The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

enricoh

Hi folks my John Deere l105 ride on engine went bang yesterday. Is there anywhere that breaks lawnmowers where I could pick a second hand one?
Not over enamored with it, it gave plenty of trouble for little work. Would anyone recommend a new 42" ride on if I can't get a replacement engine for handy money?

deezell

This 110cm/43" cut twin cylinder Stihl 5112 Z (formerly Viking) is a better class of machine, high quality manufacture, no flimsy parts. Good investment and value at the moment. It will knock the socks off other 102cm/40" offerings.
https://dermotcasey.com/product/viking-5112-z-ride-on-mower/

Good Irish review here against high end competition.
https://youtu.be/XZ4bIQ0Ffu4

monkeynuz

deezell wrote: »

This 110cm/43" cut twin cylinder Stihl 5112 Z (formerly Viking) is a better class of machine, high quality manufacture, no flimsy parts. Good investment and value at the moment. It will knock the socks off other 102cm/40" offerings.
https://dermotcasey.com/product/viking-5112-z-ride-on-mower/

Good Irish review here against high end competition.
https://youtu.be/XZ4bIQ0Ffu4

I'm still waiting for dermot Casey to call me with a price for a strimmer, I called them early April eight years ago......

deezell

There's a good few suppliers advertising at that price, a little less on the border/NI based stores, but that doesn't mean you won't do better on the blower or in person, if the dealer is trading.

enricoh

Thanks deezell, nice yoke but i hadn't factored in 4k!
I've a vat number so would probably get up north to save the vat. Not in a major panic as can grab the oul fellas, might wait til end of season to try get a few quid off , thanks

deezell

enricoh wrote: »

Thanks deezell, nice yoke but i hadn't factored in 4k!
I've a vat number so would probably get up north to save the vat. Not in a major panic as can grab the oul fellas, might wait til end of season to try get a few quid off , thanks

No worries, but coming from a 42" John Deere, even a crap one, I figured you might want to maintain a certain standard. JD did badge cheaper mowers, may still do, as I remember spotting a green JD badged Castelgarden in a Deere garage way back, when Castelgarden were cheap, decent but a bit lacking in build quality compared to the Hondas and JDs of this world. Now Castelgarden are a better placed brand, but close inspection tells of more economic origins, so though this 102cm twin cylinder hydro electric clutch model is a good buy for €3200,
https://lawnmowersireland.com/product/cg-ptx175hd-twin-cylinder-92cm/ , The extra 8cm cut, the bigger engine, and the build integrity of the Viking/Stihl puts it in a different class, well worth the extra. Great used buy also.

Irish Gunner

monkeynuz wrote: »

What about stihl? The two donegan.ie have can both mulch.

Cheers

Had a look at these going to sit it out see how things go

westsidestory

westsidestory wrote: »

Hope okay to ask same question again, maybe deezell or other knowledgeable posters may have opinion.

Looking for advice if possible, local football field covers 5 acres and club now needs to cut themselves. Was previously cut by agricultural tractor with mower.

Would Stiga ZT 5132 T zero turn @ €6,000 be a viable option? And nearly as importantly how long should it take to cut using this 52" mower?

https://www.doyles.ie/products/stiga-zero-turn-132cm-deck-kawasaki-fr691.html


The Snapper ZTX350 52" zero turn comes @ €5,779

https://www.gardenmachinery.ie/snapper-ztx250-104982.html

So no mower bought yet, like all multi person relationships it's complicated!!

We now will be cutting ~2 acres for the next while and probably cutting over what tractor has cut in places to tidy.

This mower is available from dealer locally for €4k and has been suggested by another member.
https://www.caulfieldindustrial.com/p/stihl-rt51120z-43-ride-on-mower/p-g14926?taxdispinc=y&gclid=CjwKCAjw4pT1BRBUEiwAm5QuR46YzsuWSvnuXLuR-nMI8CRKDDa8vU9TvjV-upoGIYgDpAVIy2jBeBoC_wEQAvD_BwE#fo_c=3215&fo_k=c6ffeee20c3dacce97626ec552b02e7f&fo_s=gplaie

Seen this Kubota Z122R https://www.atkins.ie/garden-machinery/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/kubota-z122r-zero-turn-mower-kuz122r at €5,500.

