The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

tommycahir

deezell wrote: »

Is this a shop demo model? No indication on the website that its a used machine, it's not in their second hand list. If its old unsold but unused stock, it's a good price for that cut width, engine and hydro drive. Nearest rival new is this
https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/castelgarden-ptx-170-hd-ride-on-mower-with-hydrostatic-gear-shift-grass-collector-p-8495.html
Partner is an alternative name for McCulloch mowers.

No this would be a 2nd hand machine from a friend of a friend. The guy sent me the above link as it was the exact model he has.. can't be too bad if aka McCulloch so.. ain't they also made by husqvarna.. parts don't seem to be an issue from googling either..

deezell

tommycahir wrote: »

No this would be a 2nd hand machine from a friend of a friend. The guy sent me the above link as it was the exact model he has.. can't be too bad if aka McCulloch so.. ain't they also made by husqvarna.. parts don't seem to be an issue from googling either..

I see, so that one in IGM must be 'old' new. Very well priced. If you get the used one in your budget range Itsounds like a good deal. Yes, Partner bought by Electrolux, hived off to their garden machinery brand Husqvarna, who had bought McCulloch, whereon they decided to use the McCulloch brand name only as it had more resonance. Partner chain saws and mowers all became McCulloch, something like that anyway. I couldn't find anyone supplying new badged partner rideons, so the brand name must be used sparsely. In the big business world mothballed brand names are used to discount main brand goods into big box stores or low price foreign markets without damaging the rep and pricepoint of the main brand

my3cents

Valerie Sweet Slavery wrote: »

A question about mulching... surely it just leads to a build up of grass cutting on your lawn.
Why not collect it and dispose of it ?

If you are mulching because you are a lazy **** and don't bother to cut the grass often enough to start with then it does just that. The grass does break down but not quick enough if there is too much of it so it doesn't improve the lawn. On the other hand if you cut at a sensible height (don't scalp the lawn every cut) and do it often enough the small amount of finely chopped clippings are dispersed into the sward.

Curly head

Totally agree with my3cents. Mulching done correctly is the way to go. Grass needs to be cut about every 4 days during peak growth. The clippings as a result will keep the grass fed with nitrogen n it will be a lovely rich green. You’ll need far less fertilizer n your weeds won’t get a chance to grow as there constantly being nipped.

Delboy5

Anyone know if there would be discounts on new lawnmowers around black Friday or St Stephens day?

monkeynuz

Delboy5 wrote: »

Anyone know if there would be discounts on new lawnmowers around black Friday or St Stephens day?

It’s unlikely, depends on where you are in the country, no dealers around me do special offers unless they’re manufacturer led.

Edward M

Delboy5 wrote: »

Anyone know if there would be discounts on new lawnmowers around black Friday or St Stephens day?

There might be discounts now at the end of cutting season.
Many dealers will knock off a few euro to offload this year's stock.
Check out donedeal, some advertise there.

https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/viking-stihl-lawnmower-offer/20235366?campaign=3

IrishHomer

Question please in relation to ride on lawnmower thefts.

My mower is in a locked galvanised shed but I'd like to make it more secure.

Any tips please?

Was thinking of a wheel clamp

deezell

IrishHomer wrote: »

Question please in relation to ride on lawnmower thefts.

My mower is in a locked galvanised shed but I'd like to make it more secure.

Any tips please?

Was thinking of a wheel clamp

Dig hole, fill with half a cubic metre of concrete with a yard of chain set into it. Wrap around chassis or deck and lock after use. If you cant dig a hole, fill a large plastic storage box or large drum with the cement. Hard to wheel out a mower with 200kg of concrete attached.

my3cents

I'd say let the tyres down but don't, if you have ever tried to reinflate a totally flat rid on mower tyre you'd know not to do it deliberately.

Edward M

IrishHomer wrote: »

Question please in relation to ride on lawnmower thefts.

My mower is in a locked galvanised shed but I'd like to make it more secure.

Any tips please?

Was thinking of a wheel clamp

The wheels are easily removed and replaced.
Insurance is your best bet really, include it in your home package, at least you'll get its value back if it's stolen.

Bonesofit

Hi

I’m looking to buy a new ride on mower I mulch a lot of the time but would still like the option of collecting I can buy the Honda 2417 & CC XT2 QR106 for similar price but whilst the Honda seems to have a good reputation I can’t find any info other than reviews from the USA on other Cub Cadet models Has anyone any experience of these mowers or advise on which is the better mower

deezell

Bonesofit wrote: »

Hi

I’m looking to buy a new ride on mower I mulch a lot of the time but would still like the option of collecting I can buy the Honda 2417 & CC XT2 QR106 for similar price but whilst the Honda seems to have a good reputation I can’t find any info other than reviews from the USA on other Cub Cadet models Has anyone any experience of these mowers or advise on which is the better mower

What prices are you getting?

Cub Cadet are owned by MTD, American company. Mowers may have common parts with MTD. Some MTD manufactured here in EU.
I see the Honda for about €4600, but €3890 in Norn iron, here
http://www.amrentals.ie/Ride_on_Lawnmowers/Honda-ride-on-lawnmower.htm
Its a smaller cut than the Cub at 102cm v 107cm

I'm seeing that cub cadet at €5250 here,
https://www.douglasforestandgarden.ie/product/cub-cadet-xt2-series-106cm-42-twin-hydro-tight-turn-xtreme-garden-tractor/

But in the same supplier this Viking is on sale with wider 110cm cut and V twin engine, at a better price, €4640. V-twin B&S engine, Viking are part of Stihl.
https://www.douglasforestandgarden.ie/product/viking-mt6112-zl-43/
I can recommend Viking, even if they are sniffy about disclosing parts list and numbers.
If you want to consider the parent of Cub Cadet, MTD, here is their equivalent sized mower, made in EU, , V twin 20hp B&S, , marginally smaller cut at 105cm, but if you don't mind buying on the internet, its currently at only €3221 delivered, with a pile of service freebies including a battery trickle charger, essential bit of winter kit. Lots of posters here vouch for AgriEuro.
https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/mtd-optima-ln-200-lawn-tractor-hydrostatic-transmission-grass-collector-p-8689.html
ARMrentals in the honda link are the only place I seen that do MTD locally.

Bonesofit

I’ve been quoted 3900 stg for the cub cadet ( mulch plug and mulch blades included) and was told that the mower is made in Germany The tight turning circle and the Kawasaki engine was what caught my eye in the Cub Cadet I just have no info on how good a mower they are The AM Rentals price you’ve shown seems to be the best price available for the Honda, i know a couple Honda owners, it’s meant to be a good machine and also holds its value There are so many makes/models out there it’s hard to pick between them but it does seem that prices are better in the North

have2flushtwice

I have two large lawns which are separated by a busy private Agri roadway.
Is it possible to have a single robot mower with two power bases, is 3.5 days per week per area?!

Roen

What area are the lawns each and do you have power to each area?

have2flushtwice

Yes power available.
One is about 2000m sq, other will be about 800 or thereabouts
It's a building site at present.

deezell

have2flushtwice wrote: »

Yes power available.
One is about 2000m sq, other will be about 800 or thereabouts
It's a building site at present.

Build a little underpass. Few blocks a grid over it. Robo mower will find and remember it.

have2flushtwice

Jeez the neighbors will be talking with an underpass!!

Roen

Make it a flyover sher.

Actually how likely are you to be doing any landscaping work or planting in the future? Any kids on the way with swings etc needing setting up?

I'd opt for two robots if your garden is settled into the way your happy with. Check out the lengthy thread in this forum on automowers.
Best in mind that the max areas listed for the mowers are with the mower working literally 24/7. So you'd need a top end one to be able to get the large lawn done in the time allotted to it.
Actually I'd say you'd be better off posting in that thread. Probably get better advice than I could offer. I'm relatively new to the whole thing.

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057213541/78/#post109343706

BnB

Has anyone here ever uesd an Al-Ko ride on mower. I am looking at buying the one below from a local supplier. To be fair to the supplier I do trust his opinion and he thinks they are good mowers but I just wanted to see if anyone used him.

http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/al-ko-t-16-105-hd-v2-powerline-hydrostatic-rear-collect-lawn-tractor

I have a good bit of grass to cut between my own and my mothers. I have an old second hand honda that I bought a few years ago. It is ok but gave trouble a few times and wouldn't start again last weekend. I want to buy something decent now that I will have for the next 10 years. Also, I plan to get one of the teenagers on the case this summer so I want something simple and reliable for them as if something won't start for them, they're not likely to go faffing about with it to try and get it going.

http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/al-ko-t-16-105-hd-v2-powerline-hydrostatic-rear-collect-lawn-tractor

my3cents

I'd want to see at least one of those Al-Ko mowers cutting in less than ideal conditions before I'd commit to buying!!!!

The design is the very standard Castlegarden/Honda design which is good but depends how its implimented. I really don't like the shallow deck which is why I'd like to see a demo in less than favourable conditions.

deezell

I only see Demot Casey as a dealer here for Al-Ko, but there may be others. He doesn't seem to have that exact Al-Ko solo machine.
https://dermotcasey.com/c/lawn-garden/tractor-mowers/alko
The Solo look very robust, very... German, (though they're made in Austria). That UK price is good, about €3500, how much is delivery? 5 year warranty, but not a whole lot of use unless its valid here. AM rentals in Newry have a page with the Oleo Mac- made by Al-Ko mowers, similar one for a similar price, sub €3500
https://www.esaleslocal.com/rideon.htm
It dwarfs the same size Castelgarden in the pictures. They deliver and I presume warranty is no problem (unless Brexit fecks it all up).

BnB

deezell wrote: »

I only see Demot Casey as a dealer here for Al-Ko, but there may be others. He doesn't seem to have that exact Al-Ko solo machine.
https://dermotcasey.com/c/lawn-garden/tractor-mowers/alko
The Solo look very robust, very... German, (though they're made in Austria). That UK price is good, about €3500, how much is delivery? 5 year warranty, but not a whole lot of use unless its valid here. AM rentals in Newry have a page with the Oleo Mac- made by Al-Ko mowers, similar one for a similar price, sub €3500
https://www.esaleslocal.com/rideon.htm
It dwarfs the same size Castelgarden in the pictures. They deliver and I presume warranty is no problem (unless Brexit fecks it all up).

Hi - It is a local supplier here. I just checked & he doesn't have it on his website but he wouldn't have much on that anyway.

He sells a good bit of Oleo Mac stuff. (I bought a chain saw & blower off him previously). He said that he was selling the Oleo Mac mowers last year which as you said above were just Al-Ko's rebranded. But this year he will be selling the Al-Ko's themselves.

The Oleo Mac you have linked above seems to be the older version of the Al-Ko that I linked to. He will be charging be about €3,600 for that which from looking around seems to be a fair price.

BlazingSaddler

Hi. Looking for a basic enough petrol mower for a postage stamp back lawn and side of the house grass verge to replace my trusty Mountfeld that died on the last cut last year. I have a very low budget! Would this do? https://www.woodies.ie/garden-and-outdoor/garden-powertools/lawnmowers/mcculloch-m40-125-classic-petrol-mower-1154930

blackbox

BnB wrote: »

I have a good bit of grass to cut between my own and my mothers. I have an old second hand honda that I bought a few years ago. It is ok but gave trouble a few times and wouldn't start again last weekend. I want to buy something decent now that I will have for the next 10 years. Also, I plan to get one of the teenagers on the case this summer so I want something simple and reliable for them as if something won't start for them, they're not likely to go faffing about with it to try and get it going.

If you get a new mower you'll need to keep it serviced if you want it to be reliable. You'll go through a few belts and batteries over 10 years. Is the Honda beyond repair or does it just need a service and a battery?

deezell

BlazingSaddler wrote: »

Hi. Looking for a basic enough petrol mower for a postage stamp back lawn and side of the house grass verge to replace my trusty Mountfeld that died on the last cut last year. I have a very low budget! Would this do? https://www.woodies.ie/garden-and-outdoor/garden-powertools/lawnmowers/mcculloch-m40-125-classic-petrol-mower-1154930

T'would. B&S engine, well made, son has one 10 years for about 16m2 front and 30m2 back. New pull cable and drop of water in the carb bowel only ever repairs needed.

BnB

blackbox wrote: »

If you get a new mower you'll need to keep it serviced if you want it to be reliable. You'll go through a few belts and batteries over 10 years. Is the Honda beyond repair or does it just need a service and a battery?

I hear you BB. I'd say there isn't actually too much wrong with the Honda - I just put in a new battery last weekend and put belts on it in the middle of last year. To be completely honest, I am slightly afraid that I might have fried something by trying to start it off the jeep during the Christmas...:eek::eek::eek:

Either way, the Honda is a bit Rough and Ready at this stage. I bought it cheap second had about two years when I was flat broke and I needed something for a year or two. It's especially awkward trying to empty the grass box. I plan to get the young teenagers cutting the grass this season so I want something easy to drive and reliable.

If I can get the Honda sorted, I will probably still hold onto it. I have a few bits that are very rough that I cut back a few times a year so it would be handy to have something to run over that and not have to worry about damaging a good mower.

westsidestory

Hi lawnmower experts.

Have 2.5 acre grass area may be required to cut in next few weeks on a contract basis. If get go-ahead will need a ride on mower.

Another smaller sloped area elsewhere 1,000 sq. m. will be done if get the call!

Would something like Castlegarden PTX220HD 48"cut, Briggs & Stratton Intek Series 7220, 656cc Twin Cycliner €4,295

http://www.hanlysgardenmachinery.ie/product-information/ptx220hd-castelgarden

Or

Husqvarva TC 352 T. 42" cut with 726cc Kawaski twin cylinder engine. €3,900 delivered.
http://www.hanlysgardenmachinery.ie/product-information/ptx220hd-castelgarden
http://www.amrentals.ie/Ride_on_Lawnmowers/husqvarna-tc342t.htm

Be good options?

I'll be mulch cutting both areas.

Are dedicated mulcher ride ons a thing?

Will use hitch also to pull small chipper occasionally.

deezell

westsidestory wrote: »

Hi lawnmower experts.

Have 2.5 acre grass area may be required to cut in next few weeks on a contract basis. If get go-ahead will need a ride on mower.

Another smaller sloped area elsewhere 1,000 sq. m. will be done if get the call!

Would something like Castlegarden PTX220HD 48"cut, Briggs & Stratton Intek Series 7220, 656cc Twin Cycliner €4,295

http://www.hanlysgardenmachinery.ie/product-information/ptx220hd-castelgarden

Or

Husqvarva TC 352 T. 42" cut with 726cc Kawaski twin cylinder engine. €3,900 delivered.
http://www.hanlysgardenmachinery.ie/product-information/ptx220hd-castelgarden
http://www.amrentals.ie/Ride_on_Lawnmowers/husqvarna-tc342t.htm

Be good options?

I'll be mulch cutting both areas.

Are dedicated mulcher ride ons a thing?

Will use hitch also to pull small chipper occasionally.

Sounds like you're doing this commercially? If you're going to mow 2.5 acres, plus another .25 acre on a slope, and maybe any other work that comes your way, you might find the castelgarden a bit domestic. This Stihl/Viking dwarfs that mower for a few hundred more.
http://www.donegan.ie/product_info.php?cPath=275_72&products_id=2653

You should also check out dedicated mulchers for that size plot, 3 in ones are a compromise, unless they are fitted with dedicated mulch blades and deflectors.