I have a Troy-Biltself-propelled lawn mower, rear wheel drive (model
860). Purchased 2009, not used one year due to personal health reasons.

Comments: The handle appears to be made of aluminum and bends with
normal use (I've replaced it twice so far ($40 + 7 shipping). It does
not appear to be properly supported where it attaches (design flaw?).

I replaced the transmission last year, ($85 + quite a bit of work, most
of it reading a manual relating to the mower--I won't call it a service
manual, and it wasn't completely accurate, but it was much better than
nothing).

I replaced the drive cable (to the transmission) this year just this
week ($20 + a fair amount of work). In the midst of the repair (I had
"given up" because I couldn't remove the drive cable), I started
shopping online for my next lawn mower. An hour or two later, with a fix
it/break it/I no longer give a darn attitude, I went back to the mower
and pried/forced the rubber baffle out of the way and *drilled out* the
cable connector at the transmission (it's inaccessiblity was the big
issue). This process would have been much easier with instructions or a
more consumer-friendly design.

I have no further complaints with the lawn mower besides what I regard
as "high maintenance". Reading numerous (hundreds) of reviews for
various mowers online since, I know some have it much worse.. The
"reel-mower" I used in my youth seemed a more durable design. IIRC, a
chain turned the wheels.

What I learned:
-Even Honda's HRR216K9... seems to have trouble with it's carburetor
this year. Though I still think "next year's" model may be my next
choice upon replacement. It caught my attention that it has a *steel*
handle. 3 year warranty.

--Snapper (model AVB2A2) also has a 3 year warranty, maybe the only
other mower in this class besides Honda. Also one of the few models Not
manufactured by the MTD Corp (search for "MTD Products" on Wikipedia to
reveal a surprisingly long list of familiar brands). Some owners found
it difficult/impossible to order pars for their Snapper mower, and I
verified their concerns (e-replacement parts, for instance, doesn't have
all the model numbers). This is obviously a big negative. Amusingly,
Consumer Reports regards Troy-Bilt as premium to Snapper, at least
"marketing-wise".

So, in short, what is the "sweet spot" for a self-propelled lawn mower
(lawn is 1/3 acre)?
Go cheap as possible, and replace often or something else? I think
there are not as many options as it might appear that there are at first
glance. I hope that what I have written might be helpful to others in
their selection...

Thanks!
Bill

On Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 8:31:55 PM UTC-4, Bill wrote:
I have a Troy-Biltself-propelled lawn mower, rear wheel drive (model
860). Purchased 2009, not used one year due to personal health reasons.

Comments: The handle appears to be made of aluminum and bends with
normal use (I've replaced it twice so far ($40 + 7 shipping). It does
not appear to be properly supported where it attaches (design flaw?).

I replaced the transmission last year, ($85 + quite a bit of work, most
of it reading a manual relating to the mower--I won't call it a service
manual, and it wasn't completely accurate, but it was much better than
nothing).

I replaced the drive cable (to the transmission) this year just this
week ($20 + a fair amount of work). In the midst of the repair (I had
"given up" because I couldn't remove the drive cable), I started
shopping online for my next lawn mower. An hour or two later, with a fix
it/break it/I no longer give a darn attitude, I went back to the mower
and pried/forced the rubber baffle out of the way and *drilled out* the
cable connector at the transmission (it's inaccessiblity was the big
issue). This process would have been much easier with instructions or a
more consumer-friendly design.

I have no further complaints with the lawn mower besides what I regard
as "high maintenance". Reading numerous (hundreds) of reviews for
various mowers online since, I know some have it much worse.. The
"reel-mower" I used in my youth seemed a more durable design. IIRC, a
chain turned the wheels.

What I learned:
-Even Honda's HRR216K9... seems to have trouble with it's carburetor
this year. Though I still think "next year's" model may be my next
choice upon replacement. It caught my attention that it has a *steel*
handle. 3 year warranty.

--Snapper (model AVB2A2) also has a 3 year warranty, maybe the only
other mower in this class besides Honda. Also one of the few models Not
manufactured by the MTD Corp (search for "MTD Products" on Wikipedia to
reveal a surprisingly long list of familiar brands). Some owners found
it difficult/impossible to order pars for their Snapper mower, and I
verified their concerns (e-replacement parts, for instance, doesn't have
all the model numbers). This is obviously a big negative. Amusingly,
Consumer Reports regards Troy-Bilt as premium to Snapper, at least
"marketing-wise".

So, in short, what is the "sweet spot" for a self-propelled lawn mower
(lawn is 1/3 acre)?
Go cheap as possible, and replace often or something else? I think
there are not as many options as it might appear that there are at first
glance. I hope that what I have written might be helpful to others in
their selection...

Thanks!
Bill

I had a Honda harmony 215, it was the best and most expensive mower I owned.. It was well built, quiet, and it left the best look on the lawn. It had a dual blade design which did an excellent job of mulching into tiny bits that disappeared. But it wasn't many years before the tranny went prematurely. It was $150 for the part and an unbelievable diassembly to put it in. I could get a Sears for $160, so that's what I did. It's lasted much longer, probably 2x the Honda. Only things it's needed were the end of the spring on the adjustable speed belt broke and the wheels wore out. The spring I secured with a zip tie. It also has more power than the Honda, but that only matters if the grass is too tall or wet. It makes a lot more noise and doesn't mulch as well or leave the grass with as smooth a cut.

trader_4 wrote:
I had a Honda harmony 215, it was the best and most expensive mower I owned. It was well built, quiet, and it left the best look on the lawn. It had a dual blade design which did an excellent job of mulching into tiny bits that disappeared. But it wasn't many years before the tranny went prematurely.
Apparently you weren't the only one; the following link may be of some
interest to you:
https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/H...ssion-Problems

Replacing the transmission in my Troy-Bilt (860) was one of the more
complex mechanical problems I have tackled (but we learn from doing...).
I ended up using a hammer to get it off--if I did it again, I think I
might try a hack saw and/or a reciprocating saw to cut the axle (as well
as a hammer) to possibly simplify things. When they perform the
operation in videos there often isn't any rust on the axels! : ) The 2
Honda transmissions I have seen each appeared more robust than the
Troy-Bilt one I had--and that seems like the "weak spot" in a
consumer-level self-propelled mower.

Thanks for sharing and your interest in this topic (which seems to be no
match for political concerns in this group!) : )

Bill

It was $150 for the part and an unbelievable diassembly to put it in. I could get a Sears for $160, so that's what I did. It's lasted much longer, probably 2x the Honda. Only things it's needed were the end of the spring on the adjustable speed belt broke and the wheels wore out. The spring I secured with a zip tie. It also has more power than the Honda, but that only matters if the grass is too tall or wet. It makes a lot more noise and doesn't mulch as well or leave the grass with as smooth a cut.