The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

NIMAN · 01-07-2018 10:09AM

deezell wrote: »

Those Hondas are the high end of the domestic range, at €1200 and €1300 for the The they'd want to be. Quality is not your issue though, it's going from a ride on to a 21" walk behind mower. You'll spend a lot longer at it regardless of the quality of the Honda, as it's only 21" cut and you can only walk so fast.

Yeah I appreciate that its going to take me longer with a 21" v a 36" cut, but I am happy enough with that. As I mentioned, my ride-on was out of action for a season, and I did my lawn (plus my neighbours) with a 16" Honda.

My garden isn't one large regular shape either. It has curves, rockeries, tight corners, paths etc, so I do find myself stopping and reversing etc, so a walk mower would gain on these parts.

But if I could get a lot more good reviews of the Toro 30", I might be tempted with that bad boy!

NIMAN · 01-07-2018 02:19PM

Re: the Honda range of mowers, does anyone know off the top of their head what the letters following the model number mean?

eg HRX53 (means 53cm) but what do HY, VY, HZ etc mean?

deezell · 01-07-2018 09:34PM

NIMAN wrote: »

Re: the Honda range of mowers, does anyone know off the top of their head what the letters following the model number mean?

eg HRX53 (means 53cm) but what do HY, VY, HZ etc mean?

H is hydrostatic variable speed drive, V is mechanical variable speed drive (variable diameter belt pulley probably). The Y or Z probably refers to normal recoil (pull) start v. Electric start.

MahatmaGeansai · 26-07-2018 09:34PM

I've probably got around .75 acre of a lawn around my new build. As a complete novice to the world of mowers this strikes me as good deal but I'd be very grateful for advice https://www.atkins.ie/mcculloch-m125-85fh.html

Anyone any experience with these or any advice on it? This price is about as far as I'm going to stretch.

Second hand, is this any good? https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/john-deere-lr-135-ride-on-mower/19394402?campaign=3

deezell · 27-07-2018 12:24AM

MahatmaGeansai wrote: »

I've probably got around .75 acre of a lawn around my new build. As a complete novice to the world of mowers this strikes me as good deal but I'd be very grateful for advice https://www.atkins.ie/mcculloch-m125-85fh.html

Anyone any experience with these or any advice on it? This price is about as far as I'm going to stretch.

Second hand, is this any good? https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/john-deere-lr-135-ride-on-mower/19394402?campaign=3

As long as you never need to bag the grass, thats very well priced for that front mounted deck mower. No wheel marks on the cut and it gets into all the awkward places better than a mid mounted tractor deck. So less if any need for a hand mower to tidy up. If you have 2 K to spend you can get new and in a bigger cut than that JD, such as this non bagger,
https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/mcculloch-m145-97t-lawn-tractor-with-side-discharge-and-automatic-transmission-p-6941.html
97cm cut and 50% more power, but its a bit like comparing apples and oranges with very different cutting style machines. You have to decide if bagging is never needed, if maneuverabilty is a priority, how much time you want to spend at the job. That JD is a decent machine but is at least 8 or more years old (last made in 2010). €1400 seems a lot but it might be mint, and probaly cost €3k new. Baggers probaly hold value best.

MahatmaGeansai · 27-07-2018 02:25PM

deezell wrote: »

As long as you never need to bag the grass, thats very well priced for that front mounted deck mower. No wheel marks on the cut and it gets into all the awkward places better than a mid mounted tractor deck. So less if any need for a hand mower to tidy up. If you have 2 K to spend you can get new and in a bigger cut than that JD, such as this non bagger,
https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/mcculloch-m145-97t-lawn-tractor-with-side-discharge-and-automatic-transmission-p-6941.html
97cm cut and 50% more power, but its a bit like comparing apples and oranges with very different cutting style machines. You have to decide if bagging is never needed, if maneuverabilty is a priority, how much time you want to spend at the job. That JD is a decent machine but is at least 8 or more years old (last made in 2010). €1400 seems a lot but it might be mint, and probaly cost €3k new. Baggers probaly hold value best.

Thanks so much deezell, super advice. The inability to collect was my only issue also. Even though I've been mulching all the time and I've been happy out but to not hv the option is a tough one. That one you sent on looks superb. So that crowd do everything online? Amazing find, thank you.

limnam · 30-07-2018 10:41PM

Anyone have any experience with the toro-20978? and or know anywhere in cork i can pick one up?

Psygnosis · 30-07-2018 11:32PM

I need to get a mower in the next week or so its a new build house. Garden isn't too big but big enough for a petrol one

I'm in Cork and would prefer to buy locally

I've narrowed it down to these 2
MD o shea
Mcculloch Self-propelled Petrol Lawnmower M51-140wr
A Large Single Speed Petrol Lawnmower With A 51cm Steel Deck. Options To Collect Grass Or Mulch, Whi..

€349.55 Excl. VAT

€429.95 Incl. VAT

Or which is cheaper
WB455SC - 3in1

Product Description

The new WB455SC push lawnmower with a Loncin Engine 1p65FE 139cc, steel deck, 18" Cutting Width, Self Drive

Technical Data

Steel Deck
Loncin 1P65FE Engine
450mm (18") Cutting Width
Single Height Adjust Lever
55 Litre Grass Box Capacity
37Kg Weight
3 in 1 System - Mulch - Collect - Side Discharge

July Special 2018 €380.00 inc Vat

deezell · 31-07-2018 11:04AM

The McCullough can be got for €369 from Agrieuro, but if you're happy to go local it's your choice . The Weibang I know nothing about but they have a good dealer network in ireland, and have a good rep for their pro models. The next bigger model, WB506SC would compare with the McCullough in terms of cut and power, at €475 here,
http://macroomtoolhire.ie/index.php/product/weibang-3-in-1-lawnmower/.
You might haggle a bit more off. €450-480 will buy a decent machine, online this Stiga with the real Honda GCV engine for €452. https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/stiga-combi-50-sq-heavy-dtuy-self-propelled-lawn-mower-honda-gcv-160-engine-p-10254.html
Even Woodies have a Honda engined 52cm cut prolawn for €450. https://www.woodies.ie/pro-lawn-51cm-160cc-honda-self-propelled-petrol-lawnmower-1143249
The Weibang's Honda cloned Loncin engines would be my only concern, but I can't say one way or the other if they are up to the job.

Psygnosis · 31-07-2018 07:02PM

deezell wrote: »

The McCullough can be got for €369 from Agrieuro, but if you're happy to go local it's your choice . The Weibang I know nothing about but they have a good dealer network in ireland, and have a good rep for their pro models. The next bigger model, WB506SC would compare with the McCullough in terms of cut and power, at €475 here,
http://macroomtoolhire.ie/index.php/product/weibang-3-in-1-lawnmower/.
You might haggle a bit more off. €450-480 will buy a decent machine, online this Stiga with the real Honda GCV engine for €452. https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/stiga-combi-50-sq-heavy-dtuy-self-propelled-lawn-mower-honda-gcv-160-engine-p-10254.html
Even Woodies have a Honda engined 52cm cut prolawn for €450. https://www.woodies.ie/pro-lawn-51cm-160cc-honda-self-propelled-petrol-lawnmower-1143249
The Weibang's Honda cloned Loncin engines would be my only concern, but I can't say one way or the other if they are up to the job.

Hi Deezel
Thanks for the feedback you have given me food for thought. My thoughts on going local would be I'd have a local comeback if anything went wrong but I guess buying online could work out cheaper.
I'm just after moving house so cash is short. What I really need is a mower that can do the following
Mulch
Self propelled
Decent grass collector
Hope to get at a minimum 5 years out of it,

Would like to have electric start if possible but those machines seem expensive

Would you be able to recommend anything within say 30 miles of Cork City or alterntaively recommend one online that would do all this
I dont have a massive garden but its allot bigger than I what I moved from.

Psygnosis · 31-07-2018 09:44PM

Ok went with the following. It should get the job done thanks for the help I'll update when I use it first.
How much work needs to be done when it arrives. I'll read the manual through to make sure oil etc is done.
McCulloch M53-150WRP petrol lawn mower - 53 cm cutting width - rear wheel drive - mulching

https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/mcculloch-m53-150wrp-petrol-lawn-mower-53-cm-cutting-width-rear-wheel-drive-mulching-p-10176.html

deezell · 31-07-2018 09:53PM

Psygnosis wrote: »

Ok went with the following. It should get the job done thanks for the help I'll update when I use it first.
How much work needs to be done when it arrives. I'll read the manual through to make sure oil etc is done.
McCulloch M53-150WRP petrol lawn mower - 53 cm cutting width - rear wheel drive - mulching

https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/mcculloch-m53-150wrp-petrol-lawn-mower-53-cm-cutting-width-rear-wheel-drive-mulching-p-10176.html

Plenty of bang for your buck there with 53cm cut and decent size briggs engine. Oil is usually not in engine, you add it from bottle. Best of luck starting out on your grass cutting life's journey!

limnam · 03-08-2018 10:44PM

Not many toro-20978 owners so

Anyone use anything similar to it they'd recommend ?

NIMAN · 04-08-2018 08:11AM

I saw the 30" Toro in the flesh yesterday in a dealer in Derry.

Its one hell of a beast, and to be honest I kinda thought "thats just too big for what I need".

It would rush through the flatter and more open areas of my garden, but I have too many tight turns, slopes, hills, bumps etc that I think might actually make it awkward to have such a large machine.

New Home · 05-08-2018 02:12PM

Hi folks, hope I'm in the right place, if I'm not please let me know and I'll go to the motors forum.

Yesterday I bought a new lawnmower, it says on the box that it needs oil, specifically 10W30. The places I went to had none, but someone suggested I use 10W40, they said that would do, too. Is that correct? I don't want to wreck the lawnmower by using the wrong oil, while invalidating the warrantee in the process.

Thanks.

deezell · 05-08-2018 02:33PM

limnam wrote: »

Not many toro-20978 owners so

Anyone use anything similar to it they'd recommend ?

This might help ypu decide.
https://youtu.be/f60dDi0zAGg
That model is the electric start. Both types have a clutched drive to the blades, so manual starting should be easier as you're not spinning the blades, but its still a hefty engine to pull start, so I'd be all for this model. Good price here, they deliver to Iteland
https://www.lawnmowersdirect.co.uk/product/toro-20978-timemaster-76cm-steel-deck-rotary-lawnmower-copy/
£150 Less for non electric start at £950

deezell · 05-08-2018 02:36PM

New Home wrote: »

Hi folks, hope I'm in the right place, if I'm not please let me know and I'll go to the motors forum.

Yesterday I bought a new lawnmower, it says on the box that it needs oil, specifically 10W30. The places I went to had none, but someone suggested I use 10W40, they said that would do, too. Is that correct? I don't want to wreck the lawnmower by using the wrong oil, while invalidating the warrantee in the process.

Thanks.

It wont make a huge difference, but for peace of mind get the 10 30. Youd see it in any petrol station with a shop. Im surprised mower vendor didnt give it to you. Hes risking people putting anything in then coming back with problems. With 10 40 oil will lubricate better if the mower is driven hard, as it will stay thicker when very hot.

New Home · 05-08-2018 02:46PM

Thanks Deezel, very good to know.

The chap in the shop told me they had none left in stock, but he did make sure I understood it was vital (I knew it already, but better safe than sorry). I then went three other places to look for it but no joy. I'll try again tomorrow.

limnam · 05-08-2018 08:39PM

deezell wrote: »

This might help ypu decide.
https://youtu.be/f60dDi0zAGg
That model is the electric start. Both types have a clutched drive to the blades, so manual starting should be easier as you're not spinning the blades, but its still a hefty engine to pull start, so I'd be all for this model. Good price here, they deliver to Iteland
https://www.lawnmowersdirect.co.uk/product/toro-20978-timemaster-76cm-steel-deck-rotary-lawnmower-copy/
£150 Less for non electric start at £950

Thanks Deezell!

I was trying to find the electric start local but the few I've asked don't stock and said they won't. Ideally I'd like to get it local for repairs any warranty bits

do you think it would be much of a hassel with the above purchasing from the UK ?

deezell · 05-08-2018 10:29PM

limnam wrote: »

Thanks Deezell!

I was trying to find the electric start local but the few I've asked don't stock and said they won't. Ideally I'd like to get it local for repairs any warranty bits

do you think it would be much of a hassel with the above purchasing from the UK ?

Arm rentals in Newry were doing Toro, but not showing any for sale now. You'd pay that Agmon price just for the pull start one here. It's a decision you have weigh up, but they may have an agent for warranty work here, as they sell to UK and ROI only. Maybe ring them and discuss.

deezell · 06-08-2018 12:58PM

Just to add, the link for the TORO electric start was for Lawnmowers direct, ar £1100, I mentioned AGMonline who do deliver to NI and ROI, phone for details. Their price is an attractive £1038 for the electric start.
http://www.agmonline.co.uk/toro-timemaster-20978-76cm-electric-start-lawnmower

colm_mcm · 06-08-2018 05:31PM

Have a Rover lawnmower here with a briggs and stratton quantum i/c 55 engine. Is there any way to slightly increase the rpm on the engine, it’s been like this since new, all filters etc are good, new plug. Just revs that little bit too low. It’s still perfectly usable for light work, but would probably be a lot easier to use if the rpm was a tiny bit higher.
The last lawnmower we had (10 years ago) was a crappy Tecumseh engine which had easily adjustable engine speed.

deezell · 06-08-2018 07:17PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Have a Rover lawnmower here with a briggs and stratton quantum i/c 55 engine. Is there any way to slightly increase the rpm on the engine, it’s been like this since new, all filters etc are good, new plug. Just revs that little bit too low. It’s still perfectly usable for light work, but would probably be a lot easier to use if the rpm was a tiny bit higher.
The last lawnmower we had (10 years ago) was a crappy Tecumseh engine which had easily adjustable engine speed.

I take it this is a fixed speed engine with no throttle cable. You can remove the carb and engine covers and you should see the governor spring which pulls against the governor lever. The spring should be connected to a small metal adjustable mount which can be rotated to pull the spring a little harder, requiring the engine to run a little faster to reach equilibrium speed.

NIMAN · 06-08-2018 07:25PM

There's a dealer in Derry who sell that extra wide Toro. I seen it the other day.

£1150 but I'm sure there would be a slight reduction available if you were coming to buy it.

deezell · 06-08-2018 07:27PM

NIMAN wrote: »

There's a dealer in Derry who sell that extra wide Toro. I seen it the other day.

£1150 but I'm sure there would be a slight reduction available if you were coming to buy it.

But is it the version with electric start? That's what Limnan was looking for.

NIMAN · 06-08-2018 07:57PM

Honestly can't remember.
Worth a call maybe if seriously considering it

limnam · 06-08-2018 10:14PM

NIMAN wrote: »

Honestly can't remember.
Worth a call maybe if seriously considering it

Do you have a link for the dealer

I've mailed two places above in the UK to check on warranty work etc

deezell · 06-08-2018 11:22PM

limnam wrote: »

Do you have a link for the dealer

I've mailed two places above in the UK to check on warranty work etc

Either Harkins or Waterside I'd say. Both stock Toro, Waterside has non elelectric 20975 for £1195, Harkins dont sell online but their website shows a bunch of mowers in the mowers link and I can see a Timemaster in the image.
http://www.watersidelawnmowers.com/index.php
http://www.harkinlawnmowers.com/service.html

NIMAN · 07-08-2018 07:42AM

Yeah it was Harkins I saw the Toro in.
It was the only Toro on the shop floor.

MahatmaGeansai · 07-08-2018 08:13PM

deezell wrote: »

If you are considering a Timemaster, the 20798 model with Electric start and a 223cc engine is well worth the extra £100 on UK sites. The 20976 with 190cc is a bit underpowered for a 30" cut if the going was heavy. Also takes a fair swing to start these engines, the electric start means you can send herself out to do the mowing.
https://www.lawnmowersdirect.co.uk/product/toro-20978-timemaster-76cm-steel-deck-rotary-lawnmower-copy/

The 20976 looks to have the same 223cc engine here I think?:

https://www.lawnmowersdirect.co.uk/product/toro-20976-timemaster-76cm-steel-deck-rotary-lawnmower/

I rented one today to give it a go and it's a mighty yoke. I think I'll purchase over the ride on as the exercise was great. Hopefully lawnmowersdirect work out. The electric start is certainly appealing but the 150 pound saving is hard to if ignore and also leaves less to go wrong I hope.

The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

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