Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

Somehow I missed this post. Very helpful thank you.

Where are you located?

Northern Victoria, 2 hours from Melbourne.

[.:4:.]

So the way my place works. I live in my house, there is grass beside that and behind, then there is an upper yard section thats fenced off beside the granny flat i rent out. So my mate rents the granny flat and the upper fenced off section is his area to look after, the rest i look after. So nothing unusual about that agreement, i am the landlord.
He has a mower, but not a whipper snipper. I gave him a key to my car hold so if he needs to borrow my whipper snipper, ask first but yeah.
Thing is, i have a quick reload spool. Its heaps easy, line up the arrows on the bump knob to the spool, line goes through one side out the other, even it up and wind it in. Yes it is that simple, however, my mates eyes arent good. But as blokes do, before i knew that fact, i was on his rear about being a spaz as its not hard. Then he told me and standard man response was 'you should have told me'.
So i was out and about today. My mate asked me earlier this week if he could borrow the whipper snipper which was all good. Today i was out and about, my mate had done his area and whipper snippered my yard as a thanks which i do appreciate. Now all i have to do is take the 10 minutes to run my mower over the rest. But, the whipper snipper had no line in the spool.
So not annoyed at my mate, but reminded me of something i forgot about.
So the part # of my whippersnipper/multi tool is pmt-004. It was a promotional tool. So when i bought it the whippersnipper spool was a crappy plastic thing that took 2.4mm line and the plastic bump knob was just crap.
So what i dones was order 2 larger spools with metal bump knobs that took 3mm line. I had completely forgotten that i had a second quick feed spool.
So i put 3mm line on that, spoke to my mate and asked him if he knows swap'n'go, yes he did but thats gas bottles. So a quick demonstration of lining up the holes on the shaft and shoving a screwdriver in to lock it, then the spool is reverse thread to remove it, simples. Works well for me too, swapping the spool takes no time flat. Re lining the spool is also slightly easier off the tool.

[DFB FGXR6]

Diving into my spare parts "department" today for oil changes on the Mulchmaster, Rover and Atom. The Rover also got a new snorkel air filter.





Blades, chains, spark plugs, air filters, oil filers, belts and chassis components................all ready to go when needed.

While I do keep a spreadsheet log of machine maintenance, I find the visual of the last service date written on the machine a better way to remind me when it needs to be done again. For the Briggs 850, I put this on the oil filter, the Kohler and Honda on the dipstick boss, the Atom on the fuel tank. That tiny 850 oil filter at $20 is double the price of a Motorcraft filter for an FG Falcon!







Both the Atom and Rover have been running hard this season, fresh oil is their reward. The Mulchmaster was last done in May last year, with the season ideal for mulching, I have been using this machine more recently. An oil change was probably overdue then. All three now running fresh Penrite 10W-30 Semi-Syn.

[DFB FGXR6]

I have been using three main websites for spares, with occasional purchases from Ebay and Amazon. I was doing this occasionally before the "unpleasantness" with the local shop, now it's all online.

- Green Acres have most of what I need, most of which is aftermarket parts.
https://www.greenacresmowers.com.au/

- All Mower Spare are also good, but their website is terribly slow to respond.
https://www.allmowerspares.com.au/?g...SAAEgKa-_D_BwE

- Outdoor King are good for more obscure parts, I recently got belts and chassis components from them for the Rover and Mulchmaster.
https://www.outdoorking.com/

- BW Machinery supplied me my latest order with fantastic delivery time frame.
https://bwmachinery.com.au/

AVOID AVOID AVOID Mower Center, extremely shonky service.
https://www.hamptonmowerpower.com.au/

[Citroënbender]

A ”Junkyard Wars” type question. Customer has the following mowers as pictured, all run.

Quest is to reduce the collection to one “optimal” Frankenmower. Outgoings in this exercise to be no more than regular service items. The Masport has extremely wobbly wheels. Rover is much better. Gardenline, it’s low mileage but a half-width chute type.

Would that be the Rover chassis with Gardenline motor, or Masport chassis with Rover wheels and Gardenline (Briggs) motor? Or some other iteration?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

A ”Junkyard Wars” type question. Customer has the following mowers as pictured, all run.

image

image

image

Quest is to reduce the collection to one “optimal” Frankenmower. Outgoings in this exercise to be no more than regular service items. The Masport has extremely wobbly wheels. Rover is much better. Gardenline, it’s low mileage but a half-width chute type.

