Video References A Kohler Or Honda Engine As Options •This model is only available in 2011 with a Kawasaki Engine
6HP/179cc Kawasaki FJ180V 4-Cycle Engine •Durable and reliable for years of service
Swivel Front Wheel Design With Tool-Free Height Adjustment •Easily manuever around trees and borders •Dial in one of six cutting heights for a manicured look
21 Inch Steel Deck With Baked On, Powder Coated Finish •Resists the effects of moisture, fertilizers, & chemicals •14 gauge stamped steel deck for added durability & airflow
Ergonomic Design Is Easy To Operate •Comfortable twin bail handle design •4 position handle bar accomodates any user •Handle folds down for compact storage
Large 2.5 Bushel Bagger •High lift blade maximizes bagging efficiency •Wire bagger frame is easy to empty and attach •Bagger holds 3 cubic feet of clippings
Q: i have a ariens classic walk behind lawn mower with swivel wheels... for mulching do i need the mulching kit or do i just need a differant blade than what came with it????
thanks for the answer by Steve Hughes from Minnesota on June 28, 2011
A: Steve - in order to mulch effectively, you would need either the mulching plug AND a mulching blade or the mulching kit. Most people find the mulching plug and a mulching blade to be very effective. Ariens Mulch Plug Simply installing a mulch blade will mulch the grass, but you will still leave clumps of grass on your lawn, especially if the grass is wet or thicker or longer than normal. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Todd, this mower was "handed down" to me with no operating instructions. Runs great, however, I want to be sure I'm adjusting height correctly. Is it necessary to move the swivel wheels or do you just control the height by the back wheels? Mows the lawn beautifully! by Jessica from Minnesota on June 28, 2011
A: Jessica - you would need to adjust the height on both the front swivel wheels as well as the back wheels. The front swivel wheels are adjusted using height adjuster pin. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: HI, is there a drive shaft protection system designed within the Ariens mower to ensure the integrity of the mtor shaft should one strike a hidden object in tall grass? by Allan Brady from Virginia on May 22, 2011
A: Allan - no, there is no such system on any of the Ariens mower models. If you should strike a solid object in high grass, chances are you will damage or bend the mower blade drive shaft. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Does the Ariens 21 in. Classic Walk Behind Lawnmower Lawn Dethatcher Kit Mount on the Ariens Classic LM21SW (21") 6-HP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower w/ Swivel Wheels or just fixed axle? by Chase Harris from Washington on May 15, 2011
A: Chase - the dethatcher kit WILL NOT work on an Ariens Classic with the swivel front wheels. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Is the ariens classic LM21SW 50 state compiant or CARB or CA certified? Does it have a wash out port? by Michele Curtis from Texas on April 11, 2011
A: Thanks for your inquiry. This model is CARB compliant and does not have a wash out port. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Does the ariens classic LM21SW have a commercial warranty? by Aleister Pettijohn from California on April 08, 2011
A: Thanks for your inquiry. This mower only has a 3 year consumer warranty. No commercial warranty. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Does the Ariens come with an electric start? by Allan from Washington on April 02, 2011
A: Thanks for your inquiry. This model is not equipped with electric start. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Does theAriens Classic LM21SW (21") 6-HP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower w/ Swivel Wheels have a blade stop feature, to stop the blade without shutting down the engine? by Roy Redford from Utah on March 25, 2011
A: Thanks for your inquiry. This mower is not equipped with a blade stop feature. by Todd, Product Expert
Q: Todd, I just bought a home on appox. 1/3 acres. It's a corner lot with mature trees and some plantings. I want a self propelled push mower and am willing to spend about $600 +/-. After reading reviews I like the ariens lm21sw and I can get it locally for$639. I also found some snappers that I really like. What's your take. I expect to be here for a long time. Thanks, Mark S. by Mark Slaughter from Illinois on March 19, 2011
A: Thanks for your inquiry. This mower would be a great choice for your application. It is one of our higher level mowers and will give you years of great performance and durability. by Todd, Product Expert
Overall Rating
4.4
(Based on 18 Reviews)
Sort By
Todd Gwaltney, Product Expert Mowers Direct
Todd's Recommendation
If you want a lawn mower to last decades, you should get the Ariens Classic LM21SW lawn mower for three reasons:
1. Kawasaki Engine
Honda and Kohler engines are good. Kawasaki engines are even better. These commercial-grade engines are durable, reliable and very easy to start.
