First petrol lawnmower - talk to me
Discussion
Morning chaps.
Have recently moved to a house with a nice patch of lawn of approx 1/4 - 1/3 acre. This is a big step up for me from a conventional size garden so I'm obviously ditching my electric and moving into the world of petrol mowers (self propelled) for the first time.
I've done a fair amount of research (including on here) and the advice as always is very good - but quite expensive
So, the usual recommended brands as far as I can tell are Atco, Hayter and Honda? These range pricewise from ludicrous to incredibly steep, and reassuringly expensive, as far as I can tell.
As usual I'm looking for a bit of an angle to perhaps go a bit leftfield, get some good functionality and also save a fair few quid on the price too. With that in mind I've been searching around and come across a couple of good looking mowers on paper, wonder if anyone had any experience or feedback good or otherwise?
First up we have ze German Einhell at £250 (down from £400). It's German right, how bad can it be? 46cm cutting width, 3 in 1, single lever height adjustment, powder coated deck and many other features, plus chunky rear tyres for the offroad gnarly look. Comes with a 2 year warranty.
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/einhell-gh-pm-46-shw-3-...
Secondly we have the catchily named Oleo-Mac at £300 reduced from £500. OK it's Italian, but I've got an Italian bike which is ace so this must be good too right? This one is a 4 in 1, massive 200cc engine for extra powerrrrrr and looks like it could climb an Alp on those tyres. Lots of features as above, plus it also has a 3 year manufacturer warranty!
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/oleo-mac-g53-tk-allroad...
So, what do we reckon? Smart or folly?!
Have recently moved to a house with a nice patch of lawn of approx 1/4 - 1/3 acre. This is a big step up for me from a conventional size garden so I'm obviously ditching my electric and moving into the world of petrol mowers (self propelled) for the first time.
I've done a fair amount of research (including on here) and the advice as always is very good - but quite expensive
So, the usual recommended brands as far as I can tell are Atco, Hayter and Honda? These range pricewise from ludicrous to incredibly steep, and reassuringly expensive, as far as I can tell.
As usual I'm looking for a bit of an angle to perhaps go a bit leftfield, get some good functionality and also save a fair few quid on the price too. With that in mind I've been searching around and come across a couple of good looking mowers on paper, wonder if anyone had any experience or feedback good or otherwise?
First up we have ze German Einhell at £250 (down from £400). It's German right, how bad can it be? 46cm cutting width, 3 in 1, single lever height adjustment, powder coated deck and many other features, plus chunky rear tyres for the offroad gnarly look. Comes with a 2 year warranty.
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/einhell-gh-pm-46-shw-3-...
Secondly we have the catchily named Oleo-Mac at £300 reduced from £500. OK it's Italian, but I've got an Italian bike which is ace so this must be good too right? This one is a 4 in 1, massive 200cc engine for extra powerrrrrr and looks like it could climb an Alp on those tyres. Lots of features as above, plus it also has a 3 year manufacturer warranty!
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/oleo-mac-g53-tk-allroad...
So, what do we reckon? Smart or folly?!
That's a big lawn - over a thousand square metres!!
You're going to have to consider what you'll do with the clippings. You have three choices:
1) Use your mower's collection bag/box
2) Don't use the collection box
3) Get a mulching mower
Option 1 is going to involve a helluva lot of tramping back and forth, and a mahoosive compost heap. This will massively increase the amount of time it takes to mow, and you'll always have far more clippings than you can compost. Option 2 is a possible alternative, but the mower will leave the clippings in ugly clumps all over the lawn.
By far the best option is to spend a bit more and get a mulching mower, which will reduce the clippings down to such a fine residue that they'll all but disappear. I've only got a lawn somewhere between 200-300 square metres, and I still wish I'd got a mulching mower. During the summer I tend to leave the grass box off, and go back over the lawn for a second pass with the mower on a high setting (or lift the front wheels off the ground slightly) which re-cuts and disperses the clippings to a certain extent. I can do that because my lawn is modest and it doesn't take too long, but your lawn is far too big for that.
The other thing I wish I'd got is a mower with an aluminium deck. I'm fighting a constant battle against rust on my steel-decked Hayter.
And yes, self-propelled is absolutely essential for a lawn that size. You'll still get good exercise!
I know it's a lot of money, but Hayter do a mulching mower with aluminium deck. If I had a lawn your size I'd either get that, or look at a ride-on mower. Anything less will make the job so big it'll always be a pain.
You're going to have to consider what you'll do with the clippings. You have three choices:
1) Use your mower's collection bag/box
2) Don't use the collection box
3) Get a mulching mower
Option 1 is going to involve a helluva lot of tramping back and forth, and a mahoosive compost heap. This will massively increase the amount of time it takes to mow, and you'll always have far more clippings than you can compost. Option 2 is a possible alternative, but the mower will leave the clippings in ugly clumps all over the lawn.