Would that be the Rover chassis with Gardenline motor, or Masport chassis with Rover wheels and Gardenline (Briggs) motor? Or some other iteration?

The Briggs on the Masport has the older carby design which offers adjustability to the mixture and an automatic choke. The choke system can be a problematic. So unless the engine is running strong, is easy to start and not blowing smoke, I would skip this one. Skip the chassis too.

Those Rover bases were very good, provided the Sprint 375 is in good health, that's the one to keep. If you are happy to piece one together, I would put the newer OHV Briggs on the Rover chassis. Or, swap the newer carb and fuel tank from the Sprint 375 onto the Masport engine and then fit that to the Rover.

Save for the engine if its running properly, junk the Gardenline. If you want to keep the engine, if it has a bar blade, make sure to check the crankshaft hasn't been bent.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Diving into my spare parts "department" today for oil changes on the Mulchmaster, Rover and Atom. The Rover also got a new snorkel air filter.

image

image

Blades, chains, spark plugs, air filters, oil filers, belts and chassis components................all ready to go when needed.

While I do keep a spreadsheet log of machine maintenance, I find the visual of the last service date written on the machine a better way to remind me when it needs to be done again. For the Briggs 850, I put this on the oil filter, the Kohler and Honda on the dipstick boss, the Atom on the fuel tank. That tiny 850 oil filter at $20 is double the price of a Motorcraft filter for an FG Falcon!

image

image

image

Both the Atom and Rover have been running hard this season, fresh oil is their reward. The Mulchmaster was last done in May last year, with the season ideal for mulching, I have been using this machine more recently. An oil change was probably overdue then. All three now running fresh Penrite 10W-30 Semi-Syn.

Great idea establishing a parts department, restock as you go and it'll eliminate waiting on suppliers. Servicing your own machines is the way to go for peace of mind and satisfaction.

We've had a shaky start to the year with the irrigation pumps going down on boxing day. We had no choice but to wait on contractors with specialized equipment to pull and service the pumps. Lots of long hours bringing in water then watering by hand. Lucky the weather was mild.

Mild weather has not always been our friend though with cool temperatures, morning dews and fogs we had a fungal outbreak in the greens called fairy ring.



With no registered fungicides available to treat this one we set up an IPM plan. Infected greens were mowed last to stop spread and machines sterilized after use. As the fungus matures it releases nitrogen that causes abnormal, patchy growth and colour. This was masked by topping up the unaffected areas with a tailored fertilizer. The fungus also causes the soil to become water repellant so a retaining style wetter was applied by hand to affected areas followed by targeted hand watering.
Greens have recovered now with little to no scarring.

With a Pro-am event scheduled for April theres more long hours to be done. We've been doing minor, targeted renovations on weak areas and conditions favouring it looks like we'll put on a good show.
It's been quite a turnaround from a neglected club that was facing bankruptcy not so long ago.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Great idea establishing a parts department, restock as you go and it'll eliminate waiting on suppliers. Servicing your own machines is the way to go for peace of mind and satisfaction.

We've had a shaky start to the year with the irrigation pumps going down on boxing day. We had no choice but to wait on contractors with specialized equipment to pull and service the pumps. Lots of long hours bringing in water then watering by hand. Lucky the weather was mild.

Mild weather has not always been our friend though with cool temperatures, morning dews and fogs we had a fungal outbreak in the greens called fairy ring.

image

With no registered fungicides available to treat this one we set up an IPM plan. Infected greens were mowed last to stop spread and machines sterilized after use. As the fungus matures it releases nitrogen that causes abnormal, patchy growth and colour. This was masked by topping up the unaffected areas with a tailored fertilizer. The fungus also causes the soil to become water repellant so a retaining style wetter was applied by hand to affected areas followed by targeted hand watering.
Greens have recovered now with little to no scarring.

With a Pro-am event scheduled for April theres more long hours to be done. We've been doing minor, targeted renovations on weak areas and conditions favouring it looks like we'll put on a good show.
It's been quite a turnaround from a neglected club that was facing bankruptcy not so long ago.

image

I really like working on the machinery myself, very satisfying finding and fitting parts and seeing the results at the end of it.

