DevonWoodlands

Just to update this thread, for anyone looking for something similar in future.... I can't thanks Barrie (GardenKit) enough for all of his advice, and coming out to demo a mulching machine as well. In my case, with so many leaves, mulching just isn't right for me, so collecting is the way to go. Stiga didn't quite have the right machine for me this time. I ended up managing to demo an Iseki 216 in my garden, and going to see a used Kubota GR1600. For me between those 2, in terms of build quality etc, the Iseki would be my choice, it really is a superb machine. It is so well built, and great features. As for its use in my garden, that's another matter however.... Not all of my leaves were collected last year, after my little Honda died, so the Iseki was tested on what I really it need it do - collect leaves, cut grass and trim wild flowers etc. Great cut on the grass and wild flowers, and it did 100% collect all the leaves, unfortunately it does such a good job at vacuuming them up, after just driving no more than 30yds, it was full!! Instead of chopping the leaves, it simply sucks them up, so the leaf mulch wasn't reduced in size one single bit. That left a real quandary as the sheer amount of leaf debris, if not reduced in size, is far too much to store. Also, the time spent emptying it so many times wouldn't work for me. So that led me back to looking at other models. I came across a Husqvarna RC320Ts, which uses an auger to collect everything (and compact it all as well, so they claim). This is a domestic machine, although some do use it commercially, but getting a demo proved almost impossible. Also, at over £7k new, and no used ones out there that I could find, it was looking too pricey. The same dealer recommended I try an Alko T20 instead. Again, a domestic machine, but I know a few people using them commercially too, all very happy with it. Managed to see some incredible Youtube and FB videos of it in action also. Then went to a demo (with the dealer's parents, who have had one for 5 years on, similar acreage to mine) and brought 2 huge sacks of wet and dry leaves with me. It did a great cut on the grass, is really quite powerful for a petrol domestic mower, chopped up and collected every single leaf, and will happily mow long grass too! It ticked every single box, non-timed 42" deck, cast iron front axle, tow hitch, rear deflector (optional) if I want to do 2 passes, cut and collected every single thing I needed, so deposit went down that day, delivery hopefully this week to put it to work. I always knew it would be hard to find one machine to do everything I needed for my particular requirements, but this does 95%+, so I'm extremely happy. I just want to thank you all for your help and advice, it was invaluable, and I definitely recommend GardenKit for anyone in East Devon, even though he didn't have the right machine for me this time, for any other gardening needs I have, I'll be dropping him a line! Thanks everyone!

Interesting. Haven't really looked too hard at zero-turn, but their manoeuvrability could be great too. It would need to be a collector, have looked at the Kubota GZD15 briefly. Might have to throw that into the mix! I'll see if Ariens do a collector version

I do strim first, top tip, makes it all much easier. Still weighing up the diesel options too as well as the Stiga & JD, and I have been sent some more info on the Iseki & Kubota options on the list, so they're still in the mix if anyone has any direct experience of them, I'd love to hear it. Cheers!

Thanks so much Gardenkit, I'll add the 5092 onto my list of possibles. And great tip wrt timed decks and avoiding them. Mulching - my work schedule simply doesn't allow more regular cuts, hence why I'm committed to collecting. I think I'll try to give you a call over the weekend to discuss the options, thanks!

Thanks Dawsons, really appreciate the advice. Actually, mowing this garden is one of the greatest pleasures I know, so I actually want to keep doing it myself And yes, I'm looking for one machine to do a few jobs, but I accept elements will be a compromise (for example, I'm not fussed about perfect finish to the grass cutting). At this stage, and with my budget (we've both been hit HARD by Covid in our jobs), I'm seeking the most optimal single option to fit as much of the bill as possible. I'm hoping one of those machines I've mentioned offers the ability to 90%+ of what I'm after (for example Iseka make great claims about collecting in the wet - I'd love to know if someone has one - and I've watched Youtube videos of the X350R collecting leaves quite impressively) and maybe someone has used one of the list to do similar work, or has experience of another machine in my budget that can.... Fingers crossed! Thanks all, please do keep the advice coming, I really appreciate it!

I've read a lot of his excellent replies to threads, so will definitely be chatting to him, thanks! I believe he only deals with petrol mowers (mainly Stiga), and from everything I've read (such as the first 2 replies, thanks guys) I'm leaning towards diesel, but I'm still open to both.

Hello all! I’ve finally joined this excellent forum, after much research on here into potential ride-on mowers for my property, and this seems like the perfect place to ask! Apologies for the long post, but hopefully the details will help with the advice. The property – Total 6.5 acres of well-established (60+ years) woodland garden, made up of English oak, American red oak, beech, birch, ash, chestnut, cherry, acer, and quite a few others – approx 200+ trees in total! Also, being Devon, many, many rhododendrons! Approx 2-2.5 acres of flat lawn with a couple of gentle slopes, in 4 different sections, and the woodland is intersected by paths throughout, some fairly narrow in places. Most paths are fairly smooth, but some are a little bumpy with tree roots. Previous mower inherited from last owner – Honda HF1211. I know that will cause some surprise, given the size of the garden, but the little Honda lasted for around 8/9 years in the garden, with me working it pretty hard since I bought the place 4 years ago. It has finally died however, so the time has come to replace it. Requirements – · Capable of mowing that size of lawn & paths with ease. I usually mow for approx 8-10hrs every 2 weeks - either in one go or 2 x 4/5hr sessions (on the little Honda, only had a 28" deck and 170lt capacity - I'm hoping the new mower will cut that time a fair bit!) · Given my mowing every 2 weeks, and given the sheer amount of rain Devon gets, a pure mulching mower is not really for me – I’m looking for a collecting mower (I have multiple compost heaps to drop it all off) · Not too wide, so it can still fit down most of the paths as well – 48” absolute max, but probably prefer around the 42” deck size. And as part of that, the side discharge & collection types aren’t what I’m looking for, I think they’ll be too wide, so rear collection I think. · Able to collect wet grass without blocking is a big requirement. · And the ability to collect leaves (wet and dry), given just how many trees we have! · Some of the lawns have trees/beds in the middle of them, so manoeuvrability is also part of the equation. As is the height of mower for overhanging branches, and I don’t need high-tip · Ideally, I would like ability to tow a small trailer once or twice a year (I don’t own one right now, but for shifting logs around it would really help.) In summary, I need – · Durable, for the size of garden Rear collection, probably low tip, easy to empty from the seat · 42”/48” max deck · Mow wet grass without blocking (ok finish, but not looking for bowling green perfection, or stripes etc) · Collect leaves (wet & dry) without blocking, it must do this Would like – Manoeuvrable Very occasional towing capability · Reasonable servicing costs Budget £5,000 - £6,000 total (inc VAT) Machines in the mix – John Deere X350R (new/ ex-demo) Kubota · GR1600 MK11 (used) · GR2120 (used) · Not sure I’ll get any other models that are in good shape in my budget Iseki · SGX216 (used/ ex-demo) – I don’t think this model has a tow hitch option? · SGX19 (used, not sure a decent one will be in my budget….) Etesia (used) · Hard to find, and really expensive, so not sure which model would do what I need! I feel a little lost, having started with a new Westwood T60 being recommended by a local dealer, only to read a lot of extremely poor reviews around reliability, servicing/repair costs, and differing views on whether the powered collector actually works in the wet…. With the new summer season fast approaching, I am keen to make the purchase in the next few weeks, so I’ve turned to the experts! Thanks so much for any help/advice!