New Lawn Mower

[cheezeegriff]

Greetings all.

The old lawn mower has just died and my grandparents have asked me (in my tech savviness) to find them a new one online, so here I am!

The last mower was a 2 blade, 4 stroke Jetfast Honda and I'd like one that was similar in that regard. It had a wide cutting base too but, as far as I could tell, wasn't too heavy. Realistically I don't think my grandparents are going to be doing any more mowing for themselves, so that job falls to me. I'm no superman though so I don't want it to be TOO heavy.

My grandfather's main concern with cheap mowers is that their bodies are not very strongly made and they're liable to fall apart. So can anybody recommend me a good mower that will last a long time and has the qualities mentioned above?

Thank you very much for your assistance.

[dazzler]

Have you thought of a self propelled model from Honda or Toro.

Honda - http://www.hondampe.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/hondampe/Home/Power+Equipment/Product+Range/Lawnmowers/Commercial+Lawnmowers/HRU216D+SU+Classic

Toro -
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>


</TD></TR><TR vAlign=center><TD colSpan=3 height=20></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=250 height=152>http://www.bobcrosby.com.au/images/toro/toro_walk_power.jpg</TD><TD width=18></TD><TD vAlign=top width=326>Features and options include: </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


The toro is around the $700 mark, not sure about the honda. The toro has a briggs and stratton while the Honda has the fantastic Honda motor.

Not sure how old your parents are however the self propelled make mowing easy.

Victa make a self propelled model in both victa and briggs and stratton motors, I would go with the Victa motor.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://www.victa.com.au/themes/victa/images/2007TMD482.jpg</TD><TD>http://www.victa.com.au/themes/victa/images/spacer.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=content vAlign=top width=10>: . </TD><TD>http://www.victa.com.au/themes/victa/images/spacer.gif</TD><TD class=content vAlign=top>TORNADO MULCH OR CATCH
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Or you could go with one of these small rideons, MTD Yard Bug;
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center align=middle colSpan=5 height=229>http://www.mtd.com.au/yardmanrideons/ymanrideonspics/yman9hp031005.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD height=33></TD><TD vAlign=top></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=left colSpan=5 height=242>The "Auto-Drive" transmission makes the Yard-Bug as easy to drive as a car.

I have used one of these and they are a great alternative for the small lawn and can access most areas a mower can. I think about $2000 for one of these.

If you go for retail advice I would stick with one of the main mowing retailers such as MTD dealerships or similar and avoid the hardware/supastore places.

good luck



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[arose62]

Just been reading the Choice comparo of electric mowers.

The Victa $139 was ranked Best Buy, and it's the one we're replacing our venerable petrol mower with.

These things are very light, but all electrics have some fiddly arrangement for changing cutting height.

The plusses are easy starting, quiet, light and easy to handle.

Cheers,
Andrew

[Jacksin]

Just bought a Victa 2 stroke (as my whipper snipper and blower are 2 stroke) VE40 mower for $389. Its lightweight and easy to use.

I suppose the argument will start over which is best 2 or 4 stroke, but I am on my third 2 stroke mower. The first one lasted over 27 years, and the second around 18 yrs and was belted unmercifully on my lawn round.

I like the high torque at low revs.

[dazzler]

I like the high torque at low revs.

That would be a 4 stroke :D

[Batpig]

Dear Cheeze,

Can I just quickly pop up and ask the following questions:

1) Assuming that you (or the grandfolks) have a 2 stroke edge trimmer: What brand is it, how good is it, how close to wanting to replace it are you, and what is it's petrol/oil mix ratio?

2) Will the new mower be staying at the grandparents' place and only doing one lawn, or will you be carrying it around with you and doing at least a couple of lawns with it?

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

[Jacksin]

That would be a 4 stroke

Err I disagree Dazzler. From the Victa website -- "Victa ECO TorqueVEX60 (a larger model 2 stroke) offers EXTRA high torque at low revs".

Mine is a smaller version of the preceeding.

[dazzler]

Sorry Jack I should not have been so flippant.

Two stroke engines make power , generally the more revs the more power is made. Where they make power is dependant upon the exhaust port size and inlet size.

Four stroke engines make torque and is where its maximum is is dependant generally on the camshaft profile but always low in the rev range.

So getting back to the Victa 2strokes, the eco torque does have 5% more torque than the standard Victa 2 stroke and I would guess thats down to a reduced exhaust port size.

So you are correct that it makes more torque. Interesting though that the site states emissions are down 30%, fuel consumption 20% and torque up 5%. Note that power output is not mentioned.....bet its down 5% :D.


cheers

dazzler

[Loki429]

Hi cheezeegriff.
You'll need to tell us what size lawn you will be mowing and what type of grass you have in order to pick an appropriate mower.
For example it is no use buying a ride-on to mow a patch of lawn 20m x 20m. Also couch is easier to mow than buffalow (easier to push the mower on and easier on the engine).

I have just bought a Victa Classic with the eco-torque engine mentioned and am extremely happy with it! I have approx 500 sq metres of sir walter buffalow that is very thick in some places. It also hadn't been mowed for three weeks and I cut it on the weekend whilst wet with no problems.
One thing I did notice about that engine is that as I went into some longer/thicker grass where I would have normally increased the throttle I found the engine seemed to increase all by itself. Almost as if it detected the extra load and increased throttle to maintain the same rpm.

I had thought of buying a 4 stroke for their supposedly cleaner exhaust emissions. However in the end I chose the 2 stroke as they generally have more power (torque?) for the same block size. Plus I bought some of the synthetic 2 stroke oil that lets me run the mower at 50:1 instead of 25:1 which I'm sure helps emissions too.

I don't know about the advantages of 4 blade vs 2 blade. Mine is 2 blade however I notice it does have holes for 4 blades. Can anyone comment on this?

Oh yeah another feature of the Victa that I just saw on the pictures below that sold me. The front and rear wheels are spaced apart the same, and both sides of the mower cut right to the edge. This makes it easy to cut right up to the fence from both sides of the mower.

BTW I'm in no way affiliated with Victa other than owning a previous model that lasted ~15 years and hoping the new one will last the same!

Cheers,
Loki

[dazzler]

I had thought of buying a 4 stroke for their supposedly cleaner exhaust emissions. However in the end I chose the 2 stroke as they generally have more power (torque?) for the same block size.


Hi

Four strokes make torque - they like to lug around at low revs.

Two strokes make power - they like to rev where they make power.

cheers

dazzler

[dreinoga]

I bought a 4 stroke one from Bunnings the other day, but I chose the one which has a chipper as well, and god I love it.
Can chip up to 35mm of branches, tho it does struggle up at the size, yes I have tried it.
They also come with a mulcher attachment, so no more full catchers of cutting to dispose of.

Regards
D

[MICKYG]

We have had two Victa 2 stroke mowers for a period of 36 years. Mowing every week in season and being a corner block we mow the footpath both directions as well. Thats reasonable testimony as to their longevity.


Regards Mike:wink::2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[pawnhead]

What's the go with robotic mowers? They seem to be getting popular and reliable nowadays but they cost a couple of grand. Just plug them in and forget about it. But what about your nature strip out the front? I suppose you could move it out there and start it up again.
Does anyone have any experience with them?

[DavenRos]

I use a Honda self propelled mower, they are easy to start & easy to operate.
Any self propelled mower would be an ideal choice for the older generation to use.