New Lawn Mower.

[Ausfree]

I have just bought a new lawn mower!!:clap2: I know you are going to be beside yourself with excitement over this but please let me explain.:D

Old lawn mower is over ten years old (nearer 15) and it is a Rover mower with a Briggs and Stratten motor. It has done stirling service and I have always bought four stroke motors because I don't have to worry about fuel/oil ratios and the like. I have always bought the "Rover" brand because you know "Rover" "LandRover" etc.

Anyway went to the local hardware shop and looked at the usual range of "Victa" and "Rover' etc,I was looking for a mower that mulched as well!!:D

I came across this!!:D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/1543.jpg

I bet you are getting excited now, but just wait, there's more!!:D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/1544.jpg


And more!!:D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/1545.jpg

The mower is a Ryobi with a Subaru 4x stroke motor, it is 190cc OHV.

Just mowed the lawn with the mulcher engaged and it worked great.

I have never heard of this brand before and I bought it based on the Ryobi/Subaru reputation.:D Any thoughts??


By the way my whippersnipper is 20 years old and due for replacement, I believe you can get a 4 stroke version, which appeals to me, any thoughts on this..:D:D


By the way, do you like the "Nudge Bar" on the front of my new mower, thinking about putting "spotties" on there so I can mow the lawn at night...............yeah right!

[mick88]

Nice looking machine.
Two wheel drive, four wheel drive, or is it one of these fancy new all wheel drives? :confused:




One of hours is a 1965 Rover, but we gave it an engine transplant in 1986, dropped a 3.5 Horsepower Honda on it! It's is still going strong! :D





Cheers, Mick. :)

[sheerluck]

I saw these in Bunnings earlier today. Made me do a double take!

[Ausfree]

I saw these in Bunnings earlier today. Made me do a double take! Yep, that's where I bought it, I was talking to the salesman and he showed me a range of Mowers, but I kept coming back to this one, I thought for the price it was good value!!:D:D

[sheerluck]

Yep, that's where I bought it, I was talking to the salesman and he showed me a range of Mowers, but I kept coming back to this one, I thought for the price it was good value!!:D:D

I liked the price (we're on the lookout for a replacement for a 5 year old GMC cheapie at the moment), but was a little unsure about the longevity of the top plastic trim and the pull start mechanism.

I think I'll wait for you to be a guinea pig to see if I should go back and get one :D

[Ausfree]

I liked the price (we're on the lookout for a replacement for a 5 year old GMC cheapie at the moment), but was a little unsure about the longevity of the top plastic trim and the pull start mechanism.

I think I'll wait for you to be a guinea pig to see if I should go back and get one :D
Looked at it too, a lot of lawn mowers have plastic trim nowadays unfortunately, so I am looking at a ten year life, hopefully more.:D My yard is not a big one so a mower does not work hard here!!

[superquag]

We used to have a Rover 'Wayfarer' which did well for around 15+ years. Eventualy the motor did Bang & Stop.

Replaced it with a Bunnings 'house brand' TALON. Big yellow thingy. Engine was great, started first pull for a few years, then second, then.... only with ether, and now not at all.

Not sorry really, as the deck and handle balance is very ordinary, and the cut is'nt any better. In hindsight, the Wayfarer was better designed and was heaps easier to use. Also lighter.

Have you used it yet?

- Keep us posted on the Backyard Lawn Test !!!

[101RRS]

Looks like the tray is steel so will rust out in 5 years unless properly hosed cleaned after each use.

[sheerluck]

Our push along doesn't have to do a great deal (we're on a few acres), just around the fruit trees, around the pool, and a narrow part down the side of the house where the ride-on can't get to.

The GMC one only cost us $99, and did more work on our previous 700+ sqm block, so won't grumble about the 5 year life.

Ah well, I'll keep borrowing the next door neighbours until I can find one I like at the right price:lol2:

[Ausfree]

Looks like the tray is steel so will rust out in 5 years unless properly hosed cleaned after each use.
Always done!!:D

[Ausfree]

Anybody, any thoughts on a four stroke whippersnipper!!!:D Brands etc!!!:confused:

[vnx205]

I borrowed a Stihl and a Honda on a few different occasions to slash a fairly large area thick with Scotch thistles.

