How much is a push mower worth?

Push mowers, also known as walk-behind mowers, are an affordable and efficient option for maintaining small to medium-sized lawns. With proper maintenance and care, a quality push mower can provide many years of reliable service. When considering purchasing a used push mower or determining the value of an existing one, there are several factors to take into account.

What to Consider When Determining Push Mower Value

There are several aspects that affect how much a used push mower is worth on the resale market. Key factors to consider include:

• Age and overall condition – An older mower or one that has not been well-maintained will have less value. Check for signs of wear, rust, damaged or missing parts.
• Brand name and model – Well-known brands like Toro, Honda, and Craftsman tend to hold their value better than generic models.
• Cutting width – Wider cutting decks (21-22 inches) are generally more desirable than smaller widths.
• Engine power – More powerful engines make mowing less labor-intensive.
• Features – Mowers with added features like self-propulsion, variable speed control, and mulching capability will command higher prices.
• Replacement parts availability – Easy access to replacement parts extends a mower’s lifetime usability.

Additionally, gas mowers tend to have higher resale values than electric ones, and four-stroke engine mowers are generally more valuable than two-stroke engine types.

Average New Costs for Push Mowers

To determine how much a used push mower is worth, it helps to know the average new retail cost of popular models for comparison:

Mower Type	Average New Cost
Basic manual push mower	$100 – $250
Self-propelled mower	$300 – $500
Gas-powered mower	$300 – $600
Electric start mower	$500 – $1,000

Prices vary widely based on features, brand, and where the mower is purchased. High-end models with large cutting widths, electric start, and heavy-duty construction can cost over $1,000 new.

How Age and Condition Affect Value

Age and condition have a significant influence on resale value. Here are some general guidelines on push mower value based on age and condition:

Age	Good Condition	Fair Condition	Poor Condition
Less than 2 years	70-90% of new cost	50-70% of new cost	30-50% of new cost
2-5 years	50-70% of new cost	30-50% of new cost	20-30% of new cost
5-10 years	30-50% of new cost	20-30% of new cost	Less than 20% of new cost
Over 10 years	20-30% of new cost	10-20% of new cost	Scrap value

These ranges account for normal wear and aging over time. A mower that has been well-maintained and properly stored when not in use will hold its value better than one that was left exposed to the elements.

Definition of Condition Ratings:

• Good – Few cosmetic flaws, no significant mechanical issues, starts and runs properly
• Fair – Some cosmetic defects, minor repairs needed, may start inconsistently
• Poor – Major cosmetic defects, significant mechanical repairs needed, may not run

Other Factors That Affect Value

Along with age and condition, other factors that can increase or decrease a used push mower’s value include:

• Maintenance records – Mowers with documentation showing regular oil changes, blade sharpening, filter replacements, etc. are worth more than those without.
• Replacement parts availability – Mowers still using available parts will be worth more than those requiring discontinued or hard-to-find components.
• Remaining engine/drive train warranty – Any active warranty coverage adds value compared to no warranty.
• Quality of engine – Brand name engines like Honda or Briggs & Stratton hold value better than generic no-name engines.
• Cutting deck material – Cast aluminum decks are more durable than steel or plastic.
• Any accessories included – Bagger attachments, mulching plugs, or extra blades add to resale potential.

How to Determine Fair Market Value

The fair market value of a used push mower is essentially what the unit would sell for in your area based on age, condition, features, and other factors. Here are some tips for setting a fair asking price when selling a push mower:

• Search online classifieds and sales listings to see what similar make/model mowers in your area are selling for.
• Adjust price based on the unique condition and features of your particular mower.
• List the mower $50-$100 above your minimum acceptable price to leave room for negotiation.
• Consider parting out a non-running mower – selling usable individual components can provide more value.
• If unable to sell within a reasonable timeframe, gradually reduce the asking price until there is a buyer.

Being flexible on price while taking into account all value considerations will help establish a fair market value and desired sales outcome when selling a used push mower.

