Husqvarna LC121P 21-in Gas Push Lawn Mower Review
The 72-pound Husqvarna LC121P gas-powered push lawn mower is an efficient and powerful machine that has a compact design and high wheels for easy maneuvering in tight spaces (8 inches in front and 11 inches in back). You can bag, mulch, and use the side discharge mowing options with the LC121P. The 21-inch cutting swath covers large ground on each pass, and the Briggs & Stratton EXI engine is a high-performing, lightweight and low maintenance engine that’ll power you through for many mowing season. The steel cutting deck’s four-point cutting height adjustment slices down grass in the range of 1.25 inches to 3.44 inches.
The Husqvarna is not exactly a heavy-duty type of machine, so it’s not ideal for cutting alongside river banks or pushing across acres of farmland. But it is a solid choice for small- to medium-sized yards.
Key Features
- 9-position height adjustment for wide range of cutting heights
- Sealed ball-bearing wheels for easy rolling on grass
- 11-inch rear wheels for easy pushing over small- to medium-sized yards
- 21-inch blade for large cutting swath on every pass
- Foldable handle for easy, space-saving storage
- Overmolded comfort grip handle for premium comfort and control
Performance
The 163cc engine is powerful and starts on the first pull, and overall Husqvarna mowers do a fine job of cutting and are easy to assemble and use. If your yard is average size, then this is a solid mower to have. It starts right out of the box, doesn’t need an oil change, and pushes easily. In addition, its compact slimness, light weight, and good maneuverability allows you to veer in and around obstacles easily and roll across your yard with swiftness.
Some have said the locking mechanism on the side rear height adjustment can be erratic and not stay locked, causing an uneven cut if you don’t catch it immediately while mowing. So be sure to keep an eye on it while mowing.
The gas tank holds enough gas to mow for approximately 45 to 50 minutes, and for some people this will work just fine. The gas tank is a bit tricky to fill, but you’ll get used to it after the first few times.
Ease of Use
The LC121P mower starts on the first pull and runs as you’d expect a Husqvarna machine to run. Once you’re done mowing, simply fold up the handles and store this nice-looking machine in a shed or garage. It’ll do just fine in small spaces and is durable.
At times, you may need to adjust and retorque the frame-to-handle bolts if you’ve got a rough or hilly yard. Keep an eye on all loose bolts, and be sure to follow the recommended maintenance in the manual.
The rear wheels of this mower don’t always adjust and lock properly, unfortunately. The design in that area leaves a bit to be desired, but it’s fixable by disassembling the rear wheel portion and bending the “spring” at a sharper angle. You can also tie them together if that doesn’t work.
Cut Quality & Options
Powered by a powerful Briggs & Stratton engine, the LC121P boasts a broad 9-position height adjustment that allows mowers to easily make changes when cutting grass that’s infiltrated with weeds and tough overgrowth. That said, it’s not an ideal mower if you’ve got a steep bank and are mowing from right to left. In that instance, the mower may quit. However, if you mow from left to right, with the gas tank on the uphill side, you should be okay.
Superior options on the LC121P include the choices to bag your clippings, spew them from the side, or mulch them up finely so that they’ll fertilize your yard for free. The mulching option is also a bargain in the fall, when you’re dealing with tons of leaves that inevitably will drift downward into your formerly pristine yard.
Maintenance
General maintenance includes checking for loose fasteners, cleaning and inspecting the grass catcher, checking the tires, and checking the drive wheels. Inspect the grass catcher, clean the mower, including under the drive cover. Other areas and elements to check on a regular basis:
- Drive belt/pulleys
- Blade
- Lubrication
- Battery
- Oil level
- Air filter
- Muffler
- Spark Plug
See the detailed manual for the entire maintenance schedule.
Safety Features
The operator presence control bar starts and stops the engine for safety. The operator must be positioned behind the mower handle to start and operate the machine. Additionally, the rear deflector, which is attached between the rear wheels, minimizes the possibility of objects being thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator’s mowing position.
Special Features
Everyone is gonna love the soft-grip handles that fold with ease, and the straight bag-through handle features an uninterrupted space between the handles for for easy bag removal. Another nice little touch to this mower is the over-molded comfort grip handle that offers added comfort and control. It’s also lightweight and runs efficiently on minimal gas. The mower easy folds for optimal storage.
Cost Effectiveness
Sometimes saving personal time is just as crucial as saving money. For example, the LC121P is a nice time-saver with its 21-inch blade that allows for more cutting in one pass, so you’ll spend less time out in the yard doing work. Many would say that the LC121P offers numerous options and advantages compared to other mowers in its price range. Additionally, though you’ll need to maintain this mower every season, its overall maintenance isn’t as extensive as some 3-in-1 machines. For a few hundred bucks this baby will knock out the typical suburban lawn, so that alone makes it well worth it for the average mower. The LC121P is also great on gas, and the oil consumption is practically nonexistent compared to other small-engine mowers on the market.
As noted above, the rear wheel adjustment on this machine can be spotty, an issue that a decades-old Craftsman mower might never have one time for all of its lifespan. It’s a cliche to say it, but you get what you pay for when it comes to the lawn mower you purchase.