The Honda seemed to do the work more easily than the Stihl. It didn't appear to need to be revved as much.

[Ausfree]

I borrowed a Stihl and a Honda on a few different occasions to slash a fairly large area thick with Scotch thistles.

The Honda seemed to do the work more easily than the Stihl. It didn't appear to need to be revved as much.

They Were 4 strokes???

[Landy Smurf]

My dad has a fairly heavy duty honda 4 stroke. he mainly uses the cutting thingymejig on it though

[vnx205]

The Honda was 4 stroke. The Stihl was 2 stroke.

I was offering the opinion that I thought the 4 stroke was a good idea.

[Mick_Marsh]

You're really enjoying that camera Jim.

[Hall]

Ah you are all big girls blouses. I`ve recently acquired a mans mower/ slasher the sort you want to down a can of solo after using it :D You put the ear muffs on and get this beast going then you stand back and think bugger if I`ll get close to those blades. No need to pick up sticks etc. Will cut through grass over half a meter high and most other plants, small trees etc.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/947.jpg
Looks mostly like this. Is a Victa Super 600 or 24" mower/slasher. The above pic is of the net. Mine has a slightly different air intake system.
Cheers Hall

[phl]

Anybody, any thoughts on a four stroke whippersnipper!!!:D Brands etc!!!:confused:

Used to have a Stihl brushcutter for 15 year, but went to a Honda brushcutter recently as the Stihl needed new parts, which are no longer available and new ones made in Brazil. As I needed a clearing saw, I went with the brushcutter. Easy to start and much quieter.

As for mowers, several months ago went to a Bosch Li-ion electric. Quiet, light and easy start.

[Tombie]

What's that Subaru job cost?

Bunnings is along drive for me :(

[Disco44]

Yep, that's where I bought it, I was talking to the salesman and he showed me a range of Mowers, but I kept coming back to this one, I thought for the price it was good value!!:D:D

Geez where is your Bunnings? I'm still trying to find my first "Salesman"They are as scarce as hens teeth in the 4 stores close to me.
John.

[mick88]

We have always had Honda's....they cost the earth but twenty years plus out of a $600 mower plus just fuel and oil and the occasional dressing of the blade and it's cheap lawn maintenance.
Our latest aquisition is a mulcher and our lawn has never looked so good! The only thing is you need to mow more often and you must keep the blades sharp, so I dress them monthly.
Here is a piuc of the 1965 Rover Royal with Honda 4 Horse donk!
It still cuts like a dream, but the wheels are knackered.


Cheers, Mick.

[mick88]

Sorry, pics wouldn't load!

[blue_mini]

Those new ryobi petrol mowers certainly caught my eye when they first came in. I can't believe how big the motor is, or the plastic covers anyway, compared to a briggs and stratton.
They do look quite nice though.

[Chops]

I bought one of the Talons years ago, it sat after a couple of years use in the shearing shed for two+ years, then brought it down to Melb,, second pull with a bit of new juice added to it, and away it went. Has been really good and reliable.

I've also bought a KAAZ whipper snipper from Bunnings last year. Wasn't [I]all[I] that cheap, $400-ish (???) but has been really good so far. It has a small Honda motor on it, and so far the only thing that's broken is the line feeder thingy. $20 something to replace.

Bunnings has some good gear there for half the price of named brands (a bit like our 4x4 gear) which also comes with their replacement warranty policies. Well worth checking out.

[Ausfree]

What's that Subaru job cost?

Bunnings is along drive for me :(
Just under $400!! I thought for a 4 stroke with mulcher it was good value.!!:D

[vnx205]

That Subaru engine may be the Robin engine that has been around for a while.

