Lawnmowers - any recommendations?
Discussion
Need to buy my first lawnmower and I don't have a clue what to get! Garden isn't the biggest (around 14 metres squared at the back and a small but quite steep front garden), but I don't want to buy something that will have to be replaced after a few uses.
Looking for something petrol, with a roller. Haven't got a budget in mind, but the less the better!
Any opinions?
Looking for something petrol, with a roller. Haven't got a budget in mind, but the less the better!
Any opinions?
I had a Qualcast 35s classic cylinder mower a few years back, it gives a wonderful cut and a lovely bowling green finish...however, it was totally hopeless if the grass was too long, meaning frequent cuts were required (and useless for the 1st cut after coming back from a holiday), and it didn't like slightly uneven ground, so it had to go.
I've since went with a Qualcast rotary with a Briggs & Stratton engine, still going strong 10 years later and I honestly can't remember the last time it had new oil/plug/filter. No roller so no stripes but a good all rounder.
ETA I think Atco might be the same company as Qualcast?
I've since went with a Qualcast rotary with a Briggs & Stratton engine, still going strong 10 years later and I honestly can't remember the last time it had new oil/plug/filter. No roller so no stripes but a good all rounder.
ETA I think Atco might be the same company as Qualcast?
yellowbentines said:
ETA I think Atco might be the same company as Qualcast?
Yes, and both have been owned by Bosch for some time. Based in Stowmarket. I did some work for their Training Manager years ago - I bought him lunch and he farted like a walrus on Guinness. Strange bloke, looked like Norman Tebbit.Cylinder vs hover is personal preference but do you really need petrol for 14m2? Seems like a world of aggro. I just bought a Flymo 330 Turbolite for £60 from Amazon, great!
Honda pro roller hrh 536, (I think) been using mine for 2 years now - yes expensive to buy but its that old chesnut - you only get what you pay for.
After working for 2 football clubs I can honestly say that cylinder mowers do give you a better cut , but please dont think that rotary mowers chop rather than cut, as they have come along way.
HTH
Rod.
After working for 2 football clubs I can honestly say that cylinder mowers do give you a better cut , but please dont think that rotary mowers chop rather than cut, as they have come along way.
HTH
Rod.
Edited by RodMod on Wednesday 13th April 21:08
Found these chaps did a reasonable deal: www.mowermagic.com
Got a cheapo McCulloch for a similar task, although our back garden is on a right old slope so I went for the self propelled option.... it's a proper, err, quality item, plastic (really!) deck, wheels that occasionally unscrew and fall off, oh, and at least a Briggs & Stratton engine!
Decided on the disposable item approach with this one really, not exactly hard use so should last for years... left it on compression over the winter, started first pull last weekend, so - it starts, requires petrol/oil and makes a load of noise... cuts the grass too, job done.
At the other end of the scale... Honda Professional range is pretty good, although not all too keen on damp grass from my experience.
Got a cheapo McCulloch for a similar task, although our back garden is on a right old slope so I went for the self propelled option.... it's a proper, err, quality item, plastic (really!) deck, wheels that occasionally unscrew and fall off, oh, and at least a Briggs & Stratton engine!
Decided on the disposable item approach with this one really, not exactly hard use so should last for years... left it on compression over the winter, started first pull last weekend, so - it starts, requires petrol/oil and makes a load of noise... cuts the grass too, job done.
At the other end of the scale... Honda Professional range is pretty good, although not all too keen on damp grass from my experience.
14m sq only just justifies a petrol one.
14" diameter rotary with roller will be more than adequate, maybe even smaller?
Cylinder mowers are a pest: unless you cut at least once a week they'll start to miss bits. Plus it costs a fortune to get the blades sharpened correctly.
Honda of some sort will be very good.
If front garden is really steep you'll need to take advice on whether a 4-stroke is suitable or get a cheapy electric just for that bit.
14" diameter rotary with roller will be more than adequate, maybe even smaller?
Cylinder mowers are a pest: unless you cut at least once a week they'll start to miss bits. Plus it costs a fortune to get the blades sharpened correctly.
Honda of some sort will be very good.
If front garden is really steep you'll need to take advice on whether a 4-stroke is suitable or get a cheapy electric just for that bit.
thinfourth2 said:
Depends on your mechanical abilities and pi keyness
but this is the season of free lawnmowers
Go down your local recycling center and wait for someone to recycle a non working lawnmower. Take it home clean out the carb, clean the plug and bingo one new lawnmower
You must have a nice man at the dump - I got very clear NO and there is CCTV response.but this is the season of free lawnmowers
Go down your local recycling center and wait for someone to recycle a non working lawnmower. Take it home clean out the carb, clean the plug and bingo one new lawnmower
Thinking about getting a Qualcast p40 on offer at Homebase at moment (20% off all mowers).
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