New to petrol lawnmowers

[rambo19]

3 yr warranty;

https://www.aldi.co.uk/self-propelled-petrol-lawn-...

[dhutch]

As listed above.

I really fail to see how a lawn mower could fail to last three years. A decent one should do five times that easy in a domestic application.

Daniel

[Frimley111R]

I'm in almost the same boat as the OP. Same size garden but all one piece of lawn.

So far I have seen every type of mower recommended and not heard of any issues with any however I still don't know:

Is there a std size blade/diameter (so I don't accidentally buy as small one)?

Push or powered mower?

My mum has a petrol one and while its fine the clutch release seems sharp, meaning it jerks when released, is this common/uncommon?

[dhutch]

Cut width depends on lawn size, complexity, and personal preference and or strength. Obviously bugger cuts the area faster but becomes heavier and harder to manoeuvre. However, 41cm is a common size.

I've used vintage cylinder mowers which start with a pace, but modern mowers tend to be fairly tame with soft clutches, although the drive on my Slovak mountfield had been broken since I acquired it so I can't comment on that.

Push is cheaper and fine for smaller tighter lawns, self propelled takes the leg/arm work out of larger lawns.

Daniel

[g3org3y]

Another Honda Izy owner here. It's a decent mower. I have the self propelled model as my garden is on a slope. Had it for two years now, seems pretty reliable. It isn't cheap though. If on a budget, definitely worth considering second hand.

[Promised Land]

Bill said:

Sounds like the chap above is happy with a budget Mountfield, but if you can stretch the budget I've had a Honda Izy that I've utterly abused and shamefully neglected for 12 years that hasn't missed a beat.

https://www.gardenmachinesltd.co.uk/honda-izy-hrg-...

If you're referring to motco and his self propelled Mountfield, I wouldn't call it budget, £400 as I have the same model myself compared to that izy you linked which is £260.

The Mountfield has a rear roller and is self propelled, two things I wouldn't buy a mower without.

If you're going full on top drawer mower, a Lawnflite pro 553 is what you want, it will outlast any domestic gardener.

[MiseryStreak]

Just got my Honda Izy on Thursday. My first proper lawnmower as we’ve moved house and the electric flymo, which was on its last legs anyway, wasn’t up to mowing the new garden.

I’m planning to keep it looking OEM, but having height adjustment means I can stance it quite quickly if I’m doing the front lawn and see some teenage girls approaching.

Of course I had to make sure it was badged appropriately. Only £6 on eBay, I’m thinking of some carbonette patches next, that should make it feel a bit lighter in the turns, if only psychosomatic.

I’ll see how it goes before starting on performance upgrades, got some V Power in there for now, but I’ve heard Aspen fuel is better as zero ethanol content. I think more aggressive cams and possibly a throttle body next. A mate suggested ditching the pressed steel chassis and replacing with full fibreglass tub, NASCAR style. I’m not sure about the durability though.

Has anyone replaced wheels/tyres on an Izy? I wonder if Carbon Revolution do a 5 inch wheel? Some semi-slick tyres would be good but got to consider traction if the grass is a bit damp.

[thetapeworm]

Any issues with patchy sections if the VTEC kicks in unexpectedly?

[dickymint]

Promised Land said:

Bill said:

Sounds like the chap above is happy with a budget Mountfield, but if you can stretch the budget I've had a Honda Izy that I've utterly abused and shamefully neglected for 12 years that hasn't missed a beat.

https://www.gardenmachinesltd.co.uk/honda-izy-hrg-...

If you're referring to motco and his self propelled Mountfield, I wouldn't call it budget, £400 as I have the same model myself compared to that izy you linked which is £260.

The Mountfield has a rear roller and is self propelled, two things I wouldn't buy a mower without.

If you're going full on top drawer mower, a Lawnflite pro 553 is what you want, it will outlast any domestic gardener.

As will my Torro at a third of the price

[Jobbo]

Mine when it was new:

Now over a decade old (12 at least), never serviced and abused more as it gets older and I’ve moved to houses with bigger gardens. It started first pull this year. In contrast the previous Mountfield with Briggs & Stratton engine bent its crankshaft running over the corner of a manhole cover.

An Izy might be £100 or so more now but it’ll probably see you out.

