Rotary mower - used - tips

locky123

I've had a cylinder mower for years (Suffolk Punch - never let me down) but now it's not suited to the lawn we have now, as its larger and sloping/uneven. It seems that most people use rotary mowers. Looking around the names that are recommended more often than not are Hayter, Honda and Mountfield. So I'm after any advice on what to look for in terms of makes and what things to look out for. It seems newer ones have plastic bodies, which crack. Many always rate B&S engines but not sure if this is always true, as may depend where it was made.
Thanks.

bankhater_1965

at what angle would you say the slopes are ??

locky123

They vary but probably no more than 10 deg in most places. Neighbour has a gardener with similar lawn and they use a rotary, so seems best choice.

peter_the_piper

Hayter and Mountfied seem best, Honda's are dearer to repair later on.

bankhater_1965

locky123 wrote: »

They vary but probably no more than 10 deg in most places. Neighbour has a gardener with similar lawn and they use a rotary, so seems best choice.

the reason why i asked is because it would either conclude a 4 stroke engine or a 2 stroke powered lawnmower for use on banks,slopes !! im a contractor and mountfield is ample for your own domestic garden , the b&s and honda engines are fine but beware of the honda built machines as there gearboxes are junk , hayter i cannot fault , but iv only used the commercail grade machines so i cannot advise on such a purchase on domestic machines, you must be aware that if you purchase a 4 wheeler as to a rear roller machine if you dont scarify the lawn yearly you will get tramlines due to moss

locky123

I would be looking for one with a rear roller and self propelled.

locky123

What are the differences between commercial and domestic, just the power of the engine?

bankhater_1965

locky123 wrote: »

What are the differences between commercial and domestic, just the power of the engine?

most commercail grade engines are cast iron bore , also you will get a deck liner in the deck, alloy decks, grade 1 sealed ball bearings , handlebar strenghners, bigger cuts with a better blade for collection,the blade will have better tails for making a better vacuum under the deck making it more effiecant for grass discharge into the bag, the machine in general is just better made, the best rear roller on the market is the hayter 48 or 56 harriers priced between £700-£1300 or lawnflight are also very strong around £900 , personaly i would go on ebay and bid on a domestic used hayter 48 harrier , it has all commercail fitting esp the metal split roller
excuse my spelling

locky123

Do all Hayter 48 mowers have hydrostatic drive and is it reliable?

bankhater_1965

not the 48 or 56 , i think the etesia mowers do tho, to be honest the drives and gearboxes on these 2 hayter harriers are very good, whats your budget ?

locky123

bankhater_1965 wrote: »

not the 48 or 56 , i think the etesia mowers do tho, to be honest the drives and gearboxes on these 2 hayter harriers are very good, whats your budget ?

Budget for used about £200, but not sure what that will get on ebay and how old a machine it should be or how much use.