Lawn-Boy Insight Series 21-Inch 6.5 HP Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower (Non-CARB Compliant)... at Garden Tool Store

Lawn-Boy Insight Series 21-Inch 6.5 HP Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower (Non-CARB Compliant)... from Gas Push Mowers

Lawn-Boy Insight Series 21-Inch 6.5 HP Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower (Non-CARB Compliant)... by Lawn Boy

Features

6.5 hp Easy Start Tecumseh Engine

Exclusive Features Designed to Fit You

21" Steel Deck

Compact Storage with the Easy Stow Knobs

3-n-1 System: Mulch, Rear Bag, and Side Discharge

Product Review
Designed for comfort, and loaded with features that take the sweat out of mowing, Lawn-Boy's Insight push mower features a 6-1/2-horsepower, easy-start Tecumseh Engine for optimal reliability and power. Simple and easy to use, the Insight is equipped with a 21-inch steel deck impervious to flying rock and debris but light enough (69 pounds) to maneuver around flowerbeds, trees, and other landscape features. The handle height adjusts easily to accommodate just about anybody. Soft comfort grips cushion the hands for less operator fatigue. An easy-lift bag detaches and transports with just one hand. Wheels roll smoothly for easy pushing. The mower switches quickly between mulch-, rear-bag-, and side-discharge-mode without the use of tools. And, as if taking all the sweat out of that weekend mowing weren't enough, the Insight's quick-stow lever folds up easily and stores flat when the mowing is done. Lawn-Boy covers the Insight with a complete two-year warranty. --Brian Olson

Amazon.com Buying Guide
Five Tips for Buying a Mower
Choosing a lawn mower is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Lets break it down a little to make the process easier.

What types of walk-behind mowers are there?
There are four basic choices: push reel, electric, cordless, and gas. All have strengths and weaknesses.

Push reel mowers are powered by you. Theyre quiet, they dont need cords or recharging, and they dont pollute. But on large lawns, you might not want the workout you get when using a push reel mower. They also tend to be less effective on grass taller than two inches.
Electric mowers need to be plugged into an outlet to power them, which means youre constrained by the location of power outlets, the length of your power cord, and any obstacles that may snag the cord. If you have a small yard but dont want the forced exercise of using a push reel mower, an electric mower may be for you.
Cordless mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. You dont have to deal with the hassles of keeping a cord plugged in, but battery life becomes a constraint. Depending on the battery capacity, the size of your yard, and the height of your grass, you may not be able to complete your mowing job on one charge.
Gas mowers offer the most power, which is best if youll be mowing tall, dense grass or if your yard is larger than 2,000 square feet. But you will have to keep gas and oil on hand as well as keep the engine serviced.

What do all the power measurements mean?
All that matters to you is whether the lawn mowers blade will spin fast enough to cut your grass. Unfortunately, mowers are rated in far more technical terms.

For gas mowers, there are three power measurements you may see:

horsepower (hp) refers to the amount of power the engine can produce;
torque is the amount of horsepower that is transferred to the blade;
cc (cubic centimeters) is another to measure an engines power based on the displacement volume of its cylinders.

There also are two types of engines: two-stroke (also referred to as two-cycle) and four-stroke (or four-cycle). Conventional wisdom is that two-stroke engines offer more power but also more pollution.
For electric and cordless mowers, power often is measured in volts, amps, or watts. To satisfy your inner techie, heres how to calculate the horsepower:
49. Multiply the volts by the amps to get the wattage.
50. Divide the wattage by 746 to get the horsepower.

More horsepower doesnt always mean more cutting power. Thats why, starting in 2007, most lawnmower manufacturers began rating walk-behind lawn mowers in torque power or ccs--not horsepower. If torque isnt available for a gas mower, higher cc figures usually mean higher torque (and more fuel used per stroke, incidentally).

However, you dont want to buy a mower based on the power measurement alone. Make sure it has the features, warranty, and quality of reviews youre seeking.

What features should I look for?

