2023 Lawn Thread
Discussion
Chaps I need some advice. I have a Mountfield Self-Propelled petrol lawnmower that no longer ‘self-propels’.
When I press the lever down it just does nothing so I've had to manually push the thing.
I've contacted a couple of local places regarding a fix, all have mentioned 'it should be easy to fix' which sounds promising.
They are all giving similar prices of £30 collection, then minimum fee of £65 plus parts to fix, plus VAT.
I think the mower was only around £350 to begin with and I could probably buy a replacement around that. So rather than potentially pay more than a third of the price, is this a common issue I could potentially resolve myself and is it an issue that has a few 'usual' fixes I could try? Is there a good place online which can guide me through some troubleshooting steps?
I think I would rather bin it and buy a new one than pay around £150+ to get it fixed if I can't do it myself.
When I press the lever down it just does nothing so I've had to manually push the thing.
I've contacted a couple of local places regarding a fix, all have mentioned 'it should be easy to fix' which sounds promising.
They are all giving similar prices of £30 collection, then minimum fee of £65 plus parts to fix, plus VAT.
I think the mower was only around £350 to begin with and I could probably buy a replacement around that. So rather than potentially pay more than a third of the price, is this a common issue I could potentially resolve myself and is it an issue that has a few 'usual' fixes I could try? Is there a good place online which can guide me through some troubleshooting steps?
I think I would rather bin it and buy a new one than pay around £150+ to get it fixed if I can't do it myself.
Seventyseven7 said:
Chaps I need some advice. I have a Mountfield Self-Propelled petrol lawnmower that no longer ‘self-propels’.
When I press the lever down it just does nothing so I've had to manually push the thing.
I've contacted a couple of local places regarding a fix, all have mentioned 'it should be easy to fix' which sounds promising.
They are all giving similar prices of £30 collection, then minimum fee of £65 plus parts to fix, plus VAT.
I think the mower was only around £350 to begin with and I could probably buy a replacement around that. So rather than potentially pay more than a third of the price, is this a common issue I could potentially resolve myself and is it an issue that has a few 'usual' fixes I could try? Is there a good place online which can guide me through some troubleshooting steps?
I think I would rather bin it and buy a new one than pay around £150+ to get it fixed if I can't do it myself.
Likely slipping drive beltWhen I press the lever down it just does nothing so I've had to manually push the thing.
I've contacted a couple of local places regarding a fix, all have mentioned 'it should be easy to fix' which sounds promising.
They are all giving similar prices of £30 collection, then minimum fee of £65 plus parts to fix, plus VAT.
I think the mower was only around £350 to begin with and I could probably buy a replacement around that. So rather than potentially pay more than a third of the price, is this a common issue I could potentially resolve myself and is it an issue that has a few 'usual' fixes I could try? Is there a good place online which can guide me through some troubleshooting steps?
I think I would rather bin it and buy a new one than pay around £150+ to get it fixed if I can't do it myself.
Read quite a lot on here about treating moss and thatch and thought about doing it myself (which I have done myself before on smaller area) but frankly we’ve got such a big area that it would take me weeks to scarify/rake myself. So I’ve had a professional groundsman in yesterday….he mostly works with sports clubs doing renovation work etc. He’s raked out a lot of the moss thatch collected it all with a flail mower, has fertilised with a slow release compound and seeded where needed. Good timing as it’s due to be wet today. Will be interesting to see how the lawn comes back.
My lawn is probably around 35% moss after this winter. We have exceptionally stony ground which helps it. I'll wait unto the ground has dried out a bit before tackling I think. I spent many an hour digging stones out of the lawn under thin/bare patches during lockdown and since too but it's a huge task.
gfreeman said:
Let’s start 2023 with a new toy!
My old Husky got destroyed in a nasty garage fire. All dealers said although the Husky was old it was a very decent bit of kit - today’s offerings are cheese in comparison - unless you have a very large budget.
John Deere was my first wish but stock is limited and on very long back order for what I could afford, Husqvarna are not what they used to be but a few places recommended the newish Stihl offering.
I have a decent robot but have removed part of the guide wire due to a large garden project and I need a decent tow vehicle for little jobs round the garden and will soon have a large area that will need topsoil and seed in a couple of months.
So hello Stihl!
