What lawnmower d'ya reckon?

[Winston001]

Looks like my old Rover rotary mower has bit the dust. The handle snapped where it is bolted to the body today. I've repaired this once before. Additionally I noticed the body has a large crack and is rusted where it curves down over the blade. I could bolt a couple of struts underneath but frankly its getting beyond that.

So what does everyone use? Here in Southland we have strong rich grass growth so unless you keep on top of mowing, it can be hard work. Plus the grass doesn't throw up into the catcher fully if it isn't short.

I like the idea of mulching but down here its unnecessary.

[Pussy]

I bought a new Victa 2 stroke, alloy body, mulching attachment etc brand new in 2002. Given me no trouble. Seems to have lots of grunt.
Might be worth a look

[far queue]

A sheep? It'll keep your grass down, provide some ... ahhh ... entertainment :buggerd:, xmas dinner, and a new seat cover :innocent:

[FJRider]

What you need is one of these models .... younger versions are readily available at this time of year ....

http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/garden-journal-07/woolly-sheep.jpg

Quiet running ... :yes:
No use of fossil fuels involved ... :no:
ALL waste products totally biodegradable ... (goood for the vege garden) :gob:
Can "invite" to Sunday dinner ... :innocent:
Newer models come out annually ... :woohoo:

[Winston001]

A sheep? It'll keep your grass down, provide some ... ahhh ... entertainment :buggerd:, xmas dinner, and a new seat cover :innocent:

LOL Quentin, much chortling. In fact at university I remember some guys who had a pet sheep named Masport. Kept the flat lawn down very nicely.

I did once have a couple of sheep for the same purpose but they kept escaping into the neighbours.....:facepalm:

This sort of problem doesn't bother you Christchurch types: throw a match out the window once a year and the lawn is sorted. :yes:

[FJRider]

This sort of problem doesn't bother you Christchurch types: throw a match out the window once a year and the lawn is sorted. :yes:

In Southland ... it's called the "Burt Munroe" method ... as in Southland ... a little petrol is needed ...

[far queue]

This sort of problem doesn't bother you Christchurch types: throw a match out the window once a year and the lawn is sorted. :yes:What lawn? It's either fallen down the cracks or the liquifaction's come up and smothered it.

[Tink]

Scissors worked for me in Europe!:scooter:

[Brian d marge]

Ahh maybe able to offer a few cents here

Long time ago I read a book on laqwn mower design ..( I know , actually it was quite interesting , better than collectinmg paper clips which had my interest then )

anyway it seemed that the reel mower was the best ( from memory as the reel was hel at both ends ,where the blade and body of the other type would flex all over the place and also the cutting was one on the last inch of the blade... where a reel mower cuts over the whole blade ( i think)

now this is fine flex is fine if you are not looking for a cricket pitch,

all thats left then is to choose a motor and here ease of starting and ghorse power would come into play

if it was me I would go for this.222439222440222441222443222444

oops that me on the computer sorry , how do u delete?

Stephen

[Mully]

IMH(F)O, if you're planning on keeping it for ages....

Alloy body (no rust)
Fabric (canvas type) catcher (plastic ones tend to get brittle and are a pain to clean out)
Four Stroke (no faffing about with mixtures, and if the fuel goes off a bit, you can just dump in in the car and replace)

[FJRider]

Have you got no neighbours to borrow one off ????

[ellipsis]

....went thru a couple of 2 strokes on a hard bit of rural ground we have....always had a B&S powered thing that had a wheel missing and a cracked body...filled in between the good ones that fucked up...always started...blew more smoke than a steam train...gave it away to a tighter prick than me....still uses it.....the 4 stroke thing we got from the wherehaus works real well..for what we paid....

[LBD]

Any mower you like as long as its Italien, painted red white and green and has a Ducati Corse sticker somewhere prominant....:yes:

[Grumph]

Go four stroke for sure... but make sure you train your kids to check the oil before use.
Kids of course are part 2 of the lawn mowing scenario. first the mower then someone else to operate it...

[ynot slow]

Have you got no neighbours to borrow one off ????

Never lend your neighbour a lawn mower,chainsaw or wife they come back f.cked.

[ynot slow]

Have a self propelled mower,although self propel not working,but has 21" cutting width,bloody good,has honda motor.

Whan working with MAF years ago,we used mowers to trim plots for research,had victa 2 strokes due to paddock grass and uneven surfaces,they were ok,the 4 strokes were good,but typical govt dept,once they bought industrial mowers they lasted well,much longer than standard domestic mowers,but about 40% expensive at the time.

[TimeOut]

Daughter bought a cheapie from mitre 10, thought there was oil in it :facepalm:
The next time I was down (after it had done quite a few hours work) I decided to give it an oil change, about 50ml came out:shit:
The good old B&S is still going three years on:woohoo:

[SMOKEU]

Don't buy a second hand mower, they're more trouble then they're worth. I've had about 5 B&S engines, and every one of them has given me trouble. Everything from the starter mechanism falling apart, to the throttle spring breaking. They never seem to go for more than a few months without something breaking. Get a Honda engine on your next mower.