Cutting Deck
This refers to the blade housing. The wider the cutting deck, the fewer passes it will take to mow a given area. However, consider how many obstacles there are in your yard. The wider the deck, the tougher it may be to fit the mower into tight spaces.
Mulching and Bagging
Want to collect your clippings? Choose a mower with a rear- or side-bag option. Want to leave clippings on the lawn as fertilizer? Get a mower that mulches. A "3-in-1" mower will mulch, bag, or side-discharge.
Wheels
Larger wheels mean easier handling, especially over rough terrain. If you can, go with at least 7-inch-diameter wheels in the rear--larger if your yard is hilly or uneven. Some higher-end mowers have front wheels on casters, which gives you an extremely tight turning radius.
Height Adjustment
Most mowers allow you to adjust the distance between the blade and the ground. Think about how much range you really need.
Safety
Many newer rotary machines are available with a lever or bar that must be depressed to keep the mower running (some models include a handy blade-brake that lets you release the lever without killing the engine).
Also, look for models with a rubber flap at the back to block objects thrown from the blades. You should always wear safety goggles when mowing and follow all the manufacturers safety instructions regardless of the mower youre using.
Batteries
If youre buying a cordless mower, think about how long it will run on a single charge. Most batteries take several hours to recharge, so you want to make sure its going to get the job done before it runs out of juice. As a rule of thumb, a typical 24-volt mower will run up to one-and-a-half hours and cut up to a third of an acre; a 36-volt mower will go for three hours and cut up to a half an acre.
Cord holder
A cord holder is useful for keeping the cord of your electric mower out of the way when you make turns.
Starters
Gas mowers are available either with recoil (pull-cord) or electric starters. Newer recoil motors start much quicker than those you remember from summers past. However, go with electric if you can afford it: your mower will start with the push of a button or the turn of a key.
Self-propelled or push?
A self-propelled mower moves forward without you having to push it. All you have to do is steer. If you have a relatively flat lawn, save a few bucks by skipping this feature. However, if your landscape has a slope or an irregular contour, a self-propelled model may be the best choice. Rear-wheel drive tends to offer better traction.
Variable Speed
If you want a self-propelled mower, look for models with variable speed. This feature allows you to make adjustments within a continuous range so you can find the exact speed thats comfortable for you.

What servicing and maintenance is necessary?
Always buy a mower that comes with a manufacturers warranty and follow the manufacturers routine maintenance instructions for

Cleaning the mower after usage;
Keeping the blade sharp;
Keeping the engine tuned up (gas mowers); and
Keeping the battery charged (cordless mowers).

While Amazon.com does not accept returns on gas-powered mowers, the manufacturers Website or product manual will list the nearest service center.

What does CARB-compliant mean?
CARB is an acronym for California Air Resource Board, whose stringent air-quality standards have been adopted by many states. If your state requires compliance for gas mowers, confirm that your model is CARB-certified before you buy. While CARB-compliant mowers run cleaner than noncompliant models, they still emit pollutants. If you want to go green, an electric or push reel mower is the way to go.

Reader Reviews
After I couldn't acquire parts for my 19 year old Lawn-Boy mower, I decided to buy another. I did a lot of research before deciding to purchase this Insight model. This Lawn-Boy is a fine machine despite some flaws. The engine usually starts on the first or second pull, but not always. Once it's running, it's a relatively quiet engine, and the pollution is far less than previous models. One of the best things about this mower is the way it looks. Fab design. However, the biggest downfall of this mower is its ridiculous weight. I'd like to know why somebody at Lawn-Boy/Toro thought a 70 pound push mower was a good idea. Because it's not. My old Lawn-Boy was a svelte 35 pounds, so I wrote to Lawn-Boy to ask why they did not make an aluminum mower this year. Their customer service informed me that they used a steel deck instead of their older, better aluminum designs. They said the aluminum decks were not ready for the 2006 season, but provided me with hope that they will be available next year. SO, if you can wait until next year, I suggest putting your money towards an aluminum mower. If not, this one will work fine, as long as you don't mind working a lot harder to push the darn thing. Comment | Permalink | (Report this)

Lawn-Boy Insight Series 21-Inch 6.5 HP Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower (Non-CARB Compliant)...
List Price: $369.00
Available from Amazon
Price: $349.00
Updated on 8-12-2008.

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