Odd, I bought a new Toro last fall and it's had the HP rating on the motor.....

 

And don't assume bigger means more power
Example:
2.2 (2200cc) Ecotech = 145hp
2.0 (2000cc) Ecotech = 260HP

 

This link should give you what you need!
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...tegory_6970_76

 

Cool, I want that Diesel engine on my lawn mower

 

The truth is the HP rating was usually crap anyway. You really do get what you pay for in most cases with lawnmowers. A well-designed one will cut just fine with a less powerful motor than one with a poor design and the most powerful mower. I prefer Toro mowers, and don't really care if they have a briggs, tecumseh, or other motor. In fact the mower I use most of the time is a 26-year-old Toro with a Tecumseh 3.5HP motor. It cuts the grass fine, is easy to start and still has a working self propel system.

The consumer line motors from Briggs, Tecumseh, and Honda will all last a very long time with proper care and maintenance. The decks and especially self-propel parts on a cheap Sears or MTD motor will wear out long before the motor. The premium manufacturers (Toro Super Recycler line, Snapper, Honda, Ariens) will hold up better overall.

 

Bottom line, nobody's making the mowers that great anymore. If you want something to last, you're better off going to a premium dealer. Even the Toros, Lawn Boys, and John Deeres sold in the chain stores aren't as good as what you'll find in the dealers now. Tecumseh used to make a GREAT motor, but their quality has really slipped in the lower horsepower motors. When I was working at Sears, we bought my Dad a rear-drive with the 6.75 Tecumseh engine. Mower still works great, but it's needed a new carb every other year even with fuel stablizer run through the tank and lines.

Fact is that emissions laws have really clamped down on these engines. I have a feeling that's why they've all dropped the HP ratings because they're probably all down now. We knew this was coming five years ago, too. First they banned the 2-cycle Lawn Boys that'd never die, now high-power 4-cycles that can actually cut and mulch the grass are next. Eventually we'll all be using 18-inch decks with 50cc engines or electric motors.

 

I was in the lawn care business for 18 years. 90% of the professional lawn care guys around here use Toro. That should tell you something. Next would probably be Snapper and then you have some weird yellow brand that no one has heard of.

If I were to go for a 4 cycle engine, I'd pick one with a Briggs & Stratton engine. Never had a problem with a Briggs. Toro and Snapper consumer models have Briggs in em. The electric start ones are pretty sweet. The commercial Toros I've used have 2 cycle Kawasaki engines. You can't kill those. Honda is excellent also. Very quiet. If they weren't so expensive you'd see a lot more of those around.

If you want ballpark quality cuts, then go for the Snapper or Honda. The Ninja blade on the Snapper is the best mulching blade I've used. But, you have to keep it sharp!

 

If you get anything with a Briggs and Stratton engine, get a set of noise cancelling headphones. They may be indestructible engines if cared for, but they've never been quiet. I got a Bolens from Lowes, it's made by MTD who make most of the cheaper end products.

 

[QUOTE=hhrcrafty;357224]Bottom line, nobody's making the mowers that great anymore. If you want something to last, you're better off going to a premium dealer. Even the Toros, Lawn Boys, and John Deeres sold in the chain stores aren't as good as what you'll find in the dealers now.
QUOTE]

I believe this, my neighbor runs a rental shop and sells Husquevarna (sp?). I told him that I was looking at a Husquevarna chain saw at a Lowes so he showed me the difference in the ones that are offered in the chain stores vs. the ones that he sells. Huge difference! Of coarse his are much more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
A lot of brands that have had a good reputation for years will lose that good reputation by doing these types of things. I can see the allure of high volume sales, but at the price of reputation?

 

B,

Go to: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/lmower/


By the way, I have a 1990 Snapper self propelled 21 inch with blade brake clutch. You will find big box stores selling mowers and then you will find commercial versions that are much better.
Ask on this forum......I spend time there too.

QuickRick