Lawnmowers

[Voltaire]

My much loved OHV Tecumseh Lawn mower is starting to fall apart, first it was the catcher, then the pull starter.
The end came when my teenage son had a meltdown when he could not start it...so much for going to the Gym daily.

I only have about 400 metres of lawn ( enough to build a few town houses on) and its that horrible kaikuia ( can't be arsed looking up spelling) and the Council bit that the feckers refuse to mow but give you a ticket if you park on it.

Having a Bob Dylan moment and thinking electric.... but that could lead to bikes and cars so don't want to go there.

Saw a Ryobi one with a bull bar and wait for it, an OHC Subaru motor, or go traditional with OHV. I suppose they still have a carb.

If I went electric start the missus and Son could take over this chore...

Any thoughts useful or otherwise ?

Not sure if my Cavahuskydoodle would get on with a goat or a sheep, would also have to check the by laws.

https://db1736767dbd5e7094bb-d61bbc5d0b342a54145a236e2d5d1ebf.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.c om/Product/a48099fa-7bbc-46b6-a3df-11c28a24f68d.png

nearly as good looking at the new Thruxton R

[sidecar bob]

Pay somebody to come & do it during the week while you are out. Your spare time is more valuable that doing some menial slave type chore. Well mine is anyway.
Simple calculation, if you can earn more doing what you do in the time it takes the man to do the lawn, than he charges you, then it's time to get a lawn man.

[Laava]

If it had self drive, that would be one intimidating mower!

[oldrider]

Nice one Voltaire! - Keep them cards and letters rolling in - we currently have the same decision! :niceone:

[george formby]

The motor is probably 20 years ahead of Briggs and Stratton, curse them, and all the nuts and bolts will be metric. I'd be tempted.

[Akzle]

i dont really give a fuck about what mower you buy. But some mowing advice: mow it long. Let your deck as high as it will go, higher if you can.
Kikuyu especially, but most lawns benefit from this. It keeps more moisture in the rootzone, protects against drying off, and shades out broadleaf. Also and especially, it provides an environment that can be undersown with clover, mint, chamomile... Whatever.

It fucks me off seeing lawns, especially contractors, mowing shit to bowling green height. Fucking stuppid.

Also, teach your wife/son to be less of a pussy, pullstarting all of what 80cc? Srsly.

Also. Dont expect any mower you buy now to last as long as your old one. Consumerism and shit. Someone has to keep the chinese economy ticking over,

[mashman]

We got a plazzy lecky one last time around... and the wife says it's much easier to use :D

[Madness]

It keeps more moisture in the rootzone, protects against drying off, and shades out broadleaf. Also and especially, it provides an environment that can be undersown with clover, mint, chamomile... Whatever.

It fucks me off seeing lawns, especially contractors, mowing shit to bowling green height. Fucking stuppid.

Fuck that. I like my lawn shorter than half the height of the average dog shit. Never know when you're going to be out there in your undies chasing rabbits under the moonlight.

[george formby]

i dont really give a fuck about what mower you buy. But some mowing advice: mow it long. Let your deck as high as it will go, higher if you can.
Kikuyu especially, but most lawns benefit from this. It keeps more moisture in the rootzone, protects against drying off, and shades out broadleaf. Also and especially, it provides an environment that can be undersown with clover, mint, chamomile... Whatever.

It fucks me off seeing lawns, especially contractors, mowing shit to bowling green height. Fucking stuppid.

Also, teach your wife/son to be less of a pussy, pullstarting all of what 80cc? Srsly.

Also. Dont expect any mower you buy now to last as long as your old one. Consumerism and shit. Someone has to keep the chinese economy ticking over,

K'inell. I agree. Means I can fall off the trials bike without damage, too.

[AllanB]

Yeah lawns are like pubic hair - don't lets them get away on you - nice and trim looks good.


I too have a Tecumseh - must be 24 years old now. Burns a lot of oil but still fires up easy. Reminds me I must replace the spark plug as it will be at least 8 years old .....

I like the look of the one you posted and agree - very new Thruxton looking.

[Motu]

I've had a no brand (Candoo) Chinese electric for over 5 years - 1800W is a ton of grunt for a mower, as you know, electric is all about torque, you don't have to rev the shit out of it like your flathead/OHV/OHC just to get through a bit of 2 week growth. No noise, just a bit of a buzz through the handle when you run over the cord. It's an $80 throw away, and it's a few years from that yet.

