WTB New Gas Lawn Mower

[Javajoe]

So… heading to Havasu today for the weekend and while there I need to buy a gas lawn mower. Mine is toast and I can’t buy one in Ca.
So where’s the best selection to buy one from. Depot’s website seemed pretty weak on inventory. Tractor Supply seemed better. What say you guys?

 

[Havasu blue label]

Why can’t you buy in California . Just go to a lawnmower shop

 

[lbhsbz]

People don't mow their gravel in Havasu....not the place to shop for a mower.

I went through this recently...retired a 50 year old Snapper Hi-Vac mower...shouldn't have done that.

Just about everything out there is built by MTD....with the exception of the some of the higher end Toro mowers and Honda. Honda has stopped producing mowers, but there is plenty of inventory out there still. MTD builds shit, and everyone that has MTD build their mowers have shit customer service...so I'd avoid them.

That leaves Honda. I just bought one of these after my 7 month old Troy Bilt POS broke a corner of the piece of plastic which constitutes the whole back of the mower and won't hold them damn bag on anymore...part is on eternal backorder.

Order a Honda from Northern Tool....I just got this one: https://www.northerntool.com/produc...gcv170-engine-21in-deck-model-hrn216vka-88530

They ship to CA, even though they're probably not supposed to, but they did. Mine showed up yesterday. Parts will be available forever, because Honda. It'll work like it should, because Honda.

Nothing that Home Depot sells is worth a shit IMO.

If you're a baller, get on Marketplace or wherever and buy a used commercial Honda, but that will cost you $1500+...probably worth it because it will outlast your grandkids, but was a bit much for me to bite off to use every 2 weeks or so to mow my little yard.

All the cheaper gas mowers that use a Briggs (most of them) come with the "small" briggs that advertises "no oil changes ever"....the POS just burns oil and you get to check and add all the time. Who the hell checks the oil in their mower?....I didn't do it for 20 years in my old Snapper mower, and it ran fine when I dumped it....just couldn't get good bags that wouldn't rot in a year or 2, for $100 each...which is why I scrapped it. New briggs that you don't check the oil in will lock up in a couple years I imagine. My troy-bilt I bought because it had the big briggs that you ::should:: change the oil on...which means it's not designed to burn it, which is why I searched for and bought it. too bad everything but the engine is a turd.

Gotta be careful buying things today....they're not all pretty good like they used to be.

 

[rivergames]

Why can’t you buy in California . Just go to a lawnmower shop

The sale of gas mowers are outlawed in CA. Thank a Lib!

 

[lbhsbz]

Why can’t you buy in California . Just go to a lawnmower shop

New law...supposedly, no more gas lawn equipment sales permitted after Jan. 2024.

 

[Javajoe]

People don't mow their gravel in Havasu....not the place to shop for a mower.

I went through this recently...retired a 50 year old Snapper Hi-Vac mower...shouldn't have done that.

Just about everything out there is built by MTD....with the exception of the some of the higher end Toro mowers and Honda. Honda has stopped producing mowers, but there is plenty of inventory out there still. MTD builds shit, and everyone that has MTD build their mowers have shit customer service...so I'd avoid them.

That leaves Honda. I just bought one of these after my 7 month old Troy Bilt POS broke a corner of the piece of plastic which constitutes the whole back of the mower and won't hold them damn bag on anymore...part is on eternal backorder.

Order a Honda from Northern Tool....I just got this one: https://www.northerntool.com/produc...gcv170-engine-21in-deck-model-hrn216vka-88530

They ship to CA, even though they're probably not supposed to, but they did. Mine showed up yesterday. Parts will be available forever, because Honda. It'll work like it should, because Honda.

Nothing that Home Depot sells is worth a shit IMO.

If you're a baller, get on Marketplace or wherever and buy a used commercial Honda, but that will cost you $1500+...probably worth it because it will outlast your grandkids, but was a bit much for me to bite off to use every 2 weeks or so to mow my little yard.

All the cheaper gas mowers that use a Briggs (most of them) come with the "small" briggs that advertises "no oil changes ever"....the POS just burns oil and you get to check and add all the time. Who the hell checks the oil in their mower?....I didn't do it for 20 years in my old Snapper mower, and it ran fine when I dumped it....just couldn't get good bags that wouldn't rot in a year or 2, for $100 each...which is why I scrapped it. New briggs that you don't check the oil in will lock up in a couple years I imagine. My troy-bilt I bought because it had the big briggs that you ::should:: change the oil on...which means it's not designed to burn it, which is why I searched for and bought it. too bad everything but the engine is a turd.

Gotta be careful buying things today....they're not all pretty good like they used to be.

Was just about to call you but BAM!!! You posted. Good deal. Wanted a Honda. Good price also. Thanks for already doing all the leg work for me. Normally takes me a long time to vet purchases out. I will have my wife order this today.

 

[lbhsbz]

Was just about to call you but BAM!!! You posted. Good deal. Wanted a Honda. Good price also. Thanks for already doing all the leg work for me. Normally takes me a long time to vet purchases out. I will have my wife order this today.

Sign up with your email address to get their spam for a bit and you get a $100 gift card....makes up for shipping if you can find some other harbor freight grade junk to can you use for under $100

 

[Havasu blue label]

New law...supposedly, no more gas lawn equipment sales permitted after Jan. 2024.

There still available toro exmark plenty of them

 

[Sharky]

You guys have lawns in Havasu?

 

[Javajoe]

You guys have lawns in Havasu?

Lol. I live in Riverside but also have a house in Havasu. Figured since I’m going out of state to Havasu anyway to check on the house I should buy one since I can’t here. All rocks in Havasu. Only ballers have lawn there. Guess I’m buying it on line now which is better

 

[rightytighty]

Ca loop hole: I just went through this on a blower. Didnt want lithium batteries in the garage with my boat.

Though 1/1/24 is when law went i to effect, anything mfgr’d in 2023 still ok to sell. The mfgrs over produced in 2023. I just bought a Gas Stihl Backback blower last week.

Lawnmowers are harder to find but some still available. There was a couple at my local commercial shop, anyway.

Look around . Maybe you get lucky.

 

[lbhsbz]

The sale of gas mowers are outlawed in CA. Thank a Lib!

So is Methylene Chloride paint stripper and Chlorinated brake cleaner....guess what 2 things I had delivered last week....

You just have to find a distributor who doesn't care lol.

 

[lbhsbz]

Ca loop hole: I just went through this on a blower. Didnt want lithium batteries in the garage with my boat.

Though 1/1/24 is when law went i to effect, anything mfgr’d in 2023 still ok to sell. The mfgrs over produced in 2023. I just bought a Gas Stihl Backback blower last week.

Lawnmowers are harder to find but some still available. There was a couple at my local commercial shop, anyway.

Look around . Maybe you get lucky.

That's probably the workaround with the Honda stuff....they had an issue with the compression release on the cams sticking, so did a recall. I bet everything for sale currently is stuff from 2023 that had the cam recall performed.

Good call.

 

[hallett21]

Honda. Like @lbhsbz said they’ll have support forever

 

[Angler]

Get a gardener, let him worry about it.

 

[bowtiejunkie]

Honda mower is great. I have a 2006 model, I change oil and spark plug every Spring.

I moved a few years ago and drained the oil in the mower and Power Trim edger (Briggs engine) before loading in trailer. You know where this is going. Start mowing lawn at new house. Halfway through the second mow, I switch to edging and the Briggs locks up and dies. Shit, forgot to fill with oil!!! Promptly fill the Honda mower with oil (it ran at least 30 minutes maybe closer to 45 with no oil) and it hasn't missed a beat in the 4.5 years since. Bought a new Briggs replacement engine for $238 as I wasn't waiting for my slow ass to try rebuilding the broken Briggs. Get the Honda!

 

[lbhsbz]

Honda mower is great. I have a 2006 model, I change oil and spark plug every Spring.

I moved a few years ago and drained the oil in the mower and Power Trim edger (Briggs engine) before loading in trailer. You know where this is going. Start mowing lawn at new house. Halfway through the second mow, I switch to edging and the Briggs locks up and dies. Shit, forgot to fill with oil!!! Promptly fill the Honda mower with oil (it ran at least 30 minutes maybe closer to 45 with no oil) and it hasn't missed a beat in the 4.5 years since. Bought a new Briggs replacement engine for $238 as I wasn't waiting for my slow ass to try rebuilding the broken Briggs. Get the Honda!

Leave the briggs out in the rain for a few years....it'll fire right up. Maybe add some oil after that too lol.

I had one that somehow rusted solid....pulled the head and it was bad inside. I needle scaled the cylinder and piston crown, dumped all the dust out, gave her the sand paper treatment on the cylinder wall and squirted some PB blaster in there.....smacked the top of the piston every day or so with a hammer a few times until it moved again, ran it to the bottom, sand papered the rest of the cylinder, put the head back on and it fired on the 3rd pull. Been running that edger for the last 10 years lol.

I should probably check the oil sometime in the next 10....it might be low.

 

[HST4ME]

I love my 1978 2 stroke lawn boy.

 

[TimeBandit]

I was eyeing the commercial Honda mowers last year, knowing they would be unobtanium in 2024 here in Cali.

I really could not justify it for my tiny yard. I'm not sure if Honda is even still making them? Not sold here anyway.

I decided to service my 20 year old Tecumseh powered Toro, change the oil for the first time in 10 years, new plug, belt and air filter.

The bag wont last much longer, I have not looked into replacements further, the day is coming. Electric? dunno.

 

[JDKRXW]

What say you guys?

How much grass are you cutting? If it takes anywhere near 1/2 hr .... get one of these. You'll thank me later.

https://www.acmetools.com/toro-personal-pace-timemaster-30-in-mower-21199/021038211992.html

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

Lol. I live in Riverside but also have a house in Havasu. Figured since I’m going out of state to Havasu anyway to check on the house I should buy one since I can’t here. All rocks in Havasu. Only ballers have lawn there. Guess I’m buying it on line now which is better.

Where about do you live in Riverside? I’m in Orangecrest

 

[Javajoe]

Canyon Crest. Right off Via Vista and Alessandro. Wife just bought that Trump flag off of you her last trip out here. We rented your place for the past few years until we recently bought our vacation home out here. Nice house

 

[Javajoe]

How much grass are you cutting? If it takes anywhere near 1/2 hr .... get one of these. You'll thank me later.

https://www.acmetools.com/toro-personal-pace-timemaster-30-in-mower-21199/021038211992.html

I have only a front lawn. It’s like 60 x 40. Quick mow job. I just want reliable and some longevity out of it. A 500.00ish mower seems appropriate. Last one lasted 26 years

 

[Javajoe]

Get a gardener, let him worry about it.

You can tell on my street who has a gardener. They all share the same clovers and crab grasses as well as brown spots. Gardeners suck . They spread all that shit to all their customers as well as lawn diseases. The only right way to use a gardener is to have him use your equipment

 

[450grip]

I have a 20yr old Honda self drive mover that hasn’t been used for at least 16yrs.
I’m willing to sell it, it’s been sitting in the shed and I’ll never use it.

 

[450grip]

Sold in less than an hour

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I love my 1978 2 stroke lawn boy.

I wish I could find one. That's what we had growing up. That's how I learned how to "mix gas". Best mower ever! Thing would start every time and would smell good mowing the lawn!

Is yours green? We called ours the "green machine"?

Shit that brings back memories.

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

Canyon Crest. Right off Via Vista and Alessandro. Wife just bought that Trump flag off of you her last trip out here. We rented your place for the past few years until we recently bought our vacation home out here. Nice house

Now I remember. you can try Laughlin or Las Vegas

 

[RiverDave]

I don’t think I have ever seen a lawn mower in havasu..

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a snow blower either now that I think of it..

RD

 

[boatnam2]

I don’t think I have ever seen a lawn mower in havasu..

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a snow blower either now that I think of it..

RD

All of them high end parties, I'm sure you seen a few snow blowers!

 

[TPC]

Just bought an Echo Weed Eater at Home Depot in Vegas. Banned in California
They had gas lawn mowers too.

 

[Mr. C]

Found this at HD. Can have it shipped as well.

 

[Javajoe]

Ordered it thru HD. Shipped from Georgia. Took 6 days