What do you think considering the 4 options and durability?

Edit: I just quoted my own posts Deezell to ensure original post was quoted. 🙂

Gael23

monkeynuz wrote: »

What about stihl? The two donegan.ie have can both mulch.

I don’t think Stihl mowers look that nice. With all the white I think they could get really nasty looking as they age. They do have a good battery powered range

GinSoaked

westsidestory wrote: »

So no mower bought yet, like all multi person relationships it's complicated!!

We now will be cutting ~2 acres for the next while and probably cutting over what tractor has cut in places to tidy.

This mower is available from dealer locally for €4k and has been suggested by another member.
https://www.caulfieldindustrial.com/p/stihl-rt51120z-43-ride-on-mower/p-g14926?taxdispinc=y&gclid=CjwKCAjw4pT1BRBUEiwAm5QuR46YzsuWSvnuXLuR-nMI8CRKDDa8vU9TvjV-upoGIYgDpAVIy2jBeBoC_wEQAvD_BwE#fo_c=3215&fo_k=c6ffeee20c3dacce97626ec552b02e7f&fo_s=gplaie

Seen this Kubota Z122R https://www.atkins.ie/garden-machinery/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/kubota-z122r-zero-turn-mower-kuz122r at €5,500.

What do you think considering the 4 options and durability?

Edit: I just quoted my own posts Deezell to ensure original post was quoted. ��

For two acres forget the ride on get one of the ZTR's.

monkeynuz

Gael23 wrote: »

I don’t think Stihl mowers look that nice. With all the white I think they could get really nasty looking as they age. They do have a good battery powered range

The white isn't a problem.

deezell

westsidestory wrote: »

So no mower bought yet, like all multi person relationships it's complicated!!

We now will be cutting ~2 acres for the next while and probably cutting over what tractor has cut in places to tidy.

This mower is available from dealer locally for €4k and has been suggested by another member.
https://www.caulfieldindustrial.com/p/stihl-rt51120z-43-ride-on-mower/p-g14926?taxdispinc=y&gclid=CjwKCAjw4pT1BRBUEiwAm5QuR46YzsuWSvnuXLuR-nMI8CRKDDa8vU9TvjV-upoGIYgDpAVIy2jBeBoC_wEQAvD_BwE#fo_c=3215&fo_k=c6ffeee20c3dacce97626ec552b02e7f&fo_s=gplaie

Seen this Kubota Z122R https://www.atkins.ie/garden-machinery/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/kubota-z122r-zero-turn-mower-kuz122r at €5,500.

What do you think considering the 4 options and durability?

Edit: I just quoted my own posts Deezell to ensure original post was quoted. ��

For mowing two acres of amenity grass, you're not likely to need a collector mower, and a ZT is probably the best choice for you as stated on the previous reply, but then you originally had 5 acres to mow, and you talk of going over areas after the tractor, so is it the case that you're still using the tractor mower for the main coarser work, while you want the smaller mower for the neater areas, verges, etc? If so, that might be why you'd need a collector machine.
If you do want to go collector, the big brother of the RT 5112 Z the RT 6127 ZL, is €800 more at €4800, which is a bargain for a machine of its size. http://www.donegan.ie/product_info.php?products_id=2653
125cm/49" cut, huge v twin 8 series B&S engine, large turf tyres, LCD display and just really well made. It dwarfs your standard garden tractor, and will eat 2 acres. It can be used as a mulcher with the additional mulch plug. It also has a very tight turning circle, less than the mower width.
If you don't need to collect, a zero turn might make more sense, on the other hand, the Stihl is a really well built machine, very low maintenance, high quality construction. The 49" 6127.ZL is what I use myself on a 3+ acre site of more than half in grass. Collector box is huge, takes me three fills only during this light growth. It's a 2015 machine bought used in 2017 and all that it's required in maintenance in that time is oil/filter changes, blade sharpen and balance, paint deck underside and clean the air filter. I'll treat it to a couple of new belts this year. Deck dropping is a few minutes work, just a screwdriver required. ZT mowers are a good bit more complex, and would have a higher maintenance overhead, so it's something to consider.

