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Looking for an M series

3351 Views 38 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  capstan
If you folks don't know I cut lawns for $$$ and my old 1985 toro Recycler has just about bit the dust (engine replaced 5 times :D) I am looking for a new "daily driver" so to speak and have decided on an M series because its 4 square rear bagger and oil injected, also it cuts great

so I am wondering if anyone has one for sale near northern Ohio (or is willing to ship for not too much)

So my conditions are as follows:

doesn't have to look great as long as it runs.
must have bag, mulch plug is a bonus but I don't have to have one.
runs well!
BBC works (if it has bbc)
Self propelled Is a MUST!


So tell me if you have one and what you want for it.

Thanks

Kori
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Hi there Kori! I have an M, but I'm not sure it is the best daily driver mower. Some parts are NLA and most that you can get are very expensive. Yes the cut is great, but most of the guys on here with M's use them sparingly. One member on here said that an M is like a Ferrari or equivalent, it should only driven/used sparingly. I would look at a Toro Commercial if I were you.
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I wouldn't be afraid of an M for a "daily driver" at all personally, but probably best to stick with a 10590 (non BBC) just because the BBC is a part that's NLA. The engines and rest on the mower are pretty bulletproof. However, a Toro proline or Exmark would probably be more durable. The M will bag better, and bag wet or dry without a complaint.
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Yea i dont really want one with a BBC KS,
but i like M's

and toros are out of the pricerange
I have 6-7 rear baggers. If you dont find one with a bag I will sell you one of mine. I take paypal and will ship.
Sounds like a Commercial M is what would fit your needs the best. Available self-propelled or not. They aren't oil injected, but they are very very durable. The problem is, you never see them. As far as I know, they quit making them in 1991. I have one, but I don't want to part with it just yet. You could always put the commercial wheels on a 10590 and have a half-commercial.
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I've seen comm M's but they are too expensive for me as I'm trying to keep the cost under $300
You know i used my 10323 for 7 years at 15 lawns a week. It ran like a top the entire time. Really any old lawnboy either F engine or the DF will last a long time, and are a lot cheaper then the M.

At least around here you can get either one of those mowers for around 20 bucks all they usually need is a good carb cleaning and they are ready to go!!!
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I don't want a DF because they require almost constant tuning to not run like garbage and i don't want an F because IMO they are kinda outdated and they break.


But the two basic reasons i want an M are

They are 4 square (some people dont like the other decks IDK why)
and they have that oil mixer thing-ey so i dont have to mix the oil (i can never mix it right so i have either to rich and TONS of smoke or to little and screeching and grinding)

Kori
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I have a buddy that has two M's. I imagine he would sell one of them he lives near Cincinnati. PM me if your interested in a drive. I could have him snap some photo's. If I remember correctly they are pretty clean mowers.
Capstan, have you owned or used an M series before? They are unique, but not the model you'd really want to use daily or to make money with IMHO. These require more adjustments from time to time, much more bulky to handle and getting parts when needed asap could pose a real problem. You say F series break and are outdated? Well, basically every 2 cycle LB made now is outdated, but the F's are infact about the most reliable, easiest and cheapest to fix in a timely manner. I'm sure most would agree with that. If you want no headaches and dependability, why not choose any non-propelled, pre-compliant F series? 7268 or similar would be a solid choice. Light enough to use everyday on several lawns, and about as dependable as they come. Again, my comments through use and experience with both models and series you mention. Trying to get an M shipped to you will no doubt be expensive. Quite heavy and hard to package well, though I've never shipped one. Even a good running D series would fit the bill well. I have some D's I could send your way if interested. Lightest to ship-save you some $$$. I have a promo also I'd be willing to ship if you'd like. Runs well, but the shroud needs some cosmetic attention. The P.O. made some adjustments to it. Pursue what you will, just trying to offer some advice not just personal opinion. :fing32:
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Capstan, have you owned or used an M series before? They are unique, but not the model you'd really want to use daily or to make money with IMHO. These require more adjustments from time to time, much more bulky to handle and getting parts when needed asap could pose a real problem. You say F series break and are outdated? Well, basically every 2 cycle LB made now is outdated, but the F's are infact about the most reliable, easiest and cheapest to fix in a timely manner. I'm sure most would agree with that. If you want no headaches and dependability, why not choose any non-propelled, pre-compliant F series? 7268 or similar would be a solid choice. Light enough to use everyday on several lawns, and about as dependable as they come. Again, my comments through use and experience with both models and series you mention. Trying to get an M shipped to you will no doubt be expensive. Quite heavy and hard to package well, though I've never shipped one. Even a good running D series would fit the bill well. I have some D's I could send your way if interested. Lightest to ship-save you some $$$. I have a promo also I'd be willing to ship if you'd like. Runs well, but the shroud needs some cosmetic attention. The P.O. made some adjustments to it. Pursue what you will, just trying to offer some advice not just personal opinion. :fing32:
^wow I'm still coughing out text^


Thanks echoman for giving
some insight into my lawn boy related problems

Yes i have used M series before and they aren't like any other lawn boy that's for sure

But as i have said its more about the oil injection(?) thing-y because i fail at mixing

and the 4 square deck for customer satisfaction (why not staggered i don't know)


and of course i want a lawn boy :D
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Mixing isn't hard... Use a oil like opti-2 or amsoil sabre 100:1 or 80:1 in everything. Buy the size bottles or pouches to use 1 per gas can of fuel. Can't mess anything up that way. You can buy the opti-2 in 1 gallon bottles and get a pump that dispenses a metered amount per pump, 2 pumps per gallon (what I have). I've been running the opti-2 100:1 in all of my 2 stroke stuff for years, other than my 32:1 lawn boys, and never have seen a problem. I'm sure I could use it in the 'boys as well, some of the guys on here do with no worries.

The oil injection is nice, and really it's more reliable than you would think. So far as being able to take the abuse of commercial work I feel that the M series is better than the stagger wheel models. The front wheel height adjusters are better built and resist being bent much better, they bag MUCH better, mulch fairly well, side discharge isn't the best though.

Echo is right about the shipping of an M, it would probably be over the weight that UPS or fed-ex would allow. Plus they don't really fold up for shipping and removal of the handle is not for the faint of heart, lol. you would have probably $125 in just shipping cost.
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lawnboy82 PM sent


Yea KS im gonna contact some ohio people and find out about some semi local ones


Kori
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Capstan, have you owned or used an M series before? They are unique, but not the model you'd really want to use daily or to make money with IMHO. These require more adjustments from time to time, much more bulky to handle and getting parts when needed asap could pose a real problem. You say F series break and are outdated? Well, basically every 2 cycle LB made now is outdated, but the F's are infact about the most reliable, easiest and cheapest to fix in a timely manner. I'm sure most would agree with that. If you want no headaches and dependability, why not choose any non-propelled, pre-compliant F series? 7268 or similar would be a solid choice. Light enough to use everyday on several lawns, and about as dependable as they come. Again, my comments through use and experience with both models and series you mention. Trying to get an M shipped to you will no doubt be expensive. Quite heavy and hard to package well, though I've never shipped one. Even a good running D series would fit the bill well. I have some D's I could send your way if interested. Lightest to ship-save you some $$$. I have a promo also I'd be willing to ship if you'd like. Runs well, but the shroud needs some cosmetic attention. The P.O. made some adjustments to it. Pursue what you will, just trying to offer some advice not just personal opinion. :fing32:
Hi all! I would concur with Echoman that the 5247/7268 late 70's to early 80's F engine push mowers are some of the most reliable and easy to maintain Lawnboys. My wife and I also mow residential lawns and my 5247 and 7268 along with my 10401 are my primary mowers. Super lightweight and easy to manuever, we never had anyone complain about the staggered wheel mowing pattern and for many years this was the mark of using the best quality mower money could buy which is why so many commercial lawn care people used them in the past and still look for them to use today. I have been mixing oil for Lawnboys since I was a kid 50 years ago and it is really not that difficult. Most of the older Lawnboys use a 32:1 mix or one 8 ounce can to two gallons of gas. You can also buy the smaller 4 ounce bottle if you are mixing a gallon at a time. I'm sure everyone on the forum has an opinion as to the best mower for you but ultimately it is your choice. We are just glad that you respect our opinions enough to ask for them. Good luck in your search. Bill
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Mixing 2stroke fuel/oil is easy. Go to wal-mart and get a measuring funnel. These have a series of oz marks on the side and a shut off valve. Stick it in a 5gallon gas can, and pour in the amount needed. Open the valve, and then pour your gas in through the funnel, it's all nice and properly mixed now.
I use Mystic synthetic oil at 32:1 for most of my stuff, along with ethanol free premium. Go to pure-gas.org to find a place that sells ethanol free gas.
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Ill sell my commercial selfpropelled M series if you're interested, it does NOT have the injection on it, but has the oversized gas tank, brand new rear wheels (not orange though) I've barely used it, its got some paint missing but ran good last time I had it out. Ill go through it and make sure it runs good. Make me a reasonable offer. I gave quite a bit for it. I will ship from Lincoln ne. It will be around 125 bucks or so.
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for the mower or for the shipping?
Using an M series for commercial duty is just asking for frustration. Hard to find parts, too many safety switches, finicky carb, heavy. They are very cool collector's items but an F series is much better suited for what you are trying to do. Just buy 2 cycle oil in 4 ounce bottles and pour all of it in a gallon of gas.
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Good point mitch! thats why i want a non comm M
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