Choosing a Mower advice.....

[buford]

Hello,

 

New to the forum,

 

Getting back into garden maintenance having worked in it commercially before, starting out private but not being savey on the equipment side of things would like some advice on purchasing a mower.

 

I'm after a 19" roller mower, i've narrowed it down to a few, any other suggestions or input would be appreciated

 

Looking at the following:

 

Honda HRX476QX (£820 ish, does this have a lift handle??)

 

Mountfield 5P505R V (looks like a HRX476QX copy, same engine but about £120 average cheaper)

 

Cobra RM46SPH (18", looks like a much cheaper copy of the Honda with the GCV140 engine instead of GCV160, lacking the clutch brake feature, a poly roller instead of steel but it nearly half the price at around £440

 

How about the Lawnflite LF48-SPBR, these look similar spec but very cheap around £450

 

Was looking at the Hayters also but heard alot that the collection is poor due to narrow hole.

 

Obviously you come across someone who has problems with just about every machine going, someone always gets unluckly, but I read some issues a few years back about the height adjuster and thin steel plate on the Honda, have these been revised?

 

Will be using for small/medium gardens, part time for now but want something that will last several years as I move into this full time.

 

Any advice,

 

£800ish max

 

cheers

[chaddy]

Have you checked out the Viking range of mowers ?

[buford]

I have, but not being able to view them in person they look very cheap in pictures so didn't take my fancy on first glance. The 19" roller is around £765

 

How does the B&S Series 675 RS compare to the GCV160 engines?

[Richard 1234]

Have you looked at the 19 inch lawnflite pro? I think they are on suburu engines now but it may be slightly over budget. I've got the 21 and it's very good.

[buford]

Just checked it out, £849 cheapest from £1000. 59kg, unnecessarily heavy though to be lugging about.

Edited March 18, 2016 by buford

[Richard 1234]

Just checked it out, £849 cheapest from £1000. 59kg though, unnecessarily heavy though to be lugging about.

 

 

No doubt they are heavy leave a really good finish though!

[buford]

Just think would be impractical given some of my clients i got lined up live on steep hills with several flights of steps to reach the gardens.

 

40Kg Mower is fine but 60kg is getting to awkward weight to carry in that form.

[Richard 1234]

Just think would be impractical given some of my clients i got lined up live on steep hills with several flights of steps to reach the gardens.

 

 

 

40Kg Mower is fine but 60kg is getting to awkward weight to carry in that form.

 

 

Your right it's no good if there are steps. I use a little 18 inch Honda izy for those but no stripes.

Steps are a problem because light mowers aren't that strong to take the abuse unless you can actually carry it. But strong mowers are too heavy.

[buford]

I think i'll be ok around 40kg, anything more is gonna be a strain. That Mountfield Honda copy has two handles it seems, would be ideal I just think the Honda would be a little more premium, shame it doesn't seem to have carry handles. I like the honda purely on what ive seen but then I am new to buying hardware, wondering if that machine is worth the price or its overpriced because of the name.

[Richard 1234]

I think i'll be ok around 40kg, anything more is gonna be a strain. That Mountfield Honda copy has two handles it seems, would be ideal I just think the Honda would be a little more premium, shame it doesn't seem to have carry handles. I like the honda purely on what ive seen but then I am new to buying hardware, wondering if that machine is worth the price or its overpriced because of the name.

 

 

The Hondas are expensive but good maybe a bit overpriced. The top end Hondas are overpriced as they are the kaaz clones which there are loads of cheaper but essentially the same.

Not sure which other mowers are in 40kg category?