westsidestory

deezell wrote: »

For mowing two acres of amenity grass, you're not likely to need a collector mower, and a ZT is probably the best choice for you as stated on the previous reply, but then you originally had 5 acres to mow, and you talk of going over areas after the tractor, so is it the case that you're still using the tractor mower for the main coarser work, while you want the smaller mower for the neater areas, verges, etc? If so, that might be why you'd need a collector machine.
If you do want to go collector, the big brother of the RT 5112 Z the RT 6127 ZL, is €800 more at €4800, which is a bargain for a machine of its size. http://www.donegan.ie/product_info.php?products_id=2653
125cm/49" cut, huge v twin 8 series B&S engine, large turf tyres, LCD display and just really well made. It dwarfs your standard garden tractor, and will eat 2 acres. It can be used as a mulcher with the additional mulch plug. It also has a very tight turning circle, less than the mower width.
If you don't need to collect, a zero turn might make more sense, on the other hand, the Stihl is a really well built machine, very low maintenance, high quality construction. The 49" 6127.ZL is what I use myself on a 3+ acre site of more than half in grass. Collector box is huge, takes me three fills only during this light growth. It's a 2015 machine bought used in 2017 and all that it's required in maintenance in that time is oil/filter changes, blade sharpen and balance, paint deck underside and clean the air filter. I'll treat it to a couple of new belts this year. Deck dropping is a few minutes work, just a screwdriver required. ZT mowers are a good bit more complex, and would have a higher maintenance overhead, so it's something to consider.

We definitely will not be collecting, a mulch cut most likely so you recommend a zero turn.

The area is 5 acres but a farmer comes in and cuts over 3 acres leaving the wide edges to be cut by whatever we buy....plus we will need to go over some of his area also. In the long term we will end up doing the entire 5 acres which makes it a bit tricky. What's the best bang for buck for a zero turn?

Thanks for your advice.

Looking for a lawn mower recommendation. I posted here last July but never went through with the purchase. Bit of a blessing in disguise as I know a bit more about what I want now:

1) Self propelled petrol mower.
2) A mulching mower since I don't want to collect the grass.
3) for a large lawn greater than 500m2.
4) Was told the last time Stihl/Cobra were the best and easy to replace parts.

I don't want to buy cheap but also don't want to overpay unnecessarily either. Limerick area.

Edit: Found one I think:
http://www.mower-power.com/shannonside/product.asp?P_ID=2019

blackbox

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Looking for a lawn mower recommendation. I posted here last July but never went through with the purchase. Bit of a blessing in disguise as I know a bit more about what I want now:

1) Self propelled petrol mower.
2) A mulching mower since I don't want to collect the grass.
3) for a large lawn greater than 500m2.
4) Was told the last time Stihl/Cobra were the best and easy to replace parts.

I don't want to buy cheap but also don't want to overpay unnecessarily either. Limerick area.

Edit: Found one I think:
http://www.mower-power.com/shannonside/product.asp?P_ID=2019

Personally I'd avoid a steel deck because of corrosion. The rest of it will outlive the deck unless you wash all grass from it after every use.

AulWan

Can I ask, has anyone bought a battery powered lawnmower?

I have two medium size gardens, and I need something that is easy to push. I think a petrol mower would be hard for me to maintain, but I would prefer cordless as the gardens are longer, rather then wide and power points are awkward.

I was looking at this one in Woodies, as they deliver: Ecotrim 40V Lawnmower


Thanks.

Icyseanfitz

Budget of between 200-300 Euro, what would ye get? We have a pretty big lawn and I'll probably be mulching more than anything. Would really appreciate any suggestions.

deezell

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

Budget of between 200-300 Euro, what would ye get? We have a pretty big lawn and I'll probably be mulching more than anything. Would really appreciate any suggestions.