But I'm using an old Morrison with B&S my SIL gave up on, a bit of a tidy up, change the grease out of the engine and put the oil that had been in the Stornello for 10 years into it, and it's been beaut. But being from Auckland, you'll want to spend more than me on a mower, your neighbours might notice the lack of shine.

[Akzle]

Fuck that. I like my lawn shorter than half the height of the average dog shit. Never know when you're going to be out there in your undies chasing rabbits under the moonlight.

get guns.
Makes the chase a shitload shorter.

What kind of a pussy wears undies anyway.

[Madness]

What kind of a pussy wears undies anyway.

One that's living next to S.H.1 and mindful of an AOS callout due to carrying an air rifle.

[Akzle]

One that's living next to S.H.1 and mindful of an AOS callout due to carrying an air rifle.

aos are pussies, too.

[Akzle]

:killingme though, at the thought of you, running, in your tighty whiteys, chasing a rabbit

[Swoop]

Small area of land + owned by council-bastards = RoundUp!

[Akzle]

Small area of land + owned by council-bastards = RoundUp!

except that monsanto is satan.

[Luckylegs]

We have one! Had it about a year and a half. Goes brilliantly and have had no trouble. It has been mowing a large patch of green with a slope like an olympic ski jump and hasnt missed a beat. Im no expert, and havent been around long enough to have owned the 'ubiquitous' they dont make em like that anymore version but our last mower was a masport msv with a briggs & stratton 675 series motor. The ryobi has been every bit as good in general everyday performance.

The only two small yet annoying things between the two. The handle only articulates (easily) in one position, so this does make it harder to "tuck away" (this fucks with my ocd and desire for symmetry like you wouldnt believe) and the mulching plug is an absolute pig to put in and take out.

[Voltaire]

except that monsanto is satan.

Thanks for sending me the pic of your one, really cool.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ab/35/37/ab35372f5f7fa1ce17cc71716441e570.jpg

[caspernz]

Small area of land + owned by council-bastards = RoundUp!

So you mean it's wrong for me to use diesel (in my weedsprayer) on the council berm?

[eldog]

Honda push mower or John Deere ride on

[Akzle]

Honda push mower..

... Like gay men push sphincter with their knob

[eldog]

... Like gay men push sphincter with their knob
Surprisingly easy to start, even with your knob.:bleh:
i wonder why, maybe they make engines?

used about 50 Honda petrol engines in an industrial applications, never a hassle.
was supplied with Chinese knock offs - look the same, just not durable.

[Akzle]

Thanks for sending me the pic of your one, really cool.
[IMG]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ab/35/37/ab35372f5f7fa1ce17cc71716441e570.jp

while i realise a joke's a joke, and ha dee haw.

Never, will i wear blie jeans.
Rarely do i wear a (white tee) shirt,
never, would i drive a fergy, john dear is too dear for me,

...and why the fuck would you be driving a midmount (trike) on the road

[Akzle]

Surprisingly easy to start, even with your knob.:bleh:
i wonder why, maybe they make engines?

what the fuck cunt

[eldog]

what the fuck cunt
back at ya.

[Oakie]

Small area of land + owned by council-bastards = RoundUp!

Yates 'Turfix'. Leaves the grass but kills the weeds. Use as directed though.

[Akzle]

back at ya.

:facepalm: gin. Thats what. Christ.

[haydes55]

This is all the mower you need.


320038

[Erelyes]

Honda push mower

Yeah, nah. Most cunts don't have a grand to drop on a lawnmower.

We bought the Ryobi item in the OP recently. Mulches like a pro, lots of grunt, surprisingly economical. Would recommend.

Only minus really is the throttle cable is positioned in a way which prevents the handle folding down all the way, which is a bit dumb.

[huff3r]

I just got the $300 jobby from Mitre10 about 6 years ago now. Motor still runs strong (B&S) and only dramas was a throttle cable broke ($20 off tardme). Although those fabric catchers are shithouse, admittedly that is starting to fall to bits..

Now in the process of acquiring a 2nd hand MTD ride-on cos I enjoy my weekends.

