The Troy-Bilt TB426 rear-bag push mower gives you all the quality and performance you would expect from a well-known name at an affordable price. We recommend this mower to anyone who is in search of a small mower for light residential use.

The TB426 relies on a 190cc engine by Briggs & Stratton, a name synonymous with trustworthy performance. It sports a 21-inch solid steel deck, so this machine is perfect for smaller lawns.

Starting this mower takes surprisingly little effort. If you have yet to try out a mower with Z-Start, which is a feature that is found in the TB426, you owe it to yourself to do so. It offers a 20-30 percent easier start up; in fact, our Troy-Bilt sprang to life on the very first pull, right out of the box. Once you get the TB426 running, the wide deluxe handles provide extended comfort throughout the entire mow.

We are also impressed with the range of cutting heights available with this machine. You can cut your lawn as low as pile carpeting by dropping the deck down to the lowest height of 1.25 inches or opt for a plush, full lawn by raising the cutting blades to their apex of 3.5 inches, a height maximum that's rarely seen on an entry-level lawn mower. Adjusting the deck to either of these heights, or any of the nine settings in between, takes very little time and effort.

While the price is right, homeowners with larger or hilly lawns may do well to steer clear of the TB426. While the engine is very reliable, it is not particularly powerful. Additionally, the slightly below-average deck size means that it'll take you more passes and require you to spend more time out in the yard. On inclines and steep grades, you'll also notice that this mower lacks the large rear wheels that can be found on some other models in this price range.

While the Troy-Bilt TB426 will do a fine job with smaller lawns and does not cost an arm and a leg, you can find other push mowers with more options at a similar price. Still, coming from a trusted company like Troy-Bilt, many customers will not be sorry if they look no further than the TB426.


Pros: Easy to start, easily adjustable cutting height
Cons: Hard to maneuver, smallish cutting deck