The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

Thanks for the advice Deezel. Looks like the backfiring was a once off issue thankfully. It did it twice that day when I posted about it but has been used a good bit since with multiple start ups and no backfires.

So still very happy with the Stihl 5112Z so far. We're putting in a good few beds these days which involves moving large quantities of stone, topsoil, compost, bark mulch, etc. and this machine, along with the tipping trailer I got for it, has been an absolute godsend. Very impressed with the loads it can pull.

Decent mower, but this Mountfield in Screwfix.ie (Ballina, Roscommon, Galway your nearest) is more bang for your buck. 51cm cut and a Honda GCV engine.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/mountfield-sp53h-51cm-167cc-self-propelled-rotary-petrol-lawn-mower/976fy

As for the scutch, roundup and reseed, else carefully brush the roundup on the scutch fronds avoiding the grass.

Worth it for the peace of mind that the belt is properly tensioned, and the blades and mounts checked out OK, no warps or imbalance. Hopefully a long time before you attempt rock sculpturing using a mower again, timing belt will eventually weaken from normal use, 4-6 years, but could last longer, and either break or jump teeth causing the blades to clatter into each other. Deck V belt will usually wear quicker, again depending on hours and how hard it's loaded, eventually slipping on start up or under heavy load.

Non synced and timed deck belt routes for Stihl/Viking.

Hi All

I did something similar to my old ride on (Castelgarden PT170hd) and found this video on youtube - Irish guy who changes his timing

belt on honda HF417 (exact same deck). Very helpful and easy to follow.

J

Hi, I currently have a T2000 craftsman ride on, it's 4 years old, I no longer need it as we did an extensive bit of landscaping and the lawn area has been greatly reduced. I want to sell it but is now a good time to do so or should I mothball it and sell in the spring?

Cheers, that's who I bought it from in Ennis so I gave them a buzz to see if they'd be interest in buying it back, might save me the hassle of putting it up on donedeal

Hey Deezell,

new to petrol mowers but need it as I have a bigger garden now 80ft x 30ft. was going to go with this : Pro Lawn 46cm Self Propelled B&S Petrol Lawnmower | Woodie's (woodies.ie) as it has a B&S engine, but then i saw your link. would yours be a preferred purchase? dont mind paying extra if its better.

thanks gaz

The voucher doesn't seem to work unfortunately.

Nice machine but 65mm highest cut is a big weakness.

With 10% off its a no brainer, will hold its value much better with the Mountfield/Honda brands combi. A very large machine for just 222m2 though.

Jus be aware that the height rack in the Mountfield is punched into the deck, so it's not a case of just repositioning a bolted on rack.

It might be possible to form an extra slot to give you more height assuming the axle pivot still had some range remaining to raise the height. You'd need to inspect one of these mowers to be certain. On a lawn of only 80 by 30 feet, 65cm would be high enough if its been nicely laid down and levelled, and with a finer finish. Higher cuts tend to suit coarser lawns and less level sites.

thanks, yea coming in at €383. if too big, would you recommend something else? i dont mind what height it goes up to as i usually keep on top of cutting. also planning to make smaller with extension, paving etc cheers

Thanks guys.

This review would indicate its less than 80m unfortunately

"If the ‘ride height’ was better, I’m sure it would have tackled these too as it eventually went over them after I tilted the mower back a bit & went over them a few times lowering the front a bit each time.

The fact you cannot adjust the ‘ride height’ high enough on this model is my only gripe with the mower really (hence the 4 stars for features).

My electric Mountfield mower (for the smaller lawns around the barn) has a ‘ride height’ of 80mm so it’s a little odd (& disappointing) that this heavy duty petrol mower has a lower maximum ‘ride height’! Furthermore, I cannot see anybody using the 2 lowest settings - unless they’ve got a bowling green - as the third lowest setting cuts very close to the ground!"

Need a high cut for my place as the grass is coarse in places and a good bit of thatch, despite the regular scarification.

Might take a wander into the shop and see if they have one on display and will bring the measuring tape😃

222m2 or less is into cordless mower territory, even an inexpensive one would could the entire area in one charge. This Titan at €299 is a budget model, but with a decent 16 inch /41cm cut, and claims a 450m2 on a single charge, which is credible if you're cutting a nice lawn frequently, not trying to harvest a crop of silage like some boys out there.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/titan-36v-4-0ah-li-ion-txp-brushless-cordless-41cm-rotary-lawn-mower/600pt

Nothing special in the price of the Honda Monaghan Hire have it at the same price and I suspect having dealt with them in the past you might get a bit more off it https://monaghanhire.com/collections/ride-on-lawnmowers/products/honda-hf-2417-ride-on-mower-brexit-buster-deal

The Honda is a good reliable machine but I can't say anything much about the Stihl as I've no experience with them.