GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Need small ride on mower

6 · 25-10-2006, 08:08 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

Hi,

I have about 1/2 acre of grass (I hesitate to call it lawn) with quite a
few flowerbeds. At the moment I use a 21" self propelled mower but am
beginning to find it a bit of a chore these days.

What I am looking for is a small ride on with the following properties:-

1. Easy to operate as my wife will likely be the main user. This means
hydrostatic or other auto drive.

2. Good mulching capability. I would expect mulching to be the norm with
only very occasional use of grass collection.

3. Reliable with easy servicing. I am an ex motor mechanic and would
expect to do my own servicing. £250 plus is a lot of money just to change
the oil, renew the filters and sharpen the blade. I have overhauled many
B & S engines but ever a Honda - perhaps this says something!

4. My budget is £1600 maximum.

I have done a fair amount of research and am currently looking at the
following two machines both of which have hydrostatic transmission and are
from respected manufacturers. I do realise, of course, that Toro and
Honda probably outsource the manufacturer of these smaller machines.

Honda HF 1211 H - This machine appears to meet my requirements. My only
reservation is in its mulching capabilities. The mulching kit seems to
comprise of just a bung in the grass collection shute. I would be very
interested in hearing from anyone who has this particular mower and how
well it mulches.

Toro H132 / 70186 - Again this machine appears to meet my requirements.
This is marketed as having "Recycler Technology" so may have better
mulching performance than the Honda above. I also like the fact that I
have been able to download the full owner and service manual for the Toro.
Honda do not appear to release this information on the internet. I would
like to hear from anyone who has had any experience with this.machine and
also is full service information provided.

Thanks

Dave

Sir might look at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAESTRO-MULCHI...QQcmdZViewItem