You Ever Wondered Who Is The Best?

So that old mower you have been using has finally kicked the bucket? It’s not the mower’s fault; after
all, it made it through countless summers of unrelenting punishment. From those days when you
forced it through slightly damp grass because you had a tee-time to get to, to the triple digit temps it
weathered during the dog days of summer, that machine has had quite the run. It is time to retire it with
the honor it deserves. So now it’s time to replace it, but your old machine has set the bar pretty high.
We’ve all heard that they don’t make things quite like they used to – how can you be sure to choose a
mower that will pick up where its predecessor left off? Is there a brand, or list of brands that stands out
above the rest?

There are as many small engine manufacturers as there are stars in the sky, but one brand – Briggs &
Stratton – is almost universally considered to be the best. Their product line includes engines for push
mowers, riding mowers, snow blowers, and even generators. Their engines are so prevalent that they
can be found on nearly all major brands of lawn mowers and yard equipment. We recommend at least
190 CCs to ensure you have enough power for adverse conditions, but much of the rest just boils down to comfort and preference.

Husqvarna got their start producing weapons for the Swedish Army, but have gone on to become
the world’s largest producer of outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers and other yard
equipment. Their position at the top is no accident; a quick look online shows that they receive
overwhelmingly positive reviews. Many Husqvarna mowers come with the aforementioned Briggs &
Stratton Engines, but there are options available with Honda or Kohler engines as well.

Maybe you’re more of the ‘local first’ type and would prefer a domestic brand. If so, you really can’t go wrong with John Deere. Based out of Illinois, these iconic, green machines are about as American as it
gets. There is a reason you see a lot of old John Deere tractors in rural areas; these things are truly built
to last. And while they are mostly known for large agricultural machinery like harvesters, combines, and tractors, their riding and push mowers are built with the same attention commitment to quality.

While Briggs & Stratton have certainly made their mark on the small engine industry, and big companies like Husqvarna and Deere have developed a significant amount of brand loyalty among the general population, one should not interpret that to mean that they are the only options. There are plenty of other companies out there producing high quality machinery that is built to last including: Honda, Troy-Bilt and Toro. Unless you are using your machine for commercial applications, or in a particularly harsh environment, you should have no trouble finding a mower that fits your needs. The best thing to do is head out to your nearest small engine dealer and chat with them about the nature of your mowing and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

By: Kyson Crowell