Can You Recommend me a Petrol Rotary Lawnmower Please?
Discussion
I am looking for a replacement lawnmower. It must be petrol and self-propelled, and I need a decent-sized grassbox. I currently have a rotary mower which has been fine, and I'm not looking for a stripey effect, so am happy to have another rotary.
I currently have a large lawn, about 6 tennis-courts-big, but live in rented (military) accommodation so my next place may well be smaller. I also need to move house every 1-3 years so don't want a sit-on. It also needs to be sensibly practical for my wife to be able to use when I am away, so nothing too 'big-boys-toys', and hot starting needs to be easy and reliable.
On that basis, any ideas? I don't want to spend too much and reckon that I should be able to get something decent for about £300 or so, although I'd pay a little more if I had to for the right option.
I currently live overseas so will need to buy from someone that is nationwide, or that will deliver to a family address in the south-west (near Salisbury) so that I can collect and bring it back when visiting the UK.
Grateful for any suggestions.
I currently have a large lawn, about 6 tennis-courts-big, but live in rented (military) accommodation so my next place may well be smaller. I also need to move house every 1-3 years so don't want a sit-on. It also needs to be sensibly practical for my wife to be able to use when I am away, so nothing too 'big-boys-toys', and hot starting needs to be easy and reliable.
On that basis, any ideas? I don't want to spend too much and reckon that I should be able to get something decent for about £300 or so, although I'd pay a little more if I had to for the right option.
I currently live overseas so will need to buy from someone that is nationwide, or that will deliver to a family address in the south-west (near Salisbury) so that I can collect and bring it back when visiting the UK.
Grateful for any suggestions.
At a guess you're going to want at least a 19 to 20" cutting width for that size lawn, and if your wife is going to use it then it might be an idea to go for a self-propelled item.
There's a few on this page which may be worth a look:
http://www.cheapmowers.com/acatalog/Medium_Lawns.h...
And a decent selection here too:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/pages/wheeledrotar...
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/MowDIRECT_PETR...
AFAIK Honda are just about the top dog for small engines as used in mowers, although the modern Briggs stuff is pretty good too. I've got an el cheapo £100 McCulloch plastic-bodied mower with a low-end Briggs lump and in 2 years it's not missed a beat - easy starting whether it's been sat untouched for several cold winter months, or has just been mildly abused in long grass on a hot day.
Avoid anything with an engine whose manufacturer you've never heard of; I'd stick with Honda or Briggs & Stratton as these are common and easy to get spares and service parts for.
For around £300 you're looking at steel deck mowers as opposed to aluminium; the steel ones are strong enough but need to be regularly cleaned and kept dry to avoid rusting through where grass and moisture accumulate underneath. Aluminium decks are generally strong enough to withstand a small explosion and will never rust, but come at a price.
Hayter, Mountfield, Lawnflite, Al-Ko, Husqvarna and Honda machines are worth looking out for although some of these tend to be pretty expensive in larger sizes. There's some good value to be had with the McCulloch mowers (IIRC they're actually the budget end of Husqvarna) although they haven't got the "last a lifetime" feel that an ally Hayter has.
HTH
There's a few on this page which may be worth a look:
http://www.cheapmowers.com/acatalog/Medium_Lawns.h...
And a decent selection here too:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/pages/wheeledrotar...
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/MowDIRECT_PETR...
AFAIK Honda are just about the top dog for small engines as used in mowers, although the modern Briggs stuff is pretty good too. I've got an el cheapo £100 McCulloch plastic-bodied mower with a low-end Briggs lump and in 2 years it's not missed a beat - easy starting whether it's been sat untouched for several cold winter months, or has just been mildly abused in long grass on a hot day.
Avoid anything with an engine whose manufacturer you've never heard of; I'd stick with Honda or Briggs & Stratton as these are common and easy to get spares and service parts for.
For around £300 you're looking at steel deck mowers as opposed to aluminium; the steel ones are strong enough but need to be regularly cleaned and kept dry to avoid rusting through where grass and moisture accumulate underneath. Aluminium decks are generally strong enough to withstand a small explosion and will never rust, but come at a price.
