Lawn Mower - Any recommendations?

PCM · October 6

Hello,

I've had a brilliant Al-Ko petrol, self propelled, Honda engine, 3 speed lawnmower for about the last 20 years.

It's been brilliant. ( Apart from needing to replace the drive wheels, as they have plastic inserts that wear away. )

Just recently, it's been smoking, drinking petrol, smelling like an old moped, running on and lacking power.

I think it's destined for lawnmower heaven. 😞

Q. Has anyone got any recommendations for a good and worthy replacement at all? (£250-£550)?

Regards,.

Toyota Owner · October 6

Which Honda engine is fitted to the mower?

It might just be a carb issue causing the issue, the Honda engines are normally bulletproof.

Hopefully its also got a NGK spark plug fitted & not a Champion.

PCM · October 6

Thank you. I'll have to tale a look. ( I think, it's a Honda 160? )

Malc1 · October 6

Temporary replacement ( or permanent ) ……. rent out your grass to a hungry horse, donkey, goat whatever 👌

Malc

cdmaskell · October 6

Maybe time to go for rechargeable? My Honda lawnmower is 20yrs old. If it completely packed up I would go Battery. But no signs yet. Try an economical repair first.

Spottedlaurel · October 6

I replaced our petrol Honda earlier this year with a rechargeable Stihl (the engine ran fine on the old one but the chassis rotted away).

All-in it cost about £580, not the cheapest option but it seems like a decent bit of kit and doesn't need charging-up too often. Battery is quite sizeable and can be used for other tools in the Stihl range (I'm not sure if it's a universal type).

PCM · October 7

We have about 2/3 acre of lawn... quite a lot.

But I am appreciating all the comments!

Malc1 · October 7

Then a ride-on mower …….. if the terrain is gentle enough !

Malc

DavidCM · October 7

If your lawn is of "regular"shape,consider a robotic mower.I'got 3/4 acre,but irregular shape with lots of obstructions so went for a sit on mower this time.It saves a 4 mile walk and job done in just over half the time.

Malc1 · October 7

Back to basics then, buy a scythe and enjoy the exercise 😄

Malc

GMB · October 7

We had a Cub Cadet with a Kawasaki 750cc V twin engine in it ( Cost new 4500€ in 2004 ) and Hydrostatic drive. It was the fastest mower in town and is bulletproof. I gave it to a friend when we left France. It is now 20 years old and still runs like new. With a side eject system it would cut anything from grass to brush to Garrigue type terrain. My wife used to try and mow rocks with it but it survived.

steve2006 · October 7

I have a Mountfield sit on mower which I’m happy to drive down on and cut your grass……….arrr Hertfordshire, no worries I should be there around mid November. 😀

PCM · October 8

Thank you for all the thoughts and feedback.

I found what looked like a nice Al-Ko on eBay. Sent the seller a simple but pertinent question. No reply = no sale.

Now I'm thinking a new Honda Izy. Still a Honda engine and very good reviews, with a mulching blade as well.

That's probably what I'll go with ...

GMB · October 8

We currently have a Honda izy. Works fine. A bit hard to push in longer grass. Can get water/ condensation in the carb when stored for winter in a cold shed. But no real problems, all normal stuff, and all minor issues were easily resolved by a clean up and new petrol. First start in spring takes a few pulls and sometimes warm the plug up first. But I would recommend them - Honda tough and reliable.

First service after 3 yrs use plus a sharpen and balance £95.

ALAW · Sunday at 09:15 PM

Ive a Hayter petrol had it a few years great mower. However it is a bit heavy. Now my mate is an expert grassman, he used to do a lot of his nieghbours he used to have a petrol mower but changed to Battery a few years ago Bosch the batteries are expensive but my mate says they are very good and there lighter you can pick up on one hand. Happy mowing.

Malc1 · Monday at 08:52 AM

Last cut coming up is it ?
Malc

LenT · Monday at 01:15 PM

On 10/8/2024 at 8:12 AM, PCM said:

Now I'm thinking a new Honda Izy. Still a Honda engine and very good reviews, with a mulching blade as well.

That's probably what I'll go with ...

Very timely thread this, as my 15 year old, self propelled Honda Izy is now showing signs of rust worm attack on the deck - and the start of a rattle in the engine. So I’m looking to replace it, although I’ll probably wait until early in the New Year rather than have it spend the first part of its warranty period just sitting in the shed.

But replace it with what? I’d be happy with another Izy, if they’re still around. Except…about five years ago I asked the lad who’d been servicing it if he’d like to sell me a new one? He said he could, but I wouldn’t like it! He claimed the build quality was inferior to my old version and I’d be better off maintaining my old one - which I did!

But I think I’ve done the last cut of the year and it’s time to reconsider. A neighbour, who has an identical Izy and a slightly larger garden, is recommending one of the new Battery mowers on the basis of them being much lighter - and having been impressed by his son’s. Unfortunately, I do need a self propelled item and it has to be about 41 cms cutting width - which seems to make them substantially more expensive than the petrol equivalent.

Another option is suggested by my noting that a local supplier has a suitable reconditioned Hayter on offer. Another excellent machine that we’ve owned before - and might be worth snapping up while available. So I’ll be interested to see what other folk here decide.

Phil xxkr · Monday at 02:47 PM

1 hour ago, LenT said:

Very timely thread this, as my 15 year old, self propelled Honda Izy is now showing signs of rust worm attack on the deck - and the start of a rattle in the engine. So I’m looking to replace it, although I’ll probably wait until early in the New Year rather than have it spend the first part of its warranty period just sitting in the shed.

But replace it with what? I’d be happy with another Izy, if they’re still around. Except…about five years ago I asked the lad who’d been servicing it if he’d like to sell me a new one? He said he could, but I wouldn’t like it! He claimed the build quality was inferior to my old version and I’d be better off maintaining my old one - which I did!

But I think I’ve done the last cut of the year and it’s time to reconsider. A neighbour, who has an identical Izy and a slightly larger garden, is recommending one of the new battery mowers on the basis of them being much lighter - and having been impressed by his son’s. Unfortunately, I do need a self propelled item and it has to be about 41 cms cutting width - which seems to make them substantially more expensive than the petrol equivalent.

Another option is suggested by my noting that a local supplier has a suitable reconditioned Hayter on offer. Another excellent machine that we’ve owned before - and might be worth snapping up while available. So I’ll be interested to see what other folk here decide.

My Izy has been /is splendid over the years but I now have a chap who cuts in for me 👍I persuade myself it has lots of advantages excluding the economics 😊