Robin / Subaru : , OutdoorKing Australia is a supplier of outdoor power equipment, hardware and spare parts which is located in Sydney Metro Area (http://www.outdoorking.com/index.php'main_page=index&manufacturers_id=12)

Subaru KX21 Gokart engine, Robin Go Kart Engine 4 Stroke Racing Motor (http://www.smallengineperformance.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=28)

[Ausfree]

Geez where is your Bunnings? I'm still trying to find my first "Salesman"They are as scarce as hens teeth in the 4 stores close to me.
John. Bunnings at Glendale, near Lake Macquarie, the salesman was very good. I walked into the shop, walked up to him and said "Where do you keep lawnmowers, mate":D He walked us down to the aisle and went through and explained all the lawnmowers in our price range, spent about 20 minutes with us, I guess he sensed that I was a serious buyer.:D Also, the salesman even helped us out to the car with it!!http://freesmileyface.net/smiley/surprise/surprised-004.gif (http://freesmileyface.net/free-surprise-smileys.html)

[Ausfree]

That Subaru engine may be the Robin engine that has been around for a while.

Robin / Subaru : , OutdoorKing Australia is a supplier of outdoor power equipment, hardware and spare parts which is located in Sydney Metro Area (http://www.outdoorking.com/index.php'main_page=index&manufacturers_id=12)

Subaru KX21 Gokart engine, Robin Go Kart Engine 4 Stroke Racing Motor (http://www.smallengineperformance.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=28)
Not sure there, all I can say is that I didn't know Subaru made small engines, that's one of the reasons I bought it because of Subaru's good reputation along with Ryobi's good name of cause. There is a two year warranty with it!!:D

[dfendr]

"Geez where is your Bunnings? I'm still trying to find my first "Salesman"They are as scarce as hens teeth in the 4 stores close to me.
John."
Reply With Quote
Wait until a Masters opens up nearby ............ they are all over you

Masters sell Honda powered mower for $340.00

[Ausfree]

"Geez where is your Bunnings? I'm still trying to find my first "Salesman"They are as scarce as hens teeth in the 4 stores close to me.
John."
Reply With Quote
Wait until a Masters opens up nearby ............ they are all over you

Masters sell Honda powered mower for $340.00No Masters, within a reasonable distance here yet, but they are coming!!!:D

What surprised me is this bloke at Bunnings had a bit of product knowledge, very rare nowadays!!:o

The thing is, with mowers getting cheaper and cheaper, they are now a throwaway item. The cost of repairs would be a large percentage of replacement cost.

[Datt]

This is our new lawn mower.
The old one's just over two years old and will be decommisioned in a couple of weeks, just in time for Australia Day BBQ.
55052

[weeds]

This is our new lawn mower.
The old one's just over two years old and will be decommisioned in a couple of weeks, just in time for Australia Day BBQ.


Nice choice........

[Mick_Marsh]

This is our new lawn mower.
The old one's just over two years old and will be decommisioned in a couple of weeks, just in time for Australia Day BBQ.
55052
How often do you replace them?
What are the running costs?

[justinc]

How often do you replace them?
What are the running costs?

After Australia day?

Cheap, except for cooking appliance hire (EG spit roast) and possibly some input into hand rearing/ feeding:D

Great idea!

JC:)

[vnx205]

This is our new lawn mower.
The old one's just over two years old and will be decommisioned in a couple of weeks, just in time for Australia Day BBQ.
55052

Aren't you concerned about the greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the climate? :D

[Ausfree]

This is our new lawn mower.
The old one's just over two years old and will be decommisioned in a couple of weeks, just in time for Australia Day BBQ.
55052
:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:That's an interesting perspective. Now my old Rover lawn mower is decomissioned the Briggs and Stratton would be a tad "lumpy" to BBQ!!!:wasntme:

[Datt]

How often do you replace them?
What are the running costs?

Sorry, hope this isn't a hijacking, but to answer your question:

I'm only new to the beef side of things, grew up with dad having jerseys, so have experience to gain yet.

My first two are Dexters and seem to be finishing well at about two years. I picked them up at 12 months old. I'll "decommision" the next one in about 6 months just as the paddock starts leaning out. I'll replace him with another Hereford. I get them at about 4 months.

