Manual lawnmowers.
Discussion
Recently had our lawn re-turfed and is due its first haircut.
Our current mower is a Ryobi thing which is utter pants.
Doing a little research suggests that a manual mower is the best option for something like this.
Anyone have any experience of these and if so, what would be the best one?
Currently eyeing one of these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/webb-30cm-hand-push-rol...
Our current mower is a Ryobi thing which is utter pants.
Doing a little research suggests that a manual mower is the best option for something like this.
Anyone have any experience of these and if so, what would be the best one?
Currently eyeing one of these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/webb-30cm-hand-push-rol...
I had something very similar to this when I had a similarly sized lawn.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/einhell-gc-hm-300-30cm-...
It did the job very nicely. Super light, so easy to push, and gave a nice clean cut. So much easier than faffing with batteries, cords or petrol too.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/einhell-gc-hm-300-30cm-...
It did the job very nicely. Super light, so easy to push, and gave a nice clean cut. So much easier than faffing with batteries, cords or petrol too.
I've used a couple. One was a million years old, made of metal, worked really well. One was modern, largely made of plastic and was completely useless. Gearing was all wrong. Tried to spin the blades too fast relative to the main wheels, so the main wheels skidded rather than turned and therefore the blades didn't spin at all. Absolutely hopeless. So asking for recommendations is very sensible, because there are definitely models to avoid. Sadly the one I used that worked well was owned by a woman who would be 130 years old by now, so difficult to find out who made it.
Something like this would be a lovely thing to own/use as well:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117298130676
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117298130676
ATG said:
I've used a couple. One was a million years old, made of metal, worked really well. One was modern, largely made of plastic and was completely useless. Gearing was all wrong. Tried to spin the blades too fast relative to the main wheels, so the main wheels skidded rather than turned and therefore the blades didn't spin at all. Absolutely hopeless. So asking for recommendations is very sensible, because there are definitely models to avoid. Sadly the one I used that worked well was owned by a woman who would be 130 years old by now, so difficult to find out who made it.
My experience too (although the one in the OP's link looks like what a hand mower "should" look like in my head). The one I bought went back to the shop - was so lightweight the wheels just skidded across the grass and as a result didn't turn the blades. Anyone who bought one must have taken them back as they simply didn't work.We've for a crap corded flymo thing at the minute and I'd like a manual mower with a bit of weight to it to roll the lawn as it cuts etc so watching this with interest.
Mr Creosote said:
Something like this would be a lovely thing to own/use as well:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117298130676
Us blokes are strange things! I'm looking at that with the same interest and zeal I might a classic car and have now ventured down a rabbit hold of restored classic lawnmowers! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117298130676
OutInTheShed said:
With those overhanging bushes and the general small size, it's going to be awkward to do a nice job of a striped lawn, you'd be better going for a simple electric rotary and put your energy elsewhere IMHO.
Agree with this - how will you be able to turn the mower around in the flower beds to get stripes or some kind of pattern? Looks an ideal lawn for a robot mower or a cheap electric flymo / mower.
The smallest flymo would be ideal. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8657266?clickPR=pl...
Mr Creosote said:
Something like this would be a lovely thing to own/use as well:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117298130676
I`ve got a Ransome keep-fit mower like that, but less shiny, its horrible to use, weighs a tonne.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/117298130676
I've got a Webb 30cm hand push cylinder mower and it is good. Needs to be pushed at a bit of speed to get the blades spinning at an optimal rate, but otherwise would say it is a decent quality bit of kit. As a manufacturer they are obviously known for their rather more fancy and expensive petrol cylinder mowers, so they know what they are doing making these things.
As others have noted though, getting close to edges with those types of mower is difficult due to the inherent design of them. I'd suggest a small electric rotary would be a better fit for the garden in that photo.
As others have noted though, getting close to edges with those types of mower is difficult due to the inherent design of them. I'd suggest a small electric rotary would be a better fit for the garden in that photo.
Voguely said:
I've got a Webb 30cm hand push cylinder mower and it is good. Needs to be pushed at a bit of speed to get the blades spinning at an optimal rate, but otherwise would say it is a decent quality bit of kit. As a manufacturer they are obviously known for their rather more fancy and expensive petrol cylinder mowers, so they know what they are doing making these things.
As others have noted though, getting close to edges with those types of mower is difficult due to the inherent design of them. I'd suggest a small electric rotary would be a better fit for the garden in that photo.
I got one of those at the weekend.As others have noted though, getting close to edges with those types of mower is difficult due to the inherent design of them. I'd suggest a small electric rotary would be a better fit for the garden in that photo.
I did think about a flymo based on some observations here but what the phot doesn't show is that the lawn is raised and contained by sleepers around beds so there's plenty of turn space to be had.
Initial reaction is not good. Struggled to keep the drum from skidding rather than rolling. And even the slightest of dips seemed to halt progress.
That said, I think I was asking too much of it for a first mow. The grass was quite long and a little damp from condensation. Gave it a once over with the Ryobi and will give the Webb another go in a week or so. I'd like it to work because what it did cut, it cut exceptionally well!
StevieBee said:
I got one of those at the weekend.
I did think about a flymo based on some observations here but what the phot doesn't show is that the lawn is raised and contained by sleepers around beds so there's plenty of turn space to be had.
Initial reaction is not good. Struggled to keep the drum from skidding rather than rolling. And even the slightest of dips seemed to halt progress.
That said, I think I was asking too much of it for a first mow. The grass was quite long and a little damp from condensation. Gave it a once over with the Ryobi and will give the Webb another go in a week or so. I'd like it to work because what it did cut, it cut exceptionally well!
Yes, they are very sensitive to grass length and wetness. If it is struggling then raise the cut height, do a once-over at longer length, then go again with heigh dropped. Only really likes taking about 10-20mm off at a time. Key is not to let it grow too long in the first place, or accept you'll have to go over it twice.I did think about a flymo based on some observations here but what the phot doesn't show is that the lawn is raised and contained by sleepers around beds so there's plenty of turn space to be had.
Initial reaction is not good. Struggled to keep the drum from skidding rather than rolling. And even the slightest of dips seemed to halt progress.
That said, I think I was asking too much of it for a first mow. The grass was quite long and a little damp from condensation. Gave it a once over with the Ryobi and will give the Webb another go in a week or so. I'd like it to work because what it did cut, it cut exceptionally well!
Gareth79 said:
The smallest flymo would be ideal. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8657266?clickPR=pl...
I had one of those and it was rubbish. Even fitted with a 28cm blade it took ages to mow a small lawn.Sold it and replaced with a Einhell battery mower.
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