Toro or Craftsman self propelled mower?

[CrystalRiver1]

Hey Studs,
Spring is in the air & my grass is getting high enough to hunt rabbits in!
My yard is not huge, but my time is limited.
I decided upon a self propelled mower and my price point is $300.
I can get a 10% Military Discount at Lowes or Home Depot.
After reading a zillion reviews I've narrowed it down to either a Toro or Craftsman.
Searched the local Craigslist and found a new Craftsman that was bought and never used for $200...here is the pics & lowdown on it:
Craftsman 37441 21" 163cc Briggs & Stratton Front-Wheel Drive Push Mower with High Rear Wheels , it is supposedly on sale at Sears for $319 after original msrp of $419.
My other choice was this:
Toro Recycler 22 in. SmartStow High Wheel Variable Speed Walk Behind Gas Self Propelled Mower for $329 plus tax.
Any thoughts or other options to consider?
Thanks,
Reg

 

[Dub11]

Hey Studs,
Spring is in the air & my grass is getting high enough to hunt rabbits in!
My yard is not huge, but my time is limited.
I decided upon a self propelled mower and my price point is $300.
I can get a 10% Military Discount at Lowes or Home Depot.
After reading a zillion reviews I've narrowed it down to either a Toro or Craftsman.
Searched the local Craigslist and found a new Craftsman that was bought and never used for $200...here is the pics & lowdown on it:
Craftsman 37441 21" 163cc Briggs & Stratton Front-Wheel Drive Push Mower with High Rear Wheels , it is supposedly on sale at Sears for $319 after original msrp of $419.
My other choice was this: View attachment 116719
Toro Recycler 22 in. SmartStow High Wheel Variable Speed Walk Behind Gas Self Propelled Mower for $329 plus tax. View attachment 116720
Any thoughts or other options to consider?
Thanks,
Reg

Which one has a better warranty? And which one feels better? I'm 6'3" And some mower handles no matter what are too low for me.

Me personally I'm gunning for one of these.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwjU9Mna1_fZAhUW5mMKHXlmAeQQwg8IJg&adurl=

 

[CrystalRiver1]

Looking @ that right now...I'm 6'4 myself...I feel ya...kinda cutting down on my burlyness some...lost about 12lbs on this fast me & the wife have been doing! If I can get this "nearly new" Craftsman for $175-200 I'm ALL IN! 10-12 times a year usage is the max for me.
Dude says he'll toss in a 30 Day warranty to boot.

Here is the deal on the Sears Craftsman "Live Chat": Boy do they lay it on "hot n heavy!!!"
It comes with 2 year manufacturer warranty.
We are also offering Protection Plan with which you can get unlimited service calls, free yearly maintenance to prolong the life of the unit and in case the unit requires more than 4 repairs in a year, we will help you replace it with a new one.
3-Year In-Shop Repair Protection Agreement $103.49
The limited manufacturer warranty requires you to carry the product to service center in case of a repair or service is not covered under the limited parts and labor Or you will need to pay for the in home visit.
However, with our Protection Agreement our service specialists will be right at your doorstep to service the product for you and it will cover anything and everything.
If you do not like the service or used the service within 1 year, you can contact us back and get the full refund on Protection Agreement.
3-Year In-Shop Repair Protection Agreement $103.49

If you purchase our Protection Agreement, be rest assured that you are spending your hard earned money for the first and last time on your "product" and it will also last longer than usual life time.
You can get rental reimbursement if in case you have to use a replacement till your “product” is fixed.
Yes, you can purchase the plan on the mower which has been bought(used) already, but the price of the warranty may differ.
On the Toro:
The following time periods apply from the date of purchase:
Products Warranty Period
22 in Recycler and 20 in Mulcher/Bagger 2 - year full warranty
and Attachments
GTS (Guaranteed to Start) 3 - year full warranty
Power Train** 3 - year full warranty
Battery 1 - year full warranty

 

[CrystalRiver1]

Which one has a better warranty? And which one feels better? I'm 6'3" And some mower handles no matter what are too low for me.

Me personally I'm gunning for one of these.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwjU9Mna1_fZAhUW5mMKHXlmAeQQwg8IJg&adurl=

Toro TimeMaster (30") 223cc Personal Pace® Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
WHAT A FREAKING BEAST!!!!

 

[FergusonTO35]

Snapper Hi-Vac or Ninja all the way.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Sears "protection plan" is garbage, even for someone who doesn't do their own repairs. My mom and stepdad used to buy it for all their lawn equipment and appliances. You'd be amazed at how good they are at wiggling out of fixing anything. If they can't wiggle out of it, they just say the parts are backordered indefinitely.

 

[Dub11]

Sears "protection plan" is garbage, even for someone who doesn't do their own repairs. My mom and stepdad used to buy it for all their lawn equipment and appliances. You'd be amazed at how good they are at wiggling out of fixing anything. If they can't wiggle out of it, they just say the parts are backordered indefinitely.

Well no wonder they are going under.

 

[J_M____]

I would get neither. Every toro my grandfather has had, has had issues. And Sears is going out of business so warranty and parts availability may be an issue.
I would gladly pay extra for a Honda.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Well no wonder they are going under.

They were going under when I worked there from 1997-1999. It's like sinking the Titanic by a series of pin pricks.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I would get neither. Every toro my grandfather has had, has had issues. And Sears is going out of business so warranty and parts availability may be an issue.
I would gladly pay extra for a Honda.

