Petrol mower around £150
Discussion
Folks,
Appreciate I won't get much but I'm in need of a petrol mower... have a bit isolated grass, too far for electric and quite rough / uncut though grass is short enough for a mower.
I'm not looking for a Wimbledon grade lawn, just something robust and reliable. Self propelled isn't a huge requiement and I don't need stripes etc but adjustable height with a lever would be good.
I know the budget is entry level machines and fairly small but that'd suffice. In a bit of a hurry so thinking of the usual DIY stores, Screwfix, Machine Mart etc...
Any recommendations or ones to avoid?
Thanks
Appreciate I won't get much but I'm in need of a petrol mower... have a bit isolated grass, too far for electric and quite rough / uncut though grass is short enough for a mower.
I'm not looking for a Wimbledon grade lawn, just something robust and reliable. Self propelled isn't a huge requiement and I don't need stripes etc but adjustable height with a lever would be good.
I know the budget is entry level machines and fairly small but that'd suffice. In a bit of a hurry so thinking of the usual DIY stores, Screwfix, Machine Mart etc...
Any recommendations or ones to avoid?
Thanks
Appreciated, all good points.
I've been looking a second hand over the past few days however bar a few right knackered looking things, most semi decent ones are a good few miles away (up to 100 mile trip) and giving spate time is tight, I'm loathed to make a trip only to be met with something that isn't that great.
I've been using a borrowed Mountfield self propelled up till now, fairly old but it didn't run that well and the bag back flowed and started clogging the blade rather easily but it's now gone to pastures new but it was an OK machine but giving it had a few age related issues and wear, buying used makes me wonder if I'd end up with something similar.
There are a couple of machine for sale fairly near by... but ones a Sovereign and looks well used and the others are cylinder movers and I don't think that'd suit the terrain that I'm faced with. Think a small, roughly seeded paddock rather than a nice flat lawn. Hence, it will never be cut to a felt esque finish... just run over to about an inch weekly.
My local hardware store has a 40cm McCulloch non self propelled for £159.99...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Any thoughts on this?
The Aldi one looks OK for £199.00 too, the three year warranty looks tempting. My other option is a wander round B&Q and Machine Mart but to be honest, I'm out my depth so appreciate all the pointers.
I've been looking a second hand over the past few days however bar a few right knackered looking things, most semi decent ones are a good few miles away (up to 100 mile trip) and giving spate time is tight, I'm loathed to make a trip only to be met with something that isn't that great.
I've been using a borrowed Mountfield self propelled up till now, fairly old but it didn't run that well and the bag back flowed and started clogging the blade rather easily but it's now gone to pastures new but it was an OK machine but giving it had a few age related issues and wear, buying used makes me wonder if I'd end up with something similar.
There are a couple of machine for sale fairly near by... but ones a Sovereign and looks well used and the others are cylinder movers and I don't think that'd suit the terrain that I'm faced with. Think a small, roughly seeded paddock rather than a nice flat lawn. Hence, it will never be cut to a felt esque finish... just run over to about an inch weekly.
My local hardware store has a 40cm McCulloch non self propelled for £159.99...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Any thoughts on this?
The Aldi one looks OK for £199.00 too, the three year warranty looks tempting. My other option is a wander round B&Q and Machine Mart but to be honest, I'm out my depth so appreciate all the pointers.
Having read some of the reviews for the Screwfix item linked in the previous comments, one chap mentions the plastic deck secummbed to stone impact pretty easily... given my 'lawn' has a the odd stone or ten lurking, plus the roadside border is a bit rough and ready... perhaps a metal deck would be better, in the sense it'd be a bit more robust.
Damn my over-thinking!
Damn my over-thinking!
So for £159.00 it's a toss up between the McCulloch...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Or the Mountfield...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-hp164-39cm-1...
Or Einhell...
https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-99cc-40cm-self...
I have no idea, though leaning towards that McCulloch one...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Or the Mountfield...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-hp164-39cm-1...
Or Einhell...
https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-99cc-40cm-self...
I have no idea, though leaning towards that McCulloch one...
Thanks gents.
A week of scouring the ads hadn't revealed much bar some really dear, industrial looking machines or entry level ones priced between £80 and £125 but time I factor in my time, costs and the fact a used machine is much like a used car and could be a world of pain, I think I'd sooner spend the extra and get something new with a bit warranty.
I keep getting budget creep and looking at self propelled stuff with huge cutting decks and I'm sure they'd be wonderful but not sure I could justify £250+ on a machine, though I get the whole 'built to last' concept but there's a line.
Will nip onto B&Q and similar this afternoon, see if there's any offers but if not then I think it's a tough call between the Mountfield at Screwfix and the McCulloch at the local hardware shop.
A week of scouring the ads hadn't revealed much bar some really dear, industrial looking machines or entry level ones priced between £80 and £125 but time I factor in my time, costs and the fact a used machine is much like a used car and could be a world of pain, I think I'd sooner spend the extra and get something new with a bit warranty.
I keep getting budget creep and looking at self propelled stuff with huge cutting decks and I'm sure they'd be wonderful but not sure I could justify £250+ on a machine, though I get the whole 'built to last' concept but there's a line.
Will nip onto B&Q and similar this afternoon, see if there's any offers but if not then I think it's a tough call between the Mountfield at Screwfix and the McCulloch at the local hardware shop.
Wasn't that impressed by B&Qs offerings, a cheap plastic box branded machine for £150 then a MacAlister for £178 that looked equally cheap.
Popped into my local tractor / farm shop, Honda agent... nice bloke and reckoned £150 mowers are fine for the new build manicured lawns and seldom use, but anything 'country' and they'd be falling apart in months. They repair mowers and refuse to look at the cheaper stuff because once it's starting to go, it's usually not far off dead.
He recommended a Honda Izzy 16" push mower, their entry level one with an RRP of £369 but he was fairly confident that it'd be good for 10yers+ if looked after and it'd easily take the abuse it'd no doubt get.
I totally get his logic that cost per year, a 'proper' machine like that is a better but plus they do all in house warranty and repairs, though he said he's only seen a few back for serious impact damage or being tipped on their sides and oil going places it shouldn't.
Is it worth £120 more than that entry level McCulloch I was leaning towards... do I need a mower that'd last ten years... will spending £270 on a lawnmower keep me awake at night...
But I can hear the grass growing as I type!
Edit: RRP of £369 but Honda are doing £100 off just now so £269...
Popped into my local tractor / farm shop, Honda agent... nice bloke and reckoned £150 mowers are fine for the new build manicured lawns and seldom use, but anything 'country' and they'd be falling apart in months. They repair mowers and refuse to look at the cheaper stuff because once it's starting to go, it's usually not far off dead.
He recommended a Honda Izzy 16" push mower, their entry level one with an RRP of £369 but he was fairly confident that it'd be good for 10yers+ if looked after and it'd easily take the abuse it'd no doubt get.
I totally get his logic that cost per year, a 'proper' machine like that is a better but plus they do all in house warranty and repairs, though he said he's only seen a few back for serious impact damage or being tipped on their sides and oil going places it shouldn't.
Is it worth £120 more than that entry level McCulloch I was leaning towards... do I need a mower that'd last ten years... will spending £270 on a lawnmower keep me awake at night...
But I can hear the grass growing as I type!
Edit: RRP of £369 but Honda are doing £100 off just now so £269...
Edited by Davie on Friday 17th May 15:30
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...
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...
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