Customer Reviews: Read 74 more reviews...
 Easy to maneuver May 2, 2006
H. Won (Michigan)
58 out of 58 found this review helpful
The mower itself is pretty heavy for push mower. But thanks to its Sens-a-Speed transmission, I didn't have hard time maneuvering it around my yard. I can engage the self propel gracefully and stop it gracefully without lurching. And because it is rear wheel drive, it can climb up hills easily even with full bag. This is the same mechanism as time proven TORO Personal Pace transmission. (FYI: TORO accquired Lawn-boy.)
This 10685 bags very well. It fills the bag literally full even when grass is wet. However, mulching is not its strong point. It tends to leave grass clippings on its rear wheel tracks.
Insight(10685) uses Tecumseh 195cc(6.5HP) engine while Insight Gold(10695) uses Honda 160cc(5.5HP) engine. Mine is less expensive model with Tecumseh engine but I don't feel any need to upgrade to Honda. The engine is very powerful and not louder than any other engines in my neighborhood. Also it starts at first pull after priming.
Many features are carefully designed. Engine pull start handle is oversized and lined with rubber. Push handle is padded and the sponge is durable(does not tear nor become sloppy.) Fold-up handle is attached securely and the fold-up hinge did not get sloppy after an year's use. There is nothing filmsy in this mower.
Easy easy easy to use June 19, 2006
B. Margolis (Minneapolis, MN United States)
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
I replaced an 11 year old 5hp Murray mower.....I'm getting a bit old in the tooth to push it, and besides, its basic design is not really good for mulching.
After careful consideration, I bought this Lawn Boy model and I'm really happy with it. My lawn is not patricularly big, but it's an old bumpy lawn that very compacted and this Lawn Boy's big wheels and self-propelled drive glides right over my lawn with ease.
I generally mulch, but I tried the side discharge (my Murray didn't have this feature), and it's easy as pie to install the shoot and it works swell.
Also, the bagging feature is quite similar to my old Murray....I'll only use it at the end of the season when I have lots of leaves and at the beginning of the season...when I have lots of leaves!
All in all, it's a swell mower and it's a good mower for the money all around.
Skeptic at First...but now i am a believer May 2, 2007
J. Gates (Bellevue, Ne)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
I bought a Craftsman a couple of weeks before, with more horse power and it could not handle high grass, cutting out on me and leaving piles of grass around. I have always been told that the lawn boy is superior when it comes to mulching but i was skeptical about this sensa-speed thing. well, let me tell you, it is awsome. While mowing, i was constently searching for that other bar or lever to move my mower. This invention works great without tugging you up hills and around a bush. Again with the mulching, it shredded up my grass very well. No need to bag with this one. I haven't had it long, so we will see how well it holds up. But with a complete 2 year warrenty....i have no worries. Lawn-boy still rules.
 nice Mower July 6, 2007
Victor (fl)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I bought this about 2 weeks ago, but because of rain and the fact I mowed the day before I bought it, i had to wait to play with the new toy.
i am very pleased with the mower. It has great power, runs quiet, and fuel efficient. Someone said it was easy to handle, and I agree. I was actually pushing it with one hand and turning it too. It is that easy to push. The mulching was great, this was my 3rd mower, so I can compare some. However, my last mower, I bought this universal blade, that wasn't supposed to be a mulching, but it had 3 fins on each side and did a great job. Slightly better, but I can always buy that blade next year if I want. I wasn't dissapointed though with the LB.
I like the wide tires, although it would be nice to have larger rear ones to pivot with. The bag scooped up and held more than I thought it would, and the fact you don't have to lift a door, then pull the bag from behind the handle is great. All you do with the LB is move the pull cord, and while standing over it, pull the bag straight up. And no claw-type clips to hook it back on the mower, which always end up ripping the bag when you bump the clippings.
the Sensa Speed works nice, although takes some getting used to. if you push too hard from a stop, the mower has a tendency to lurch forward. That takes some getting used to especially if you are mowing small areas between side walks for example.
The RWD works great. going up a slight hill, I didn't need to pull up on the handle as the RWD dug in perfectly.
I LOVE the storage feature. I hated haved to unscrew handle to fold it down. I can actually steer it into the garage, then press the lever and fold it straight up, with the bag hanging on the handle.
I also had an MTD that was my parents, that had over 10 yrs on it, with a period in between of 3-4 yrs non-use. It was a 4.5HP Tech motor and after i got a yearly maintenance, it worked great. I had a B&S Craftsman that my neighbor gave me, but I like the Tech engine. mroe fuel efficient in my opinion.
My flaws? the pull cord, if I pull too hard comes off the handle. The gap of the loop is too much open so I have to take some pliers and close it up more.
The mulch/bag plug is a blessing and a curse. I'd like to not have to worry about lugging an extra piece around when I swap from bag to mulch. However, the design of pulling the bag straight up without the hinging door cover makes it worth it. Try doing that with another mower.
One of the wheel adjustments was harder to adjust then the other 3. but i don't think i'll move it much. i have St. Augustine so i'll keep it at the top or one notch below.
So Pros:
RWD
Sensa Speed (ease of moving)
Bag and design
Mulching
Storage fold
power/quiet
Cons:
Sensa Speed (lurch if you push too hard from a stop)
Mulch plug (extra thing to walk around with or get)
Hard to push when off in grass(i turned it on, and lifted the front to go to the garage after i finished the backyard)
i'd recommend it easily.
A consumers Report mower July 13, 2007
MAudio (NY)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
I did a lot of research before buying this lawn mower. I looked at Toro, honda, and Sears. I bought a copy of comsumer reports, and this mower is ranked 9th on there list. The sen-s a speed works great. Its a litle hard to get used to but when you do, it makes mowing a breeze. The mulching parts works well, even though the honda does a better job for $200 more! Anyone who is looking for a mower that runs great out of the box, and cuts grass with ease, should buy this mower. Its a steal!
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