2. Swivel Wheels
Most lawn mowers are built to go straight. Unfortunately, most yards aren't. Flower beds and landscaping forces you to twist and turn. Eventually, the tilted wheels wear down and fall off.
The Ariens Classic LM21SW features swivel wheels, allowing you to make quick turns without putting stress on the tires.
3. Ariens Quality
Yes, you can buy cheaper lawn mowers. But, they simply lack high-quality construction. Ariens makes serious lawn mowers designed to last. One Ariens will often outlast 2-3 cheap lawn mowers, saving you more money in the long run.
September 01, 2011
Henry Carmel, IN
Positives and negatives
This mower is easy to start and has a powerful and smooth-running engine. The overall design concept is excellent but the "out-of-the-box" experience leaves a lot to be desired.
My biggest complaints after two uses are the throttle control and the pins that hold the front wheels on. I've had a wheel fall off twice (and yes-I know how to seat a cotter-pin) and the mower races forward despite repeated adjustment of the forward speed adjustment. The forward speed will be fine as you start to mow, but as you walk forward, you'll find yourself running to keep-up and grabbing for the speed control lever to drop the speed. You'll have to do this repeatedly as you cut your grass - a real hassle!
This mower is easy to start and has a powerful and smooth-running engine. The overall design concept is excellent but the "out-of-the-box" experience leaves a lot to be desired.
My biggest complaints after two uses are the throttle control and the pins that hold the front wheels on. I've had a wheel fall off twice (and yes-I know how to seat a cotter-pin) and the mower races forward despite repeated adjustment of the forward speed adjustment. The forward speed will be fine as you start to mow, but as you walk forward, you'll find yourself running to keep-up and grabbi... more
July 15, 2011
Brian Rochester, MN
Good engine but underperforms for the money
I've been using this mower for a couple of months now. I have an 0.5 acre lot with about 40 trees and hoped this would be good to maneuver around them. It's definitely a solid machine and the engine has worked flawlessly, but it's weight makes it hard to circle around trees unless you use the self-propel. I've had trouble with self-propel speed adjustment moving on its own toward full speed. I adjusted the bolt a couple times and it still came loose and would go from slow to fast while mowing. Finally, I tightened it to where it takes some muscle to adjust the lever. I'm not happy with this.
Also, I usually mulch my grass and have been disappointed with the standard mulching performance when compared to my old MTD. I suppose I could buy a mulching blade, but don't want switch blades when I need to bag leaves. In the end, I've been using this mower for some parts of my yard and the old $200 MTD for the rest.
If you bag your grass and don't have much to work around, this would be a great choice. Otherwise, I expected more for the money.
I've been using this mower for a couple of months now. I have an 0.5 acre lot with about 40 trees and hoped this would be good to maneuver around them. It's definitely a solid machine and the engine has worked flawlessly, but it's weight makes it hard to circle around trees unless you use the self-propel. I've had trouble with self-propel speed adjustment moving on its own toward full speed. I adjusted the bolt a couple times and it still came loose and would go from slow to fast while mowing. Finally, I tightened it to where it takes some muscle to adjust the lever. I'm not happy with th... more
June 25, 2011
Chan Belleville, IL
Mr
It was a little difficult at first getting used to the swivel wheels. The mower cuts great and the engine is very powerful compared to the craftsman it replace. There is a world of diffence between the two mowers. Very satisfied with the Areins lawn mower.
June 13, 2011
Guido Phildelphia Suburbs, PA
junk
Yes its built like a tank, but I am sorry the drive system on this lawn mower is poor. If your property is flat to slightly graded it fine but if you have embankments or steeper hills your in trouble.
May 24, 2011
Randy Yankton, SD
Great mower
I haven't checked lawn mowers lately, but it comes with an oil filter. Top shelf. It would've started on first pull if I would've read the manual. Prime and hold safety handle simple mistake from being over anxious. A little adjustment on the drive rod tension spring and I could keep my pace. Well built unit. The drive wheels have some kinda independent drive which helps turning even more easier. Large gas tank or maybe it just doesn't use as much. Plenty of power. Easy empty bag. Only dislike is the blade is engaged always. When you empty the bag motor shuts off for safety. Not really a problem. Start rope is very handy, but not for weak of arm.
I haven't checked lawn mowers lately, but it comes with an oil filter. Top shelf. It would've started on first pull if I would've read the manual. Prime and hold safety handle simple mistake from being over anxious. A little adjustment on the drive rod tension spring and I could keep my pace. Well built unit. The drive wheels have some kinda independent drive which helps turning even more easier. Large gas tank or maybe it just doesn't use as much. Plenty of power. Easy empty bag. Only dislike is the blade is engaged always. When you empty the bag motor shuts off for safety. Not re... more
May 21, 2011
Fred Bedford, PA
Mr Fred Vida
I have used my new mower 5 times and really like this machine. We have had a very wet year and I have not seen anything wrong with it. I would buy another one. if I would have too, But it seems this machine is built to last for a long time . I have showed it to some of my Neighbors and they are impressed.
May 13, 2011
Ike Bethesda, MD
What a Great Mower
I am glad I purchased the Ariens LM21SW. It starts on the first pull and I would recommend this mower to anyone that wants a high quality commercial grade lawn mower.
April 20, 2011
John L. Charleston Wv, WV
Super Mower
This mower is what I need. I live on the side of a mountain and a powerful rear wheel drive, walk behind lawnmower, is the answer to my problems. Riding mowers are not suited for steep inclines. Front wheel drive mowers do not keep adequate traction on the front wheels. My new lawnmower is ideal for my property.
April 12, 2011
Mike Baton Rouge, LA
As Good as the Past Plus Some Improvements
I've had an older version of this mower for quite a few years. It is still going strong, so when I needed a mower for my second house I got the current model. The biggest difference is this has a Kawasaki engine while the older one had a Briggs & Stratton. If the Kawasaki is as good as the B&S I'll be a happy camper for many years. So far the Kawasaki has started first pull every time.
Other than the engine, Ariens has improved all but one of the minor weak points of my older model. The cotter pins that help secure the front wheels have been improved so they won't accidentally come loose and the plastic knob for the self-propelled speed control has been replaced with a loop in the metal rod so you don't have to worry about that old knob coming unscrewed and getting lost.
The only improvement left that I can think of would be for them to replace the plastic pull handle for starting the engine with something stronger. After about five years the pull on my old mower broke.
The latest model is still the best self-propelled out there.
I've had an older version of this mower for quite a few years. It is still going strong, so when I needed a mower for my second house I got the current model. The biggest difference is this has a Kawasaki engine while the older one had a Briggs & Stratton. If the Kawasaki is as good as the B&S I'll be a happy camper for many years. So far the Kawasaki has started first pull every time.
Other than the engine, Ariens has improved all but one of the minor weak points of my older model. The cotter pins that help secure the front wheels have been improved so they won't accide... more
April 10, 2011
Mike Chesterfield, MO
Ariens Mower review
This mower is built like a tank. The Kawasaki engine started on the first pull. The front wheels make for easier turns.
Overall, I'm OK with the mower, but I think the design engineering in it is not as refined as it should be. Two examples. To raise and lower the cutting height is simple, but becomes more work than it should be. Compare this to the Honda approach. My old Honda was extremely easy to raise or lower cutting height with no pins to remove. After 8 years the Honda transmission went out, so I thought I would try something different. The other feature that Ariens could redesign is the handle folding. It's too inconvenient to do on a regular basis.
Time will tell if this mower holds up and performs as well as my Honda.
This mower is built like a tank. The Kawasaki engine started on the first pull. The front wheels make for easier turns.
Overall, I'm OK with the mower, but I think the design engineering in it is not as refined as it should be. Two examples. To raise and lower the cutting height is simple, but becomes more work than it should be. Compare this to the Honda approach. My old Honda was extremely easy to raise or lower cutting height with no pins to remove. After 8 years the Honda transmission went out, so I thought I would try something different. The other feature that Ar... more
April 02, 2011
Larry Red Bluff, CA
Super Machine
This mower is tops! It went through thick 12"tall wet grass and bagged it. I tried Snapper, Toro. and Husqvarna,
and none of them would touch it. I took 12 wheelbarrows of grass off a lawn that yielded 1 load per cutting last year.
