Please recommend me a good rotary lawnmower

I inherited an old push powered cylinder mower and really don't like the cut it gives the lawn. I think the shaggy look is encouraging cats to poo all over it too. Also have just sown a large lawn and don't want to run the cylinder mower over it when the time comes.

I'm looking for a rotary lawnmower (don't mind if it's an old model), either petrol or electric powered I don't mind, that can be stored away quite easily as I don't have much room in my shed. I'm not fussed if it doesn't come with a grass box either as my lawns are quite small.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi JJ

if you have a look on Amazon and put (rotary mower) in the search engine you can have a look at loads I was having a nose last week


Spruce

 

If you haven't got a problem with price I would recommend a Honda petrol mower every time. My old one gave up 2 years ago after 14 years of use, mainly because I could no longer get parts for it.
Motor mowers now tend to be a lot heavier but even at my ripe old age I don't find it a problem.

I replaced mine with a Hayter and wished I hadn't. It's been a nightmare from day one. Very temperamental, especially with starting (pull cord) and with 'dead man's handle's' to deal with these days it's hard work. I'd go back to a Honda given the chance.

Having said that, I was warned against buying a Mountfield as the engines are now being made by the Chinese and are a poorer quality. Hope this helps!

 

I do part time landscaping/gardening, and have used many mowers (client's mowers) ...

Etesia 53 ... the best that I have used and picks up grass even whilst it is raining heavily ... If I had to buy a new mower for myself, this would be my choice .... many councils/profesionals use these and they are 'industrial strength' and will last a lifetime if you service it regulary
Etesia Pro 53 LK | Etesia UK Ltd | Pedestrian mowers | What Kit?

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Masport Rotarola SP Rear Roller Lawnmower .... the 2nd best I have used ... also good for stripes
MASPORT ROTAROLA SP REAR ROLLER LAWNMOWER (SPECIAL OFFER)

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Bosch Rotak 43 Ergoflexelectric lawnmower ... if you have a small garden and don't mind using electric .... bargain price, but will not last you as long as the Etesia or the Masport and you have to contend with the electrical cable, however, lightweight and good value for money and can be operated by a woman

Bosch Rotak 43 Ergoflex Lawn Mower --- Tools4thegarden.co.uk

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HAYTER HARRIER 56 - buy the old model off ebay ... as it is more reliable than the new model, and is better at picking up wet grass ... is also good for doing stripes ... the new models are cr*p IMHO ... hard to find good used older models, but if you find one on ebay, send it in for a proper service and you will be well pleased .... you should find a decent 2nd hand one on ebay for under £170, and will cost you approx £100 for a full service
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the trick with petrol mowers is to change the oil frequently and clean/replace the air filter ... also, make sure that the blade is always sharp and balanced

 

Hello Jane
if you only have small / medium sized lawns , and need to store the mower in a overcrowded shed - go for a little Flymo . They start from about £39 in Argos , or you could get a second hand one on Ebay for £25 . I used the Flymo 300 for 10 years without a problem , and the little ones will easily hang on the shed wall
You could go for a Etesia pro petrol model at £2620 :WINK1:

 

or, if you are wise, you could get a used one off ebay for under £300 in good condition, and have it professionaly serviced for £100 .... will be as good as new and will last you a lifetime .... then all you need to do is occasionaly change the sparkplug, wash the airfilter and change the oil (takes 10 min and costs you under a tenner)

or you could buy a flymo and struggle to mow the lawn properly as there are no wheels ... and it gives a cr*p cut ... you can get a flymo from most carboot sales for a tenner and the local tips always have loads of them for a fiver

if you are on a 'tighter' budget and want to buy brand new, buy the bosch .... does the job and is one of the better ones (if you don't mind electric)

suppose it's like the saying goes .... 'different strokes for different folks'
.... I'm the same when it comes to cars .... I would rather buy a used BMW 740i with low mileage and in good condition with full service history for £4000, than buy a ford KA brand new for £10 000 (or whatever it costs)

 

I think this is the best answer. I don't really have much space or money for a really professional lawnmower. I decided to go for this mower instead. Could have gotten one from ebay for £26 if I remembered to bid this afternoon!

Bosch Rotak 32 Electric Rotary Lawnmower: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

Good choice Jane , I use a bigger size of the Bosch . They are a really good mower

 

It was £6.01 cheaper at Amazon a week ago Bosch Rotak 32 Electric Rotary Lawn mower £59.99 from Amazon - HotUKDeals , and it's occasionally on offer for around £50. I got one for £49.98 last year from B&Q for my in-laws who only have a small lawn Bosch Rotak 32 Electric Rotary Lawnmower £49.98 Half Price was £99.98 @ B&Q instore - Expired - HotUKDeals.

Seems rather flimsy compared to my Mountfield SP536ES but does the job, got better reviews than Flymos of a similar price and tucks away in a small corner of their shed.

 

Forgot to mention, I do have a Mountfield/Honda type petrol mower which has been left to me by my other half's granddad. I'm not currently in possession of it yet and haven't seen it in the flesh for a while. Do Mountfield's/Honda's fold away or come apart for more compact storage? It would be a shame to get rid of it but wonder if I have any room to store it in the future.

 

the handles should fold down and the grass catcher box comes off ... when folded, it's slightly larger than your Bosch, but weighs a lot more

One of my mowers is a mountfield laser with a 357 briggs & stratton engine ...

bought off gumtree for £20 ... works well ... but had to change the diaphragm (gaskets) on the carburetter as was smoking a bit, added a new sparkplug, washed the airfilter and changed the oil ... cost me approx £20 to sort and is as good as new ... I use it to cut people's lawns that have been 'neglected' (1st cut-rough cut)

however, your new Bosch is very good and perhaps sell the Mountfield on gumtree or ebay to recoup your costs of your new mower .... if the mountfield is working well, sell on ebay with a 'buy it now' of £60 .... should sell quickly

If the mower is (or has) a Honda engine, it will sell for a lot more

 

You could dismantle the handles (that's how they come in the box), but I would consider that more as something for long term storage that a task to be carried out before and after every use.

With the grassbox removed my Mountfield takes up half the floor area of a 4 x 6 foot (1.2 x 1.8m) shed, with just about enough room under the handles for a chainsaw and petrol can, and it needs most of the stuff on the other half of the floor removed to manoeuvre it through the doorway.

That small Bosch electric mower is light enough to lift over things (or even up onto a big shelf), but if easily removable/folding handles are an important consideration have a good look at those assembled in store somewhere.