Mowing ..

[John 13]

I bought a GV35 Honda Engine in 1978, before Honda mowers were generally around. put it on a Rover chassis, then on to a Pope pressed steel chassis when the cast alloy chassis cracked up. Several sets of wheels, blade plates and handles later still running faultlessly. I keep it for the rough work, other peoples overgrown yards and verges.
I got tired of repairing the recoil starter, now use a power drill to start it. Replaced plastic air cleaner (elbow split) with tube to a generic metal canister type.
About 5 years ago picked up a lawn beetle LBP350 motor on a plastic chassis for $20.00 at tip shop. Apparently never had petrol in its tank, so never been started. Put it on a Masport rear delivery chassis, now used regularly. Admittedly carburettor had a problem. Internal thread for fuel bowl bolt was rubbish, appeared to have been bogged up with some filler. Just enough meat to tap in a 3/8 UNC and made up new bolt to suit. Later discovered that mower shop sells complete new carburettors for around $60.00.
And now Ryobi straight shaft w'snipper. Owner claimed had ceased after thrashing it on an overgrown yard. My investigation found that heat generated/build up in the clutch/bearing housing had melted the plastic which had run into the ball race and solidified when the machine was shut down. Enough of the plastic housing to machine a seat for a metal insert to hold a new bearing. Currently working well.
Also have inherited a virtually brand new Ryobi bent shaft w'snipper virtually impossible to start. Any ideas ? other than the obvious.

[MITCHAY]

I was running out of durries so went for a walk across the oval to the shops. The outskirts have at least 1-2 foot tall weed and the field was nice and green and water logged.

Had a nice 50+mm slow release the last couple of days and the growth is insane in the yard. No run off which is good.

Really nice driving home seeing all the green on the ranges everywhere.

Unfortunately the other morning there was a roo that was enticed into it. Saw a bloke holding the tail so thinking it had a broken leg after being hit by his car.

Ate a bullet by the time I came home that day. Always have been a lot of dead roos but that was the first for a while.

[DFB FGXR6]

The gardens have really appreciated the soaking rain we received last week.

This Magnolia Little Gem in my garden unfurled this beautiful bloom in response.



This ornamental Ginger wafted it's sweet scent throughout one of my customers yard.



Meanwhile, in the same yard, the Sedum Autumn Joy was attracting plenty of attention. The bees from my customers bee hive have plenty to feed on at the moment.

[yanknbank]

Just happened past this old church a few weeks ago.



Someone on here really needs to drag out the ride-on and whipper snipper, drive down the road a bit and tidy the place up. Needs a dust inside too!

[Polyal]

Would love to buy a place like that and do a renno/extension; just such good style.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

So, HRU196 BUFFALO PRO review for day 1....

WHAT A BEAST!
Heaps of power, where the GCV would start bouncing off the governor in the heavy stuff, this just powers thru without flinching.
This motor is quieter and revs lower than the other one. Stanford mowers have given me the option of increasing the revs if I think it needs it, apparently the full timers with these machines do it.
I can see how these are built to run all day, just solid.
PROs
Plastic catcher is heavy duty
Blade brake is nice, knowing the blades have stopped when emptying the catcher is good when my clients kids often approach.
Runs quiet
New motor smell
CONS
Freakin heavy! I have to lift up some stairs at one place and there is no cross bar on the handles
Getting used to the extra blade brake lever
Drops grass out of the catcher when walking from the back to the front yard.

Service was great at Stanford mowers, Archie served me, gave a discount without being asked and answered all my questions with no BS.

How is the Honda going?

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

How is the Honda going?

Excellent, it’s had a full cut cycle now so next week I’ll pick up some proper oil for the 5hr change.
Still getting used to the blade lever, I find when moving the mower with out it running I grab the lever instead of handle, I’m waiting for it to cut off my fingers.
Blade brake is amazing, I find myself on a cold start, firing it up out on the road, by the time I walk around the back it’s warmish, engage blades, cut.
I can feel the engine loosening up by the way it revs, it’s more free revving now.

[MercuryT]

I actually bought a 200 buck cheapo from Bunnings.

2 year warranty, light as and so easy.

Runs like a champ!! My Honda was great but SO HEAVY. Don't miss it at all.

(if dies after warranty so be it. Buy another)

[Rallye Sport]

Freshly renovated greens, the place has been a ghost town so they've bounced back really well this season.



Amazing to think its been 7 days since they were punched with 20mm hollow tines and top dressed.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Freshly renovated greens, the place has been a ghost town so they've bounced back really well this season.
image
Amazing to think its been 7 days since they were punched with 20mm hollow tines and top dressed.
image
image

Great work

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Great work

Thanks mate. Its really satisfying at the moment I'm mowing about 5mm of lush new growth off them every day and they're looking a treat.

[something wrong]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Bro inlaw bought whatever mega electric brand with back up batteries as you would and whippa and blowa.
Loves it - I'd seen the mower running has mega powa and the blower really strong.

Two of my Neighbours have electric Mowers and the rest of us have a laugh at the BBqs and ask when they are going to Vacuum their lawns again.


Once my Masport dies, I will switch to a Battery operated mower as I only have about 230sqm of lawn.

[whitelion65]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Thanks mate. Its really satisfying at the moment I'm mowing about 5mm of lush new growth off them every day and they're looking a treat.

What course are you at, Bro?
Looks V nice!!

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by whitelion65

What course are you at, Bro?
Looks V nice!!

Melville public in WA. It's beaut spot with a fair bit of history and surrounded on three sides by the swan river. We've got a block of grass tennis courts out there aswell.

