Same lawnmower.

22 in 201cc Select PACE 6 Speed CVT High Wheel RWD 3-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower, Black


Home Depot: $353
AliExpress: $250 (free shipping from US warehouse)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/YARDMAX-22-in-201-cc-SELECT-PACE-6-Speed-CVT-High...

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqKNF1

My 15 year old Craftsman is retiring after 17 major and minor surgeries.  I think it needs a valve job which I don’t feel like doing right now.

I decided to spoil myself when I saw I could save $100 compared to Home Depot.

I could keep the old Craftsman going, but it’s multiple issues now.  I was able to limp it through the winter only mowing once a month or so.  I think I deliberately didn’t fix it oven winter when I had a good downtime window.

Mowing season is almost back in full swing.  For $250, I can spoil myself a little.

Ruttly wrote on 03/21/25 at 16:20:29:



Optional equipment I think. 🥴

My older YardMan push mower is getting a bit worn and tired.  It was an entry level push mower when I bought it and I am a bit surprised it has lasted this long - I believe it is close to 30 years old.  It still runs, however the wheels are not all pointing the same direction (it needs the thin metal adjusters bent back straight), and it is occasionally getting a fuel flow problem that has been elusive to track down.  It runs just fine one day and the next time I go to mow it fires right up and runs for a bit and then stops, and then will only run for 30 seconds.  Something is restricting the fuel flow to the float bowl.  It is also starting to have an "oil burning" smell.

I was thinking I needed a new mower - I was not impressed with all the new stuff with foreign made engines, carbs without any adjustment screws, cumbersome safety devices, etc.

I watched Craigslist for a suitable "old school" replacement mower that was in good shape and not overpriced.

I got this last week for $70.  It is a Bobcat commercial mower.  The Briggs engine is an Industrial/Commercial engine with a mechanical governor, cast iron sleeve and a mixture adjustment screw on the carb.  It has a magnesium deck and there is an additional roller bearing at the bottom of the blade shaft.  There are no safety controls and the ON/OFF/Speed lever is down on the engine.  The wheels have grease fittings built into the axle shafts, and he height adjustments are made by loosening the bolts and moving the square end of the wheel axles into another slot.....there are no flimsy adjusters to get wonky and the wheels stay in alignment.  The weird rear discharge also allows you to cut close on either side of the mower.

I believe this was likely made in the 80's - I will check the engine codes and see if I can get a date of manufacture.  It pushes pretty easy - however it is a bit heavier than my cheaper mower it replaces.

The paint is pretty crappy on the engine - but it starts easily and runs great.  The deck cuts very well and even in heavy grass the mower does a good job.  The grass discharge chute throws the grass pretty far - I need to adjust how I mow to prevent throwing a lot of grass onto the driveway.

I will pull the fuel system apart on my old Yardman and see if I can get it fixed - it is lighter and easier to use on the steep slopes around the pond.

Way to Score, Dave!  You know how to pick ‘em!  It kinda looks 70s and built tough!

Makes me think about the house I renovated and flipped in 2020.  Built in 1972 and still had the GE cooktop and GE double oven.  A little clean up and a few parts and they were good as new.  The construction and wall insulation in the double oven makes today’s models look like junk.  Spending a couple hundred to clean up made a lot more sense than dropping a ton on money on inferior new and having to deal with installation and fitment issues.

I’m pretty happy with this mower. I’ve used it twice now.  The biggest difference is rear wheel drive vs front wheel drive.  It’s a totally different experience.  Instead of just raising the front end to turn, you have to release the drive bar handle, turn, and go again.  You hit the drive bar, and the thing almost wants to pop a wheelie!  The self propelled feature definitely works and that’s what I needed most with arthritic hips and a bad back.  While my yard isn’t huge, it’s big enough especially when summer comes and it’s 90° at 9am with 95° humidity.