Which Petrol Lawnmower?

[sagarich]

My garden is flat (ish) and about 120ft long. Budget is around £250.

Unsure if self propelled is necessary for a reasonably flat garden?

Can anyone recommend anything suitable for my needs?

And also what brands to avoid.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by sagarich on Wednesday 13th April 13:00

[Zoon]

Self propelled is easier, get one with a Briggs and Stratton engine. Mountfield are reasonable, but as long as you have a Briggs engine you shouldn't go far wrong.

[Composite Guru]

I bought one of these last year and think its a great lawnmower for the price. Has a B&S motor too.

http://www.costco.co.uk/view/p/mtd-optima-140cc-18...

[trickywoo]

Get the widest cut you can from a practical, storage etc, point of view.

I'd avoid anything with an automatic choke / set running speed. It adds complexity and something else to go wrong for no added benefit.

[sagarich]

Thanks for the replies.

So I can't go wrong with something like this then?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp185-45cm-12...

[trickywoo]

sagarich said:

Thanks for the replies.

So I can't go wrong with something like this then?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp185-45cm-12...

'Easy start' fills me with dread. Think this means automatic choke and if the pictures are accurate it doesn't seem to have a throttle on the handle.

[FlipFlopGriff]

sagarich said:

Thanks for the replies.

So I can't go wrong with something like this then?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp185-45cm-12...

I bought one to replace my 30 year old machine which has a very rusty deck but is reliable. The SP185 I had wouldn't cut grass that was anything but bone dry, cut out on a slight incline, didn't like grass over 4mm long and was a bh to start (I nearly broke my arm trying) - I took it back for a refund. So unless you own a bowling green don't bother. Still using the old knacker but it will cut wet grass 30cm long and doesn't cut out, plus easy to start.
Its cheap for a reason.
FFG

[sagarich]

FlipFlopGriff said:

sagarich said:

Thanks for the replies.

So I can't go wrong with something like this then?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp185-45cm-12...

I bought one to replace my 30 year old machine which has a very rusty deck but is reliable. The SP185 I had wouldn't cut grass that was anything but bone dry, cut out on a slight incline, didn't like grass over 4mm long and was a bh to start (I nearly broke my arm trying) - I took it back for a refund. So unless you own a bowling green don't bother. Still using the old knacker but it will cut wet grass 30cm long and doesn't cut out, plus easy to start.
Its cheap for a reason.
FFG

Ok thanks, best avoided then.

The hunt continues....

[TartanPaint]

Are you sure you want a petrol one? If you don't have a petrol pump in your shed, how are you going to fill it up?

[Nick_MSM]

I (very luckily I admit) got a 2013 Hayter 56 Pro for £250. My lawn is about 120ft, gives a nice wide cut and seems a very solid machine. If you hunt around enough you might find a 48/56 Pro within budget. Good machines.

[trickywoo]

How about this http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/oleo-mac-g53-tk-petrol-...

I can't vouch for this exact model as I have a alloy deck OleoMac with a Honda branded engine which I think is over 15 years old and still going strong after at least 1 hours cutting each week in the season.

[sagarich]

TartanPaint said:

Are you sure you want a petrol one? If you don't have a petrol pump in your shed, how are you going to fill it up?

Garden is too long for an electric one, plus I had one at my previous house and it was rubbish.

[sagarich]

trickywoo said:

How about this http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/oleo-mac-g53-tk-petrol-...

I can't vouch for this exact model as I have a alloy deck OleoMac with a Honda branded engine which I think is over 15 years old and still going strong after at least 1 hours cutting each week in the season.

Looks ok on paper, does anyone have any experience of this brand?

[trickywoo]

sagarich said:

Garden is too long for an electric one, plus I had one at my previous house and it was rubbish.

There is some dude on another thread asking how to fuel his mower as its not practical to drive it to the petrol station

If the new Oleo Macs are made how mine is I can vouch for it - great mower. Looking at the pictures the engine looks very similar to my Honda branded one.

The one I linked to has a five year warranty - you'll need to read the small print but sounds good.

Edited by trickywoo on Wednesday 13th April 15:09

[blueg33]

Op Please make sure you know where to get petrol from before you buy a mower

see thread below

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[sagarich]

blueg33 said:

Op Please make sure you know where to get petrol from before you buy a mower

see thread below

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Composite Guru]

Bit above your price range but Screwfix have this deal at the moment?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp533es-51cm-...

[Fastdruid]

Composite Guru said:

Bit above your price range but Screwfix have this deal at the moment?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp533es-51cm-...

If you're not too bothered about the leccy start it's £30 cheaper - http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/mountfield-sp533-self-p...

I'm in somewhat of the same boat as the OP, I need a new petrol mower.
I have a ~30 year old Honda which *runs* fine but the deck is utterly shot, the wheels are bald and wobbly and yet it still goes on. I've not even serviced it for the last 4 years each time expecting it to die (or not start) come spring and still it runs on. If I could get a new deck it would probably be worth fixing but you just can't get spares for it anymore.

[guindilias]

"Briggs and Chuck 'em " as they are now widely known, are scrap, IMO. all fancy, some with overhead valves etc - but the mower size engines have plastic camshafts and cam drive gears. Useless.
Better off buying one with anything Honda on it, regardless of the engine power, deck size, etc.

Useless "British" trash as opposed to long lasting Japanese engines.
Or you could buy an old Villiers with a roller, that will sort out any bumps in your lawn!

[Zoon]

guindilias said:

"Briggs and Chuck 'em " as they are now widely known, are scrap, IMO. all fancy, some with overhead valves etc - but the mower size engines have plastic camshafts and cam drive gears. Useless.
Better off buying one with anything Honda on it, regardless of the engine power, deck size, etc.

Useless "British" trash as opposed to long lasting Japanese engines.
Or you could buy an old Villiers with a roller, that will sort out any bumps in your lawn!

Had my Mountfield with B&S engine over 13 years with no problems but I'm led to believe they only started with plastic stuff around 7 years ago.