can side-discharge or mulch. A few owners find it hard to start, and we found some reports of breakdowns. Adjusting cutting height requires attention to all four wheels -- with a maximum height of 3.5 inches. The Craftsman 38819 (*est. $180) can mulch (but not side-discharge) and comes with a rear-mounted bag designed to minimize dust. It uses a 158cc Briggs & Stratton engine for power. In comparison tests, this engine/mower combo is good all-around. Owners appreciate the price, but we found complaints that starting takes more than one pull, and power could be better.

On up the price scale, the 21-inch Craftsman 38905 (*est. $225) comes with accessories to bag, mulch or side-discharge, though in comparison tests, it mulches and bags better than it side-discharges. This push mower has a recoil start, and in contrast to the cheaper Craftsman push mowers, owner reviews so far say it starts easily, usually on one pull. This model also gets good reviews for easy handling. Adjusting the cutting height requires adjusting all four wheels. This mower comes with a two-year warranty. It's powered by a 190cc Briggs & Stratton engine -- more powerful than the cheaper Craftsman 38819 push mower.

If bagging is most important to you, the Cub Cadet 11A-18MC (*est. $260) might be worth seeking out (it's harder to find since it's available only from dealers), since it earns much better scores for cutting evenly as well as for bagging cuttings than the Craftsman lawn mowers. Reviewers also like this 19-inch Cub Cadet push mower, also known as the Cub Cadet 11A-18MZ256 or CC-500. It offers single-lever height adjustment, but the maximum is only 3.5 inches. The warranty is for three years.

We didn't find any repair ratings for Cub Cadet push mowers, but Honda and Toro fare well on this score -- though they're a lot more expensive than the mowers discussed above. Honda makes the only CARB-compliant gas push mowers that are the same in all 50 states -- so it doesn't have to be special ordered if you live outside of California. The 4-stoke OHV engine is the type experts recommend, not only for low emissions but for quieter operation.

Honda has an excellent reputation for lawn mowers, including a good repair record, and get good ratings for even cutting. Earlier Honda push mowers didn't bag cuttings, but the newest model, the Honda HRR216K5PDA (*est. $440) does. (It can also mulch and side-discharge.) Maximum cutting height is only 3.5 inches, which experts say might be too short for some lawns. The steel deck is another disadvantage. The warranty is for three years.

The even more expensive Toro Super Recycler 20090 (*Est. $480) push mower has a higher maximum cutting height of 4.25 inches, but a grass bag costs extra. This mower isn't CARB-compliant, but the engine is guaranteed to start on the first or second pull for five years, and it carries a five-year full warranty overall. The cast aluminum deck isn't as prone to rust as steel decks. The review at HowStuffWorks.com seems to be based more on features than testing, but notes that like other Toro mowers, the push mower has a convenient wash-out port for hosing underneath. A rear bag costs extra.