Big new mower

[ChrisSaunders]

Hi all,

 

As a pro gardener with a big interest in lawn care I spent the early part of this year checking out commercial mowers. With a limited budget (haven’t we all) my options were limited if I wanted a tough machine which could handle long grass and rough ground yet cut a finish too on good lawns. Anything decent was way too much money to purchase new and I have an aversion to buying such machines second hand. I thought I was stuck until I found this American made baby:

 

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/cesky.fousek.uk/NewMower#5490495539872571842

 

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/cesky.fousek.uk/NewMower#5490495542677147202

 

16 hp V twin cylinder electric start Kawasaki engine (sounds like a Harley!), dual hydrostatic drive, twin blades, 32inch cut, mulching kit, built like a tank yet is light, very compact and amazingly manoeuvrable; it’s fast (over 7mph) and comes with a brilliant ride on dolly which is towed behind the machine. So many features - it even has headlamps!

Best of all, including shipping to the UK and VAT it cost me a bob or two less than four grand, saving me over £3K on anything comparable here, not that I found a mower with the foot ache saving dolly on sale in the UK. Now that’s what I call a bargain!

 

If anyone wants to know more or would like to see it with a view to buying one, please do get in touch.

 

Best wishes,

Chris.

Edited July 5, 2010 by ChrisSaunders
pictures

[nepia]

Glad it's working for you but be careful; 7mph in Bexhill is deemed 'dangerous driving' you speedfreak. Yes, I had the dubious pleasure of spending a considerable part of my childhood thereabouts!

[ukminch]

Not sure whether I'm impressed or not. I often think that the smaller ride ons aren't worth it when you could just use a big pedestian mower and pay an extra wage with the change.

 

Let us know how you get on though.

 

R

[ChrisSaunders]

Thanks for your comments, the virtue of this machine, and what really sold it to me, is that it is both a pedestrian/walk behind mower, and with the dolly attached its a ride on too.

 

Chris

[ukminch]

Just think how fit (or knackered) you'd be if you took the dolly off!!

 

Just out of interest did you ever consider a countax. Bottom end pro but with the different decks that you can get would have seemed to fit the bill on some accounts and if so what were your reasons for rejection in the end.

 

R

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

machine which could handle long grass and rough ground yet cut a finish too on good lawns.

 

That is not a fine turf mower - just so long as you know that. No rotary mower is.

 

"good lawns" is first rate utility i.e. one grade below luxury aka golf tees and greens.

[ChrisSaunders]

Hiya,

 

Yes, I did look at the Countax range, and many others too. The closest I could find to the spec of my machine was the Great Dane dual hydro mower but at upwards of £7k it was far too much for my small budget.

The Great Dane is a fine machine by all accounts but I don't think the company offers the ride on dolly option that mine has. This versatility - being a top class walk behind and a ride on too, allied to the low price and outstanding value for money, were the qualities that guided my decicion making. I think I got a real bargain, hence my post here to bring this machine to the attention of others.

 

Chris

[charlie6]

Have you looked at Scags? The 50 inch is a fantastic cutter and great on slopes with dual wheels. The other thing is parts because there will always the need, more so when cutting rough ground. There is a reason why most councils use them.

 

Charlie

[ChrisSaunders]

Hi,

 

Yes I looked at the Scag machines too. I can recommend a trip to the big Saltex show at Windsor in September to anyone with an interest in such machinery - they are all there. After visiting last year's Saltex I chose to import this machine because it had all the capability without the high cost of a Scag, John Deere, Toro, or a Great Dane. These are all great machines but were too rich for my meagre budget.

My mower has a 32inch width of cut, chosen as it will pass through side gates etc. The USA company who sold me my machine also make them in 36 and 44 inch widths, with a flail mower due to be added to the model line up soon. In our ever shrinking world I determined that supply of parts would not a problem - anything engine related is carried by Kawasaki UK, I have a set of spare blades and drive belts; and apart from that there is little on the machine to wrong (touch wood!).

 

Did I do the right thing in importing this machine? Time will tell but so far I can only describe what it does as 'outstanding' for the money I spent. It cuts grass many, many times quicker than my old 18inch Masport machine, which means I am earning money much faster too.

 

If anyone wishes to look it over, you are welcome to come down to Sussex, have a look and try it for yourself.

 

Chris.

[hooch]

did you look at the wright Velki

 

we have one