AL-KO lawn tractors, any good?
Discussion
They are all pretty much of a muchness.
Just get hydrostatic and the biggest engine you can afford.
It’s not until you get to Kubota,Iseki,Etesia and Ferrari with diesel engines and 4 wheel drive that you really notice the difference in performance between the brands(this is my experience anyway).
Just get hydrostatic and the biggest engine you can afford.
It’s not until you get to Kubota,Iseki,Etesia and Ferrari with diesel engines and 4 wheel drive that you really notice the difference in performance between the brands(this is my experience anyway).
Check the spares situation too. We’ve had a Countax and then a Westwood (same company) over 19 years and I can still get bits for the current one. They seemed to be better made than some when I bought - thicker steel etc - but the newer ones have a lot more plastic on them.
Genuinely think I’d like to go electric next time round - some of the Stiga kit looks quite impressive.
Genuinely think I’d like to go electric next time round - some of the Stiga kit looks quite impressive.
I’ve got an alko T16 with a 650cc v-twin and 105cm cut.
I’m pretty happy with it, it’s a bigger machine than the castel garden that it replaced so my 6’2” bulk fits better.
The main things I was looking at were a big enough engine to cope with deep grass in one hit, the biggest grass collector I could get (kid and dog drag the grass all round the house) and something that’s big enough for me.
5 year warranty too.
I’m pretty happy with it, it’s a bigger machine than the castel garden that it replaced so my 6’2” bulk fits better.
The main things I was looking at were a big enough engine to cope with deep grass in one hit, the biggest grass collector I could get (kid and dog drag the grass all round the house) and something that’s big enough for me.
5 year warranty too.
New T18 v-twin and old T850 single: the old one has done ten years and was secondhand when we got it. Less troublesome than its Lawnflite predecessor, it needed a new deck last year as the old one had rotted out: I gave it a new blade and blade hub at the same time and it should be good for another ten years.
Never had any problems getting parts.
I have the AL-KO T20 Solo Premium. I've had it about 5 years now. It's good value in my opinion, not the best cut in the world but then it's a fair bit cheaper than the more established names.
The only problem I had was self inflicted as I tried to mow a drain cover! Actually bent the deck and had to go a bit medievel to bash it back into place.
The only problem I had was self inflicted as I tried to mow a drain cover! Actually bent the deck and had to go a bit medievel to bash it back into place.
No experience of Alko machines but have plenty with various ride ons.
Go for a mulching deck if you possibly can - you might need to leave the grass a little longer if you can't cut it regularly but having no clippings to deal with saves a lot of faff and halves the time taken to cut because you can just blast around in one go.
Go for a mulching deck if you possibly can - you might need to leave the grass a little longer if you can't cut it regularly but having no clippings to deal with saves a lot of faff and halves the time taken to cut because you can just blast around in one go.
Thanks for the useful info. I’ve never had one before so don’t really know how to pick from the range. I know I want collection (maybe with the option to mulch) and the ability to pull a trailer of logs. Other than that I am not sure how to pick between “comfort” and “premium” and how many horsepower (I assume more is just better).
borrowdale said:
Thanks for the useful info. I’ve never had one before so don’t really know how to pick from the range. I know I want collection (maybe with the option to mulch) and the ability to pull a trailer of logs. Other than that I am not sure how to pick between “comfort” and “premium” and how many horsepower (I assume more is just better).
If I remember correctly premium had a bigger grass collector, I was also baffled by the range. Power wise the biggest difference I’ve noticed when going from a 340cc to a 650cc is the ability to go through deep grass in one go rather than needing to cut it half way then cut it short to avoid choking the mower. The bigger one just goes through everything.
I did notice the jump in fuel use though!
As far as I could tell the range has two chassis sizes, I found the bigger one to be a lot more comfortable.
This is mine next to the Castelgarden that it replaced.
smifffymoto said:
I never got on with a mulching plug,it always seemed to leave a line of clippings.
In the end I took off the collector,shorted out the bag full blade stop and just shot the clippings into the air. Worked a treat except on a windy day when you could get covered.
That’s what I do - or did. New one will have a downward angled deflector.In the end I took off the collector,shorted out the bag full blade stop and just shot the clippings into the air. Worked a treat except on a windy day when you could get covered.
I bought a T22-105.4 Premium last year and I can’t say I’ve been unhappy with it, though I do mulch and often end up with visible clippings because I cut too much off in one go. I’d rather that than mowing more often or having to deal with a massive pile of clippings and all the trips to and from the pile.
The Al-ko was chosen for its transmission which I understand is more reliable than the hydrostatic unit in many others. While it’s done the job I do wonder if I should have gone for a front-mounted cutter, or a zero turn - basically I bought what I’d always wanted: the archetypal garden tractor shape. Now I’ve had it, I’d probably choose differently next time. Having said that, I’ve used it a lot for towing a trailer and it’s been brilliant for that.
The Al-ko was chosen for its transmission which I understand is more reliable than the hydrostatic unit in many others. While it’s done the job I do wonder if I should have gone for a front-mounted cutter, or a zero turn - basically I bought what I’d always wanted: the archetypal garden tractor shape. Now I’ve had it, I’d probably choose differently next time. Having said that, I’ve used it a lot for towing a trailer and it’s been brilliant for that.
Skyedriver said:
AL-Ko V twin here too. Starts even after a winter lay off, cut's well, varying heights, decent rear basket etc.
Was recommended by a contributor to PH, Indian Boy from Ireland, think he works for a mower retailer.
Though I do enjoy a good curry it’s definitely not Indian boy Was recommended by a contributor to PH, Indian Boy from Ireland, think he works for a mower retailer.
This is the buyers guide I did, old thread now but everything still holds true. The main difference in the market now is we’re selling/installing 10 robots for every tractor. A good tractor still has its place.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
irish boy said:
Though I do enjoy a good curry it’s definitely not Indian boy
This is the buyers guide I did, old thread now but everything still holds true. The main difference in the market now is we’re selling/installing 10 robots for every tractor. A good tractor still has its place.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Some of the latest models have an Al-Ko branded engine, are these as reliable as the B&S models?This is the buyers guide I did, old thread now but everything still holds true. The main difference in the market now is we’re selling/installing 10 robots for every tractor. A good tractor still has its place.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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