Customer Reviews for Southland 22 in. 173 cc Walk-Behind Lawn Gas Mower

After struggling and "pushing" thru using an old beat up push mower that would stall or blow white smoke out of the exhaust when pushing into grass with any thickness to it, I decided to purchase a new mower. I chose the 173cc southland because it looked like a great deal of a higher displacement push mower. I was bummed when it arrived at my house and upon removing it from the box, the read left wheel was crooked. I discovered that the plastic wheel itself was cracked and that the axle bracket was bent. I emailed Home Depot and within a day I received an email that they would be sending me a new wheel. Got the new wheel quickly, removed the axle bracket and bent it straight in a bench vise, reinstalled the parts, and completed the very simple "assembly" required. Filled it with the provided oil, and filled the gas tank. I pressed the primer bulb about 5 times and pulled the cord about 8 times and it started up. Now starting is as simple as the recommended pressing of the primer bulb 3 times, and 1 or 2 pulls. Mower cuts very well, and the cut height adjusters are easily used. I would recommend the purchase of this mower due to it's power, the larger rear wheels, and the quality construction. Kudos to Home Depot support for getting the replacement wheel to me quickly.

I cannot fairly review a product which I have not been able to use yet. When it arrived, I noticed one wheel was off kilter. Upon closer inspection (after completely removing the wheel), I noticed a small tab that was torn & bent making level installation of the wheel impossible. However, in defense of the manufacturer, when I called to report the damage, a replacement part was promptly sent. If given the opportunity, I will revisit and properly review this product.

The shipping box appeared to have been used several times, with 3 and possibly 4 very poorly applied layers of tape, the cardboard was torn in several paces and generally appearing to have been shipped several times. I have never received a shipment packaged so poorly and with so many signs of having been reshipped. There were oil stains on the outside where it was obvious that oil had leaked from inside the carton. Inside was worse. There was oil splattered about on the mower and the carton as well as the enclosed packet of accessories and manuals. After removing and inspecting the mower itself: The mower was missing one factory-installed bolt and nut entirely, and all four wheels were very visibly out of alignment to substantial degree, both toe and camber. One of the wheels was almost completely frozen on its axle. The engine had apparently been filled with oil by a previous buyer and the crankcase contained only 8 of the presumably 20 ounces that were probably added by a previous buyer. The oil-filler-cap was only partially threaded in, thus explaining the oil released inside the package. With the use of a 24-inch prybar I was able to bend the wheel-mount brackets back into reasonable alignment on all 4 wheels. I was also able to disassemble and unfreeze the frozen wheel/axle. The "spokes" on the rear wheels are a cheap snap-on plastic actually just covering a plastic wheel. The engine started easily and ran very smoothly and seemingly powerful through load. After the initial blue-cloud dissipated, it was nice to see that the blade produces a great deal of uplift and does a very nice job of cutting a uniform swath. The updraft is so powerful in fact, that if your lawn is a bit patchy (like mine) you may need to wait until after a light rain in order to avoid producing a dust storm. But if you have a nice thick lawn you would love the cut itself. I did not try the much-plate cover. I called the Home depot help line and got through immediately, They very efficiently placed the order for the missing carriage bolt and associated nylok nut. Unfortunately, they said it would be shipped in 2 days and delivery would then be 5 to 7 business days. Everything about this mower, except possibly the engine, is no better than any, and worst than most, of the cheapest of mowers at any big-box discount store. The quality of assembly and delivery are worse than anything I have ever before experienced from a reputable company. Take you chance if you like, but In my case at least, I could not have done worse. .

The wheel brackets are cheep stampings.....bend real easy. The rear flap to stop debris from hitting your legs is a joke. The primer button is up front unprotected...got destroyed under first pine tree. This thing is 100% made in China...spare parts..forget about it. China uses old time leaded gas...I'm not sure of long range repercussions of using our gas. Good stuff: engine does start with one pull and it is powerful

Arrived broken, it does not mulch. Because of the poor quality of the mower, I am now a Lowes customer. Made in America should not be placed on this one.

this product is way under powered even for small yard. In addition the user manual does a really poor job of describing the set up required. Lastly, the box the product came in was mashed in several places which caused damage to the mower. Fortunately the shipping company made good in sending me replacement parts.

Easy to use, reliable, runs like a champ and cuts as it should. All that and it is inexpensive and American made!!

Great mower at a great price. I was leary given the negative reviews of faulty wheels but mine is all good. Is relatively heavy for my wife but I do all the yardwork anyway. Easy to adjust and cranks up on first or second pull when primed. Came in beat up packaging but didn't seem to affect the mower. Very fast assembly as well, maybe 10 mins maximum.

Great gas, push lawn mower for price. Delivered to our home. Highly recommend it!

Rolls across lawn with difficulty - constantly pulls to one side. An unusual level of effort required to move the machine through the grass. Would not purchase again.

This had a 22 inch cut and a big torque heavy engine that I desired but I never got the thing started. It would fire but refused to run. Gas leaked from the carb. I returned to Home Depot and techs in the rental shop tried to start it to no avail. The engine manual indicated controls that were not present on this model. I wanted this mower, big wheels, big cut, big engine, lots of torque. But they had none in the store so I had to exchange it for another model with a 21 inch cut and smaller engine. I an upset that the product was bad, but I am pleased with Home Depot honoring my purchase by giving me a more expensive mower at the same sale price of the first.