I bought a new mower at the start of the year. First thing I ask when buying a mower is 'does it have a cup holder'. Either the mower has to have a cup holder, or be able to mow the garden in such quick time that I don't need a cup of tea during. Anything else is uncivilised.My old Husky got destroyed in a nasty garage fire. All dealers said although the Husky was old it was a very decent bit of kit - today’s offerings are cheese in comparison - unless you have a very large budget.
John Deere was my first wish but stock is limited and on very long back order for what I could afford, Husqvarna are not what they used to be but a few places recommended the newish Stihl offering.
I have a decent robot but have removed part of the guide wire due to a large garden project and I need a decent tow vehicle for little jobs round the garden and will soon have a large area that will need topsoil and seed in a couple of months.
So hello Stihl!
danpalmer1993 said:
Newbie to lawn care, have had iron sulphate treatment down for the last week and the moss has turned brown/black so will be raking it up this weekend.
Then to look at aeration, scarifying and top dressing!
Another newbe.Then to look at aeration, scarifying and top dressing!
I thought moss was something that happened to your lawn if you didn't let the grass grown long enough to smother it out.
Terry Winks said:
My seed put down 2 weeks ago hasn't really taken, not much new growth out there? Impatience on my part? Considering seeding again.
Yep, same time as you, but ive had an inch of growth per week. Middle of England, watered twice a day.I did use a new topsoil dressing that had added fertiliser though.
julian64 said:
danpalmer1993 said:
Newbie to lawn care, have had iron sulphate treatment down for the last week and the moss has turned brown/black so will be raking it up this weekend. Then to look at aeration, scarifying and top dressing!
Another newbe.I thought moss was something that happened to your lawn if you didn't let the grass grown long enough to smother it out.
It's when conditions favour moss over grass growth; poor soil, not enough fertiliser, poor drainage, acid soil (yes moss prefers acid conditions) etc. Good conditions favours the grass and then, yes you are right, it will out compete moss and other weeds. julian64 said:
I bought a new mower at the start of the year. First thing I ask when buying a mower is 'does it have a cup holder'. Either the mower has to have a cup holder, or be able to mow the garden in such quick time that I don't need a cup of tea during. Anything else is uncivilised.
RichB said:
Cheib said:
<clip> I’ve had a professional groundsman in yesterday...
Surprised there's no phosphorus in that fertiliser (up, down, everything) but I being a professional I guess he knows what he's using. Love the way the moss/thatch is finished off in neat rolls!
king stuff to stick in our brown bins (other colours are available)Bonefish Blues said:
RichB said:
Cheib said:
<clip> I’ve had a professional groundsman in yesterday...
Surprised there's no phosphorus in that fertiliser (up, down, everything) but I being a professional I guess he knows what he's using. Love the way the moss/thatch is finished off in neat rolls!
king stuff to stick in our brown bins (other colours are available)We use a 15-5-11 just now.
SpunkyGlory said:
Is it possible to scarify with a normal garden rake? Appreciate it wouldn't be ideal but not afraid of hard work and I don't want another tool taking up space that will only be used 3 or 4 times a year.
It's how I did mine a couple of years back, I went over it a few times in different directions and it cleared loads of moss and thatch.
Stedman said:
Lawn fleece.
I should really get some, shouldn’t I…
Depends what it's for. I find polythene better as you have to be a bit careful the grass doesn't grow through/into the fleece. I should really get some, shouldn’t I…
A lot of the plastic I've used was salvaged from our sofa delivery!
Just avoid if it's too hot as you can also cook it in mid summer.
dudleybloke said:
SpunkyGlory said:
Is it possible to scarify with a normal garden rake? Appreciate it wouldn't be ideal but not afraid of hard work and I don't want another tool taking up space that will only be used 3 or 4 times a year.
It's how I did mine a couple of years back, I went over it a few times in different directions and it cleared loads of moss and thatch.Depends how big the lawn is, obviously the other option is to rent one. Prehaps rent on to get ontop and maintain by hand. And or but more reliance on killing the moss than raking it!
You can also get special scarifing takes with a pair of wheels for the job. But given they are £35+ and bit much more gets you a small electric lawn rake, it's not for me!
Edited by dhutch on Sunday 16th April 13:39
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