by Zoroastro Cucurullo
(Miami, FL)
I personally like gas lawn mowers even with my garden and patio being small. Having a big and huge mower wasn't also for me. That's why I decided to buy the 21 inch Honda push mower. It's a really sturdy mower, powerful, and cuts cleany.
This is a great mower for me and my type of garden. When the grass is not real high, the mower can handle the cutting easily. A self-propel model would limit the my walking speed and I like to walk pretty fast. Pushing definitely gives me a workout on my sloped yard, but afterward, I feel like I didn't just go for a walk or ride around.
Most mowers have a lot of play in the handle where it joins the deck, but this mower is anchored and makes for an efficient transfer of power and easy turning and maneuverability.
I really like how solid and lightweight this mower is. No slop in the handle and no slop in the mulching. It's a really strong engine, and all the power is used to cut the grass not drive the wheels unlike self-propelled mowers which have a maximum speed. This one is limited only by the human engine.
Easy starting, simple operation, lightweight, very sturdy handle, easy to turn, good 8" wheels, good mulching, quick shipping and did not have to put it in my car, delivered hassel-free to my garage, no self-propel mechanism and cables to break or maintain.
On the downside, it rained slightly as I started my first mow in rather tall grass and it made the side discharge clog a lot. Once the grass dried, there was no problem. Wife doesn't like the push idea, just in case she has to use it once in a blue moon. No bag, but that's ok with me.