I am very pleased with the mower-easy to use and did a good job.

A plastic wheel came broken, the manufacturer should not save in main elements, I prefer to pay more than getting some components of such low quality.

Getting it ready to go out of the box was easy. The hole to put the oil was a bit inconvenient and spilled a bit, but all in all not a problem. It was easy to start and easy to push. The cutting was really good.

This push mower, shipped free directly to my door, comes pre-assembled in the box and needs no extra assembly other than to fold out the handle and tighten the screws. The start instructions are for several different models and they do not make it clear which way your model starts but it is very easy to figure out. The only minor issue is that the rear wheels feel a bit wobbly as you push the mower in the grass but they are fastened on tight and once you get used to the slight wiggle occasionally there is no problem. On the very high plus side, I added the included motor oil, filled the tank with gas, primed the motor as shown and the engine started on the first pull. (I am not making this up). I have been extremely pleased with this purchase and it is well worth the relatively inexpensive price.

Although the mower is on the heavy side, It runs great and the shipping was terrific. Tightened 4 bolts and it was together and ready.

Pleased with first use -- on a single tank of gas I was able to cut my oversize and overgrown corner lot with ease. This mower started within first few inches of first light pull on the cord and it never bogged down or choked even in the thickest of weeds and tall grass. It has a lower and narrower profile than my electric mower did and its large wheels make navigation a breeze. So light-weight it was piece of cake doing 6' @ 30º elevated slopes around border of elevated yard. I had read reviews indicating shipping issues, yet my box came intact in great condition. However, upon unpacking I noticed the wheels were out of alignment. I removed a rear wheel and straightened its flange (heavy-duty, required a great bit of force to bend) and then removed a front wheel to correct a twisted pin into proper position. After reassembly (total ~ 8 minutes spent to fix) the mower was perfectly level and balanced. Push handle seemed a little light--will likely wrap in in bike grip-tape. CAN'T BEAT IT FOR THE PRICE!!! I researched many brands and took time to make best decision possible. ~ Mark

I purchased this mower online and when it was delivered, the cardboard seemed like there was oil or gasoline spilling on the inside. I assembled it and prepared it to use and it did not start. I primed it several times and nothing. Contacted Home Depot and they offered to send a new one after I returned it to the store. A second one was delivered and the SAME PROBLEM. Before loading it into my SMALL car and returning it, I decided to contact the manufacturer in case I was doing something incorrectly. The person at Southland was not interested in what I was going to say, he immediately just offered me a service center telephone number. The service center I was directed to was an even worse experience-- the person seemed uninterested and made me feel stupid. I asked what the turnaround time was and he seemed annoyed and told me "I'm just one person, you're gonna have to wait AT LEAST three (3) weeks." I have now been out of a mower for over a month since this entire ordeal began. Never purchasing again!

Wheels were a not totally aligned but does not interfere with operation... runs well.

I received the lawn mower 2 weeks ago in a nice no smashed carton box, i assembled it and when i tried to start it the rope and the blade were stuck . So i called them they told me to bring it to a repair services. They said I'd broke it because it didn't put oil in it, but i told them I've been not able to start it because it were stuck , after a lot of talk with the guy, he finally check the spark and confirm me that it never ran. Actually, he found out that it were smashed and some kind a piece was stuck in the engine. I finally got it back (paying 35bucks for puttin oil and being sure its running) 10days after and can now cut my grass. All of that appart, it works fine

The First Order ,Came Poorly Packaged & Was Damaged Upon Arrival. I Was Told To Take It Back For A Full Refund To My Local Home Depot Store. I Drained Out The Gas & Oil, Returned It To The Store ,Received A Full Refund, No Questions Asked. I Decided To Take A Chance & Reorder The Same Mower.This Time I Called Home Depot Customer Service, They Shipped Me Another One At A Discounted Price, It Was Packaged Well, Arrived With No Damage, And Runs Great !

Product was shipped to store quickly. Assembly was very easy. Product worked immediately and as expected.

The mower was easy to assemble. It arrived quickly.

There was some damage to the rear left wheel. I called Southland customer service. Told them what needed replaced. They were polite, and courteous. The two parts were shipped, I received them within the promised shipping time frame. The assembly was easy and fast. The engine started on the 4 th. pull. This mower if taken care of, well maintained. Could out last me. I'm pushing 70.

delivered 3 days ahead of estimate. No problems what so ever!

Basic mower with a fairly powerful motor and a wide deck. Light for pushing around the yard, adjustable wheel height. Works perfect for what I wanted. Easy to assemble.

Like some of the other reviews, the product came with the back wheels bent in at the top. I will say that I called Southland's customer service and they were very helpful and sent new wheel brackets right away.

Mower was shipped directly to my home. Unpacked it, assembled handle, put in supplied oil and fueled it up. Cranked on first pull. Great mower!

This mower is amazing for the price. You will have to align the wheels and tighten all the bolts when you first take it out of the box. A lot of people complain about the wheels needing to be aligned but if you are a man, you should be able to pull the wheels into place by hand. It cuts without getting bogged thanks to the massive motor. The big wheels roll over everything and turn on a dime. It's made in the USA and it started on the first pull. Would definitely recommend!

Mower was easy to assemble, but it" hard to push, maybe the wheels were too low, but I found it difficult to push.