Anyone use a Petrol Lawnmower?

molerat

My 1981 Mountfield with B&S engine is still going strong, got a genuine new handle for it last season.

Living_proof

I bought a new German self-propelled, self starting petrol mower last year when I bought my new garden. It does what it says on the tin, only it propels me in a completely uncontrolled way and is far too heavy really. Also it's about 2 foot wide from wheel to wheel which means I will have to buy a shed with double doors as it's too heavy to man (or in my case) womanhandle around in any sort of exact way. Maybe I will get used to it but I am thinking of hiring a boy!

davemorton

Screwfix have some reduced mountfields at the moment, may be worth a look.

WestonDave

I've got a cheapo Homebase own job but it has a Briggs and Stratton engine. I got it second hand from a cousin in exchange for a small flymo as we'd just got a big garden and they'd downsized to a smaller one. I've had it 8 years, never had it serviced, but did have to replace a wheel mount after the weld on it failed and swap the gasket in the carburettor - both cost a couple of quid on ebay. I'm sure better brands may statistically be more reliable but so far I've had 8 years mowing from a free cheapo mower for the cost of about £15 worth of parts!

ince_mon

davemorton wrote: »

Screwfix have some reduced mountfields at the moment, may be worth a look.

I got one of these last month. Can't praise it enough.

callistris

A couple of years ago, I bought myself a Viking MB545VM.

Variable powerdrive, and mulcher, came with a 5 year warranty and 10 year deck warranty.
Briggs & Stratton engine with 'ready start' and always starts 1st pull. Starts easily even after winter storage.

Since getting mine, 3 neighbours got one as well.
Pretty much anywhere that sells Stihl sells them.

http://www.vikingmowers.co.uk/index.aspx

jenfa

We have 2, (large garden)! Firstly, look at how big your garden is, do you want stripes? how level is it? is it flat or slightly uphill/downhill.

When we moved to our current house we brought with us a hayter harrier 17 inch with roller, this is still going strong - sort of- it certainly didn't like being used on our 2nd lawn which is more orchardy and has been repaired as it dropped on one side. Recently the self propelling wasn't working properly so husband looked around he was told hayter is still the best, some mountfields are metal body so rust, in the end to replace it was going to cost about £650 so he is having the gearbox changed 2 hours labour and total about £170. This only collects but as it is nearer the house we don't want grass cuttings being brought in.

I use a 21 inch honda had that for 6 years (used at least once a week, possibly twice in summer for over 1.5 hours each time), it is automatic start, mulches and collects and is self propelled. The negative thing with it (although new models might be different) is that to change the height you have to adjust each wheel which I find really annoying especially as I can never remember which way is up or down! The speed adjustment is helpful because the grass I cut has a gradual slope which you don't notice until you are going up hill so you can increase the propelling. We generally mulch when the grass is under control, too long and it will sit on the surface, the knob to change from one to the other does get stuck as it gets clogged with wet/dried on grass so make sure you clean the underneath. Last year we had a new blade fitted as it had been sharpened every year as it came with a 5 year warranty if serviced annually.

The honda is certainly heavier and find it harder to use on the smaller lawn my DH normally cuts as it is bigger so don't necessarily go for the biggest if your lawn doesn't need it.

Babafette

jenfa wrote: »

We have 2, (large garden)!

Ditto! We have a Hayter Spirit 41 and a Masport Rotarola. Both have Briggs & Stratton engines and are very reliable.

skivenov

B+S aren't what they used to be. I have it on good authority that the smaller engines are built in South America and nowhere near as good as the old ones.

Personally, I'd look for something with a Honda engine.

peter_the_piper

Babafette wrote: »

Ditto! We have a Hayter Spirit 41 and a Masport Rotarola. Both have Briggs & Stratton engines and are very reliable.

Where do you get Rotarola spares from?