Lawnmowers...

[dave_a]

I am in need of a new lawnmower, and before I go blindly into a shop who here knows what they are talking about.

should I go 4 stroke or 2 stoke, how many hp? what size blade?

I have about 300m2 of land I have to mow. Just something mid range with a alright price

[MSTRS:Me]

300m2? Get a hand mower...

[dave_a]

well 300m2 is about the grass area not total land area, 762m2 is land size, house is 130m2 plus decks and garage and minusing abit for trees garden etc workd it out to be around 300m2

[MSTRS:Me]

Point is, it's not a big area, so you don't need much.
If a push mower doesn't appeal (I am semi-serious...) a budget 18" cut 4 stroke from Farmers will do fine

[Crisis management]

Hand mower sounds about right........

I have no idea about the power or blade sizes required but with any lawn consider the basics first, do you want to catch grass and then dispose of it (compost heap?) or use a mulching mower and not have a pile of grass left over? I've got both types of mowers here and the mulcher is great as long as you keep the lawn mowed and don't let it get too long.
Other than that buy a reputable brand, keep the blades sharp and get it serviced annually......and, if you run two stoke stuff get one that uses the same oil / petrol mix, Ive got the trail bike, chainsaw and mower all running the same fuel, the weedeater is the only oddity!

[tri boy]

Lawnmaster with 5hp Briggs n Stratton.
13yrs later and i havn't even checked the valves let alone throw a set of rings in it.
Has mowed everything from easy lawn your size, to the head fuck 4hr ball breaker i have to mow now.

[Motu]

Yeah,that's not much lawn - I'd go for a cheapy 18'' 4 stroke from Farmers,Mitre10 or Bunnings....that's if you want new.Having worked on these things for a living a few times over the years - there is only one engine that has been built from the get go as a lawn mower engine,and that is Victa.All the rest are just stationary engines with a vertical shaft.

[rustic101]

From Consumer:

Body
Choose the right chassis for your needs. Rotary mowers can have either steel or aluminium (alloy) bodies. Alloy bodies are more expensive. They’re also corrosion resistant, so they’re likely to last longer in damp conditions – but they won’t last as well in sandy coastal areas because the sand wears away the aluminium.

Steel bodies are cheaper but will rust unless cleaned and dried after each use. They’ll only dent if they get hit by a large rock, whereas an alloy body can crack.

Handle
A turned-up handle is generally regarded as easiest to use. Adjustable height is also an advantage, although it's not as common as you might think. The handles should fold easily for stowing.

Throttle control
Located on the handle bar for quick and easy access. It shouldn't be stiff.

Cutting height
Look for a large number of cutting positions. It should be easy to change the position using one lever acting on all four wheels.

Catcher
Catchers can be either solid plastic or partly mesh. Rigid plastic is heavier, but stronger than the mesh type, which can allow dust to blow over the user. The catcher should have two handles, one for carrying and the other for emptying. It should be easy to remove and replace.

Engine maintenance
How easy will it be to change the oil, air filter and spark plug?

Starter cord
Some mowers have the starter cord on the handle, so you use just your arm and perhaps upper body to operate it. Others have the cord down on the engine casing, requiring a full body pull. Neither guarantees an easy start, and both have their fans. If you're not familiar with either style, ask to try it in the shop.

Some cords are located on the upper handle, which restricts the pulling action more than those placed further down the handle. Left-handers may find it harder to use a starter cord on the handle.

Wash port
Look for a hole on top of the body, designed for you to connect a hose to, for easy cleaning underneath

Noise
There's no such thing as a quiet petrol-driven mower, but some are noisier than others. Check the vibration as well.

Easy push
Ball-bearing wheels make pushing easier.

Standard petrol mowers

Rover Regal 35692

$889
Good points
Equal-best in the standard mowers test at cutting and for ease of use. Engine didn't slow much while cutting long grass. Aluminium body.

Note
Availability may be limited.

Average user rating: 0 reviews
Mulching mowers

Lawnmaster Mulch & Catch Series 460

$949
Good points
Excellent cutting of long, medium and short grass. Excellent mulching. Comfortable handle bar. Easy to convert from catcher to mulching mode. Industrial-specification motor.

But
Fairly hard to pull the start cord. Catcher flap is fiddly to open. Difficult to adjust cutting height.

Average user rating: 0 reviews

Masport President 1000 ST

$755
Good points
Excellent cutting of long, medium and short grass. Excellent mulching. Easy to push. Catcher is easy to remove and attach. Easy to convert from catcher to mulching mode. Controls are very good. Reasonable price.

But
Very uncomfortable handle vibration. The handle may be too low for taller people. Requires some effort to adjust the cutting height.

Average user rating: 0 reviews
Push mowers

Flymo Exclusive H40

$189 shop online
Good points
Best in the push-mowers test overall. Good cutting performance. Very easy to use. Very easy to push/manoeuvre. Easy to adjust cutting height and blade.

But
No catcher.

Average user rating:
2 reviews
Electric mowers

Enviromower Enviro 500 ECO500Y

$679
Good points
No power cord to drag around. Excellent cutting performance with the catcher. Very good in mulching mode. Best ease-of-use score in electric mowers test. Excellent controls.

But
Heavy. You have to remember to charge the battery!

Notes
Battery powered model.

Average user rating:
7 reviews

Victa Lawnkeeper Electric ESP300A

$239
Good points
Excellent cutting performance. Comfortable handle. Equal least-noisy mower in electric mowers test.

But
Inconvenient cutting-height adjustment. Have to drag power cord around.

[Viking01]

Hi, another point to think about. If your section is a sloping section, then you might consider a two stroke (better lubrication). Cheers.

[j_redley]

Don't go too cheap, and definatly steer clear of The WareHouse. My Wife decided she'd try to help out and brought one from there, which within months had snapped the throttle lever and frame, luckily I can use it, but now I'm the only one who can start the bastard.

If you go with a four stroke, make sure to check the oil every time you use it, and if you go for 2 stroke don't forget the oil. If you get electric, make sure you've got a big enough extension lead to cover your property, and arn't one of the idiots who decide to mow over the lead.

For the size of your lawn, you could probably go to the dump and find a real old hand mower with no motor to just push over it once a week.

[Flip]

I have a 18" Ryobi and its a fine mower.

[Jantar]

How about a ball bearing lawnmower? No petrol needed and is fully automatic.

Also known as a billy goat.

[AllanB]

Honda make some mighty sporty lawnmowers.

Brigs & Straton engine - last for years. Any halfway decent 4 stroke will have a form of oil pump for 'hill' lubrication.

[JimO]

Lawnmaster with 5hp Briggs n Stratton.
13yrs later and i havn't even checked the valves let alone throw a set of rings in it.
Has mowed everything from easy lawn your size, to the head fuck 4hr ball breaker i have to mow now.

lawnmaster quantim about 20 years old still going strong only problems have been the handle breaking off where it meets the body

[Cayman911]

Just pay $20 a month for someone to come cut it for you. saves the hassle of buying one, maintaing one, fuel, and actually doing it.