[banditrider]

BWmozLhuuXo

[lb99]

I just got a cheapo victa from mitre 10 mega, 500 bucks. motor a 4 stroke honda copy, cast iron bore, only a steel body though apparently powdercoated so we'll see how it goes.
last one was a 5hp morrison, alloy body, mulch function, ball bearing wheels. cost 900 from memory. was supposed to last 20yrs, it was rooted by age 8....I am over B&S mower motors, honda are so much better.

[Max Preload]

Don't buy a second hand mower, they're more trouble then they're worth. I've had about 5 B&S engines, and every one of them has given me trouble. Everything from the starter mechanism falling apart, to the throttle spring breaking. They never seem to go for more than a few months without something breaking. Get a Honda engine on your next mower.There's one common factor in your experiences. You.

I shall post a photograph of my B&S powered mower tomorrow. If I remember.

[SVboy]

I suggest a Lawnmaster rotary with Briggs&Stratton motor{the baseline model}. Why? 1/aaloy body, bb wheels, steel quadrant height control and the ONLY mower still made in nz!! Plastic catcher is ok, not brilliant. Masports nor Morrison are made in nz any more. The basic B&S is an ok motor ONLY if you change the oil every 4-5 hours of use and service the air filter. If you want to spend more-get a model with a B&S industrial motor as these have a cast iron bore and better air cleaner.

[SMOKEU]

There's one common factor in your experiences. You.

I shall post a photograph of my B&S powered mower tomorrow. If I remember.

The other common factor is that they're all made by the same company.

[Winston001]

Lots of good advice guys, thankyou. I'm not looking for a second-hand mower although there is a self-driven Honda on TM locally. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Outdoor-garden-conservatory/Lawnmowers/Petrol/auction-327597059.htm Seems a bit dear for 10 years old.

I really like reel mowers and have an old 600mm Masport which hasn't been used for a couple of years. The trouble is you need simple large lawns whereas most of the lawn I have is small pieces, curved edges, with plants. A lot of effort is required simply turning the thing around and avoiding shrubs etc.

I also think going to a dealer is wise because he has to be interested in supporting the sale, as compared with Mitre 10, Warehouse etc. Off to the Stihl shop.

[T.W.R]

MTD Yard machine, B & S 18hp boxer twin with 42in cut :yes: sounds the shizz with 8in long headers dumping into a rotted out muffler :innocent:

Seriously though don't skimp on size, big lawn = big motor, most lawn mower motors are designed for short run periods not prolonged running :yes:

[Max Preload]

The other common factor is that they're all made by the same company.That has a good reputation, for good reason. How's yours?

[davebullet]

I bought a new Victa 2 stroke, alloy body, mulching attachment etc brand new in 2002. Given me no trouble. Seems to have lots of grunt.
Might be worth a look

I second this.

I have a victa "mustang" 2 stroke - circa 1992 from memory. Alloy body and low height motor (so it fits under bushes quite easily).

Loads of torque. It goes where 4 strokes fear to tread.

It has a certain knack to it to get it to start... but once you get into the rhythym (and always run the carb dry after using the mower so you don't risk plug fowling next time you start with any oil / fuel separation issues) - she starts every time.

[spookytooth]

i use and recomend roundup .Spray the lawn twice a year "Done"

[far queue]

Here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Farming-forestry/Livestock/Sheep/auction-321570015.htm) you go - it's available locally to you, and it's even got handlebars :ride:

[cs363]

I second this.

I have a victa "mustang" 2 stroke - circa 1992 from memory. Alloy body and low height motor (so it fits under bushes quite easily).

Loads of torque. It goes where 4 strokes fear to tread.

It has a certain knack to it to get it to start... but once you get into the rhythym (and always run the carb dry after using the mower so you don't risk plug fowling next time you start with any oil / fuel separation issues) - she starts every time.

And I'll third it - bought a new Victa Mustang 4 stroke about 18 months ago, it's a mulch or catch model with alloy body/19" cut. Bit pricey (around $800) but the price is long forgotten, as it starts first pop everythime and makes short work of the lawns, even if I've left them way too long...

[Winston001]

Here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Farming-forestry/Livestock/Sheep/auction-321570015.htm) you go - it's available locally to you, and it's even got handlebars :ride:

You are a good mate and no mistake. :innocent: However I was thinking more of a billy-goat called Flymo.....

[vifferman]

I had a very good run with a Victa too - my father-in-law gave it to me after he'd finished with it, and I had it for years before passing it on to the wife's brother-in-law, who has no sympathy for mechanical things and wrecked it. I replaced it with a very old Flymo, which I then replaced with a new one. Had it ...oooh... 21 years? and it still gives excellent serive - and no catcher to empty, no metal body to corrode, no wheels to fall off. However, #2 TroglodyteMutantSpawn did manage to break the starter while filling in for me while I recuperated from surgery. All fixed now, just when I was about to buy two spare-part Flymos on Tardme...