Lawnmowers

[thelawnet]

We've got a Flymo mower, it doesn't cut very well albeit that the blade looks pretty beat up. £15 for a new one from Amazon.

Do you think I should replace the blade or just buy a better mower?

[david39]

Flymo's never seem to give a good cut at the best of times. They're OK just to make the lawn look as if it's not neglected but for a proper finish, you need something better.

After using a Flymo for some years, my daughter went off to the local garden superstore and bought a hand-push cylinder machine for under £40 that gives a superb cut, with stripes. She says that it is easy to push (unlike those of years ago) and she actually enjoys lawnmowing now, as it keeps her in trim as well as the lawn.

[grannybroon]

Our lawn mower packed in the other day. I bought a new one from B&Q on Wednesday (their own make) for just over £44.00 less my 10%. It is a rotary mower with three cutting heights and the reviews were excellent. Haven't used it as yet apart from testing it worked. It replaced an older model of B&Q's mowers which lasted years. Good value I think.

[Yorkie1]

You will find that replacing the blade does make a big difference - I did with my flymo.

[timbim]

Whatever you do, to keep the blade in good shape, get a sharpening stone and run that over the blade after each use. Should stop the blade bluntening heavily. Also avoid mowing over stones.

[thelawnet]

I bought a new Bosch. Rotak 37. £100 from Argos.

The larger models have a more powerful motor.

Which Best Buy.

Was tempted by the battery powered version, but it's £100 more expensive.

Much better than Flymo....

Grass catcher a bit small.

Probably knackered the blade a bit already, hit a few stones, the garden is a bit of a jungle.

[Davesnave]

Originally Posted by timbim

Also avoid mowing over stones.

I love advice like this.

How many of us run over stones deliberately? They are a fact of life in some gardens due to soil conditions, and in my case, chickens too.

That said, my old Flymo coped well with the conditions here for a couple of seasons, but the salient word here is 'old,' because I hear from others that the newer ones are not so robust.

Rotaks now seem to get more positive reviews.

[peter_the_piper]

Bear in mind, the cheaper the mower-the less chance of getting spares if it goes wrong.

[ukbill69]

Always petrol, will never use electric again!