Pumps seem to know exactly when to fail don't they.

Great turnaround by the way.

[Citroënbender]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The Briggs on the Masport has the older carby design which offers adjustability to the mixture and an automatic choke. The choke system can be a problematic. So unless the engine is running strong, is easy to start and not blowing smoke, I would skip this one. Skip the chassis too.

Those Rover bases were very good, provided the Sprint 375 is in good health, that's the one to keep. If you are happy to piece one together, I would put the newer OHV Briggs on the Rover chassis. Or, swap the newer carb and fuel tank from the Sprint 375 onto the Masport engine and then fit that to the Rover.

Save for the engine if its running properly, junk the Gardenline. If you want to keep the engine, if it has a bar blade, make sure to check the crankshaft hasn't been bent.

Thank you, sounds like an OHV makeover for the Rover!

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Gardenline, it’s low mileage but a half-width chute type.

I have a Pope which had a half width chute, took to it with the grinder and now its full width and works great. Never use the catcher, I like my grass ?? clipping to run free.

[FTE217]

Alot of hard work there Rallye Sport, well done to date.

[danzvtil]

I’ve been thinking about getting a self propelled push mower as I’ve picked up a couple of larger mow jobs, my baller property will drop from 1000sqm down to 400sqm in the next 12 months meaning the huski ride on will get sold.
Which leads me to my dilemma, am I ready for a battery powered mower? The 52cm steel chassis ego has crap reviews, husqvarna does a twin battery domestic mower that uses the same Bli battery that my hedgers use. I’ve seen a couple of lawnies pull out battery pushies on their lawns, so we must be near a tipping point.
I was looking at the Honda commercial self propelled stuff last week, and had this sense of them being outdated dinosaurs considering I don’t mow for 8 hrs a day 5 days a week. Opinions?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I’ve been thinking about getting a self propelled push mower as I’ve picked up a couple of larger mow jobs, my baller property will drop from 1000sqm down to 400sqm in the next 12 months meaning the huski ride on will get sold.
Which leads me to my dilemma, am I ready for a battery powered mower? The 52cm steel chassis ego has crap reviews, husqvarna does a twin battery domestic mower that uses the same Bli battery that my hedgers use. I’ve seen a couple of lawnies pull out battery pushies on their lawns, so we must be near a tipping point.
I was looking at the Honda commercial self propelled stuff last week, and had this sense of them being outdated dinosaurs considering I don’t mow for 8 hrs a day 5 days a week. Opinions?

I've had an EGO for about 3 years and love it. Just recently the spring that holds the height adjustment lever in place stopped being springy.

I Emailed EGO with serial number and purchase receipt and got a reply the next day telling me to take it to xxxxxx as that is their warranty place here.

Ego aren't cheap but they have a 5 year warranty on the mower and 3 years on battery and charger.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I’ve been thinking about getting a self propelled push mower as I’ve picked up a couple of larger mow jobs, my baller property will drop from 1000sqm down to 400sqm in the next 12 months meaning the huski ride on will get sold.
Which leads me to my dilemma, am I ready for a battery powered mower? The 52cm steel chassis ego has crap reviews, husqvarna does a twin battery domestic mower that uses the same Bli battery that my hedgers use. I’ve seen a couple of lawnies pull out battery pushies on their lawns, so we must be near a tipping point.
I was looking at the Honda commercial self propelled stuff last week, and had this sense of them being outdated dinosaurs considering I don’t mow for 8 hrs a day 5 days a week. Opinions?

Well the summers as we know you can mow fortnightly due to the growth and rains we're experiencing more nowadays.......
I'm on 1200sqm but obviously house/granny flat/studio take up a far bit but with trimming then mowing probably around 2hrs or so of work with inclines a couple of sections.
History in here will show my posts and questions and feedback from the DFB guru and others not that long ago..
Having been dis heartenned by battery performance for my hedging I came to the conclusion nothing beats horse power better still getting self propelled.
Wish I had bought this type of mower 10yrs ago, its a pleasure to use and dinausor or not in 10yrs it won't let me down thats for sure.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/victa-ea...mower_p0080736

[Interceptor]

So.... my mower at home is a Honda HRU19.

A friend has recently had a bad run with her Makita cordless mowers (her third one pooped the bed halfway through its first lawn!) and she's succumbing to my pressure to just get a Honda.

