Best bang for buck push mower

Tree roots, if tall enough are a good way to bend the crankshaft, or possibly split the engine case if the blade hits them hard enough.

You'll at least need to get a mower with quick height adjusting wheels to try to avoid the roots.

I picked up a 22 inch TroyBilt mower with a 140cc engine from Home Depot last year for under $250 and it replaced one similar to it that lasted me almost 13 years until the body rusted out enough to make it not safe to use.

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It’s roots from 2 big magnolias in my front yard and it’s a pain to weed eat for 45 minutes every time I mow

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When I was a kid our neighbor had 2 huge magnolias on his property----right on the fence line and those bastards dropped leaves, those nasty red seeds from the cones, and eventually the cones after the flowers had bloomed. I hated those trees and swore I'd never have one on my property unless it was out in the country and not near the house.

anything with a honda motor.

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I just bought a Husqavarna (sp?) all wheel drive 21” mower with Honda engine for $419 yesterday. Thought it was a decent deal for the quality of mower it should be.

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i have this same one. it is going on 6 years old. yearly i will change the oil and sharpen the blade. Hell this year i treat it with a new air filter. I did break the pull string last year but i was able to figure our how to change it.

I have a troybilt. It is close to 10 years old. I'm on the 3rd deck because I keep it outside but it still cranks on the first pull.

I have a Toro push mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine that has been starting on the first or second try for the past 10 years. I rarely change the oil in it, too. That thing is a beast and the self-propel still works, too!

Now that I have a much bigger yard I don't use it nearly as much anymore though.

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anything with a honda motor.

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This

Never had a Honda deck but always bought a Honda engine. I’m sure the big wheel Honda deck is easy to maneuver

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Honda push mower light enough compared to the self propelled that it won’t kill you? I’ve never had a non self-propelled.

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If you get the big wheels and cut your grass routinely then yes. They are lighter because they have a smaller engine and less parts obviously. But, if you miss a week or whatever due to vacation then a push is harder going through the long grass.

I’ve also said before that propelled mowers are faster usually, they often basically pull you faster then you would walk otherwise. Push mowers only go so fast as you push it obviously. If one has a pretty small yard a push mower is probably better, but on yards closer to 1/2 acre lots or bigger depending on how much grass you have a propelled mower is better.

Eta: the other thing is if you bag? Push mowers suck to push with a bag.

I have nothing to offer re: mowers, but have you considered laying down a nice bed of mulch beneath the tree? It will cut down on your weedeating/mowing requirements, the tree will like it, and you can quit battling with the magnolia.