Sit on mower recommendations please

Sit on mower recommendations please

Author
Discussion

acme

Original Poster:

2,971 posts

198 months

Monday 20th June 2016
quotequote all
Hopefully going to have a garden of approx quarter of an acre shortly, so require a sit on mower.

Formerly most of it was a field, so it's a bit rough & ready in places, given where it is it won't ever be a perfect manicured suburban lawn. I'm looking for recommendations on what I should get, as in many respects I think something more akin to a mini tractor may be more suited as possibly a regular mower would simply shave off the grass etc where there are lumps & bumps.

Initial thoughts are Honda for build quality & reliability, any suggestions please?

Cheers


Edited by acme on Thursday 28th July 17:36

Davel

8,982 posts

258 months

Monday 20th June 2016
quotequote all
I'm on my second Honda and very pleased so far.

Neighbour uses a Lawnflite and also seems happy. I think they are a bit less solid tbh.

Rosscow

8,759 posts

163 months

Monday 20th June 2016
quotequote all
I'm quite possibly going to buy a Robomow for my 1/4 acre, so could have my CubCadet CC1018KHN on the market soon if you're interested (I'm also in the South East).

It's 2 years old, has about 85 hours on the clock. Let me know if you're interested!

acme

Original Poster:

2,971 posts

198 months

Tuesday 21st June 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, & the offer of one.

Any other suggestions/advice at all?

Thanks

alscar

4,096 posts

213 months

Tuesday 21st June 2016
quotequote all
Am on my second Countax - no complaints - cuts or mulches and detachable powered grass collector.

BERGS2

2,801 posts

248 months

Tuesday 21st June 2016
quotequote all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oIzC5rlAW0

biggrin

well, this is pistonheads....

acme

Original Poster:

2,971 posts

198 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Bump.

First world problem I appreciate but any more suggestions?

Cheers

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

167 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
I am in physical pain typing this, but John Deere.

A bit of sick just came into my mouth.

hurl

brycheiniog1

116 posts

130 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Probably overkill, but my Kubota BX2200 is fantastic..

acme

Original Poster:

2,971 posts

198 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks fellas. I didn't even realise John Deere did them, assumed tractors only!

Sit on definitely required, it's not an easy plot or particularly flat & like everyone these days I'm time poor!

NDA

21,572 posts

225 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
I've been through a few Mounfields and would never buy one again.

Bought a Honda last year - fantastic machine. They are very hardy and superbly made.... I'd heartily recommend. Bit pricy maybe - but worth it.

ClaphamGT3

11,297 posts

243 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
I have a Murray Hayter 10/30 that I bought off eBay for an awkward 1/2 acre plot with lots of trees and bushes. Very p,eased with it.

acme

Original Poster:

2,971 posts

198 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Cheers, kind of what I suspected, I think if I remember correctly they're from £3k

patmahe

5,748 posts

204 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
We bought a used Castelgarden mower from a neighbour who was moving. Does the job well on our one third acre site, was very well maintained by previous owner so we're very happy.

Don't know exact model but I can check it out for you if you like just pm me to remind me.

brickwall

5,250 posts

210 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Quarter acre doesn't sound that big really. Might not even be worth a sit-on. If you do go for one, the smallest Honda (with under-seat engine) is probably best. Indestructible.

Spuffington

1,203 posts

168 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
I've got half an acre and struggling to make the case for a ride-on.

BUT - I've got quite close to pulling the trigger on a Husqvarna Rider 213c a few times as we have quite a lot of shrubs, trees, borders etc. and the out-front deck is useful for getting into all the nooks & crannies.

That said, the previous owner left an old (c. 1990) Westwood lawn tractor which does the trick in terms of getting it down to a managable length if I've left it a couple of weeks over the summer (like when I go on holiday).

But really, 1/4acre is nought and with a decent and large cutting deck, self-propelled mower, you'll have it down in no time - regardless of whether it's Meadow-like or not. I bought a ALKO Highline 525VS and it's been just the ticket (collect, mulch, side-exit).

tokyo_mb

432 posts

217 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Unless it is just flat rectangular lawn (no trees, flower beds, etc.) and really well-drained I wouldn't go for a ride-on for a quarter of an acre. A good self-propelled rotary (a proper one with a cast deck - Honda, Hayter or similar) will likely be almost as quick, usable in more conditions (e.g. when ground wet) and give you a better cut. Also means you won't need a second machine for the fiddly areas. Maybe not a very Pistonhead answer...

iphonedyou

9,248 posts

157 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Must admit, I read quarter of an acre and thought the same as above - wouldn't be going for a ride-on.

The father in law had a ride-on for his plot slightly larger than a quarter of an acre and got rid of it. Too much hassle and faffing about.

EggsBenedict

1,770 posts

174 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Stiga. Look a bit odd, but really good. Get a mulching deck.

Spuffington

1,203 posts

168 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
As above....

And the problem with ride-ons (apart from the deck out front models) is that invariably the cutting deck is between the wheels and that means that there's almost inevitably parts of the lawn which are unable to be cut due to the turning circle required and the fact you won't want your wheels ending up in the borders or flowerbeds etc. But with every corner or edge, you're potentially going to miss quite a bit and need to go over it with either a strimmer or other self-propelled or push mower.

I don't disagree that having a ride-on is cool, but it's pointless for less than 3/4 an acre IMO.