Need a recomendation on a lawn mower

[hotkarl]

Yeah, I use the good stuff at the pump too.
Straight gas, no mix.

[Icy Tea]

I have a Lawn Boy that's over 15 years old and I pulled it out to give it the once over before mowing season starts( I'd have mowed already but its been raining or only in the 40s). Put in gas, with sta bil treatment, sprayed the carb with cleaner , same with the spark plug, checked the air filer( it was changed last year) , all okay. Kicked right off. I have to get the blade sharpened, though. It's a self propelled 5 HP 4 cycle. NEVER get the 2 cycle although I hear they don't make them any more. Its only been serviced about 3 times that I've owned it, I changed the oil myself once. I just did the math and for what you pay to get it serviced( say $40), you'd have one expensive mower if you did it every year even if you never had to buy a new one. I do keep the oil levels up always. I have a Toro thats about 5 years old. I changed the oil 2 years ago and it still looks clean but I am going to get a new air filter for it. I did the same maintenance routine and it kicked right off. Not even any blue smoke this year from either one when they first started.
So I'm defintely in the doubter category about the need to change oil, spark plugs and air filters every year. Every few years, yes. Just check them to see if they're okay or not.
Self propelled mowers are the way to go. I have an ancient and very light push Toro( no blade emergency stop, 3 HP, thats over 30 years old. Its so light I can run with it but its very tempermental with the throttle and carb being seriously out of whack. I wanted a new one as light and easy to use. You can't get them. Mowers now are heavier so get the self propelled.

[tibbar]

I have a several years old self propelled mulching Sears Craftsman 6.0 easy start-quiet with the Briggs and Stratton engine. I bought 2 other machines and had to return them when neither myself or my husband could start them. Tecumseh engines won't start for me at all, I love Briggs and Stratton. I push the little red button 8 times and the mower starts easily every time. I also use Sta-Bil gas stabilizer all the time.

Also, look to see that the bag mounts on the back of the mower so you have easy access to all mowing areas.