Agreed. Honda is probably the best walk behind available today. The Snappers I mentioned are pretty good too, not the cheapo Walmart versions.

 

[CrystalRiver1]

Well no wonder they are going under.

True...so true.

 

[CrystalRiver1]

Agreed. Honda is probably the best walk behind available today. The Snappers I mentioned are pretty good too, not the cheapo Walmart versions.

Hmm...

 

[Larry B]

All crapsman mowers are built to a price point which is the lowest price possible. MTD builds them with the cheapest engines, controls and decks. They are no better than the cheapest mower at Wally world and the like.If you are looking for a cheap mower with a crappy wheel drive system buy a crapsman. A decent push mower I like are Honda, Husqvarna, John Deere. Snapper is not what it used to be since MTD bought them and lots of folks having problems with the Toro Timemaster.

 

[CrystalRiver1]

All crapsman mowers are built to a price point which is the lowest price possible. MTD builds them with the cheapest engines, controls and decks. They are no better than the cheapest mower at Wally world and the like.If you are looking for a cheap mower with a crappy wheel drive system buy a crapsman. A decent push mower I like are Honda, Husqvarna, John Deere. Snapper is not what it used to be since MTD bought them and lots of folks having problems with the Toro Timemaster.

Y-I-K-E-S!!!!!!

 

[FergusonTO35]

My take on it: a walk behind mower should be lightweight and simple. The low dollar examples at Lowe's and Walmart usually do pretty good for the price, and if you care for the engine properly it will outlast the deck. I gave my 12 year old Bolens 4hp/22" to my best friend a couple weeks ago. All I have ever done is replace the blade, wheels, and carb which are completely expected. It still starts on the first or second pull every time and he is quite happy with it. I'll be happy to get my new/used Murray going when the parts arrive, it is really light and just what I need for the places I can't take my riding mowers.

If someone wants a self propelled mower with fancy features they should save their dough and get a good one like a Honda or old school Lawn Boy/Snapper, buying cheap here is false economy. I've been given or offered many Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, and Crapsman mowers of this sort only two or three years old. I won't take them any more, they aren't worth fixing even as gifts. It's funny, no one ever offers me basic push mowers, they keep them until they are completely used up.

 

[Larry B]

Agreed! I have a craptacular 30 year old KrapMart mower 4 wheels a deck and a 3.5hp engine. Still works. Got a 30+ year old basic F engine lawnboy no bells and whistles still works fine. People freak out when they bring me a cheap mower with a stripped wheel drive and i tell them parts alone will be over $100. Then they ask if i want to buy it. ROFLMAO!!!

 

[Dub11]

I'm still rocking a big rear wheel Craftsman mulcher from 97. About ready for its 3rd motor.

 

[Dub11]

But I really wish those time savers were better I could benefit from a 30" deck

 

[CrystalRiver1]

My take on it: a walk behind mower should be lightweight and simple. The low dollar examples at Lowe's and Walmart usually do pretty good for the price, and if you care for the engine properly it will outlast the deck. I gave my 12 year old Bolens 4hp/22" to my best friend a couple weeks ago. All I have ever done is replace the blade, wheels, and carb which are completely expected. It still starts on the first or second pull every time and he is quite happy with it. I'll be happy to get my new/used Murray going when the parts arrive, it is really light and just what I need for the places I can't take my riding mowers.

If someone wants a self propelled mower with fancy features they should save their dough and get a good one like a Honda or old school Lawn Boy/Snapper, buying cheap here is false economy. I've been given or offered many Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, and Crapsman mowers of this sort only two or three years old. I won't take them any more, they aren't worth fixing even as gifts. It's funny, no one ever offers me basic push mowers, they keep them until they are completely used up.

Here, Here sir!
The more I think about it...the more I'm compelled to ditch the self-propelled idea and just get a solid basic push mower and start cutting some freaking grass!
I have a 12 yr old Weed Eater 4.5 mower that takes about 8-10 pulls before she decides to wake it up, but still cuts fairly decent.
I guess it needs fuel lines, spark-plug, and carb work...I guess?
I'm not going to drop $400-500 for any mower no matter how long it runs error free!
Hmm...back to ze drawing board!

 

[CrystalRiver1]

My take on it: a walk behind mower should be lightweight and simple. The low dollar examples at Lowe's and Walmart usually do pretty good for the price, and if you care for the engine properly it will outlast the deck. I gave my 12 year old Bolens 4hp/22" to my best friend a couple weeks ago. All I have ever done is replace the blade, wheels, and carb which are completely expected. It still starts on the first or second pull every time and he is quite happy with it. I'll be happy to get my new/used Murray going when the parts arrive, it is really light and just what I need for the places I can't take my riding mowers.

If someone wants a self propelled mower with fancy features they should save their dough and get a good one like a Honda or old school Lawn Boy/Snapper, buying cheap here is false economy. I've been given or offered many Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, and Crapsman mowers of this sort only two or three years old. I won't take them any more, they aren't worth fixing even as gifts. It's funny, no one ever offers me basic push mowers, they keep them until they are completely used up.

Hey Fergurson, what is the common complaint or issue on those, "Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, and Crapsman mowers" you speak of?
Now that you mention it...the majority of the used mowers for sale happen to be "self-propelled!"
Hmm---Here's Yer Sign!!!