HI Colin

On Sat, 2 Jun 2007 20:05:31 +0100, "CWatters"
wrote:

I'm looking for recommendations for a ride on rotary mower. Which are the
best makes?

We've got a new lawn about 0.25 acre (if the moles don't get it. See
separate thread) and a 1 acre paddock. I'm looking for something that will
cut the lawn and the paddock - at least until we can get animals on it.


We have about the same total area out here in the South-west of
Ireland.

When we moved out here I went looking for a 2nd-hand mower - very few
of them available privately but managed to find a nice one from the
local garden machinery place - they take them in in part-exchange and
then sell them on.

Mine is badged 'Einhel' (apparently made by Husquavarna) - 12hp B&D
engine and twin blades cutting 36".

Things to look for.....
Mulching option - saves an awful lot of 'emptying'
Rear discharge chute - my previous machine was side-discharge and was
forever getting blocked up
'Proper' large tyres - machines intended for lawns will have trouble
coping with lumps and bumps in a paddock
Nothing too 'clever' - the more equipment, dials, buttons lights etc -
the more there is to go wrong.
Try the machine - see if it's comfortable for you.
Expect a warranty and the machine to be serviced when you get it.
Use it lots in the first couple of months to discover any possuible
defects!


Unless you have money to burn, it's worth looking for a good
second-hand machine from a decent dealer. Some people (out here, at
least) will change their mower for a new one every couple of years -
and if they've looked after the 'old' one then it'll save you a
considerable amount of money

In terms of 'makes to avoid' - a friend of mine in the UK bought a new
Countach (?spelling) - and it's been a nightmare. He has a mix of lawn
and meadow - and the thing just isn't up to it - eats bearings on the
mowing deck.....

Hope this helps
Adrian