Edited by Jobbo on Saturday 13th April 22:51

[LordHaveMurci]

Jobbo said:

Mine when it was new:

Now over a decade old (12 at least), never serviced and abused more as it gets older and I’ve moved to houses with bigger gardens. It started first pull this year. In contrast the previous Mountfield with Briggs & Stratton engine bent its crankshaft running over the corner of a manhole cover.

An Izy might be £100 or so more now but it’ll probably see you out.

Edited by Jobbo on Saturday 13th April 22:51

My Honda engined Husky bent it's crank running over the corner of a manhole cover

[Mort7]

Viking are well worth a look.

Don't bother draining the fuel over winter, but do consider adding this stuff to your fuel.

https://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/products/briggs-st...

My Viking started 2nd pull after it's Winter break with this in the tank.

[Frimley111R]

I think I'm going for an 18" Honda. The lawn will be 2 ft high by the time i decide which lawnmower to buy otherwise!

[lancs16]

Sorry to hijack..but also in the market for a lawnmower now I have a bigger garden (800sqm). Was considering the top of the range EGO cordless one with the big battery but that comes in just under £700 so maybe thinking I could get away with that Aldi one..seems to get good reviews but I know nothing about petrol lawnmowers. Price and warranty at £199 is obviously quite attractive :-)

[OpenToeSlipper]

lancs16 said:

Sorry to hijack..but also in the market for a lawnmower now I have a bigger garden (800sqm). Was considering the top of the range EGO cordless one with the big battery but that comes in just under £700 so maybe thinking I could get away with that Aldi one..seems to get good reviews but I know nothing about petrol lawnmowers. Price and warranty at £199 is obviously quite attractive :-)

Looks decent enough and has a Briggs and Stratton engine so should last you many a year.

[Wilts_jeff]

I have had the Honda engined Mountfield from Screwfix for four years. Absolute monster for the price and still running faultlessly with minor servicing. Great on flat lawn and also on very rough, uneven area in the 'wild' garden....

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp53h-51cm-1...

[KTF]

rambo19 said:

3 yr warranty;

https://www.aldi.co.uk/self-propelled-petrol-lawn-...

A few questions about this one.

The engine is branded so should be easy to get parts but what about blades, etc. Do they tend to be generic?

The deck is steel which to me suggests it would rust. Is this seen as better than plastic in mower land?

Edited by KTF on Monday 15th April 10:04

[Jambo85]

I've got an Einhell which is pretty reasonable except it usually takes a bit of persuasion (i.e. brake and clutch cleaner in the carb) to get it going in the spring.

Jobbo said:

Now over a decade old (12 at least), never serviced and abused more as it gets older and I’ve moved to houses with bigger gardens. It started first pull this year. In contrast the previous Mountfield with Briggs & Stratton engine bent its crankshaft running over the corner of a manhole cover.

Have you tried stopping the Honda suddenly with a large lump of immobile steel? Is there any reason for it to fare any better?

[thetapeworm]

KTF said:

The deck is steel which to me suggests it would rust. Is this seen as better than plastic in mower land?

I'm curious on this too, plastic seems to be frowned upon, steel seems to be the norm and aluminium seems to be the premium - given I have various walls and things that need mowing close to I suspect I'd soon scratch any steel coatings and potentially allow rust. Plastic seems like a more sensible option.

Someone is going to reply now to tell me they have a carbon fibre mower and that it's the only sensible option.

I need to stop procrastinating and make a choice, I thought I'd settled on Mountfield but then went down a model numbers rabbit hole and came out more confused than ever.

[dickymint]

thetapeworm said:

KTF said:

The deck is steel which to me suggests it would rust. Is this seen as better than plastic in mower land?

I'm curious on this too, plastic seems to be frowned upon, steel seems to be the norm and aluminium seems to be the premium - given I have various walls and things that need mowing close to I suspect I'd soon scratch any steel coatings and potentially allow rust. Plastic seems like a more sensible option.

Someone is going to reply now to tell me they have a carbon fibre mower and that it's the only sensible option.

I need to stop procrastinating and make a choice, I thought I'd settled on Mountfield but then went down a model numbers rabbit hole and came out more confused than ever.

Let me throw my Torro into the mix.....................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCkHz7E6vAA

Pricey but well worth a bit extra. Nice feature is the hose attachment point - turn on the water run the mower to clean the deck, turn off the water to dry it off with the engine still running.