Speaking with my local dealer, they have the next model up, HRU21, for only $50 more than my HRU19, but they're telling me it comes with a straight blade not a cutting disc and fold back blades, so not so great for rougher blocks but according to the dealer the straight blades give a better end finish on a good lawn?

What do you all think? cutting disc with fold back blades vs straight blade?

[CFOUR]

I prefer the straight/bar blade, I cut alot of thick grass and weeds but also don't cut unknow areas with any regularity so hitting a stump or rock isn't a concern. heres a video from masport who sell both kinds and a combo setup ive never seen before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21NPiPxjkU8

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

So.... my mower at home is a Honda HRU19.

A friend has recently had a bad run with her Makita cordless mowers (her third one pooped the bed halfway through its first lawn!) and she's succumbing to my pressure to just get a Honda.

Speaking with my local dealer, they have the next model up, HRU21, for only $50 more than my HRU19, but they're telling me it comes with a straight blade not a cutting disc and fold back blades, so not so great for rougher blocks but according to the dealer the straight blades give a better end finish on a good lawn?

What do you all think? cutting disc with fold back blades vs straight blade?

Pleeeeease don't buy that one. If it's the model I'm think of, they are made dirt cheap for the American market and really don't live up to the Honda name. Throw in a bar blade and half chute, they will very much disappoint. They are also steel and not an alloy deck like the HRU19/HRU196. Also avoid the HRX217 with the plastic deck for the same reasons. Also take not of separate height controls on each wheel, no idea why they bother with that.

https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/.../mowers/hrn216
https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/.../mowers/hrx217

Honda's best mower by far is the HRU19 (OHC engine) and the HRU196 (OHV engine with cast-iron bore). Both have the best deck design and 4-blade disk. And yes, the disk setup is better for catching and safer on the engine should you hit something.

https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/...n/mowers/hru19
https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/.../mowers/hru196

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I’ve been thinking about getting a self propelled push mower as I’ve picked up a couple of larger mow jobs, my baller property will drop from 1000sqm down to 400sqm in the next 12 months meaning the huski ride on will get sold.
Which leads me to my dilemma, am I ready for a battery powered mower? The 52cm steel chassis ego has crap reviews, husqvarna does a twin battery domestic mower that uses the same Bli battery that my hedgers use. I’ve seen a couple of lawnies pull out battery pushies on their lawns, so we must be near a tipping point.
I was looking at the Honda commercial self propelled stuff last week, and had this sense of them being outdated dinosaurs considering I don’t mow for 8 hrs a day 5 days a week. Opinions?

Does it need to be battery powered? I think you will have better choices in petrol driven machines, at least how it stands at the moment. Also, if your customer likes to see that his lawn has been mowed, as in cutting it somewhat short, the American style battery mowers like the EGO and Stihl machines will drive you nuts...........and here is why.

-Bar blade and small discharge chute means cutting anything but completely dry grass on the mid to highest setting, then it's going to struggle. I have been there, it's very very inefficient stopping to unclog the catcher chute every 3 meters.

-On the lowest setting, which isn't that low, the axle bar will drag on the ground, ruining your baller clients lawn. Again, I have been there and done that, as has my boss with his Stihl. He has actually spaced the blade to attempt to get a lower cut with limited success.

-Many American mowers have pointless separate height levers on each wheel. If you are doing multiple properties with this machine, changing each wheel will be pain.

If you are dealing with tall fescue, cutting nice and tall, then these mowers will be fine. But that is a very specific use case, and most customers want to see the lawn has been mowed.

I will absolutely recommend getting a self-propelled mower, it will improve your efficiency and make it easier on your body. Having said that, a heavy duty self-propelled mower can be pretty heavy to maneuver, however the energy you save by not pushing the thing is well worth the compromise.

Here are my recommendation, and like detailing products, I have tried them all!

- Avoid the Masport commercial models, from what I have been told by a well-seasoned lawnie, they really are not built very well. I also trashed one in less than 12 months...............the only mower I have ever had to just throw away.

- I don't like the Honda 21-inch self-propelled mowers. They do offer a blade brake though, which could be useful but something else to service. Half chute is a negative.

- The Bushranger 21-inch is what I have at the moment, it's built like a TANK! Even has alloy wheels and cross-bolted axles. These are driveshaft driven rather than a belt, 3 speeds. These are available in three powertrains, but the Honda one, the others hand the Chinese knockoff Loncin engines. It's only failing is the half chute, the catcher is massive though. 21 inch cut.

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...led-lawn-mower (Loncin 196cc)

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...spb-lawn-mower (Loncin 196cc with cast-iron bore)

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...er-pu53ah6imsp (Honda 163cc)



















- While Victa offers the steel base with self-propelled, as a commercial operator, you definably want their alloy chassis durability. There are two ways to go about this, via the domestic model or the Professional line. Both are single speed, belt driven boxes.

- Mustang SP 725 EXi (Domestic model with 163cc engine, 19inch alloy chassis) -
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...sp-725exi.html

- Commercial 19-inch 850 SP (The big 190cc engine will go through anything)
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...850-ic-sp.html

Commercial 21-inch 850 SP (The same as the 19-inch version, just a bigger cut.)
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...850-ic-sp.html

All three Victa's you will probably have to order in, although my (ex) dealer did have them as floor stock from time to time.

Buying a self-propelled mower was one of the best decisions I made in my business, it greatly improves your efficiency, especially if you opt for the larger cut models. I wish I did it sooner! Yes, you pay big $$$'s for a machine like this, but think of it long term and the amount of work it will do, and the improved efficiency it will bring, not to mention the break on your body pushing all day.

If I was buying tomorrow, I would be looking again at the Bushranger with the Honda engine or the Victa Commercial 21 inch.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Does it need to be battery powered? I think you will have better choices in petrol driven machines, at least how it stands at the moment. Also, if your customer likes to see that his lawn has been mowed, as in cutting it somewhat short, the American style battery mowers like the EGO and Stihl machines will drive you nuts...........and here is why.

-Bar blade and small discharge chute means cutting anything but completely dry grass on the mid to highest setting, then it's going to struggle. I have been there, it's very very inefficient stopping to unclog the catcher chute every 3 meters.

-On the lowest setting, which isn't that low, the axle bar will drag on the ground, ruining your baller clients lawn. Again, I have been there and done that, as has my boss with his Stihl. He has actually spaced the blade to attempt to get a lower cut with limited success.

-Many American mowers have pointless separate height levers on each wheel. If you are doing multiple properties with this machine, changing each wheel will be pain.

If you are dealing with tall fescue, cutting nice and tall, then these mowers will be fine. But that is a very specific use case, and most customers want to see the lawn has been mowed.

I will absolutely recommend getting a self-propelled mower, it will improve your efficiency and make it easier on your body. Having said that, a heavy duty self-propelled mower can be pretty heavy to maneuver, however the energy you save by not pushing the thing is well worth the compromise.

Here are my recommendation, and like detailing products, I have tried them all!

- Avoid the Masport commercial models, from what I have been told by a well-seasoned lawnie, they really are not built very well. I also trashed one in less than 12 months...............the only mower I have ever had to just throw away.

- I don't like the Honda 21-inch self-propelled mowers. They do offer a blade brake though, which could be useful but something else to service. Half chute is a negative.

- The Bushranger 21-inch is what I have at the moment, it's built like a TANK! Even has alloy wheels and cross-bolted axles. These are driveshaft driven rather than a belt, 3 speeds. These are available in three powertrains, but the Honda one, the others hand the Chinese knockoff Loncin engines. It's only failing is the half chute, the catcher is massive though. 21 inch cut.

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...led-lawn-mower (Loncin 196cc)

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...spb-lawn-mower (Loncin 196cc with cast-iron bore)

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...er-pu53ah6imsp (Honda 163cc)

image

image

image

image

image

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image

image

image

- While Victa offers the steel base with self-propelled, as a commercial operator, you definably want their alloy chassis durability. There are two ways to go about this, via the domestic model or the Professional line. Both are single speed, belt driven boxes.

- Mustang SP 725 EXi (Domestic model with 163cc engine, 19inch alloy chassis) -
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...sp-725exi.html

- Commercial 19-inch 850 SP (The big 190cc engine will go through anything)
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...850-ic-sp.html

Commercial 21-inch 850 SP (The same as the 19-inch version, just a bigger cut.)
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...850-ic-sp.html

All three Victa's you will probably have to order in, although my (ex) dealer did have them as floor stock from time to time.

Buying a self-propelled mower was one of the best decisions I made in my business, it greatly improves your efficiency, especially if you opt for the larger cut models. I wish I did it sooner! Yes, you pay big $$$'s for a machine like this, but think of it long term and the amount of work it will do, and the improved efficiency it will bring, not to mention the break on your body pushing all day.

If I was buying tomorrow, I would be looking again at the Bushranger with the Honda engine or the Victa Commercial 21 inch.

Thanks deyon, your contribution never disappoints! I am completely sold on the bush ranger with Honda power, all the Honda commercials on display at my local had the GCV170 engine, not the GXV which I find interesting.
Going forward, I am even considering running 2 machines daily, petrol self propelled and battery pushie. Some days I wouldn’t even take the petrol unit.
Now my next issue, why TF is there so many choices?? Masport website, why do they have like 4 different battery powered ranges?? Apart from basic differences like built in battery vs removable battery, they don’t seem to differentiate the entry units from the heavier duty ones. Anyway,too much thinking for one night, my scotch and coke is kicking in 😀

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Thanks deyon, your contribution never disappoints! I am completely sold on the bush ranger with Honda power, all the Honda commercials on display at my local had the GCV170 engine, not the GXV which I find interesting.
Going forward, I am even considering running 2 machines daily, petrol self propelled and battery pushie. Some days I wouldn’t even take the petrol unit.
Now my next issue, why TF is there so many choices?? Masport website, why do they have like 4 different battery powered ranges?? Apart from basic differences like built in battery vs removable battery, they don’t seem to differentiate the entry units from the heavier duty ones. Anyway,too much thinking for one night, my scotch and coke is kicking in 😀

The GCV is the belt driven OHC engine with a split crankcase/head. The only way to service the valves is to take the engine apart. This is why the GXV OHV engine is better for commercial use, not to mention the cast iron bore.

The best advice I can give regarding a battery powered mower is to stick to the ones with a traditional chassis. That way you maintain the cutting and catching performance. Again, be wary of steel base Masport's for commercial work. Victa have a number of battery mowers, the one to look at closer is this one -

https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...200w-skin.html

This is the standard steel Victa base with the oval blade disk and full width chute.



Avoid these, they are price point models with bar blades -

https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...-900w-kit.html
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...1200w-kit.html
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...900w-skin.html

And I agree, Masport's range is needlessly complicated. I would probably lean towards this one -

https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garde...mbo-58v-0-75kw

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The GCV is the belt driven OHC engine with a split crankcase/head. The only way to service the valves is to take the engine apart. This is why the GXV OHV engine is better for commercial use, not to mention the cast iron bore.

The best advice I can give regarding a battery powered mower is to stick to the ones with a traditional chassis. That way you maintain the cutting and catching performance. Again, be wary of steel base Masport's for commercial work. Victa have a number of battery mowers, the one to look at closer is this one -

https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...200w-skin.html

This is the standard steel Victa base with the oval blade disk and full width chute.



Avoid these, they are price point models with bar blades -

https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...-900w-kit.html
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...1200w-kit.html
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...900w-skin.html

And I agree, Masport's range is needlessly complicated. I would probably lean towards this one -

https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garde...mbo-58v-0-75kw

The president 1000 is the one I bought my mum for Christmas, she has only just started using it, as she didn’t want to break it, wanted me to be present for its first use. I made the point that you don’t need training to use a fridge? Then a battery mower is the same, just press the button and go.

[roKWiz]

Excellent information from the guys who use the stuff. Thank DFB and danzvtil.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Pleeeeease don't buy that one. If it's the model I'm think of, they are made dirt cheap for the American market and really don't live up to the Honda name.

Its the HRN216, I didnt look underneath, but I was curious why a mower that was 2" wider suddenly changed blade style and had a fancy catch/mulch lever instead of the simple plug like the HRU19 does.

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Honda's best mower by far is the HRU19 (OHC engine) and the HRU196 (OHV engine with cast-iron bore). Both have the best deck design and 4-blade disk. And yes, the disk setup is better for catching and safer on the engine should you hit something.

