Buying Advice want self Propelled NOT self paced

[dcj3831]

I need to get a new walk behind Mower and would like to know anyone who has bought a reasonably priced, self propelled that is not self paced.

In other words I do not want any spring loaded or pivot handles that "adjust" the speed of the transmission. I want a self propelled speed selector seperate from the mechanism that actually engages the transmission. Select speed level 2 and then the transmission is either on or off. Any thoughts?

By the way, does anybody else agree with me that these "personal pace" systems are complete junk!!! WHY does everybody like them so much?

 

[Scooby074]

I need to get a new walk behind Mower and would like to know anyone who has bought a reasonably priced, self propelled that is not self paced.

In other words I do not want any spring loaded or pivot handles that "adjust" the speed of the transmission. I want a self propelled speed selector seperate from the mechanism that actually engages the transmission. Select speed level 2 and then the transmission is either on or off. Any thoughts?

By the way, does anybody else agree with me that these "personal pace" systems are complete junk!!! WHY does everybody like them so much?

Any of the honda hydrotatics offer varriable speed. not cheap though Honda Canada

i have a hrs2163sdc. single speed though so its much cheaper, but it is "on of off" not personal pace. You CAN lighten up on the control bail, causing the trans to slip a bit to slow down for corners etc. Its been a tank, and always starts first pull.Honda Canada

 

[rekees4300]

I need to get a new walk behind Mower and would like to know anyone who has bought a reasonably priced, self propelled that is not self paced.

I believe in keeping it simple. Have always used front wheel drive self propelled either on or off one speed. To go slower just push down on the handle so the front wheels spin.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

By the way, does anybody else agree with me that these "personal pace" systems are complete junk!!! WHY does everybody like them so much?

My mower has set speeds so I don't have an opinion one way or the other. My father however loves his Toro "pace" mower. I think this is the third season he has used it and no problems so far.

 

[Gittyup]

I also have a Toro Personal Pace and like it. I like that its rear wheel drive and does seem to just stay out in front of you. After a while you forget that it's self-propelled. I only cut a little bit with it though - a couple of small patches (20 x 40) where I can't get my GT into . What is it about them that you oject to?

 

[mattcage]

I have one of those Toro Personal pacer jobs also. I don't like it and can't really explain why. I use this thing rarely and roundup and a ztr for normal grass cutting.

I grew up using the Lawnboy push mowers and really liked them. Got a good deal on the toro and didn't really notice how it worked. There appears to not be any middle ground on the personal pacers; love it or hate it.

Matt

 

[Bird]

My personal pace Toro is about 3 years and 2 months old, and I sure do like it. It'll go fast enough for me and slow enough for my wife. Once last summer, I mowed a daughter's yard with their one-speed self-propelled and I'd sure hate to go back to that kind of mower.

 

[crbr]

John Deere with the 5.5 hp Honda engine. I can't have a new one, this one will not break after many years. Three speed gear selector, rear wheel drive, all 4 wheels adjustable height. Starts on the first pull everytime.

Rear attached bagger or rear attached chute with the side-direction discharge.

 

[Bird]

Starts on the first pull everytime.

My Toro with a Briggs & Stratton engine is even better than that. It starts without pulling the rope; just turn the key.:laughing:

 

[nickel plate]

I bought a Troy-Bilt a few months ago. 21" deck, rear wheel drive to 12" tires and 4-speeds forward via a shift lever. I have had a Snapper front wheel drive but it was only good on residential lawns where you can lift the front wheels to manuver it around flower beds, etc. without chopping up the plants. I have some rolling hills property with native grasses and this new Troy-Bilt RWD is the drive line answer for this terrain.

 

[JasG]

I have a toro personal pace and mow about .7 acers with the mower and love it. My yard is very hilly and it is nice it self adjusts as I go up and down with it. I think it is 6 years old without any major issues. The mower before that was a manual speed adjusting also a toro and didn't hold up nearly as well.

 

[rekees4300]

Never had a Toro but they DO have a good reputation

 

[Bird]

By the way, does anybody else agree with me that these "personal pace" systems are complete junk!!! WHY does everybody like them so much?

No, I don't agree, but (1) I think you (and everyone) should buy what you like best, and (2) I can't help but be curious was to why you don't like the personal pace.

As to why others like them so much; convenience and ease of use, in my opinion. I can tell you that I bought this personal pace, electric start, mower so that my wife could mow if she had to. However, she never wanted to do the mowing and hadn't used it. But recently I've had serious problems with one knee, and one day last month when I went to see an orthopedic doctor about it, I came home to find that she had mowed the yard. I didn't think she'd even know how to start it. And I know she's never looked at the manual.:laughing:

 

[Jim in ICT]

Look at a Snapper. I've had two, a push type and a self-propelled (when my wife failed to make good on her promise of helping with the mowing "if we just buy the push model"). It has 5-6 speeds and hasn't failed me yet.

 

[Cyclone Jake]

I've got a Lawn Boy variable speed, rear wheel drive and LOVE it. I don't use it much any more, but it was my primary mower for a few years until I got a rider a couple years back. Mine has the lever under the push handle that you squeeze harder to go faster. Once I got the hang of it, I wouldn't go back to the single speed style.

 

[JakeBrake]

I use a DR Field & Brush mower. You can buy a DR with either a brushcutter attachment or a 42" mowing deck or you can buy both attachments and easily change over from one to the other. The DR has a 4 speed transmission. In 4th gear with the engine operating at the normal 3600 RPM, the ground speed is about 4.5 MPH. It will maintain that speed with the blade(s) turning or not until it runs out of gas or hits an immovable object. If you run into tough grass or brush you can downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear. 1st gear is so slow that I only use it for parking the mower.