lawnmowers?

[cruisindub]

Hi swaggers,
Need to buy my first lawn mower. (Can't keep borrowing my brothers, he always wants it back everytime )
So i have seen bunnings have lawn mowers from. 240$ to over 600$
So how much do I have to spend to get something decent and at a good price?
What makes a good lawn mower? What must I look out for?
Hopefully don't want to spend a huge amount. But don't want to buy a lemon.

Cheers.

[D4D]

What makes a good lawn mower?

Briggs & Stratton motor. I recently serviced a Rover mower with a Briggs & Stratton motor my Grandfather gave to my Father almost 30 years ago. I had neglected it and it was a bit sad however with some new oil, spark plug, blades, air filter and a carby clean it is running like a Swiss watch.

[fuji]

Briggs & Stratton motor. I recently serviced a Rover mower with a Briggs & Stratton motor my Grandfather gave to my Father almost 30 years ago. I had neglected it and it was a bit sad however with some new oil, blades, air filter and a carby clean it is running like a Swiss watch.

As above or if so inclined buy a Honda. Mine hasnt missed a beat.
Wayne

[Jason B]

These days look at the quality and materials in the deck. A lot of them these days are thin pressed tin. When the paint gets damaged underneath (sticks, rocks etc) they rust pretty quickly and can also split. Stay away from lots of plastic bits also as they are hard to fix. Look for a alloy or quality steel deck, also a steel rear door (to the catcher) if posible. A briggs and straton motor is fine (so are Honda's and Kohlars etc) and easy to get parts for.

Keep it simple. Depending on your block (hills) you may want to consider a self propelled one also (more $$$).


Regards

Jas

[D4D]

I was going to buy this until I got the Rover going, 3 in 1 and Honda motor.

http://www.klika.com.au/husqvarna-lawn-mower-160cc-honda-4-stroke-7021p.html

[barneys]

where do  you live

[cruisindub]

where do  you live

Albany,  south west WA.

Cheers.

[Jason B]

http://www.klika.com.au/husqvarna-lawn-mower-160cc-honda-4-stroke-7021p.html

These have a thin pressed base. I have a Viking made by Stihl with the alloy deck. I think some model Huskies also have a cast base/deck.

[D4D]

These have a thin pressed base. I have a Viking made by Stihl with the alloy deck. I think some model Huskies also have a cast base/deck.

Just as well I got the Rover going and didn't buy it then

[Jason B]

Just as well I got the Rover going and didn't buy it then

By the sound of the Rover mate you may be able to hand it down to your kids.


Regards


jas

[nick 08]

Honda is all ill say, I was given my parents Honda mower that they bought new in 87 they upgraded to a new model 8yrs ago and I think I'll still have it in another 8yrs starts first pull every time.
I also have a Honda blower and Weedwhacker all 4stroke  no more mixing fuel

Nick

[achjimmy]

My 3 choices would be.

1 Honda
2 Honda
3 Honda

I bought a Honda 5 HP self propelled 16 years ago to replace a ride on. It's slashed both the mountain properties I have owned in that time and still going, it is used as an ordinary mower as well every week in summer and I have only ever replaced the blades once and both rear wheels are bald from use. It is the best  garden thing I ever bought yes it was expensive once.

[kylarama]

Hi swaggers,
Need to buy my first lawn mower. (Can't keep borrowing my brothers, he always wants it back everytime )
So i have seen bunnings have lawn mowers from. 240$ to over 600$
So how much do I have to spend to get something decent and at a good price?
What makes a good lawn mower? What must I look out for?
Hopefully don't want to spend a huge amount. But don't want to buy a lemon.
Cheers.

Honda, as others have said.  Providing budget allows of course.

More importantly, steer clear of Bunnings type places and go to a proper mower shop.  You might save 20-$50 at Bunnings, but a mower shop will sell it to you fully assembled and shop tested.  Also alot less hassle if something does go wrong down the track and it needs to be sent back.

[Big Nath]

http://www.deere.com/en_AU/brochure/turf/homeowner/jx90_brochure.pdf

15year Deck warranty.

Cheers!!

[Estelle]

Nothing wrong with the old Victa. Been going for years. Not a big brand name, but OK.

[Tjupurula]

Oh, okay, you mean the mechanical kind.  We have plenty of lawn mowers here at Lake Gregory, and we do not even put saddles on them very often....
Tjupurula

[speewa158]

Is this the mower you want to pay for or do you want to use it as well . As a contractor l use Honda . Currently my main mower is a 3 speed 21in cut mulch/catcher . a very handy bit of kit .This will last me 2 years then it will start to give  me strife . ln that time it will have 20 or more sets of blades , handle bars , wheels , oil  , air cleaners & possibly do in a week what you might do in a year .
Buy quality once . lf it goes paired shaped you can sell it back to the mower shop that can best service to for you . My gear costs $1500 a go , but it goes when it has to & thats all l want . OR get a pro to cut your lawn & go camping instead 

[dazzler]

A victa 2 stroke is the simplest and you can service it yourself.  If it stops working for some reason you can get it going yourself with new parts for less than the cost of a service call.

Just walk into bunnings and get an aircleaner, spark plug, pull start, carb needle and a top crankcase seal for like $25.00 and you have the lot to have it back to new.

Watch the frame on anything with a generic engine (briggs and stratton or victa) thats cheap as sometimes they are crap.

[Bill]

I have a 4 stroke Rover.
It has a briggs and stratton engine I do believe.
Its has a catcher but can also mulch.
I went 4 stroke because I hate 2 stroke lawn mowers. Me and 2 strokes never get along.
I also went with the mulcher because I cant be bothered to empty the catcher, and to be honest when it is in mulcher mode and I mow the grass regularly you really dont see the cuttings.
Very easy to start and a very sturdy deck.
We have had it a little over 2 years now (I think) and it still runs and cuts great...
Bill and Morag

[Campa]

Another vote for Honda. I've got one of these.

http://www.lawnmowers.com.au/Domestic_Lawn_Mowers/HRU19M1

Honda with Aluminium deck and the mulching capacity - Expensive but absolutely Brillant 

[rotare]

Another vote for Honda.

Yes they are more expensive, but will last you forever and be a pleasure to use.  I have two large blocks to mow and I was lucky enough to find a second hand, but near new commercial Honda mower for the same price I would have paid for a mid-spec Bunnings mower.  Gets a regular work out, but hasn't missed a beat. 

[gibbo301]

You should ask the wife witch one she prefers 

[Pipeliner]

We have a Victa with a Honda engine - chosen because of the width of the grass discharge into the catcher.  Our previous mower (with a Briggs & Stratton engine) had a small discharge area which clogged up regularly if the grass was long or damp.

[BigJules]

I've got a Victa 300, with a Briggs & Stratton 3.75hp motor. I bought it 12 years ago, so it has done somehere around 400 lawns (I love my lawn). It recently needed a diaphram replaced in the carby and has a hole in the deck now that will be terminal in the next two years. I've changed the oil twice, not therough neglect but just because the oil was perfect every time I checked it, as golden as it went in. I've also changed the blades twice, have a new set waiting. For less than $500, this has given me grand service. However, 3.75HP has never felt enough, I'd get a 5HP next time. I'd also like a Honda if possible, they are the best around.

[LJs GU]

Victa 4 stroke job for me.

You should ask the wife witch one she prefers 

The 'wife witch'... I like your style Gibbo.  Sub-conscious mis spelling...? I think not
LJ