Wet Weather Mower

[chrisj]

Up until now I've been running a Honda HRB 476 but I've had it for about 9 years now, so it's really time to replace it. I'm pretty pleased with it since it has given me no trouble in all this time. My only issue is that the pick up is rubbish on wet grass, particularly if it's a bit long. It just clogs up in the chute and you have to unblock it every 2 mins.

Now since I'm up in the mountains in North Wales, we get lots of rain, so this can be a real pain. Part of me is tempted to just live with this flaw and replace it with a new equivalent Honda ie. the HRX due to how long this one has lasted. But this seems like a good time to look around at what else is available.

So what would everyone recommend? Ideally 19 or 21 inch. Since I have a lot of steep drives and access paths I'd like blade brake so that I can use the power drive to move it around on hard surfaces.

[dig-dug-dan]

My mate has the same problem. He goes over the grass first with a knapsack blower to remove any waterstuck to the grass, then mows with little or no problems!

[IVECOKID]

Try the 5 series Vikings .I put a thread up saying ...how's your Viking .

 

 

Sadly no blade brake

Ste

Edited October 19, 2014 by IVECOKID

[Burgess]

4 wheeler with a rear mounted roller would work. Toro make them and probably a few others. They clip onto the handle bars and sit just behind the bag. If a hrb is a roller I don't really know honda mowers.

[chrisj]

Mine is a 4 wheeler Burgess.

[chrisj]

I'd been considering the Vikings Ivecokid. I've used them at a previous employer. My main issue with those was that they didn't seem to have a blade break which I do really want. I have one client with a long 1 in 4 access path so being able to use the power drive to drive the mower out is a godsend.

[chrisj]

Interesting idea dig-dug-dan.

[IVECOKID]

Have been using same Honda has yourself too but the Viking is by far a lighter machine and at times do not use the drive.

Has to mowing in the wet it far superior than Honda.

 

Ste

[Burgess]

Oh right, I don't really know my honda models.

 

Etesia's work excellently in the wet. I use a Stiga Pro 55 which doesn't drop any when collecting but when the bag is 60-70% in the wet it'll need emptying.

[predator]

i have a old etesia phe it works well in the wet but as stated run your blower over it first any longish wet grass will clog i think on first cut wet through etc