The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

angrybeaver wrote: »

If going used sub €900 what would be the best machine for the money. I know it’s down to condition too but any i should avoid? Stick with Castelgarden etc? Thanks

There's not huge choice at this time of year. Try the dealers, donedeal, adverts.
Something like this perhaps.
https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/ride-on-lawnmower/24812906
You really have to go and see, bring someone who might know a bit about them.

angrybeaver wrote: »

Thanks, the mulching mower is a great idea I’d just fear you need to keep on top of it more. Mine being half as big again I’d be looking at 1hr 45mins to cut and Would need to do it very regularly. I will look into the suggestion. Thanks

I always have the collection box for when I get lazy and skip a few days :pac:

angrybeaver wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/25284007

This guy is selling this and a yardman 17hp

He’s local enough so will take a look at both. Lining up someone to come with me that knows more than me which wouldn’t be too hard. Anything to look for or are these models/brands ok?

The JD is a Castelgarden TC102, from back when JD were so expensive they badged the (then) budget priced Italian jobs. Maybe a 2004 vintage. I sold a 20yr old CG identical to this a few years ago, working great, but plenty of maintenance over the years.
Once the engine checks out, no smoke, decent compression in a hand turn, the other things to check in this is wear on the front steering pinions, play on the front axle joint, rust on the deck, and especially rust in the inner metal chute. It's a manual drive, so check drive belt ( it really needs the pricier Kevlar wrapped type so the clutch doesn't snatch). Check the differential for all the bolts in place on the big sprocket, they can shear due to sudden hard clutching. Blade engage lever also, the hinged mechanism under the wheel cover can crack, giving s spongy feeling, which will eventually fail to pull the cutter belt tight enough.

The yardman looks the better buy, bigger engine, CVT belt drive, cast front axle?, electric blade clutch, non synchronous twin deck, which uses a single belt, no expensive timing belt and more forgiving of clatters against rocks, herbs, roots etc.

Haggle, see which one he discounts more, the JD name might fool some, but it's an older basic CG, worth maybe €600 in CG red.

angrybeaver wrote: »

Agree The yard man is more appealing. Would you be worried about the kohler engine rather than B&S? probably harder get parts for the yardman?

If it's running well, and the oil is reasonably clean and has been changed, I'd be happy with it. Check the compression by rotating the engine by hand, two hands on the top spinning filter. Should be good resistance, you can gauge how quickly the chamber pressure leaks away if piston/rings are worn or valves are leaking. It's not the most scientific test, but comparing it to a new engine, you'll get an idea. Kohler are a well known brand. I wouldn't be worrying about sourcing engine parts, if you're looking for those you're already in deep doodoo, as there's very few trivial parts to a mower engine that don't mean total failure, I'm not counting carburettor, starter, exhaust components, (check the latter for rust and holes).
Most mower engines would fail for want of regular oil changing or topping up, and on an old rideon or push mower even, it could be more than it's worth to rebuild the engine.
Give the YM mower a similar going over as I suggested for the JD/CG. Check out wheel bearings also, a small bit of play is tolerable. Soggy steering is significant issue, if the entire train from rack to arm to track rod and pivots are worn, it will be tiresome to use. The ball joints on the arm and track rods are cheap and easy to replace though, pinion bushings too.
Check the long non synchro deck drive belt along its length for any chunks knocked out of it, you should be able to pull it through manually.
Check the seat hinges for cracks also.
Wear depends on how much work it's done, and on how rough the terrain. You're not looking for perfection, but just trying to avoid an annoying wear related failure early into used ownership.

willietherock wrote: »

Hi
doing a DIY oil change on a push mower. Empting oil out by tipping over mower. Do I have to empty petrol tank first?

Good idea, it can flood through the carb into chamber then into the sump otherwise. There's a sump plug on the bottom to drain it.

CryanGame wrote: »

Hi. Looking at getting a new/second hand ride on lawnmower. Budget is around €3k. Would need it to cut three separate lawns around 2 acres in total and don't want the cutting that wide as there is some narrow parts. What model would ye recommend or any deals?

Try and put another grand with it and buy yourself something new and decent.Forget the second hand.could be a bag of trouble.2 acres is a lot of grass.Maybe look at the new castelgardens and look into getting a mulching kit for it to speed up the cutting and save you bagging it.
If you buy keep it serviced regularly

You wont go astray with either a new or s/h Honda 1724, they are well able for big lawns, ( even ones that are a bit on the rough side ) plus will easily fit within your 50" limit. Either Husqvarna or Honda would be my choice anyway.

98cm cut for under €3k, Alpina BT 98 , really only rated for one acre of grass, 4000m2. https://www.glanbiaconnect.com/shop/product/Alpina-BT-98-Hyrdostatic-Ride-on-Lawnmower/9098271

If you have twice that area, you'll need to add a grand as advised, a little more width and a good bit more power. You can go for this bigger superior Alpina (they're Castelgarden in white), for slightly over budget in NI, https://www.amrentals.ie/Ride_on_Lawnmowers/alpina-at8102hcb.htm , about €3350, V twin engine, and 102cm cut.

For a massive step up, this 110cm V twin 21hp Stihl for €3900 will eat 2 acres, and fit into 50" strip. https://monaghanhire.com/products/sthil-rt-5112-z

You won't get a 48" cut machine for €3k! Or €5k for that matter. €5k will get you the Honda 40" mentioned. The Stihl 43" I linked earlier is €3750 here, https://www.fitzhire.ie/tractors/250-stihl-rt-5112-oz-mower.html.
For that price biggest cut, engine and bag at 360l. If your budget is fixed at €3k, then there's this used version of the Stihl from a Dealer, when it was known as Viking, €2850 before haggling. Premium quality of construction, you should get a warranty with it.
https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/viking-lawnmower-second-hand/25339954

Do you really want a ride on mower?
Imagine you could buy a used decent car for the cost of a lawnmower (my friend is trying to sell a Merc 180C with near full NCT for €1200).
Exercise: the exercise to be got using a walk-behind mower is beneficial and you can see the problems or weak areas.