Hayter, Mountfield, Lawnflite, Al-Ko, Husqvarna and Honda machines are worth looking out for although some of these tend to be pretty expensive in larger sizes. There's some good value to be had with the McCulloch mowers (IIRC they're actually the budget end of Husqvarna) although they haven't got the "last a lifetime" feel that an ally Hayter has.
HTH
Edited by Jonny_ on Wednesday 3rd March 19:58
I bought the push version of this Honda from these people last year, was free delivery and about teh cheapest I could find. Slightly over your budget but Honda mowers are pretty bombproof so will last well and be easily serviceable
http://www.mowwithus.com/honda_hrg_415_sd_izy.html
http://www.mowwithus.com/honda_hrg_415_sd_izy.html
Shaolin said:
+1 for a Honda Izy, a bit over your budget, but good value for money.
I've got one of these, 19" self propelled, and despite being generally ignored maintenance wise over the last 8 years, ie an oil change every year and one new spark plug last year, the thing refuses to die and my lawns take me at least 2 hours to cut each week. Its light enough for the Mrs to start and use when I'm away and gives a good finish although I would in hindsight go for a solid rear roller with a Honda engine as the wheels have made tracks in the lawn following 8 years of relentless mowing.
Cheers,
Tony
Tony427 said:
I would in hindsight go for a solid rear roller with a Honda engine as the wheels have made tracks in the lawn following 8 years of relentless mowing.
Tony
Another vote for Honda here, we still have a 19" that's been on the go about 20years. We also have a 21" that's seen about 7 seasons.Tony
I would seriously advise the rear driven roller instead of driven wheels, aside from rutting, if any lawns are slightly uneven or holey the wheeled mowers can make uneven jobs as they move up & down with the contours, this is amplified the wider the mower is.
They are expensive but do last.
Bill said:
Shaolin said:
+1 for a Honda Izy, a bit over your budget, but good value for money.
I've got one too, I make a point of putting as little effort into starting it as possible and it's never started 1st time
My previous was a Mountfield which was junk.
Scockers said:
Bill said:
Shaolin said:
+1 for a Honda Izy, a bit over your budget, but good value for money.
I've got one too, I make a point of putting as little effort into starting it as possible and it's never started 1st timeMy previous was a Mountfield which was junk.
Spookily, as I cleared my mailbox today, there was a flyer from a local French DIY chain called Bricorama.
They are advertising an ID-TECH (new to me!) petrol self-propelled mower for 300 Euros (about £270). It has a Honda GCV 160 5,5 OHC (unquote) motor, a 51 cm cut, 6 cutting heights and 60 L bag.
It's a 4 in 1 machine and looks like it has decent big wheels, with the back ones being bigger. Guarantee is for 3 years but I will be moving in 18 months anyway, so long-term serviceability is more important.
Not quite what I was expecting, but pretty cheap. Any thoughts? Would I be mad?
They are advertising an ID-TECH (new to me!) petrol self-propelled mower for 300 Euros (about £270). It has a Honda GCV 160 5,5 OHC (unquote) motor, a 51 cm cut, 6 cutting heights and 60 L bag.
It's a 4 in 1 machine and looks like it has decent big wheels, with the back ones being bigger. Guarantee is for 3 years but I will be moving in 18 months anyway, so long-term serviceability is more important.
Not quite what I was expecting, but pretty cheap. Any thoughts? Would I be mad?
I have an Al-Ko bought from www.Mowdirect.co.uk and I would heartily recommend both.
Runs a Briggs and Stratton motor which has been faultless. Sometimes takes 2 pulls but that's probably just me being weedy.
Runs a Briggs and Stratton motor which has been faultless. Sometimes takes 2 pulls but that's probably just me being weedy.
NiceCupOfTea said:
I have a cheap as chips Flymo with a Briggs & Stratton 4-stroke. It does feel cheap - all sharp edges, and often takes a few pulls. Last year it was very grumpy after the winter...
I don't think B&S motors are what they were...
I tried starting my B&G powered mower the other day. After much swearing and lactic acid build up I gave up.I don't think B&S motors are what they were...
Any tips on what I should do to get the bugger going?
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff