Anyone use a rotary lawn mower?

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#1402910 9-Oct-2015 10:54

This guy shipped a fiskars model for nzd385

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?topicid=141196

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1402911 9-Oct-2015 10:54

GeoffisPure: Thanks all for the replies. Sorry I got the wording wrong - can a mod please reword the title to hand/push mower?

A couple more questions:
Is it okay to leave the clippings on the lawn? I remember when I was renting we were not allowed to do this. Does it annoy the neighbours?
Also I notice that some of these advertise features such as "self sharpening blades" and "able to adjust height without tools". Are these things I should be looking for?

Yeah - I think it's fine to leave the clippings on the lawn. You're kind of "self limited" there, as you can't wait until the grass is long until you cut it because the push mower doesn't handle it, so the clippings are't likely to be dense and clumped. I just rake them out a bit sometimes. Downside is that grass sticks to your shoes etc - especially if it's damp for a day or so after cutting.

They are by design "self sharpening". Height adjust is raising/lowering the rear roller - simple. The blade also needs to be adjusted. This is usually with a knob on each side of the blade screwing a hooked rod pulling on the blade. I've had issues with these breaking - could be a reason to buy a better quality model - or at least check for availability of spares before you buy.

Mark

1653 posts

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#1402929 9-Oct-2015 11:04

I have an older one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=3&sid=80

I'd like one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/Hustler_1500

The reel mowers do a much nicer cut!

eracode

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#1402935 9-Oct-2015 11:14

Mark: I have an older one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=3&sid=80

I'd like one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/Hustler_1500

The reel mowers do a much nicer cut!

You'd get a lot of reel exercise pushing either of those around the lawn.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#1402952 9-Oct-2015 11:31

eracode:
Mark: I have an older one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=3&sid=80

I'd like one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/Hustler_1500

The reel mowers do a much nicer cut!

You'd get a lot of reel exercise pushing either of those around the lawn.

Just a bit, mine weights about 360kg .. it's a bugger to lift when i get it stuck! :-)

gzt

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#1402976 9-Oct-2015 11:50

Catchers are available for some reel mowers but effectiveness will vary. The cheap ozito has a catcher available for $20.

eracode

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#1403002 9-Oct-2015 12:46

gzt: Catchers are available for some reel mowers but effectiveness will vary. The cheap ozito has a catcher available for $20.

My recent McCulloch came with a catcher in the $99 price, from Bunnings.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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Sideface

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#1403009 9-Oct-2015 12:53

Mark: I have an older one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=3&sid=80

I'd like one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/Hustler_1500

Remember this advert? Lotto NZ 'Ride on'

Sideface

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#1403028 9-Oct-2015 13:18

Sideface:
Mark: I have an older one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=3&sid=80

I'd like one of these : http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/Hustler_1500

Remember this advert? Lotto NZ 'Ride on'

:-)

They are very therapeutic though ... my lawn provides over 3 ours of brain down time :-)

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1403080 9-Oct-2015 14:28

UI sued to have a very small back lawn that was only accessible by climbing some steep steps at the side of the house. I hated carrying the petrol lawnmower up and down the steps for what would be literally two minutes of mowing, so I got a Flymo hand mower. The Flymos are way overpriced in my opinion - about $170, with the catcher sold separately - but I got a good deal on one at the time. It did a great job.

I recommend you do use a catcher as allowing grass cuttings to fall on the lawn can cause thatching, which can starve your lawn of air, water and nutrients. It won't be anywhere near as bad with a hand mower as you'll have to mow before the grass gets too long, so the stems, etc. won't mat together as much, but it can still build up. Some councils (e.g. Marlborough when I lived in Blenheim) don't allow grass cuttings in with other green waste as it makes for poor compost but if your lawn is small and you're cutting it regularly then you won't have much after each cut so you can usually put it in a rubbish bag/wheelie bin with your other non-recyclable household waste.

rhy7s

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1403085 9-Oct-2015 14:36

andrew027: ...allowing grass cuttings to fall on the lawn can cause thatching, which can starve your lawn of air, water and nutrients. It won't be anywhere near as bad with a hand mower as you'll have to mow before the grass gets too long, so the stems, etc. won't mat together as much, but it can still build up...

Make sure you have worms to eat the fallen grass and you won't be mining your soil by removing the clippings.

MikeAqua

7773 posts

Uber Geek

#1403120 9-Oct-2015 15:33

Mowing without a catcher is 'mulch' mowing.

Imagine that your lawn is a tiny forest. You want the bits of grass you cut off to form a decomposing layer on the soil's surface. This mulch layer will preserve soil moisture and break down clippings quite fast if you look after it.

A few tips: -
- Do mow often; trimming a little off each time (avoids overloading the mulch layer).
- Don't cut too short; aim to leave the grass 50 - 60mm high (provides shade and shelter for the mulch layer).
- Do use blood and bone or liquid seaweed fertiliser (encourages helpful bacteria in the mulch layer,
- Don't use chemical fertilisers or herbicides (discourages helpful bacteria and worms),
- Do wet down the lawn after mowing with fine mist from the garden hose (moisture helps the breakdown process),
- Do mow late evening (allows bacteria and worms 8 hours of moist, dark conditions to make a start on the clippings).

Mike

red_xsi

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Master Geek

#1403158 9-Oct-2015 17:09

I work for Masport

http://www.masport.co.nz/outdoor-garden-products/lawnmowers/hand-and-electric/cleveland-18-

Most of what is currently on the market in the way of hand mowers is quite lightweight and doesnt sit down in the grass properly and misses a lot of blades as it passes - we deliberately set out to rectify this with the Cleveland. You also cannot sharpen the vast majority of the cheaper ones if they ever need it - this one is able to be disassembled and serviced if need be.

Fred99

13684 posts

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#1403167 9-Oct-2015 17:29

red_xsi: I work for Masport

http://www.masport.co.nz/outdoor-garden-products/lawnmowers/hand-and-electric/cleveland-18-

Most of what is currently on the market in the way of hand mowers is quite lightweight and doesnt sit down in the grass properly and misses a lot of blades as it passes - we deliberately set out to rectify this with the Cleveland. You also cannot sharpen the vast majority of the cheaper ones if they ever need it - this one is able to be disassembled and serviced if need be.

Good stuff. The one I have cost about $100 less than that, but it's due for replacement soon - has done the trick - with a few frustrations.. I'll take a look at that Masport. According to your "where to buy" guide, it's not sold through the usual culprits (Mitre 10 / Bunnings etc).

red_xsi

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#1403169 9-Oct-2015 17:35

Fred99:
red_xsi: I work for Masport

http://www.masport.co.nz/outdoor-garden-products/lawnmowers/hand-and-electric/cleveland-18-

Most of what is currently on the market in the way of hand mowers is quite lightweight and doesnt sit down in the grass properly and misses a lot of blades as it passes - we deliberately set out to rectify this with the Cleveland. You also cannot sharpen the vast majority of the cheaper ones if they ever need it - this one is able to be disassembled and serviced if need be.

Good stuff. The one I have cost about $100 less than that, but it's due for replacement soon - has done the trick - with a few frustrations.. I'll take a look at that Masport. According to your "where to buy" guide, it's not sold through the usual culprits (Mitre 10 / Bunnings etc).

Have a look at your local mower shop, Stihl Shop etc

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