Places to Sell a Used Push Mower

When it comes time to sell an aging push mower, there are several options to reach potential buyers:

• Classified ads – Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace allow listing mowers for local pickup by buyers.
• Lawn equipment dealers – Some dealerships purchase used equipment to refurbish and resell.
• Consignment shops – They sell items for a share of the proceeds when sold.
• Lawn service companies – Those expanding may purchase mowers in good condition.
• Garage sales – Creates opportunity for buyers to inspect machine in person.
• eBay – Large online auction marketplace, can ship mower nationally.
• Lawn mower repair shops – May buy non-running mowers for parts or to fix up and sell.

Listing the push mower online tends to provide the greatest chance to reach interested buyers willing to pay fair market value. But don’t rule out local options like dealerships, shops, and garage sales for selling conveniently.

Is it Worth Repairing an Old Push Mower?

When a used push mower has mechanical issues or fails to start, a decision must be made whether it is worth investing money in repairs and refurbishing. Factors to consider include:

• Estimated repair costs – Obtain an accurate quote from a small engine repair shop.
• Value of the mower if repaired – Compare repair cost to potential resale value.
• Availability of replacement parts – Hard to find parts will add expense.
• Age and overall wear – Repairs rarely worthwhile on very old mowers.
• Your DIY repair capabilities – Ability to do minor repairs yourself saves money.

As a general rule of thumb, it makes financial sense to repair a mower if:

• The repairs cost less than around 50% of a comparable used mower in good condition.
• The mower has an otherwise solid frame, deck, and usable engine/transmission.
• Replacement parts are still readily available.

Contrastingly, costly repairs on very old mowers usually do not justify the expense for the relatively low return on investment.

Example Repair Cost Analysis

Repair(s) Needed	Estimated Cost	Worth Repairing?
Replace pull cord	$50	Yes
New carburetor	$100	Yes, if engine is less than 5-7 years old
Complete engine replacement	$300	Only if mower deck, hardware still very usable
Replace drive train	$200	Only on premium brand models
Mulitple major repairs needed	$500+	Rarely worth such heavy investment

Minor repairs are typically justifiable, while multiple major repairs on old mowers are harder to justify compared to purchasing a quality used replacement mower in good working order.

Adding Value Through Refurbishing

Some additional value can be added to a used push mower with proper cleaning and refurbishing. Simple steps to refresh a mower include:

• Use degreaser and pressure washer to clean underside and cutting deck.
• Replace oil, air filter, and spark plug.
• Sharpen, balance, and clean cutting blades.
• Spray paint any spot rust and touch up chipped paint.
• Ensure smooth operation and proper drive speed.
• Test mower under load and inspect cut quality.
• Clean upholstery on mower handle if applicable.

Proper cleaning, new consumables, sharpened blades, and touch-up paint can make an older mower look and run almost like new again. The small upfront cost can boost resale value. Proper mower tune-ups should be performed annually anyway to maximize performance.

Estimating Refurbishing Costs

Refurbishing Task	Estimated Cost
Replacement oil/filter/spark plug	$20-30
New air filter	$10-15
Blade sharpening	$15-25
Degreaser/pressure wash	$10-20
Spot/touch-up paint	$15-25
Total	$80-120

This modest refurbishing investment can often yield $50-$100 extra resale value for a well-kept mower.

Safety Tips When Buying/Selling Used Mowers

When looking to purchase a used push mower, or making a sale yourself, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Require the mower be started and run during inspection.
• Check that the blade brake clutch stops the blade when released.
• Confirm drive speed control works properly if self-propelled.
• Look for loose or damaged handlebars that could break.
• Avoid mowers with excessive vibration or odd noises.
• Check tires for dry rot cracks if sitting unused.
• Make sure blade shield is present and in good condition.
• Remove key before transporting a used mower.

Taking these basic safety precautions helps avoid accidents and costly repairs down the road.

Conclusion

Determining how much a used push mower is worth requires considering its age, overall condition, brand reputation, and features. Rule of thumb guidelines peg fair resale values at 50-80% of original price for mowers less than 5 years old in good working order. Very old or poorly maintained mowers may only be worth scrap value. With proper maintenance and preventative repairs, a quality push mower should provide 5+ years of dependable use. Refurbishing the deck, blades, paint, and consumables can often boost resale value. When shopping for a used mower, focus on condition, cutting width, engine power, and safety guarding to find the best value for your property’s needs.