[danzvtil]

Let’s see, did that work?

[danzvtil]

Whoop! There it is!
Here’s the chute, full width.

[DFB FGXR6]

It's that time of the year when I'm starting to mow up leaves off the lawn more than actually cutting the grass.

[DFB FGXR6]

I planted these Impatiens in early December last year. They are a ray of sunshine and a complete contrast to dark times we are enduring at the moment.



(With respect to Roddy who started the thread, perhaps this thread could be renamed Mowing & Gardening, perhaps to reflect that soon many will be doing a whole lot more gardening due to enforced leave.)

[LG17]

Vinca's seem to pop up everywhere at our place.
Great for a bit of colour and very easy to grow.

[PG2]

My little fleet of mowers...



The zero turn was quite expensive (even though I got mine for a very good price). The husqvana does not have a cutting mechanism on it as it only for taking the wizbins down to the front and to give the grandkids joyrides.

The large push mower is over 25 years old. It still goes but needs some work fitting the petrol tank back on and replacing the muffler. The blue one is a bunnings cheapie but apart from one spark plug it has not had a thing go wrong with it in the 15 odd years that I have had it.

The whipper snipper is a shindaiwa and is one of the best that I have ever used.

[danzvtil]

So 90% of my gardening work just evaporated, as 3 clients loose business income, I wanted to be on the front foot and ask if they would like to pause service, rather than racking up another month of service, then have to chase them for payment.
How are the rest of you likely to be effected by covid-19?

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

So 90% of my gardening work just evaporated, as 3 clients loose business income, I wanted to be on the front foot and ask if they would like to pause service, rather than racking up another month of service, then have to chase them for payment.
How are the rest of you likely to be effected by covid-19?

Hope it gets better for you soon.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

So 90% of my gardening work just evaporated, as 3 clients loose business income, I wanted to be on the front foot and ask if they would like to pause service, rather than racking up another month of service, then have to chase them for payment.
How are the rest of you likely to be effected by covid-19?

So sorry to hear that.

I'm taking it a day at a time. No cancellations yet.

[DFB FGXR6]

Salvia Leucantha flowing so well at the moment.



This plant was one of my grandmothers favorites and one of mine too. They are super tough, take minimal water and only require one hard prune in late winter each year.

[LG17]

Vincas - easy as to grow!

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

So 90% of my gardening work just evaporated, as 3 clients loose business income, I wanted to be on the front foot and ask if they would like to pause service, rather than racking up another month of service, then have to chase them for payment.
How are the rest of you likely to be effected by covid-19?

Sorry to hear that mate!

Most of my client base is rusted on 20+years, and retirees.

I hope I will not lose any customers but I know retirement savings/super has been hit hard.

I maintain some very nice gardens and I know the owners consider me an 'essential service'.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Sorry to hear that mate!

Most of my client base is rusted on 20+years, and retirees.

I hope I will not lose any customers but I know retirement savings/super has been hit hard.

I maintain some very nice gardens and I know the owners consider me an 'essential service'.

So sad to read this from you guys and fellow AFFers in the biz ...Surely this has to be listed as an essential service because virus or not grass /gardens/ weeds/trees etc. still need attention . Pretty important for a host of reasons.. Can you claim any assistance from the Government package at least ?
Gee I wish all the AFF ers affected by these sorts of impacts my best wishes and hope for better news soon .

I was a golf and bowls greenkeeper 1986-1994 then running Rod's Lawns 1994-1997 so I know how dedicated you have to be to do this kind of work. I guess with all the social gathering imposts the golf /bowls clubs as well as many other similar clubs will be taking a massive hit too and affecting adversely their paid work forces...Keep us posted how you get on if that's okay . Cheers..

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by PG2

My little fleet of mowers...

image

The zero turn was quite expensive (even though I got mine for a very good price). The husqvana does not have a cutting mechanism on it as it only for taking the wizbins down to the front and to give the grandkids joyrides.

The large push mower is over 25 years old. It still goes but needs some work fitting the petrol tank back on and replacing the muffler. The blue one is a bunnings cheapie but apart from one spark plug it has not had a thing go wrong with it in the 15 odd years that I have had it.

The whipper snipper is a shindaiwa and is one of the best that I have ever used.

Zero turns are getting really popular in the home owner market nowadays too as time goes on which is great news .. I've had limited time on them but everybody says that the more you use them the quicker you become a fan of them . My first ride on was a Cox Stockman with a massive 10.5 hp Briggsy and the friction drive..I ran a little mowing business for about three years and she did a power of work . In 2012 I Found it hard to adjust the drives anymore . She'd done a heck of a lot of work because even after I finished the biz I used it for my own area and many, many working bees at our community group projects and such .

One day I saw an ad in the paper for a run out on Husqvarna ride ons and ended up buying one . The old Cox is still sitting in the shed with plans one day to pull her to bits and replace the cone drives/belts and such. If we get told to stay home over this virus stuff it might be a good project to start on come to think of it ....

[whitelion65]

Is yours one of the old cork friction cone models.
I used to use one.....it was known as the widow maker! You never really knew when Drive would take up, and the transition from F to R was diabolical:-0

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by whitelion65

Is yours one of the old cork friction cone models.
I used to use one.....it was known as the widow maker! You never really knew when Drive would take up, and the transition from F to R was diabolical:-0

It's the original cone ..Never been off the mower . I bought it brand new in late 1994 so whatever Cox used then is what she is. Sorry I can't be sure but i've lost the book too so no help there either..I reckon I'll need to pull the old one off first before I can order a replacement ..