I need a self propelled lawnmower.

Rdwill

I use E5 for all my garden machinery including the 2 stroke hedge trimmer and Strimmer.

Using E10 negates the warranty on my new Stihl hedge trimmer.

Kiran

FreeBear said:

Now't wrong with B&S engines. What is a bigger problem is leaving fuel in the tank for a prolonged period. Modern petrol, particularly E10 gums up in the carburetor, blocking the jets. Have had to strip & clean the carbs on several engines of late after being left standing over winter.

I agree, I've got a few mowers with Briggs engines, from push mowers to ride ons. They are decent when maintained. The fuel issue is a bit if a pain now. I've fitted inline fuel filters and stop taps now. When the mower is done with I shut the stop tap and keep the mower running until it runs out of the fuel in the fuel line. 

Also a splash of Seafoam in the fuel before storage seems to be working the last few years, run that around the engine for a few minutes before storage 

sallysaver

Push t h e boat out and get a mower with self start.  I have a Honda, someone stopped and asked if I'd been getting a new mower whilst cutting my grass the other day, it's 17 years old!!!  It has never been serviced and the only thing that's been replaced is the plug and my gardens are big.  It's been a work horse.  Self start are of course more money, but honestly, you'll thank me later.

Section62

danrv said:

FreeBear said:

Now't wrong with B&S engines. What is a bigger problem is leaving fuel in the tank for a prolonged period. Modern petrol, particularly E10 gums up in the carburetor, blocking the jets. Have had to strip & clean the carbs on several engines of late after being left standing over winter.

Good point. Maybe better to use E5 instead. 

Especially towards the end of the season.  In the summer months when the equipment is in regular use we tend to use E10, but switch to E5 so what is left in the fuel system in the late autumn/winter is just E5.

anotherquestion

What do you guys think of this model, says on Wiebang website SRP £358 but nearest lawnmower will sell it to me for £390

Weibang WB455SC 3in1 18" Domestic Walk Behind Lawnmower - Steel Deck (gardenandforest.co.uk)

Rdwill

Given the choice I would get the Mountfield / Honda engine from Screwfix for almost the same price. The Honda engine is tried and tested and at 170cc will have more power, (you say your garden has slopes).

I'm not sure who Weibang are, Chinese I would imagine, but I wouldn't be parting with that kind of money when I could get the Mountfield delivered from Screwfix for more or less the same.

anotherquestion

Thanks, Probably the thing is, since aftercare and dealers are very scare on the ground here is what draws me to that model, local dealer sells it, really only one around here at the moment as the others have retired.
I take it Screwfix don't really provide any repairs once a certain amount of time has passed, but will check that model out.
Thank you.

CliveOfIndia

anotherquestion said:

Thanks, Probably the thing is, since aftercare and dealers are very scare on the ground here is what draws me to that model, local dealer sells it, really only one around here at the moment as the others have retired.
I take it Screwfix don't really provide any repairs once a certain amount of time has passed, but will check that model out.
Thank you.

The thing is, a standard domestic petrol-engined mower is a pretty simple beast, there's not an awful lot to go wrong with them.  Any repairs that might be needed would be well within the capability of any general "garden machinery repair" outfit.  And for anyone who's got a modicum of DIY experience or who has tinkered with car engines to even a small degree, you can fix pretty much most problems yourself.

Rdwill

I think you are over thinking this.

Short of changing the plug and the air filter and topping up the oil, which you are more than capable of doing, there is not much to service. You can by all you need from ebay as a kit for about £10.

The blade may need changing every so often, depending on how many stones and roots you drive over. Again, get one of ebay for about £20 and DIY is relatively simple, just pull the spark plug lead out before you start so the machine can't accidently fire and nothing can go wrong.

And I'm sure if something does happen that is beyond DIY, and I'm not sure what that is, the same skills will be required to fix any machine. Its just that your man hasn't made the massive mark up, that he is probably making on the cheap chinese machine.

As long as you treat the machine with respect it will go for ever. I know, because I batter mine, and they still keep going!

EssexExile

Any garden machinery place will be familiar with a Mountfield/Honda mower and have easy access to spares. A Weibang/Loncin, not so likely.