The Hereford should finish well around 18 months. I'm sure someone here might having a differing/more experienced opinion.

Only had to buy $160 worth of feed last dry season to get me through for the 2 of them. Initial cost $350. Butcher around $500. End result will be around $5/kilo.:BigThumb:

[Disco44]

Sorry, hope this isn't a hijacking, but to answer your question:

I'm only new to the beef side of things, grew up with dad having jerseys, so have experience to gain yet.

My first two are Dexters and seem to be finishing well at about two years. I picked them up at 12 months old. I'll "decommision" the next one in about 6 months just as the paddock starts leaning out. I'll replace him with another Hereford. I get them at about 4 months.

The Hereford should finish well around 18 months. I'm sure someone here might having a differing/more experienced opinion.

Only had to buy $160 worth of feed last dry season to get me through for the 2 of them. Initial cost $350. Butcher around $500. End result will be around $5/kilo.:BigThumb:
Herefords cop a beating from the Buffalo Fly.It's depends how cold a winter you have as to natural control.Otherwise it's spraying every couple of weeks.The Braford (half Brahman half hereford would be a much better choice for the Brahman doesn't get as belted as the Hereford does.Before these breeds came in The Hereford would have to be mustered every couple of weeks for spraying as the fly draws blood around the head and neck and is a grisly sight.
John

[Disco44]

"Geez where is your Bunnings? I'm still trying to find my first "Salesman"They are as scarce as hens teeth in the 4 stores close to me.
John."
Reply With Quote
Wait until a Masters opens up nearby ............ they are all over you

Masters sell Honda powered mower for $340.00

Yes already have one and been there.There placing of the shop is so far away in a millionaires row that is too far away from mainstream Ipswich. it is like going on holidays just to get there.With that placement Bunnings have no worries about competition as mainstream Ipswichites don't bother to go that distance to rub shoulders with the well heeled.

[superquag]

No Masters, within a reasonable distance here yet, but they are coming!!!:D

What surprised me is this bloke at Bunnings had a bit of product knowledge, very rare nowadays!!:o

The thing is, with mowers getting cheaper and cheaper, they are now a throwaway item. The cost of repairs would be a large percentage of replacement cost.

The new Masters near us seems to have a policy of recruiting older, experienced tradesmen and hardware salesmen. One of the stalwarts of my local Mitre 10 has been seduced to the Dark Side. Met a Painter in the paint section and a Pommy sparkie in the Electrical.

Yes, and I suspect deisgning them is also 'throwaway' if my TALON is any example... Heavy, unwieldy and does'nt do a fantastic job on the grass... when compared to my previous Bang & Stop ROVER 'Wayfarer' (Cast alloy deck). Should have re-engined it.

Sadly, the TALON is now working again... Son #3 had cleaned out the fuel line/carby, and 'forgot' to replace the throttle cable clamp. Wondered why there was no spark... $5 at the local mower shop and its back in business. I think #3 was angling for a newer/better mower....:p:p:p

[Ausfree]

Just an update for those who might be interested (yes, even the moocow, lawnmower owners:p) walked in to Bunnings at Glendale again today to look at whippersnippers and I noticed in the display of lawnmowers there was a gap where the Ryobi/Subaru lawnmower was last week.:confused: Bumped into the same salesman who served me last week and after my query regarding no Ryobi/Subaru's he said they had sold out. They had sold 18 in the week!!!:D:D He remembered me and asked how my lawnmower was going and I said well for only mowing the grass once since I bought it, it was going great, very happy!!:D:D

[Debacle]

Jim if you're looking at whippersnippers, pop into your local Stihl dealer. They sometimes have the bottom of the range bent shaft model on special. I got one a couple of years ago for $200 and it's a great bit of kit.