[Voltaire]

Cool.
So that's 2 for the Subaru OHC one with mags and a bull bar.
1 for a $300 M10 job
and 9 comments from someone who started with " I don't give a fuck what lawnmower you buy":laugh:

[sidecar bob]

Cool.
So that's 2 for the Subaru OHC one with mags and a bull bar.
1 for a $300 M10 job
and 9 comments from someone who started with " I don't give a fuck what lawnmower you buy":laugh:

I still can't fathom why a chap of your stature is up for pushing their own mower.:no:

[Voltaire]

I still can't fathom why a chap of your stature is up for pushing their own mower.:no:



Old habits die hard I guess, but I get involved when it wont start, needs petrol etc, maybe I should schedule a meeting, minute some action points, get a consultant,

get a report, maybe three quotes, go thru a tender selection, submit one, get it signed off, then get procurement to issue a purchase order....seems a bit much for a mower

:msn-wink:

[Swoop]

So you mean it's wrong for me to use diesel (in my weedsprayer) on the council berm?
It's the council's berm, so "if" they were genuinely loving their berms, they'd mow it themself.
So, nuke the fuck out of it! If it resembles a barren wasteland that the Gobi Desert would be envious of... Woohoo!

Yates 'Turfix'. Leaves the grass but kills the weeds. Use as directed though.
??
Council land? Refer to the above!

[husaberg]

Kikuyu can be controlled and managed but needs to be mulched prior to it forming a dense mat to allow the other grass to grow though it.
This is how the Northland farmers have learn to live with it. Its actually quite a productive pasture if managed correctly.
But as we are talking about a lawn nuke it with Glyphosate and a surfactant dishwashing liquid will do 2-3 times and plant some less invasive species.
years ago many farmers had a level of success with round-up topping to improve pasture composition one of the side effects was a mow it less result.
it was sprayed with a extremely low level of herbicide only 120-200ml /ha with 1000 liters from memory

[JimO]

i have a lawnmaster at home and bought a cheap one for one of my flats, the other rental has a small section so they have a electric one

[skippa1]

Cool.
So that's 2 for the Subaru OHC one with mags and a bull bar.
1 for a $300 M10 job
and 9 comments from someone who started with " I don't give a fuck what lawnmower you buy":laugh:
I also have the Subaru OHC, brought in in January. Its a beast, you wont stall it on long grass that defeats lesser mowers. Couple of small annoyances, you need to drop the revs off when you take the catcher off to empty or it wil cover you in clippings (they just blow out everywhere when shes revving and they stick like shit to a blanket if youre sweating so your misses laughs at you) its reasonably heavy when compared to the cheapys( built tough so will probably outlast a few cheapys but you pay with weight) so the misses wont push it. Overall, i really like it, im going to bling it with a big bore exhaust and fit a blow off valve.....

[Ocean1]

i have a lawnmaster at home

Same. Self propelled Eagle series 36" Pro a previous owner of our last property left behind. It was quite steep and took over 4 hrs to mow. He turned 80 the day they moved out and was still managing the place just fine with that lawnmaster.

At the time the bro had just bought a John Deer ride on, and I was using up good riding time mowing lawns, so I got sucked into MOWER WARS! :ar15:
And bought a 4wd articulated front deck Husqvarna. But it wasn't new, like his, so I installed a 10L 12V cold box on the back, so I could claim mine had a mini-bar.

Bloody thing would damned near mow cliffs and cut my mowing time from 4 hrs to 2 beers.

Not sure if I'd buy another lawnmaster, the manufacturer has a bad rep with both local shops, they won't deal with them. It's done well, though, I rebuilt it a couple of years ago, at about 8 years old, and I'd say it'll do another 4 or 5 no trouble.

I'd definitely buy another Husqvarna, I gave it arseholes and it just kept coming back for more.

[Laava]

Kikuyu can be controlled and managed but needs to be mulched prior to it forming a dense mat to allow the other grass to grow though it.
This is how the Northland farmers have learn to live with it. Its actually quite a productive pasture if managed correctly.
But as we are talking about a lawn nuke it with Glyphosate and a surfactant dishwashing liquid will do 2-3 times and plant some less invasive species.
years ago many farmers had a level of success with round-up topping to improve pasture composition one of the side effects was a mow it less result.
it was sprayed with a extremely low level of herbicide only 120-200ml /ha with 1000 liters from memory

I used to have a 1/2 acre kikuyu lawn in whangarei and found it made a great lawn if you mowed it back hard. Then keep it mowed every two weeks. Alternatively put a couple of sheep on it. We have predominantly paspalum growing where we are now and it is a cunt. We will have to spray it off and plant kikuyu instead.

