Lawn Mower Recommendations, Anyone?

There's not much to a push mower - nothing to really maintain, few parts to deal with. I would go for a wide one to limit the number of passes, and one with an adjustable height so you can keep grass longer in the hot weather so it doesn't burn out. Raking clippings is time consuming, but so is emptying a bag. Some people like to leave clippings on the lawn as mulch, but that only works if you only take a small amount off the top each time, which means mowing more frequently.

I have mowed a lawn a grand total of 1 time in my life. I don't care to ever repeat the experience. Probably because I was using a manual non-motorized push mower, and it was a lawn that had been "let go" so to speak, plus I'm a bit on the lazy side when it comes to yard work. So needless to say I'm no expert and I don't know if this is true or not, but earlier today, over the radio, and I honestly have no idea if this was a commercial, or a green living tip or what, but the radio dude said that if you grow your grass to 2 inches before you mow it, and then leave the clippings on the lawn, that you won't need to water it as much and the grass will be lusher. IMO leaving the clippings is A-OK with me but that goes back to that being lazy part. I know that this information is totally useless with helping you find a mower, but maybe it will help you with the grass itself.

I bought a Scotts manual push mower a few years back from Sears. My neighbor had one and loved it. Assembling it was easy. I did it within 30mins by myself. The only maintanence is basically to brush it clean and spray it with WD40 to make it cut more smoothly. After a few years, my neighbor suggested going together to get it sharpened but I stopped using mine and never had to do it.
The cons are if the grass gets too long, it is very hard to cut. Also, if your lawn is uneven, it will be hard to get it looking neat.
I had 1/3 acres with the house and some wooded area on it so I didn't have much to mow. I have less land now but my grassy area is on a steep, uneven hill and there's a small patch that has a stone path and my mower doesn't fit right in that space, so I don't use that mower anymore.

Like a manual mower? No gas, etc? Not sure.

If you want a gas mower, LawnBoys are GREAT.