Just had a look and They have them on sale for $199 rrp $249

[Ausfree]

Jim if you're looking at whippersnippers, pop into your local Stihl dealer. They sometimes have the bottom of the range bent shaft model on special. I got one a couple of years ago for $200 and it's a great bit of kit.
Thanks for that mate, but there is really not that much wrong with my current "Homelite" brand whippersnipper. The salesman I talked to said there is a repair kit available for under $15 that contains all the basics I need to keep it going. They will be getting more in next week as they are out of them at the moment. My whippersnipper works fine except the plastic tube from the petrol tank to the carby has gone all soft and is letting air in. My whippersnipper is nearly twenty years old. I'll try the repair kit first before deciding on a new whippersnipper. I like 4 stroke small motors but at nearly $500 for a 4 stroke whippersnipper, I'll give that a miss. The salesman showed me 2 stroke models at well under $200.:D:D:D

[drifter]

I paid less than $200 for a 4-stroke whipper snipper at Masters. It, so far, starts well and runs well. The first job was to clear a suburban block of 500mm high grass and it didn't miss a beat.

My mower is a 6yo GMC with Briggs and Stratton engine from Bunnings - it cost around $265 back then. Every now and again I whip the carby off and clean out all the crap (it stays outside 24x7 and rain water gets into the carb) and away it goes - first pull. I gave it a new set of blades at Christmas time - the old ones weren't really too bad - certainly so given the rough time the mower has had over the past 6 years. I may buy it a new spark plug next Christmas...

[Ausfree]

Less than $200 for a 4 stroke whippersnipper!!:o The cheapest one at our local Bunnings was about $450 from memory.:( If I decide to buy a new one it might be worth the half hour drive to the nearest Masters store.:D

[Disco44]

Thanks for that mate, but there is really not that much wrong with my current "Homelite" brand whippersnipper. The salesman I talked to said there is a repair kit available for under $15 that contains all the basics I need to keep it going. They will be getting more in next week as they are out of them at the moment. My whippersnipper works fine except the plastic tube from the petrol tank to the carby has gone all soft and is letting air in. My whippersnipper is nearly twenty years old. I'll try the repair kit first before deciding on a new whippersnipper. I like 4 stroke small motors but at nearly $500 for a 4 stroke whippersnipper, I'll give that a miss. The salesman showed me 2 stroke models at well under $200.:D:D:D

I'm with you on that one Ausfree.I have had a Homelite, straight shaft,since 2001, it's still going strong and over the years I have given it a hiding living on acreage.All I have done is change the head but it is good to know that a repair kit is available.Thanks for that info.

[Ausfree]

I'm with you on that one Ausfree.I have had a Homelite, straight shaft,since 2001, it's still going strong and over the years I have given it a hiding living on acreage.All I have done is change the head but it is good to know that a repair kit is available.Thanks for that info.

Hope I didn't mislead you Disco44, the repair kit is a generic one for all whippersnippers (not just Homelite) and apparently it contains things like plastic tubing and rubber bulbs for the carby etc. I have just used my whippersnipper this morning (it is the bent shaft model Homelite) and I think once I have replaced the plastic tubing from the fuel tank to the carby, it should be right!!:D I wouldn't imagine you would get too much in the kit for under $15.

[mick88]

1965 Rover, maybe a "Lawn Rover".
It had an engine transplant in the 80's when it was twenty one years old, after the original motor threw a leg out of bed!

Cheers, Mick.

[Ausfree]

Since this Thread has been resurrected, I might state that I have bought the repair kit for my Homelite whippersnipper and it works a treat.:D The whippersnipper now goes like a brand new one, I might get another 20 years out of it!!;)

[Cobber]

I suppose that mower of yours has a boxer in it? ;):D

[Ausfree]

Yep, a horizontally opposed single cylinder 190cc motor!!!:p:twisted:

[BDA]

Water cooled Dak Dak ?

