i have no direct knowledge of how Home depot or any other retailer
requests a cheaper version of the real McCoy http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/ravenob1/WB.jpg

i have a feeling though that they (HD) only sell some mowers to appear as a complete garden and lawn supplier so they can sell you all their other stuff for the outdoors....

I googled the question and came up with not credible info to support it.

i bought a toro reconditioned used mower from home depot
in may for less money than brand new and it runs perfect.

Most of the good brands now carry two lines. (Ariens, Honda, Toro, Lawnboy,John Deere.Echo, Husky, etc etc)

Home Depot grade
Commercial grade.

Don't buy anything at Home Depot. For example the same model of Ariens snowblower (900 series) from HomeDepot has a solid transaxle that results in a %$%$%$%$ty turning radius. The same model in commericial grade has the limited slip differential doodad, that allows you to turn easier. Yes you pay more, but it lasts longer and works better.

These equipment manufacturers get taken to the cleaners with Home Depot and Wal-mart, so they have their chinese manufacturers skimp everywhere on their Home Depot lines.

Go to a good Power Equipment retailer, buck up the extra money and get commercial grade.