Listings in each category are from least to most expensive. Prices are each manufacturer's suggested retail price. Unless otherwise noted, engines are four-cycle, and deck sizes range from 20 to 22 inches.

Push, mulching

Murray 22415x92: $140; 4-hp, steel deck.

Craftsman 38822: $160; 4.5-hp, steel deck.

Cub Cadet PS620: $220; 6-hp, steel deck; ball-bearing wheels, optional bagger.

Snapper MR215014B: $300; 5-hp, steel deck; 10-in. rear wheels, optional twin blade and bagger. Similar models with larger engines available.

Toro Recycler 20010: $320; 6-hp, steel deck; optional bagger. Toro Super Recycler 20030, $370, is similar but with an aluminum deck.

John Deere JS60: $330; 6-hp, steel deck; optional side-discharge chute and rear bagger.

Husqvarna 510MD: $350; 6-hp OHV, aluminum deck; ball-bearing wheels, optional bagger.

Honda Harmony Mulching HRM215PDA: $500; 5-hp OHV, Xenoy deck, twin blade; optional bagger and leaf shredder.

Self-propelled, mulching

Murray 22615X92: $200; 4-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck.

Craftsman 37740: $250; 6-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck.

Lawn-Boy Silver Series 10330: $280; 4.5-hp, steel staggered-wheel deck; optional rear or side bag.

Lawn-Boy SilverPro Series 10323: $350; 6.5-hp 2-cycle, steel staggered-wheel deck; optional rear or side bag.

Honda Harmony II HRS216SDA: $390; 5.5-hp OHC, internal timing belt, steel deck; optional twin blade. Similar push and self-propelled models available, including 3-speed and rear-baggers with single or twin mulching blades.

White LC210: $390; 6.5-hp OHV, 6 speeds with variable drive touch control, steel deck; single-lever height adjustment, ball-bearing wheels, rounded shoulder tires, optional rear bagger.

Toro Recycler 20022: $420; 6-hp variable speed, steel deck; optional rear bag. Toro Super Recycler 20042, $470, is similar but with an aluminum deck.

Troy-Bilt Mulching Mower: $480; 6-hp, 5 speeds, aluminum deck; push and electric-start models available, optional bagger.

Lawn-Boy GoldPro Series 10525: $490; 6.5-hp 2-cycle, 3 speeds with variable-speed touch control, aluminum staggered-wheel deck; electric-start model available, optional rear or side bag.

Snapper FRP216012: $520; 6-hp, 6 speeds, rear-wheel drive, steel deck; adjustable intake recycling, twin blade, 10-in. rear wheels, optional rear bagger and dethatcher. Models available with Super Six OHV engine or electric start.

Honda Harmony Mulching HRM215K3SDA: $600; 5-hp OHV, 3 speeds, Xenoy deck; twin-blade, optional rear bagger and leaf shredder. Similar models available with hydrostatic drive and blade-brake clutch.

Toro Recycler 20487: $630; 6.5-hp OHV, 3 speeds, aluminum deck; brake-blade clutch, optional dethatcher, side discharge, and rear bag.

Self-propelled, 3-in-1, standard wheels

Murray 20615x92: $270; 6-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck; electric-start model available.

Yard Machines 12A-455G: $300; 6-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck.

Craftsman 37754: $400; 6.5-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck. Similar models available with different engines.

Cub Cadet SC621: $390; 6.5-hp OHV rear-wheel drive, 6 speeds with variable drive touch control, steel deck; single-lever height adjustment, ball-bearing wheels, rounded-shoulder tires.

Lawn-Boy SilverPro Series 10324: $400; 6.5-hp 2-cycle, steel staggered-wheel deck.

Husqvarna 560HS: $420; 6-hp OHV, front-wheel drive, steel deck; ball-bearing wheels. Similar models also available with other engines or 3-speed rear-wheel drive.

Honda Harmony II HRT216SDA: $470; 5.5-hp OHC, internal timing belt, steel deck; single-lever height adjustment, twin-blade mulching, optional leaf shredder.

John Deere JS63: $500; 6-hp, 3 speeds, steel deck; optional side-discharge chute. Similar model available with 1 speed; other models with aluminum deck.

Husqvarna R53S: $640; 5.5-hp, rear-wheel drive, variable speed control, ABS deck; ball-bearing wheels, single-lever height adjustment, optional mulch kit.

Ariens DLM21S: $650; 6.5-hp, variable speed control, steel deck; optional lawn roller, dethatcher, and leaf shredder. Similar model available with 6-hp.

John Deere JX75: $660; 6-hp OHV, 5 speeds, aluminum deck; blade-brake clutch. Similar model with electric start also available.

Honda Harmony Mulching HRB215SXA: $700; 5-hp OHV, 3 speeds, Xenoy deck; blade-brake clutch, high-lift blade, optional twin blade and leaf shredder. Similar model available with hydrostatic drive.

Maxim H622BSP424: $725; 6-hp, aluminum deck; single-lever height adjustment, optional mulch kit.

14-inch rear wheels, self-propelled

Yard-Man 12A-559K: $300; 6.5-hp OHV, front-wheel drive, steel deck; ball-bearing wheels, rear bagger.

White HW656: $330; 6-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck; 3-in-1. High-wheel model with front caster wheels also available.

Craftsman 37759: $370; 6.75-hp, front-wheel drive, steel deck; 3-in-1. Similar models have electric start or smaller engines.

Front caster wheels

Yard-Man 12A-999L: $400; 6.5-hp OHV, 6 speeds, steel deck; 3-in-1, single-lever height adjustment, ball-bearing wheels. Electric-start model available.

White LC215: $430; 6.5-hp OHV, 6 speeds with variable-drive touch control, steel deck; rear bagger, single-lever height adjustment, ball-bearing wheels, rounded-shoulder tires.

Electric-start model available.

Cub Cadet SC621: $430; 6.5-hp OHV, 6 speeds with variable-drive touch control, steel deck; single-lever height adjustment, ball-bearing wheels, rounded-shoulder tires. Electric-start model available.

Ariens DLM21SW: $700; 6.5-hp, variable speed control, steel deck; 3-in-1, optional lawn roller, dethatcher, and leaf shredder. Similar model with electric start available.

For detailed model information, contact these manufacturers:

* American Honda Motor Co., (800) 426-7701, www.hondapower.com

* Ariens Co., (800) 678-5443, www.ariens.com

* Craftsman, (847) 286-5188, www.sears.com

* Cub Cadet Corp., (800) 528-1009, www.mtdproducts.com

* Husqvarna, (800) 487-5962, www.husqvarna.com

* John Deere, (800) 537-8233, www.deere.com

* Lawn-Boy, (800) 526-6937, www.lawnboy.com

* Maxim Manufacturing Corp., (800) 621-2789

* Murray, Inc., (800) 251-8007, www.murrayinc.com

* Snapper, Inc., (800) 935-2967, www.snapper.com

* Toro, (800) 595-6841, www.toro.com

* Troy-Bilt, (800) 828-5500, www.troybilt.com

* Weed Eater, (706) 860-2290

* White Outdoor Products Co., (800) 949-4483, www.mtdproducts.com

* Yard Machines, (800) 800-7310, www.mtdproducts.com

* Yard-Man, (800) 927-3626, www.mtdproducts.com

* Yard Pro, (706) 860-2290

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Maggie Oster is the National Gardening Association's regional reporter for the Upper South.