It needs better way to empty the bag as it packs in so tight. I can live with this.
The walk speed control vibrates to high speed. I can fix that.
April 01, 2011
Steve Jackson Bedford, KY
Great mower
It showed up in a few days, no problem. Box was in great shape, mower was perfect. Unfolded the handle, checked the oil and added gas. Primed it and it fired right up. I've mowed with it on a few areas of my 3 acres I mow, that were long enough to give it a good try out and it wants to go. This is a pretty productive little machine and it has the pull and power to mow larger areas than I would have thought. Bought it to lay out and trim for my lawn tractor, it will do that and a lot more in the wide areas than I would have thought! Seems to be well designed and I'm impressed.
October 19, 2010
Jim Kyle, TX
Very Happy With New Ariens
I needed a new mower because my 5 year old craftsman was not performing well.
I did a lot of research this time and looked into all the mowers I could not afford over the years on a service members salary. Looked at Snappers, Toros, Hondas, Husqvarnas and Troy-Builts.
Compared specs, prices, durability, ease of use and all the reviews I could find. I even went to several specialty yard equipment shops and got their opions on all of these. Most of the honest ones recommended the Ariens even if they did not carry the brand. So now having the means I purchased one from Mowers Direct and could not be more pleased with the mower and the service I received.
The mower itself is a beast that takes a little getting used to. It's 120 pounds of American made steel! My first mowing was a little awkward but since then I can get this thing into places and maneuver far better than ANY mower I've ever used. My yard maintenance time has cut in half. Well worth the investment.
As far as Mowers Direct goes, it could not be any easier, you order it and they tell you when it will be there. Good price, tax free, and free freight, this is the best value for the money I could find. Thank you
I needed a new mower because my 5 year old craftsman was not performing well.
I did a lot of research this time and looked into all the mowers I could not afford over the years on a service members salary. Looked at Snappers, Toros, Hondas, Husqvarnas and Troy-Builts.
Compared specs, prices, durability, ease of use and all the reviews I could find. I even went to several specialty yard equipment shops and got their opions on all of these. Most of the honest ones recommended the Ariens even if they did not carry the brand. So now having the means I purchased one ... more
August 19, 2010
Patrick Mcadam, IL
THIS IS A GREAT MOWER!
Just received my mower today and I couldn't be happier!
This is one great mower! I was expecting to have to do some assembly but other than having to unfold the handle bar, adjust it, and add some gas, that was it!
The ease in which this mower starts is unbelievable. A definite credit to the technology behind the Kawasaki engine!
The grass bagging system developed by Ariens is second to none. It works almost too well! If you are looking to purchase a new lawn mower and are looking at this model get it, you won't be sorry!
Thank you Mowers Direct from one happy customer!
August 13, 2010
Patrick Mcadam, IL
Shipped the same day- thanks!
I haven't received my mower yet, but am expecting it on Thursday August 19th, 2010.
That aside, I just wanted to complement Mowers Direct on a very satisfying customer experience as far as the ordering process of this mower is concerned. I purchased this mower on-line yesterday Thursday August 12th, 2010, and my order was received, processed and shipped that very same day!
WOW! Thanks!
March 25, 2010
Steve Coppell, TX
Fantastic mower!
I own a much older version of this same mower, and can confirm Ariens incredible durability.
Mine is the 1998 self-propelled model, and it's still going strong. I've never had any work done on it besides blade and oil changes.
My motor is the old 5HP Briggs, so I can't speak to the newer Kohler and Kawasaki reliability, but mine still starts on the first pull EVERY time.
Highly recommended.
April 19, 2009
Larry Charlotte, NC
Great mower- outlasts 5 cheaper models
I've had this mower for 13 years and it still runs like new.
I've only had to replace the blade, the right wheel support (twice), and have an oil leak fixed. Other than that it has been a great mower.
It was a little expensive, but it will outlast at least 5 of the cheaper mowers. The front swivel wheels make it much easier to work with.
This is by far the best mower I've owned in over 45 years.
Air Compressors Direct
All Brands
Owners Manual
