Lawnmowers - which kind to buy?

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Batman

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#35141 4-Jun-2009 12:10

Calling those who know a thing or two about lawnmowers -

Petrol or electric? (i've heard that electric ones aren't good but i have no idea why)

Also any other thing to look out for?
Are they difficult to maintain or are they play-and-keep?

Thanks!

Lawn area about 450 square metres of lawn. No slope, no trees.

scottjpalmer

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#221551 4-Jun-2009 12:20

I opted for a Mitre 10 brand Masport made petrol jobby. Oil change every 10 or so hours the book says and I guess sharpen/replace the blades if you mow too much concrete . . .

rscole86

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#221556 4-Jun-2009 12:26

Petrol are a lot more powerful, and you will need one if you mow the grass once every six months, or have hills. Otherwise, electric should be fine.
Wow, oil change every 10 hours seems a bit excessive!

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#221558 4-Jun-2009 12:30

rscole86: Wow, oil change every 10 hours seems a bit excessive!

That's what I get for reading the manual :-) 10 hours is a lot of lawnmowing, probably 2 years plus in my case.

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#221580 4-Jun-2009 13:10

I guess it depends on how big your lawn is, in my case, split levels with steep hill.... i could/should do that in 5 months

kiwitrc

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#221581 4-Jun-2009 13:11

I bought a new Masport with a Quantum 5(I think) motor on it about 16 years ago. It has broken in the section, turned rocks into bullets, mulched dog bones, tennis balls, kids toys, hose fittings, slow rodents, etc. It still goes like a rocket and I have huge lawns plus a shared driveway.

Its had one oil change in that time, and I replaced the plug for the first time about 3 months ago when I did the blades (for the third time from memory). I am usually pretty anal about about motors when they in a car but lawnmowers, meh.

I know a commercial lawn mower guy and he swears by Suzuki 2 strokes, but they are pricey.

RockResearch

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#221586 4-Jun-2009 13:21

I would go for petrol. I would also avoid the steel deck cheapies that are around. The steel is generally quite thin and if you do not clean it properly is likley to rust away to nothing. A alloy deck will last a lot longer and is easier to care for. You need to spend around $600 for alloy.

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CYaBro

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#221614 4-Jun-2009 14:08

scottjpalmer:
rscole86: Wow, oil change every 10 hours seems a bit excessive!

That's what I get for reading the manual :-) 10 hours is a lot of lawnmowing, probably 2 years plus in my case.

How big is your lawn!!??
I could do 10 hours mowing on about the 3rd time mowing our lawns.
It takes about 4 hours to mow my lawns on a good day :(

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#221629 4-Jun-2009 14:43

CYaBro: How big is your lawn!!??

Takes about 10 minutes, maybe 15 :-)