Petrol mower around £150
Discussion
As the cool kids say, I did a thing.
Impressed by the knowledge of the chap at my local farm machinery shop, now own 160cc worth of Honda Izy and it's some bit of kit. Feels like it'll outlast me, properly engineered and came fuelled, checked and with a 5yr warranty. Bit more than I had intended on paying but I'm pretty sure it was worth the budget creep, especially given the use it'll get from here on.
Cheers for the input, definitely helped make me question if the entry level stuff would be man enough for the task in hand.
Now, I'm away to mow half of Scotland...
Impressed by the knowledge of the chap at my local farm machinery shop, now own 160cc worth of Honda Izy and it's some bit of kit. Feels like it'll outlast me, properly engineered and came fuelled, checked and with a 5yr warranty. Bit more than I had intended on paying but I'm pretty sure it was worth the budget creep, especially given the use it'll get from here on.
Cheers for the input, definitely helped make me question if the entry level stuff would be man enough for the task in hand.
Now, I'm away to mow half of Scotland...
I’d go electric, the initial cut might be hard for it, but if you keep on top of it it’d be ok
My dad has a ryobi one and it’s a good bit of kit
When mine is up for replacement I’ll be going electric
I particularly like the fact it just uses drill batteries
Petrol is ok but can be a bit of a faff from time to time
In theory the cost of battery mowers should drop as the expensive bit of the battery
My dad has a ryobi one and it’s a good bit of kit
When mine is up for replacement I’ll be going electric
I particularly like the fact it just uses drill batteries
Petrol is ok but can be a bit of a faff from time to time
In theory the cost of battery mowers should drop as the expensive bit of the battery
Davie said:
As the cool kids say, I did a thing.
Impressed by the knowledge of the chap at my local farm machinery shop, now own 160cc worth of Honda Izy and it's some bit of kit. Feels like it'll outlast me, properly engineered and came fuelled, checked and with a 5yr warranty. Bit more than I had intended on paying but I'm pretty sure it was worth the budget creep, especially given the use it'll get from here on.
Cheers for the input, definitely helped make me question if the entry level stuff would be man enough for the task in hand.
Now, I'm away to mow half of Scotland...
Sensible decision I reckon. Can't believe you've not posted a photo though Impressed by the knowledge of the chap at my local farm machinery shop, now own 160cc worth of Honda Izy and it's some bit of kit. Feels like it'll outlast me, properly engineered and came fuelled, checked and with a 5yr warranty. Bit more than I had intended on paying but I'm pretty sure it was worth the budget creep, especially given the use it'll get from here on.
Cheers for the input, definitely helped make me question if the entry level stuff would be man enough for the task in hand.
Now, I'm away to mow half of Scotland...
Ha ha, just got the wee man off to bed (he looked as excited as me when it came out the car) and then her ladyship will be home then I'm out to give it a trial run whilst going "Errr, yes dear... one old owner, never used it... how much? £60.00..." however having had a poke it in living room (did I mention she's out?) it's bloody well made - the deck is some bit if kit in itself, feels nuke proof but even the likes of the cut height mechanism and the wheels look really sturdy and well made, even has rubber tyres rather than plastic moulded wheels. It certainly feels like a proper bit of kit so that plus the service received makes me rather pleased that I went down this route.
Sit Rep...
First cut done.
Starts unbelievably easily, literally a gentle pull and it runs. Plenty power, blitzed through 4" of rough grass and weeds without even changing engine note. Grass back fills to capacity, doesn't seem to clog and put strain on the motor like the outgoing Mountfield I was using so that's all good.
Draw backs... it's over engineered construction means that it's quite heavy so where the much lighter Mountfield tended to ride over my very rough 'lawn' this tends to funds to dips and holes and it's so heavy, it then acts like a pendulum with a lever, ie the handle so it takes some strength to keep it true as it tends to haul you around. I'm also worried about scratching my wheels so haven't cut too close to the edges... job for the strimmer.
All in all, very pleased and it feels like it'll last though it's already found a few stones / rocks and the blade has the evidence so I'll maybe need to lift it up or accept blades will need replacing semi-regularly... as said, it ain't Wimbledon I'm cutting!
The last Mountfield was self propelled but weirdly, on rougher ground this seems easier to move around even though it's a push mower, probably due to the much bigger wheels that ride over rough ground so much better.
Enough waffle, again thanks for all the advice / opinions... appreciated.
First cut done.
Starts unbelievably easily, literally a gentle pull and it runs. Plenty power, blitzed through 4" of rough grass and weeds without even changing engine note. Grass back fills to capacity, doesn't seem to clog and put strain on the motor like the outgoing Mountfield I was using so that's all good.
Draw backs... it's over engineered construction means that it's quite heavy so where the much lighter Mountfield tended to ride over my very rough 'lawn' this tends to funds to dips and holes and it's so heavy, it then acts like a pendulum with a lever, ie the handle so it takes some strength to keep it true as it tends to haul you around. I'm also worried about scratching my wheels so haven't cut too close to the edges... job for the strimmer.
All in all, very pleased and it feels like it'll last though it's already found a few stones / rocks and the blade has the evidence so I'll maybe need to lift it up or accept blades will need replacing semi-regularly... as said, it ain't Wimbledon I'm cutting!
The last Mountfield was self propelled but weirdly, on rougher ground this seems easier to move around even though it's a push mower, probably due to the much bigger wheels that ride over rough ground so much better.
Enough waffle, again thanks for all the advice / opinions... appreciated.
Sit rep...
Cut two done, this time slightly higher cut height to clear some of the stones and minus the basket and it's superb, even through the grass was pretty wet and claggy. I'd very much advise that if you have a fair sized lawn or it's a bit rough, spend the extra and get something solid.
Also just rinsed the deck down post cut then was caught by Mrs Davie as I was stood, car polish in hand and furiously buffing away... method in the madness, nice coat of polish should help keep it cleaner or have I taken that too far?
She's gone to her monthers to "let me have some time to think" and I had a think and I might get dress the plastics too...
Cut two done, this time slightly higher cut height to clear some of the stones and minus the basket and it's superb, even through the grass was pretty wet and claggy. I'd very much advise that if you have a fair sized lawn or it's a bit rough, spend the extra and get something solid.
Also just rinsed the deck down post cut then was caught by Mrs Davie as I was stood, car polish in hand and furiously buffing away... method in the madness, nice coat of polish should help keep it cleaner or have I taken that too far?
She's gone to her monthers to "let me have some time to think" and I had a think and I might get dress the plastics too...
After the usual extended period of over researching g and looking at 600 pound Hondas. I decided I don’t really give too many s
ts about the grass and went for a £100 Qualcast on offer at Homebase.
I had decided this was going to be a run until it blows up item enjoying very little maintenance and replace with a similar new cheap mower upon dieing.
That was 5yrs ago and it’s never missed a beat. No servicing what so ever, never used any oil, starts 1st pull of the cord every time, cuts perfectly. Add fuel-prime-start cut-chuck it back in the shed without cleaning.
Sometimes cheap is best.
ts about the grass and went for a £100 Qualcast on offer at Homebase. I had decided this was going to be a run until it blows up item enjoying very little maintenance and replace with a similar new cheap mower upon dieing.
That was 5yrs ago and it’s never missed a beat. No servicing what so ever, never used any oil, starts 1st pull of the cord every time, cuts perfectly. Add fuel-prime-start cut-chuck it back in the shed without cleaning.
Sometimes cheap is best.
A timely thread for me.
I bought a Hayter Harrier 48 in 1997. Left in shed untouched for last 10 years. Need to use it now at new house and spent all Saturday restoring it.
It has an aluminium deck but under the paint layer it was all aluminium oxide so a few hours with a wire brush and it’s now naked but at least corrosion-free. Mechanicals all generally sound though it needs a new pull assembly and the steel roller at the back is pretty bubbly with rust. A few spring clips need replacing as well. Needs about £25 of parts. At some point I’ll have to take off the engine and use a rattle can on the deck.
Thing is, it’s like for like replacement would be £800. These £150-£250 specials look amazingly cheap, if I can’t get the old boy running then I’ll get one of those.
I bought a Hayter Harrier 48 in 1997. Left in shed untouched for last 10 years. Need to use it now at new house and spent all Saturday restoring it.
It has an aluminium deck but under the paint layer it was all aluminium oxide so a few hours with a wire brush and it’s now naked but at least corrosion-free. Mechanicals all generally sound though it needs a new pull assembly and the steel roller at the back is pretty bubbly with rust. A few spring clips need replacing as well. Needs about £25 of parts. At some point I’ll have to take off the engine and use a rattle can on the deck.
Thing is, it’s like for like replacement would be £800. These £150-£250 specials look amazingly cheap, if I can’t get the old boy running then I’ll get one of those.
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