Cut the grass often as this promotes thicker/bushier plants, do not cut the grass too low (in the hope you will not have to cut it again for a while). Regular cutting and treatment (feeding/watering, adding golden pitch sand (n.b. without lime) raking, removing moss & stones will improve the surface over a period of time. This can often be done in sections over a period of time, maybe starting nearer the house.
Heavy Rolling is not really recommended anymore as it compacts the soil and inhibits root growth. No matter how good your mower is, moss and weeds will appear in areas (better to embrace them as part of nature, rather than trying to eradicate them).


Ride-ons
Countax/Westwood with sweeping brushes: We used one of these on a soccer pitch and it gave a fantastic finish. soccer pitches need a good grass covering for summer and winter. The model was an antique but was very reliable (eg. https://shanleymowers.net/products/tractor-mowers/countax/). We now use a Kabuta with a hydraulic lift for tipping the grass. This is a great machine, much quicker but still not as good as finish as the Countax/Westwood sweeper. Some people don't like them as there are more belts to power the sweeper, but once your mechanic knows what he is doing, it is not an issue.

Be prepared (unless you or your husband are good with engines, all mowers will need to or should be serviced / repaired each year at an average of €200 - €300).


Push Mowers
You could consider a walk behind cylinder mower (again these are more expensive than rotary mowers).

At home I have about 1/4 of acre. But would not be suitable for a ride on. I use a rotary mower, takes about 30 mins to cut the grass twice a week. Some will come with a small roller or flap to give that stripped effect or you can add a roller kit.

Check out your local hire centre or lawnmower seller. Perhaps hire a ride-on (or get a lend of one) and see what ye think.
If you can get a good used machine, it will be somewhat cheaper.

Best of luck

deezell wrote: »

A robot managing 2 acres, would be going 24/7! I'm sticking to my advice. As big a cut as you can afford means less time in the saddle. Even the 102cm cut Honda is going to take 2 hours to cut all three plots that makes up the 2 acres, unless the entire two acres is a 1m straight strip of 8km in length. But then you have to drive the mower 8km home...

Etesia robot would make short work of it.....

deezell wrote: »

Fantastic looking, only €9k for the 2 acre+ model. If it's good enough for Bayern Munich....

I never said it was as cheap as a husqvarna.

They are very good though, a friend of mine has one.

A nice compact mower that can do decent areas is the etesia bahia. I have the hydro 80 which is the pro version.

Kencollins wrote: »

Does anyone know a rough guide to valuing a ride on? I need to upgrade mine to a compact tractor as I have more land now. Paid 4200 for a 2018 model TC342T in November 2018, 100 hours, kept inside. Would 3000 be a fair price to hope to get?

Doubt it, I lost 2.5k on a kubota diesel €7k+ after only 6 months, year before last.

Kencollins wrote: »

Christ, I hope it's not that bad!

I will have to keep it if I can't get the 3000, no compact tractor for me!

Mine hadn't done 25 hours.

Didn't bother me as the mower was crap so then bought an etesia.

Which is better Mountfield 1530h or Castelgarden xdc140

red bull wrote: »

Which is better Mountfield 1530h or Castelgarden xdc140

Both made by GGP, now Stiga group. Both use the same non synch 84cm deck, the CG has a Briggs and Stratton engine, smaller cc but similar power to the own brand 452 cc in the Mountfield. Engine apart, most other components would be identical.

red bull wrote: »

Are the Mountfield engines proven ? or would the Castelgarden having a Briggs and Stratton be a deciding factor

Keep the oil topped/changed, don't abuse and they'll all last a long time. GGP engine is probably made in China, but to their standard. If the mowers are identically priced, then maybe swing towards b&s, previously there was a big price difference in same Stiga group mowers with a choice of GGP, B&S and Honda engines, but they seem to have consolidated choice across all models and brands, Stiga, CG, Mountfield and Alpina, and another clone brand I forget right now. Try and see both models, and compare the feel of each. It's a bit like Lexus and Toyota, or VW and Skoda/Seat.

deezell wrote: »

Are you seriously suggesting he mows 2 Acres, about 8000 m2 with a walk behind cylinder mower? Mowing rate at a brisk 5km/hour, 50cm cut, and 20% allowance for overlap, corners, curves, obstacles, bag emptying and refueling would be 2000 m2 in an hour. Only another 6000 m2 and 3 hours to go.

I was actually reply to a post on a query for a 1/2 acre+.
So I suppose its always good to quote what your replying to.
but then the other points are relevant
It would be a great workout

antix80 wrote: »

Bit late to be posting as I already picked it up..

I bought this lawnmower for a small back yard, 150sq yards.

https://www.gardenmachinery.ie/our-brands/harry/lawnmowers/harry-21-selfpropelled-mower.html

I tried researching it before i bought it and found nothing so figured, no news is good news.

Well, once it was delivered i saw from the real model number on the mower that it is the same model as what woodies sell. A bit of google of woodies lawnmowers and there are problems with wheels falling off and no parts available, the self drive stopping working, etc., and only the engine is any use.

Did I buy a dud?

No, You'll never wear it out mowing 150 sq yards, that's less than 1/30 th of an acre. This is a decent 21" machine, it will mow this in 10 minutes. Harry are a respected brand, albeit they've badged a budget mower.