Its good to hear the HRU19 is highly regarded, when I bought mine, I looked it over and it seemed to have all the stuff I was used to seeing on the commercial Honda's I used to use, and TBH the only things I've found I dont like are the grab handle control (one day I'll replace it with a plain lever, for now I'll keep tucking it under the push handle) and that the LHR wheel constantly clogs up with grass clippings unless the grass is bone dry.

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Does it need to be battery powered?

Her concern is that she has 5 kids, 3 of them under 10, and they have a habit of getting into *everything* and she considers petrol storage a risk.

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I think you will have better choices in petrol driven machines

My preference with Honda products is their known reliability, especially the engines, the rest of the machines have generally proven to be just as good, although I'm always open to what else is out there.
The only times I've seen Honda engines fail is through sheer age or catastrophic damage/failure.

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The GCV is the belt driven OHC engine with a split crankcase/head. The only way to service the valves is to take the engine apart. This is why the GXV OHV engine is better for commercial use, not to mention the cast iron bore.

Had I known that, at the time I may well have been tempted to buy the 196 just for the motor, but I doubt it will be much of a concern for myself or my friend.... she doesnt work her mowers hard enough and I just tend to go a little overkill.
Thanks for your advice :-)
I guess now I'd better go back to resurrecting Stihl FS38's and investigate what needs to be done to the train wreck of a older SP Honda mower I've just had dumped in my lap.....

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Its the HRN216, I didnt look underneath, but I was curious why a mower that was 2" wider suddenly changed blade style and had a fancy catch/mulch lever instead of the simple plug like the HRU19 does.

Its good to hear the HRU19 is highly regarded, when I bought mine, I looked it over and it seemed to have all the stuff I was used to seeing on the commercial Honda's I used to use, and TBH the only things I've found I dont like are the grab handle control (one day I'll replace it with a plain lever, for now I'll keep tucking it under the push handle) and that the LHR wheel constantly clogs up with grass clippings unless the grass is bone dry.

Her concern is that she has 5 kids, 3 of them under 10, and they have a habit of getting into *everything* and she considers petrol storage a risk.

My preference with Honda products is their known reliability, especially the engines, the rest of the machines have generally proven to be just as good, although I'm always open to what else is out there.
The only times I've seen Honda engines fail is through sheer age or catastrophic damage/failure.

Had I known that, at the time I may well have been tempted to buy the 196 just for the motor, but I doubt it will be much of a concern for myself or my friend.... she doesnt work her mowers hard enough and I just tend to go a little overkill.
Thanks for your advice :-)
I guess now I'd better go back to resurrecting Stihl FS38's and investigate what needs to be done to the train wreck of a older SP Honda mower I've just had dumped in my lap.....

Some of those quotes of mine were directed towards danzvtil, in particular the battery machines and the OHV engine.

With the OHC GC engines, those are very long-lived engines, smooth, quite and very fuel efficient. I had the older version of the HRU19, this one was fitted with the GSV190 engine, which blew me away for with its power and economy, and the ultra quite idle. The engine was the best thing about that mower, the rest let it down for me personally, it just didn't suit my body frame and I had catcher issues.

Where the older and smaller OHV GXV160 comes into its own is the serviceability compared to the OHC engines. That is important when you are using them commercially and beating on them all day. And even then, they are extremely well built and just run for ever. I have the GXV on my Bushranger and love it.

Circling back to your post, I would still look at the Honda HRU19 and HRU196, the 19 inch alloy base is their best mower by far. For residential use, stick with the OHC engine and save some money over the overpriced GXV.

Also, have a look at Bushranger 19inch alloy base mower, these come with the GXV160 engine too. The chassis is very well built on these. At least have a look at them, I think you will be surprised................

https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...ower-pu48ah6im

[DFB FGXR6]

Considering I am now my own small engine mechanic, I decided to look the part.........................

[.:4:.]

With the recent weather, my place fared well.
My neighbors place had a couple big branches come down. So she asked if i still had a chainsaw. Yes i do, but for what she was asking i was willing to do but not on my own.
She is like a second mum to me. Her son is a good mate of mine, so me mate is the second set of hands.
Me mate was all up for clearing the downed branches. They were thicker then an easy job for say a brush saw.
My crappy homelite chainsaw. I bought it for a few small things about my place, which it did easily. But this thing has put in the actual work helping out others.
So its a 37cc. Starts easy even after sitting for a year. 16 inch bar with a powerfit chain, i also keep a spare.
So today before starting the thing i checked the chain, chain tension, and bar lube.
Thing went good. It wasnt down on power as it has not a huge amount anyways. But it does do more then what it was purchased for.
Yeah a stihl or the likes is a way better sword. Thing is, i bought the cheapo thing for 1 small tree and a few branches in my yard. Years later, its helped out after weather events that have left neighbors concerned and such.
Safety wise, chain brake works good.