By far the best option is to spend a bit more and get a mulching mower, which will reduce the clippings down to such a fine residue that they'll all but disappear. I've only got a lawn somewhere between 200-300 square metres, and I still wish I'd got a mulching mower. During the summer I tend to leave the grass box off, and go back over the lawn for a second pass with the mower on a high setting (or lift the front wheels off the ground slightly) which re-cuts and disperses the clippings to a certain extent. I can do that because my lawn is modest and it doesn't take too long, but your lawn is far too big for that.
The other thing I wish I'd got is a mower with an aluminium deck. I'm fighting a constant battle against rust on my steel-decked Hayter.
And yes, self-propelled is absolutely essential for a lawn that size. You'll still get good exercise!
I know it's a lot of money, but Hayter do a mulching mower with aluminium deck. If I had a lawn your size I'd either get that, or look at a ride-on mower. Anything less will make the job so big it'll always be a pain.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Friday 6th March 10:29
Second hand ride-one? Probably over budget, but that will take quite some mowing even with a 21" deck. Spring and early autumn when it's growing like mad, you might find yourself getting a bit sick of it.
Get a Honda if a ride on is out -cheaper ones don't last when put to that kind of use IME.
Bear in mind also that a mulching mower will not ultimately give you the best quality turf, but that is going to be potentially 20+ boxes of grass a cut if you're collecting it. Depends on what you are trying to achieve and the effort you are prepared to put in.
Get a Honda if a ride on is out -cheaper ones don't last when put to that kind of use IME.
Bear in mind also that a mulching mower will not ultimately give you the best quality turf, but that is going to be potentially 20+ boxes of grass a cut if you're collecting it. Depends on what you are trying to achieve and the effort you are prepared to put in.
BoRED S2upid said:
Have you discussed the options with your gardener? 
Thanks chaps and Mike for some good feedback.
Our lawn is split into two bits, with a rock border between them. I need to buy a small ornamental bridge to traverse this border, and also we'll be cutting out a decent portion of the grass shortly to turn into an allotment, and also planting a small orchard, both of which kind of rules out a ride-on as being an option or strictly required.
The two I've linked above are both mulching, as I think we'd use a combination of grass collection to compost and mulching to cut down on composting volume.
I also kind of like this McCulloch at £260 which has a B+S engine:
http://www.cheapmowers.com/acatalog/McCulloch-M46-...
There are lots of good mowers about and you can get some very trick ones. What I have found though is that even the £250 7 years ago Champion mower I bought from Focus as a stop gap and have abused and shown a total lack of any sort of mechanical sympathy has only needed a blade sharpen or three in the time I have had it.
spend as much as you can and dont ignore ebay... ive had 2 hondas from the bay and my current one is a hrh with 21" cut and alloy deck.. it retails for over a grand but i spent about 400 for a secondhand one ten years old.... its awesome but it weighs 60kg which feels like 600kg when mowing up a gradient and mines only about 300m2
i expect youll want it to be propelled but the other consideration is stripes vs no stripes as that will limit options...
its mainly an engine consideration ie jap vs non jap and youll have fans for both camps.... just look at what the local council contractors use and youll get a feel for what the tried and tested machines are
i also like what ive seen of etesia and viking but not used either
i expect youll want it to be propelled but the other consideration is stripes vs no stripes as that will limit options...
its mainly an engine consideration ie jap vs non jap and youll have fans for both camps.... just look at what the local council contractors use and youll get a feel for what the tried and tested machines are
i also like what ive seen of etesia and viking but not used either
I <3 my Honda Izy. I looked at all the cheaper ones with B&S engines etc, and everyone I spoke to with any experience (gardeners, lanscapers, etc) all said 'just get an Izy'. I did, and it's amazing.
While others are faffing with their chokes, failing engines, dodgy ignitions, I just pull the cord, the auto choke kicks in, the 4 stroke purrs into life, and powers through anything I throw at it. I love it.
For that much grass it won't be cheap (I suspect you'd want biggest cut you can, plus self propelled), but it will be well worth it. The only thing it lacks is a beer bracket.
While others are faffing with their chokes, failing engines, dodgy ignitions, I just pull the cord, the auto choke kicks in, the 4 stroke purrs into life, and powers through anything I throw at it. I love it.
For that much grass it won't be cheap (I suspect you'd want biggest cut you can, plus self propelled), but it will be well worth it. The only thing it lacks is a beer bracket.
I got a Viking mower from a local Garden machinery place, good powerful engine and easy to use, starts first pull and gives a mice cut.
Apparently Viking is owned by stihl, it does feel quality... 5 year warranty as well...
I was in a similar position to you in not having had a lawn for years, so I did a load of Internet research then went to a local specialist - I'd definitely recommend that approach... If you've got a good local specialist for spares and support that's probably as important as brand.
Apparently Viking is owned by stihl, it does feel quality... 5 year warranty as well...
