Is there a brand or model of lawn mower that typically outlasts others, or one where the warranty actually means something??? I'm also wondering if a cordless electric self-propelled mower is likely to last longer than a gas one...

I have absolutely the worst luck with mowers. I've tried numerous brands (Lawn Boy, John Deere, Husqvarna, Murray, Briggs and Stratton, Craftsman, and now Toro) but I only seem to be able to get them to last 2 years each no matter which brand I buy. I'm just mowing my yard and one rental property, so it's not like they're subjected to a ton of wear and tear, and they've failed in a variety of ways, so I don't think it's my mowing habits.

I just took my Toro SmartStow mower in for repair two weeks before the 2 year warranty ended because one of the wheels won't stay on, and they told me the repair isn't covered by warranty because it's a "wearable part" so it will cost $90, and if I decline the repair I still owe $35 for the estimate. Well any part failing would break the mower, so what part isn't a "wearable part"?? But everytime I shop and read through tons of reviews, I see other people claiming their warranties weren't honored too.

Kit,

I calculated and hiring my guy at $20-30 per yard was CHEAPER than purchasing, fueling, and maintaining my mower, trimmer, etc.

Plus it keeps me FREE!!!

I don't hire it out either, except for one house that has a large and difficult lawn (St. Augustine grass).

I have a used Toro mower that was given to me and we spent $100 to have it fixed. After a few years, I did have the front wheels drop out due to a plastic part wearing. I ordered the parts (2) for under $10.00 and replaced them on both front wheels. It is a fairly easy task. However, the front wheel fell out again. I found out the side of the mower deck was bent out a little from hitting fence posts when mowing. I used a 2X4 and a hammer to beat it back in place and have had no more issues.

I still prefer my 29 year old Murray 22" push mower. I have put on new wheels and had to have the handle welded, but it starts every year and works great and I still use it at my personal residence and have used it over the years at my rental properties.

I don't count on warranties for anything. The fine print always kills you. Plastic parts are used way too often these days and a lot of stuff is just considered disposable not repairable. BUT for all those mowers to break for something, either you have very bad luck or you are doing something wrong.

Most of the mowers you mentioned are made by the same company - MTD. And most of those have Briggs and Stratton engines, which are not what the used to be.

It does seem odd that you are only getting 2 years from your mowers.

In any case, pony up for a Honda mower. Not some other brand with a Honda engine. Honda brand mower. The more expensive ones with the plastic mower deck are the best. They will never rut.

If you're just mowing two properties, I think the battery operated mower might be perfect for you. The only maintenance I've done is sharpening the blades a few times a year, which I do myself. And you have to charge the batteries. I don't have a large car (although it is a hatchback) -- mower fits easily into the back.

Kit...keep looking. You're talking to the wrong guys. They're making a living at it. You need someone who works for beer/hobby money.

I've got a guy who charges $25 per lawn. I only mow at "plexes" and vacant houses....SFH mow their own. He only has about 20 yards he does to fund his sports bike and ATV hobby.

He cuts me a discount for one "postage stamp" yard: $20.

No contracts. Found him on Craigslist. He's done our yards for 5 years. Very reliable, and a nice guy.

Only about half the problems I have actually seem to be with the engine. The most recent problem was stripped threads on a metal part that needed to hold a bolt securely and didn't. I think maybe that's caused by the vibration of the mower. I don't know how to service the mowers so I take them to a pro once a year. Should I be storing them with fuel? Generally I run out of gas on their last run of the season, but the times I've forgotten to do that I've never had problems at the beginning of the next season. Part of my rental is very sandy and throws up clouds of billowing dust when mowing, and that might be hard on them. I've had multiple issues with the self propel breaking, but most of those have been repairable. But other problems are pretty varied; control wire broke, wheel sprocket broke, height adjust mechanism broke, cord stuck, leaking oil. The Husqvarna died after my very first mow; I put all the oil in that came with it as specified by instructions, but the second time I went to use it, I couldn't get engine to turn over. So I checked the oil gauge and it was bone dry but no sign of leaking oil; fortunately Lowe's took it back.

I'm considering getting a gas Honda because a number of people have recommended them here and offline, or going for a Greenworks 40V self propel because I already have multiple batteries.

My Husqvarna with the Honda engine is a good mower. The riding mower is also a Husqvarna and has been trouble free, except that it gives a very stiff ride and jars my teeth at every bump.

Most lawnmowers use the same brand of engine that the family mechanic says is no good. He bought the Husqvarna riding mower because it has a different engine. I bought the Husqvarna all wheel drive because it has a Honda engine.

Our mowers run on ethanol free gas and get the filters cleaned often. Maybe that makes a difference.

I had a craftsman riding mower that just ran and ran, but got stolen. It's probably still running.

My son just bought a zero turn from a company that makes commercial mowers for the big landscapers and golf courses. He's hoping he doesn't kill himself before he learns how to drive it because it is really fast and whippy.

A sneeze can turn you 90 degrees into a fence.

I got a "hand-me down" toro from my brother that I still use for my own home. It must be 10 years old at this point.

I change the oil every 2 years and always use fuel with stabilizer added in. Had my snowblower carburetor gum-up and I bought a new one to bolt-on... since then stabilizer 365 days.

We used to buy a new mower every 2-3 years until we bought a Honda. Ran that thing for 15 years. We had to replace some parts and the self propel went out - we just disengaged the transmission and pushed it the last few years.

We bought a new mower this year - another Honda. Both were bought from the local shop where all the yard guys buy their machines. They carry most the parts and will order what they don't have. They'll help us know what to fix and how to fix it. If we don't have time to do it ourselves they are glad to service it for us. The box stores won't do that for you and they don't carry parts.