[PhilipA]

I think I may have the record.
I bought a cheapo Mcculloch whipper snipper 1285? for about $185? in about 1992.
I still have it and it starts first time. Never had a plug, noisy as bgegry , but still goes like a beauty.
The fuel lines fell apart with age last summer and I had to spend $5 on a new bit of plastic line.
Tried to get a new fuel cap as it has a little filter in it, but no record anywhere on the net, it is so old.
Good value Hecho in Mexico.
Regards Philip A

[DoubleChevron]

Ah you are all big girls blouses. I`ve recently acquired a mans mower/ slasher the sort you want to down a can of solo after using it :D You put the ear muffs on and get this beast going then you stand back and think bugger if I`ll get close to those blades. No need to pick up sticks etc. Will cut through grass over half a meter high and most other plants, small trees etc.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/947.jpg
Looks mostly like this. Is a Victa Super 600 or 24" mower/slasher. The above pic is of the net. Mine has a slightly different air intake system.
Cheers Hall

Best mower ever made ... I have a later one with a commerial power/torque victa 2stroke. Bloody noisy, heavy b!tch to push but will cut anything you can push it onto.............. And if you can't push it onto it, you lift the nose and drop it down. So it'll cut anything in a series of "bites". good on blackberry and heavily cambered areas. The nose fits "under" trees, decks, patios etc... There have belt reduction over to the cutting deck. Pretty sure you can still buy them new. Super 600's.

Lawn Mowers | Professional Products | Victa Lawncare - Lawn Mowers, Outdoor Vacuums, & Edgers (http://www.victa.com/au/professional-products/lawn-mowers/MSP602/MSP602/)

Oh NO ... they have rebadged them masport :confused: :eek: :o Every 4stroke mower I've tried is crap compared to a ****ty old victa 2stroke. 4strokes are gutless and won't cut grass (sure they'll "trim" the average yard... they usually don't want to cut the grass here though).

As for Rover, I have the 18hp single deck ride on here my father bought new about 5years ago .... it's probalby only done 50hours of work from new. It was $hit.... complete crap... no matter what I did the piece of sh!+ just wouldn't cut grass, rather it "sort of" hacked it to pieces. It was a real shame as it's an aussie made mower with proper chassis and well made. I finally realised what the problem was, so I dropped the deck off it. Chopped an inch out of the front of it and welded a brace back on. It's now brilliant.

If you have a rover mower that won't cut grass.... the answer if hacking a big chunk out of the front of the cutter deck so it'll actually "cut" grass as opposed to "bending grass over".

seeya,
Shane L.

[superquag]

Alas, the TALON has finally died... So sad.... :D:D:D:D:D:D

Now the choice is narrowed down to Anybrand 18" running a Bang & Stop for around $400... Masters have one around $180, but I suspect the deck & wheels are pretty shoddy.
Saw a Scott Bonnar for $340 at a local mower shop. But the engine is an SX4000 'CHonda' looking thing, looks too much like the TALON rubbish...

Or buy a near-new 20" Kawasaki-powered mower for $400... Maybe overkill for a 140 square metre front lawn (and similar area wilderness out back!) ... but at least is would last !

My suggestions for push-mower have fallen on deaf ears...:angel:

[Chops]

If you get yourself a decent motor, when/if the base clags itself, you could grab another from a local that fixes mowers from their home. Some of these guys have good gear, and quite often for next to nicks.

[superquag]

Bit the bullet and bought the s/hand Kawasaki 20" at $400. Deck is 'ProScope' with 8" wheels and built strong. Engine is a 6 hp FJ180V, whatever that is...

#1 Son would'nt allow me the honour of First Mow, ;) and it did an excellent job. Very even cut.:):D:) Barely used 1/4 of the tank doing the 140m front lawn.

Bought it from a small mower shop, and came with lots of good info regarding fuel. Apparantly all the 'professional' / quality engines are designed for better quality petrol than what we live with, and our 'unleaded' at 91 octane de-tunes them slightly. He suggested 95 or 98 octane for 2 strokes as well as 4. - But don't use the E10 as the ethanol burns hotter and lubes less well. Stihl apparantly won't warrant any use of ethanol in their engines, and their dealers all have fuel sampling kits...

Tried Masters and Bunnings, not the greatest value or quality of product, and very much 'You Get What You Pay For'. Good for sales and if you are familiar with what they sell...

I'm happier supporting a Small Business, maybe paying $100 extra for a mower that's overkill... but at half the price of the current model which looks identical... I could'nt resist.:p