[husaberg]

I used to have a 1/2 acre kikuyu lawn in whangarei and found it made a great lawn if you mowed it back hard. Then keep it mowed every two weeks. Alternatively put a couple of sheep on it. We have predominantly paspalum growing where we are now and it is a cunt. We will have to spray it off and plant kikuyu instead.

The reason it was brought to Northland was from memory dune erosion control as it thrives in arid climate's.

[Madness]

Now in the process of acquiring a 2nd hand MTD ride-on cos I enjoy my weekends.

That's what I'm rocking currently. They're built to a price so buy some spare split pins for the front wheels/axles and get hold of a drive belt diagram as it'll probably throw the belt often and the way it goes on seems completey illogical whilst the pto is disengaged and you're feeling angry.

Good points? They're cheap and you can sink piss while you drive it.

[eldog]

Yeah, nah. Most cunts don't have a grand to drop on a lawnmower.

I didn't either did a swop for some work I did:2thumbsup

[Ixion]

Get a goat.

It'll keep the grass down, and in between you can use it for "other purposes" (just don't let the neighbours see - they'd probably want a go and wear the poor goat out"

Or, fit scythe blades to your BMW axles. Boadicea style.

[Laava]

The reason it was brought to Northland was from memory dune erosion control as it thrives in arid climate's.

That is buffalo grass which is very similar. They use kikuyu as grazing as it can handle a good drought. Subsequently it sucks in colder places. The farmers used to throw chopped kikuyu outside the cowsheds so the cows would walk it back to the paddocks for them.

[husaberg]

That is buffalo grass which is very similar. They use kikuyu as grazing as it can handle a good drought. Subsequently it sucks in colder places. The farmers used to throw chopped kikuyu outside the cowsheds so the cows would walk it back to the paddocks for them.

Not familiar with buffalo grass but my understanding it was brought in for the coastal dune farms, for its drought resistance and summer productivity on the drought prone coastal strips It subsequently spread and was I guess spread as well. But is hard to manage and keep at a high feed value. I understand it chokes out other grasses unless it is hard grazed. Its a three season grass, basically winter dormant. in the nineties at least there was a lot of research done by the DRC, AgResarch, Dairyboard, LIC plus a group in Northland etc. They used to recommend to mulch in the autumn and oversow with Italian rye.

[Swoop]

Lawnmowers.
Has anyone else noticed the remote-control mowers that the council is using?
Saw one being used on a steep bank next to the motorway, with the "driver" standing next to the road and the mower doing the work at the top of the hill.
I wonder if they can GPS it's movements then just hit "repeat" the next time the area needs a haircut?

[Big Dog]

Lawnmowers.
Has anyone else noticed the remote-control mowers that the council is using?
Saw one being used on a steep bank next to the motorway, with the "driver" standing next to the road and the mower doing the work at the top of the hill.
I wonder if they can GPS it's movements then just hit "repeat" the next time the area needs a haircut?
You'd need some on board sensors as well, GPS is only accurate to 6 feet. Sounds pretty accurate until you think about that as a scale.

Pretty sure I don't want a hover lawn mower coming to within 4 feet of me... give or take 6 feet.

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[awa355]

I still can't fathom why a chap of your stature is up for pushing their own mower.:no:

I know why I mow my lawns and not the wife, It would be more painful than standing there watching her wash my bike. :laugh::laugh:

[sidecar bob]

You'd need some on board sensors as well, GPS is only accurate to 6 feet. Sounds pretty accurate until you think about that as a scale.

Pretty sure I don't want a hover lawn mower coming to within 4 feet of me... give or take 6 feet.

Sent via tapatalk.

What is this "feet" thing? it sounds like it might be some quaint form of measurement.

[Big Dog]

What is this "feet" thing? it sounds like it might be some quaint form of measurement.
Yes... gps standards are in feet.
Because 'merika, fuck yeah!
Plus, I always read your handle as sideboob.

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[RGVforme]

Yes... gps standards are in feet.
Because 'merika, fuck yeah!
Plus, I always read your handle as sideboob.

Sent via tapatalk.

Sorry BD but nuts.....

GPS standards are converted from the GPS receivers 'Earths centered solution location' into latitude and longitude first....For the simple like me its how it works out where it is in the world....This is a Global mathematical measurement.

So the Inaccurate distance on one set point for the GPS unit standard is measured in Latitude and Longitude....The user of the unit decides if he sees this measurement in feet or meters by selecting an option for the unit to display(One reason why you need to select a country when your first boot up you shiny new GPS......In the USA it will read 10 miles to your destination in NZ 16kms

So if yah saying feet here in NZ then your just old a yank or both:dodge:

[Big Dog]

Sorry BD but nuts.....

GPS standards are converted from the GPS receivers 'Earths centered solution location' into latitude and longitude first....For the simple like me its how it works out where it is in the world....This is a Global mathematical measurement.

So the Inaccurate distance on one set point for the GPS unit standard is measured in Latitude and Longitude....The user of the unit decides if he sees this measurement in feet or meters by selecting an option for the unit to display(One reason why you need to select a country when your first boot up you shiny new GPS......In the USA it will read 10 miles to your destination in NZ 16kms

So if yah saying feet here in NZ then your just old a yank or both:dodge:
I stand corrected. Last time I read the standards they were in feet and yards.
The current published standards are in fact in meters.
Oddly the required accuracy to say your device meets specification is no longer as high.
I wonder if this means Mil spec is now a seperate spec?

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[Akzle]

glonass, bitches

[RGVforme]

I stand corrected. Last time I read the standards they were in feet and yards.
The current published standards are in fact in meters.
Oddly the required accuracy to say your device meets specification is no longer as high.
I wonder if this means Mil spec is now a seperate spec?

Sent via tapatalk.

A very good question.....I am not sure but now want to find out.

Latitude and longitude is pretty spot on measurement wise.I think its the satellite moving/Time lag thing that's leads to inaccurate GPS locations.
There must be a different spec standard for Military use for accuracy/security reasons....A miss of 6ft...1.8mtrs could be the difference in finding your buried supply dump in the dark or Abduls house or not.Just like our lawnmower here.

The military train in lensatic compass map readings so Mills not degrees.....Thousands not hundreds as this is more accurate...180degrees....1600mills.
Get your compass maths wrong by 2degrees over a 30km walk and miss your target by kms walking right past it.:ar15: :dodge:

[RGVforme]

glonass, bitches

Correct Comrade Akzle.:msn-wink:

[Big Dog]

At high school a hike leader got his maths wrong and lead us up the wrong mountain. He started believing me about the same time the doc track stopped. From there we could see the hut we were supposed to be staying in.
Probably only a km as the crow flies. Somewhere between four and six hours walk was the difference between true north and his calculation for deviation from magnetic north at our latitude.

I still question his leadership that in spite of a track forking and not marrying up with his calculations he didn't check his maths.

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[Akzle]

At high school a hike leader got his maths wrong and lead us up the wrong mountain. He started believing me about the same time the doc track stopped. From there we could see the hut we were supposed to be staying in.
Probably only a km as the crow flies. Somewhere between four and six hours walk was the difference between true north and his calculation for deviation from magnetic north at our latitude.

I still question his leadership that in spite of a track forking and not marrying up with his calculations he didn't check his maths.

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well, to be fair, the poles are shifting...

[Big Dog]

And 2 degrees is a long way off on an 8 hour walk.

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[husaberg]

You can get A sub 1 meter system self drive for tractor is called something star. (Can't remember what)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/69637082/farm-tractors-lead-the-way-in-selfdriving-technology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driverless_tractor

I seen a road test where the tester drove the tractor to the pub and set the swath width, to the width of the road and the tractor then drove him home again, hands free.
After the council mower had been used the first time (by remote control) if the system was decent, it should be able to mow it without remote control next time.
It could also be ran from a system similar to a geofence.

[RGVforme]

You can get A sub 1 meter system self drive for tractor is called something star. (Can't remember what)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/69637082/farm-tractors-lead-the-way-in-selfdriving-technology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driverless_tractor

I seen a road test where the tester drove the tractor to the pub and set the swath with to the width of the road and the tractor drove him home again hands free.
After the council mower had been used the first time by remote control if the system was decent it should be able to mow it without control next time.
it could also be ran from a system similar to a geofence.

Interesting read and back to BDs "Other sensor" comment further back in this thread....This being the testers Manual run to the pub and various other sensors on the tractor itself before switching to auto to give the GPS a fixed point to run more accurate off by the looks.....More brain power than your avg car or hunting tom tom set up:drinkup:

[Voltaire]

Went to Bunnings and they had the Subaru powered one for $499, other ones were around the $350 mark.
Mowed the lawn and its Sub lime :laugh: