Petrol Mower 2021 recommendations please

[Mikebentley]

Need to replace my Hayter Harrier 48, after 15yrs service it is officially dead. Kept it going the last 18 months but a mower mechanic who saw it has pronounced it dead. Metal in the oil etc.

Lawns typically take an hour, 30m x 25m then two small lawns and verges at the front which are about the same area. Budget about £500-600 but flexible either way.

Looked at Toro but really open to recommendations.

PS I know there have been plenty of these but I need something now not last year but appreciate that some of the old favourites may still be relevant.

[bennno]

If petrol essential go Honda, but I went cordless 120v electric from Hyundai, way better.

https://hyundaipowerequipment.co.uk/hyundai-hym120...

[Mikebentley]

Interesting idea benno. Not had much joy with battery stuff though. Has it got a “drive” system as wife too posh to push. I know I’ve spoiled her.

[LocoBlade]

Mikebentley said:

Interesting idea benno. Not had much joy with battery stuff though. Has it got a “drive” system as wife too posh to push. I know I’ve spoiled her.

Having swapped from a self propelled petrol Mountfield to a battery powered Webb with rear roller but no propulsion, the battery mower is far easier to use because it's a bit lighter and also because the lack of propulsion makes it easier to turn etc

[rxe]

New engine for the Hayter. They’re just boggo B&S engines in a frock.

[knk]

rxe said:

New engine for the Hayter. They’re just boggo B&S engines in a frock.

This. My Hayter Harrier is a fantastic beast. I use it in preference to my honda ride on when I have time.

[bennno]

Mikebentley said:

Interesting idea benno. Not had much joy with battery stuff though. Has it got a “drive” system as wife too posh to push. I know I’ve spoiled her.

Yes it’s self propelled. Stripes the lawn, mine replaced a £750 Honda Izzy 52. Whole lot less faff does everything petrol one did but a bit better.

[lancs16]

Before I bought my cheapo Aldi petrol lawnmower a couple of years ago I was considering the EGO range of lawnmowers, was just unsure of the suitability with our large lawn and how long the batteries would last!

[Uncle John]

bennno said:

Mikebentley said:

Interesting idea benno. Not had much joy with battery stuff though. Has it got a “drive” system as wife too posh to push. I know I’ve spoiled her.

Yes it’s self propelled. Stripes the lawn, mine replaced a £750 Honda Izzy 52. Whole lot less faff does everything petrol one did but a bit better.

Interesting that Hyundai.

I’ve just chucked mine in for a service after 7 years, am fearing a bill that would put a main dealer to shame...

[oblio]

If storage is an issue Toro do one that folds up.

I bought one a couple of years ago and it does a great job and I've had no problem with it all. 53cm deck too I think.

[SweptVolume]

My dad has switched to an electric mower (not sure of the model, sorry, but it cost about what your budget is). My experience of it is that it's higher torque, so better at that lush spring grass, and cleaner/easier to start etc. But the range isn't quite what it needs to be to finish off a lawn that's approx 25x15 metres if the grass is a bit long. Put another way, it's about 1/5th the range of the previous petrol mower, and that would annoy me if my lawn was as big as yours.

[Pinkie15]

Bought a petrol Hyundai ~18 months ago, will need to go garage to check which model. Cost about £300 off of eBay.

Cracking bit of kit. I find pull start dead easy (you can pay a bit more for on-board battery electric start). It's 43cm width, self-propelled, cuts our approx 0.5 acre of grass on one tankfull (2-3 hrs mowing time).

No roller for full-on stripes, but does stripe if you 'up & down' like I do (Mrs Pinkie takes a random path, so not so noticeable when she's done the mowing).

Manages the longer grass at start of season fine. Collection box is good and clippings fall freely out when emptying.

Negatives: the self-propel & throttle 'bars' are square profile and can get noticeable towards end of mow.

The self-propel cable popped out the drive unit at start of last mowing season, took about 10 mins to refit. Don't know if that's a Hyundai-wide problem, or just our mower.

[spanner10]

Try Honda Izy ( though now has wheels without proper ball race bearings which you need to buy separately - cheap skates), Masport or for something designed to do lots of hours this :-


https://www.jungle-busters.co.uk/epages/es122164.s...

Available with various names , Saarp , Danarm, Lawnflite Pro, Kaaz, the pro version ( note larger metal wheels, braced handlebars and front bumper bar - make sure you get exactly this model if you are paying for it ) though heavy, is the quality Honda mowers were before they went to plastic decks and put the price up to £1500. Change the oil regularly and even contractors can't wear them out. Gearboxes fail first.

i would avoid plastic wheels and anything made in PRC as these are disposable items, and spares back up poor.