Never needed to use the chain brake for emergency purposes, chainsaws still scare me, so the second a cut is done i bump the chain brake.
Normally my mate jumps on any opportunity when a chainsaw is involved. It was at his mums house, so my attitude is you do the work. Dunno why, but he asked me to do the work and be the helping hand.
Crappy chainsaw did the job perfectly fine.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

With the recent weather, my place fared well.
My neighbors place had a couple big branches come down. So she asked if i still had a chainsaw. Yes i do, but for what she was asking i was willing to do but not on my own.
She is like a second mum to me. Her son is a good mate of mine, so me mate is the second set of hands.
Me mate was all up for clearing the downed branches. They were thicker then an easy job for say a brush saw.
My crappy homelite chainsaw. I bought it for a few small things about my place, which it did easily. But this thing has put in the actual work helping out others.
So its a 37cc. Starts easy even after sitting for a year. 16 inch bar with a powerfit chain, i also keep a spare.
So today before starting the thing i checked the chain, chain tension, and bar lube.
Thing went good. It wasnt down on power as it has not a huge amount anyways. But it does do more then what it was purchased for.
Yeah a stihl or the likes is a way better sword. Thing is, i bought the cheapo thing for 1 small tree and a few branches in my yard. Years later, its helped out after weather events that have left neighbors concerned and such.
Safety wise, chain brake works good.

Never needed to use the chain brake for emergency purposes, chainsaws still scare me, so the second a cut is done i bump the chain brake.
Normally my mate jumps on any opportunity when a chainsaw is involved. It was at his mums house, so my attitude is you do the work. Dunno why, but he asked me to do the work and be the helping hand.
Crappy chainsaw did the job perfectly fine.

Despite being one of the most dangerous tools someone can use, I fine with chainsaws. Yet I'm terrified of angle grinders, brick saws and demo saws. Go figure.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Despite being one of the most dangerous tools someone can use, I fine with chainsaws. Yet I'm terrified of angle grinders, brick saws and demo saws. Go figure.

Grinders, ive been on site when a disk on a 9 inch has popped and taken a chunk out of the users thigh. Yes the user had proper ppe on, yes the grinder had the guard on. I dont like grinders either.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Despite being one of the most dangerous tools someone can use, I fine with chainsaws. Yet I'm terrified of angle grinders, brick saws and demo saws. Go figure.

Chainsaws dont bother me, its the uncontrolled idiots that scare me..... once had a bloke grab a limb while I was halfway through a cut, it pinched the bar, slapped the chain brake on and let him know in no vage terms exactly how many teeth he'd lose if he ever did that again....

Back to mowers, I'm a little fed up with the grab handle style controls on my HRU19, its a PITA having to keep hanging onto it, do you know if much is involved in converting it to the old style throttle lever setup?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Chainsaws dont bother me, its the uncontrolled idiots that scare me..... once had a bloke grab a limb while I was halfway through a cut, it pinched the bar, slapped the chain brake on and let him know in no vage terms exactly how many teeth he'd lose if he ever did that again....

Back to mowers, I'm a little fed up with the grab handle style controls on my HRU19, its a PITA having to keep hanging onto it, do you know if much is involved in converting it to the old style throttle lever setup?

I had to go and look at the setup you mention, looks like there is no throttle control on those anymore, which puts me off to be honest. Not wanting to harp on this, but that is another American design choice there. Most of their mowers have not throttle control, just the bale connected to a kill switch and an engine brake for "safety".

My Rover has an engine brake/kill bale but maintains a separate throttle lever. I get around this feature, allowing me to have the engine idle while I empty the catcher, by using a small spring-loaded clamp to keep the bale depressed.

You can see the clamp on the handle in this pic -



Retrofitting a throttle lever would probably necessitate changes to the carby and throttle plate, so it can probably be done but would be pricy.