Petrol Mowers ?

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by lb7110, Dec 15, 2010.

  1. lb7110

    lb7110 Gardener

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    Hello
    Being a gardener I always use electric flymo lawnmowers which I love and have gone through some over the years. Already I am being asked to cut peoples lawns in the Spring but when they are out at work so need a petrol one. When I first started out I had a petrol mower but found I could never get it started and found it really "heavy." Can anyone recommend a good petrol perhaps lightweight mower as have some time to do some research. Roll on Spring!!!:doh:
     
  2. lb7110

    lb7110 Gardener

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  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I'm no expert on mowers but I'm prepared to share my thoughts.

    Firstly I've never used a Flymo, I prefer one thats got contact with the ground, but can see the advantages on banks etc.

    I've got a petrol rotary mower, I did have an electric one at one point but couldn't stand all that cable.
    I'd never go back to electric again, even though the one I have can be a pain to start.
    Mine has a Briggs and Staton engine, I've heard its best to get one with a Honda engine if you can afford it, as they are easier to start.

    I'm sure someone can give you a bit more specific advice, as I only use mine once a week in spring and once a fortnight in summer.:)
     
  4. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    Hi I have a push petrol mower made by McCullock & it is very good... Or I also have a Heyter push petrol mower.. I mow up at the local church & driven mowers are no good there...!!!!! :wink:

    If you want a driven one then they become very heavy, but I have no problem with push petrol mowers & get an excellent job done, no starting probs & lightweight & manoeuvrable easily.....!!!:thmb:
     
  5. davygfuchsia

    davygfuchsia Gardener

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    Two types of petrol mowers ..
    Firstly a rotary type where the blade/s spin round beneath the mower and some collect the grass some don't (these are type often on sale at bigger diy shops...) they can be hand pushed or driven and as Marley says the driven are heavier and a more expensive
    Secondly a clyinder mower. where the blades spin at the front of the mower and is driven via a rear cylinder which stays in contact with the lawn .the grass is collected in a box at front of the mower ..again prices vary.
    The rotary is a more general purpose mower ,where as the cylinder gives a better cut (and the more blades the mower has the better the cut).Briggs and Stratton engines are used on a vast number of mowers but Honda I think are better starters
    Hope this helps ..

    Dave
     
  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I have a lightweight petrol 12" flymo. I used to use it on the really steep slopes in my garden. Over the years I've gradually replaced grass slopes with beds so there is less mowing now so hardly ever use it. My little flymo would take ages to cut the main lawn so I use a Hayter petrol rotary for that which is much heavier because it has a roller at the back to get the striped effect. The trade off against a lightweight vs a heavier lawnmower is that the lightweight one will not last as long, not be self propelled and would be smaller, costing you more time spent at each clients.

    If I were you I'd visit the bigger DIY stores and test the weight of a few, I guess you need to lift it into the back of a van/estate? I'd knock up a set of wooden ramps if you are really struggling to lift a professional sized machine.
     
  7. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    I missed the part where you were cutting lawns for other people. Suggest you search for posts about Mowers here from Pro Gard

    Here are a couple of links

    http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/which-replacement-moweri-t15544.html?p=212626#post212626
    http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/fo...rcular-moweri-t16726.html?p=232182#post232182

    He has recommended the Etesia PRO 51k (which I must admit I had never heard of before) on a number of occasions. Not cheap, but if you need to rely on it then probably cheaper in the long run.
     
  8. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    My wife couldn't start my previous petrol rotary mower so I bought a Mountfield with an electric key start which is so heavy she can't manoeuvre it, so I'm still doing all the mowing.

    A friend of ours who cut lawns around the village recently changed his old Mountfield for a new Honda, but is was too heavy for him to lift into his car and that put an end to that sideline.
     
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