With a small budget and a big garden, dedicated mulchers are a bit outside your budget. A 3 in one mower which will mulch if its light growth will suit. Again, your budget precludes a self propelled mower, and a cut width above 46cm/18" cut. This Victor from Gambia online is an 18" push with a Briggs and Stratton engine, €249
https://www.glanbiaconnect.com/shop/product/Victor-18in-Steel-Deck-Push-Lawnmower/9097680
Self propelled version, €349
https://www.glanbiaconnect.com/shop/product/Victor-18in-Briggs-%26-Stratton-Self-Drive-Lawnmower/9097681

Probably the best bargain online tho minute in terms of bang for you buck is this 51cm cut electric start Hyundai badged mower from Woodie's.
https://www.woodies.ie/pro-lawn-53cm-self-propelled-electric-start-hyundai-lawnmower-1168768
At just €319 it's a lot less than original Hyundai it's based on.

Icyseanfitz

Anyone have experience of that woodies lawnmower? About to pull the trigger on it, not much around at my budget

Icyseanfitz

if i was to increase my budget to around 400 would that open up much? saw this Mcculloch 56cm B&S Engine, good buy?

nevermind, just went and bought that pro lawn deal from woodies, hopefully its somewhat decent

ClareMigrant

Hi all great thread to follow, currently in the market for a ride on, found the McCulloch M145-97t 500cc mower in the Co_Op Superstore for €1999 collection box included, currently €2399 with Agrieuro collection box not included but does come with a trailer, I have approx 1acre of cutting to do, would anyone recommend this mower for that size of work?

https://www.coopsuperstores.ie/Garden/Lawnmowers/Rideon-Lawnmowers/Mcculloch-M14597t-500cc-Bs-Ride-On-Lawnmower--2-Bin-Grass-Collector-1714058

deezell

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

if i was to increase my budget to around 400 would that open up much? saw this Mcculloch 56cm B&S Engine, good buy?i

nevermind, just went and bought that pro lawn deal from woodies, hopefully its somewhat decent

It's a Clone of this Hyundai mower, which was on sale in Chadwicks up to a year or so ago. You can see the similarities.

deezell

ClareMigrant wrote: »

Hi all great thread to follow, currently in the market for a ride on, found the McCulloch M145-97t 500cc mower in the Co_Op Superstore for €1999 collection box included, currently €2399 with Agrieuro collection box not included but does come with a trailer, I have approx 1acre of cutting to do, would anyone recommend this mower for that size of work?

https://www.coopsuperstores.ie/Garden/Lawnmowers/Rideon-Lawnmowers/Mcculloch-M14597t-500cc-Bs-Ride-On-Lawnmower--2-Bin-Grass-Collector-1714058

Hard to go wrong for that price, I think it's an end of line model, not that that means anything given the number of variations and clones of these simpler mowers. CVT drive is interesting, same as a quad, variable speed without the expense of hydrostatic. The only thing to go wrong is the cvt belt. Deck is twin cut non synchronous, both blades turning clockwise for side discharge, so the deck drive is also a simple affair, no toothed timing belts or double sided serpentine v belts. Again, only cheap belts to maintain. Downside would be the side collector. It will struggle to fill if the grass is too long or damp. Should be good for an acre, if long mow high and twice to pickup, else you'll be out with a rake.

GinSoaked

deezell wrote: »

Hard to go wrong for that price, I think it's an end of line model, not that that means anything given the number of variations and clones of these simpler mowers. CVT drive is interesting, same as a quad, variable speed without the expense of hydrostatic. The only thing to go wrong is the cvt belt. Deck is twin cut non synchronous, both blades turning clockwise for side discharge, so the deck drive is also a simple affair, no toothed timing belts or double sided serpentine v belts. Again, only cheap belts to maintain. Downside would be the side collector. It will struggle to fill if the grass is too long or damp. Should be good for an acre, if long mow high and twice to pickup, else you'll be out with a rake.

Given the 14.5HP motor it shouldn't be that bad on longer grass. I had a similar old John Deere that only had an 8HP engine that would do longer grass if it had to.

For longer grass when the weather is decent I cut to the required height without the box then go back a few hours later (or even following day) with the box after the grass has wilted a good bit, lift the deck so there is masses of air movement and do another pass just to pick up the grass. You end up with a lot less grass in the grass box after its wilted. But there is a limit to quite how high you can let it grow and get away with that.

