Ex-Council mower?

[angelboy]

My Toro has given up the ghost and it seems that most new mulching mowers are suffering from supply chain issues, so I could be looking a few months to get a replacement.

 

I've seen an ex-council Viking machine that's allegedly been used for two seasons. Looks clean from the photos.

 

Should I be put off with it being ex-council?

[Nopedigree]

Certainly won’t be worn out but check the axle straightness as it will have had some leaning on....😀

[Stere]

Price seems   high what are kohler engines like?  & whats the deck width?

 

Used Stihl Viking MB 4 RTP PETROL SELF PROPELLED MULCH MOWER

WWW.EBAY.CO.UK

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Features such as SmartChoke, double ball-bearing wheels and excellent grip make operation easy while front and rear...

 

 

 

New version

 

Stihl RM 4 RTP petrol self-propelled four wheeled lawn mower (53cm cut) – FR Jones & Son

WWW.FRJONESANDSON.CO.UK

 

 

Like the look of husky with honda klippo brand ones not used one though

 

Edited September 5, 2021 by Stere

[angelboy]

6 hours ago, Stere said:

Price seems   high what are kohler engines like?  & whats the deck width?

 

Used Stihl Viking MB 4 RTP PETROL SELF PROPELLED MULCH MOWER

WWW.EBAY.CO.UK

---

Features such as SmartChoke, double ball-bearing wheels and excellent grip make operation easy while front and rear...

 

Thats the one (although there's 2 of them).

 

I don't know about the Kohler engines tbh. 

 

I've got a Klippo with a cracked deck which replace a previous one that also died.

[doobin]

The Kohler engines are terrible and parts availability is non existent. 

[angelboy]

2 hours ago, doobin said:

The Kohler engines are terrible and parts availability is non existent. 

What do you suggest?

 

I had massive problems getting a carburettor for the Toro, which made me think of switching to a Honda. But the mulching model I was looking at got slated by an owner so it put me I back to square one.

 

I'm only looking around the £500 mark right now.

[scbk]

Coming to the end of the grass season now, surely something will come up. Is it for use at home or paid jobs?

[doobin]

I really rate my mountfield screwfix special with Honda engine. Only £350 and better then a £600 Viking at the time.

[doobin]

Gone up a bit but then so has the Viking I’ll wager. 
 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-sp53h-51cm-167cc-self-propelled-rotary-petrol-lawn-mower/976fy

[Gav73]

I’ve got a mountfield with a Honda engine. Two things to be careful of -

The warranty starts the second you buy it - so if you get it at the end of season, you’re “wasting” a big chunk of the warranty. Also heard of people who bought mowers out of season and when they came to use them they wouldn’t start. Dealers were saying it was user error as they left them full of fuel over winter and the damage was not covered.

2nd is the blade bosses on some mountfields would be better if they were made out of cardboard. I’ve had them break from just starting the mower and god help you if hit anything tougher than a tiny twig.
I ended up fabricating a bracket to strengthen the boss.

Other than those issues I rate the mower highly.