OK when landy at rest someone got to do some mowing... which mower

[29dinosaur]

My Toro self drive mower may well be up to its use by date.

What do you gardener types-lawnkeepers recommend for a good solid mower for backyard push or walk behind type mowing? Hondas seem popular (but expensive). I'll keep this is mind that there's someone in my family who may be wanting to do landscaping-horticulture etc as a business in the future, so any equipment purchased may well go towards a commercial use...

[pfillery]

Definitely Honda. It may not actually start first time every time but mine is 4 years old, still on the original oil in the sump and it is still clean. yes I have used it quite extensively, also have a 4 stroke Honda whipper snipper too. They are pretty reliable, have a half decent motor and are nice and quiet. you can get self propelled ones too.

They are expensive, mine were free thanks to insurance after my crappy victa 30 year old toe cutter was stolen, insurance told me to go to a mower shop, pick whatever I thought was a good replacement and get a price, dealer sold Victa, Husquvarna, Honda, and a few others, told me Honda was the best for the money. So I got Honda.

[Slunnie]

Victa.

Light, cheap, powerful, simple and they go forever.

Turn the fuel off after mowing and let it run out

When starting, 7 presses on the carby primer and it starts first pull every time.

There are parts everywhere for them if needed.

These mowers just keep going and going and going and going.

[29dinosaur]

Victa.

Light, cheap, powerful, simple and they go forever.

Turn the fuel off after mowing and let it run out

When starting, 7 presses on the carby primer and it starts first pull every time.

There are parts everywhere for them if needed.

These mowers just keep going and going and going and going.


OK - but where are they made? I'd prefer not to purchase from certain global locations.

[Slunnie]

OK - but where are they made? I'd prefer not to purchase from certain global locations.
Sydney founded and owned up until a couple of years ago when they were bought by Briggs & Stratton from the US. I'm not sure if manufacture is still in Sydney or if it has been moved.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Kubota baby!
I have the ozzie version of this--
KUBOTA W5021 lawn mower - 5hp ohv engine - YouTube

must be at least 25 years old,,
second air filter, 4th starter cord, original spark plug (true!)
starts first compression every time when cold,,
still cant start it when hot (need a decompression lever ;))

[Davehoos]

we are keeping our victas going as long as we can at work.
the new ones are definatly chinese and not the same quality as they first had been.
the chinese B&S OHV is ok and similar quality to the variety of honda and clone motors.but we buy genuine honda.

I recently got a as new late 90's blue 2 stroke craftsmen for $140 at a pawn shop..these are the most restored victa ive found.its a little better in the rear chut than my last green steel rear door craftmen.

i hada few utility victas but the engine and selfdrive tend to be worn out when you find a good one.

[wrinklearthur]

Victa.
These mowers just keep going and going and going and going.

And going and going and going and - .
.

[Casper]

Definitely Honda. It may not actually start first time every time but mine is 4 years old, still on the original oil in the sump and it is still clean.It may look clean but it may not be working very well as it will have no goodies left in it. For $10 do youself a favour and change the oil mono grade 30 yes I have used it quite extensively, also have a 4 stroke Honda whipper snipper too. They are pretty reliable, have a half decent motor and are nice and quiet. you can get self propelled ones too.




Victa.

Light, cheap, powerful, simple and they go forever.

Turn the fuel off after mowing and let it run out Most Important

When starting, 7 presses on the carby primer and it starts first pull every time.

There are parts everywhere for them if needed.

These mowers just keep going and going and going and going.


we are keeping our victas going as long as we can at work.



Self drive is for old or lazy people for a rotary mower.

I've been in the turf machinery trade for 16 years and farming before that and I can tell you that things are not what they were.

There are good and bad Honda's just as there are good and bad Briggs etc.

Whatever you get it needs to run a main bearing not a bronze bush and a cast iron bore not just a chrome alloy bore.

As far as not changing oil goes, they run 30 weight mono grade oil and should be changed seasonally as with the Honda motors they can have Big end failure due to the oil breaking down and a new Conrod, Piston and Rings cost about $250 plus fitting.

I would not buy a mower from bunnings if it is going to mow more than 20SqM of lawn per week as they are the cheaper engines made to look the same as the more expensive.

The Bunnings mowers are not extensively backed by the manufacturers for commercial use so if thats a possiblility I would not go that way.

I wouldn't brush off the John Deere and Toro push mowers as well as the Honda but the Honda in Oz seems to be the most popular with the Turfies I deal with.

If you do want another self propelled then all 3 JD Toro and Honda are the only ones I would look at for Commercial use but for domestic use there are quite a few alternatives.

But after all that, I still run a Victa 2 stroke, It did my father inlaw for about 10 years of mowing rounds then semi retirement just doing their own lawns and now is pretty much fully retired at my place as I normally cut my lawns with customers mowers trying to chase down faults (2 birds 1 stone).

The old Victa still has full comp, still starts first pull after 5 pumps of the primer and the FIL put a plug in it in about 2004 and it still looks like new.

Go see a reputable dealer and if you think they are giving you the run around or they are too pricey I can make some phone calls to give you some bargaining power.

They always have room to move on price so shop around.

Cheers Casper