ClareMigrant

Thanks both - appreciate the advise!

westsidestory

deezell wrote: »

For mowing two acres of amenity grass, you're not likely to need a collector mower, and a ZT is probably the best choice for you as stated on the previous reply, but then you originally had 5 acres to mow, and you talk of going over areas after the tractor, so is it the case that you're still using the tractor mower for the main coarser work, while you want the smaller mower for the neater areas, verges, etc? If so, that might be why you'd need a collector machine.
If you do want to go collector, the big brother of the RT 5112 Z the RT 6127 ZL, is €800 more at €4800, which is a bargain for a machine of its size. http://www.donegan.ie/product_info.php?products_id=2653
125cm/49" cut, huge v twin 8 series B&S engine, large turf tyres, LCD display and just really well made. It dwarfs your standard garden tractor, and will eat 2 acres. It can be used as a mulcher with the additional mulch plug. It also has a very tight turning circle, less than the mower width.
If you don't need to collect, a zero turn might make more sense, on the other hand, the Stihl is a really well built machine, very low maintenance, high quality construction. The 49" 6127.ZL is what I use myself on a 3+ acre site of more than half in grass. Collector box is huge, takes me three fills only during this light growth. It's a 2015 machine bought used in 2017 and all that it's required in maintenance in that time is oil/filter changes, blade sharpen and balance, paint deck underside and clean the air filter. I'll treat it to a couple of new belts this year. Deck dropping is a few minutes work, just a screwdriver required. ZT mowers are a good bit more complex, and would have a higher maintenance overhead, so it's something to consider.

Many thanks Deezell and others. Decided on the Snapper ZTX275 48" cut as got a good price on it, know will be a slow enough job whenever we do the full site but can upgrade in a year or so if have to do it all the time.

angeldaisy

Still looking for a self-propelled petrol mower. Budget at the moment is around 300-400. Garden is approx 1/4 acre.

what I've seen online so far are;
Webb from Coop https://www.coopsuperstores.ie/search?q=webb%20lawnmower

The Pro Lawn from Woodies, https://www.woodies.ie/pro-lawn-53cm-self-propelled-electric-start-hyundai-lawnmower-1168768

Or these Castelgarden or Husqvarna from https://www.hanlysgardenmachinery.ie/category/lawnmowers2

Any suggestions which would be the best?

Or would I be better waiting a while and put a bit more into the budget?

Irish Gunner

What's users opinion on the below for standard size garden

Bosch Rotak 34 R Electric Rotary Lawn Mower https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GZLFPRG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_3DaREbAVE1GE2

Mixed reviews but good reviews below

https://easylawnmowing.co.uk/bosch-rotak-34r-review/

Not sure to hang on when restrictions are lifted or just go with this. Currently using borrowed electric mower but that is 1800w

This is lower wattage would it be much of a big difference & no mulching but don't get leafs in garden

Cheers

What's people's opinions of the Stihl RM 448 VC? Surely I can't go wrong spending €600.

deezell

angeldaisy wrote: »

Still looking for a self-propelled petrol mower. Budget at the moment is around 300-400. Garden is approx 1/4 acre.

what I've seen online so far are;
Webb from Coop https://www.coopsuperstores.ie/search?q=webb%20lawnmower

The Pro Lawn from Woodies, https://www.woodies.ie/pro-lawn-53cm-self-propelled-electric-start-hyundai-lawnmower-1168768

Or these Castelgarden or Husqvarna from https://www.hanlysgardenmachinery.ie/category/lawnmowers2

Any suggestions which would be the best?
Or would I be better waiting a while and put a bit more into the budget?

The 18" Webb has the same B&S 450e engine as the more expensive sub €400 Husky 16" LC 140S. 16" cut is tiny. The Castelgarden 18" XC48BSW has the more powerful 500e B&S engine, worth it over the Husky, Probably worth it over the Webb. The ProLawn Hyundai is a steal, based as it is on an earlier version of this €500 Hyundai,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyundai-HYM530SPE-Lawnmowers-Propelled-Centimeter/dp/B07TJYZ6DQ.

Slightly smaller engine than the Hyundai, but with over 20" cut, electric start, and iirc, variable speed, it's a snip for €319