I was in a similar position to you in not having had a lawn for years, so I did a load of Internet research then went to a local specialist - I'd definitely recommend that approach... If you've got a good local specialist for spares and support that's probably as important as brand.
Treated myself to an Efco delf propelled mulching mower with 55cm deck and Honda engine for my new house with bigger garden last year and it's great.
Always wanted a Honda engine after years of grouchy Briggs and Stratton, checked the oil this morning and it's still golden brown, the air filter looks brand new and it's all ready to go for this season.
The mulching is very useful and the wider deck makes lighter work of my 3/4 of an acre.
So self propelled, wide deck, mulcher and a Honda engine would be my advice.
I also bought from a local garden machinery shop, they gave great advice, I didn't even know what mulching was until I went in there.
Always wanted a Honda engine after years of grouchy Briggs and Stratton, checked the oil this morning and it's still golden brown, the air filter looks brand new and it's all ready to go for this season.
The mulching is very useful and the wider deck makes lighter work of my 3/4 of an acre.
So self propelled, wide deck, mulcher and a Honda engine would be my advice.
I also bought from a local garden machinery shop, they gave great advice, I didn't even know what mulching was until I went in there.
Edited by Uncle John on Friday 6th March 16:14
Vince… .yes those victas were great, smash anything in their path!! not available anymore because they were 2strokes
I cut a lot of grass and run 5 mowers currently 3 Hondas and 2 Hayters
Hondas as mentioned are great reliable machines which run and run even when used commercially like mine they give no problems exept normal wear and tear - your wheels will wear smooth and your bag will rot away before you ever have any kind of starting or running issues. Like most Honda engines once they’ve got a few hundred hours on them they will use a drop of oil. My preference is the older HRX machines, shaft drive, alloy deck… and fast.
Hayters - The only ones worth having these days are the Pro versions - contrary to the advertising blurb they are very different to the standard ones in many ways and are far superior in build quality, Also worth noting that B&S engines have got a LOT better of late and now come with a 2 pull warranty.
I have a 56pro and a 41pro - The 56 pro is 4yrs old and runs up to 40hrs a week (7 today) And has never given any problems whatsoever.
AL-KO - fitted with a Honda engine is a sound choice.
Whatever you choose make sure parts are available, einhell may look good for the money but in 2yrs time will you be able to get parts? - unlikely.
Or, get one of these if you can find one.... Wolf Kart Very PH, Banned for H&S reasons, but great fun
I cut a lot of grass and run 5 mowers currently 3 Hondas and 2 Hayters
Hondas as mentioned are great reliable machines which run and run even when used commercially like mine they give no problems exept normal wear and tear - your wheels will wear smooth and your bag will rot away before you ever have any kind of starting or running issues. Like most Honda engines once they’ve got a few hundred hours on them they will use a drop of oil. My preference is the older HRX machines, shaft drive, alloy deck… and fast.
Hayters - The only ones worth having these days are the Pro versions - contrary to the advertising blurb they are very different to the standard ones in many ways and are far superior in build quality, Also worth noting that B&S engines have got a LOT better of late and now come with a 2 pull warranty.
I have a 56pro and a 41pro - The 56 pro is 4yrs old and runs up to 40hrs a week (7 today) And has never given any problems whatsoever.
AL-KO - fitted with a Honda engine is a sound choice.
Whatever you choose make sure parts are available, einhell may look good for the money but in 2yrs time will you be able to get parts? - unlikely.
Or, get one of these if you can find one.... Wolf Kart Very PH, Banned for H&S reasons, but great fun
I bought a self propelled Hayter from ebay last year and have been pretty dissapointed with it. The Honda engine is great, but the self propelling system is crap, not sure if its set up wrong or something but seems to slip a lot. By comparison we have an Atco (?) at work with the same engine, which will a climb a wall if you want.
FD3Si said:
I <3 my Honda Izy. I looked at all the cheaper ones with B&S engines etc, and everyone I spoke to with any experience (gardeners, lanscapers, etc) all said 'just get an Izy'. I did, and it's amazing.
While others are faffing with their chokes, failing engines, dodgy ignitions, I just pull the cord, the auto choke kicks in, the 4 stroke purrs into life, and powers through anything I throw at it. I love it.
For that much grass it won't be cheap (I suspect you'd want biggest cut you can, plus self propelled), but it will be well worth it. The only thing it lacks is a beer bracket.
Izy here as well, more than I wanted spend but is amazing, our garden is roughly 100ft x 100ft and takes about an hour and a quarter with it.While others are faffing with their chokes, failing engines, dodgy ignitions, I just pull the cord, the auto choke kicks in, the 4 stroke purrs into life, and powers through anything I throw at it. I love it.
For that much grass it won't be cheap (I suspect you'd want biggest cut you can, plus self propelled), but it will be well worth it. The only thing it lacks is a beer bracket.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff