the time has come to buy a motor mower

age is winning the battle

so im looking for a gentle power mower, something that wont destroy my lawn
my garden would take less than half an hour with a power mower, but i really
do want the least agressive machine possible im told that mowers with
four cutting blades are less damaging than those with two the garden is
filled with trees, so has lots of curves and corners, and no large expanses
of grass

any comments or suggestions on what to buy (shudder) would be appreciated

Get a fly mower that is powered by electrickery and hovers on it's own air
cushion. They are light to use and you can quickly become an expert with
them. They are great around tight spots that include lots of curves because
you don't have to turn the wheels, and you can swing it from side to side
and around corners.

They won't handle the heavy clumping grasses like green panic unless you are
prepared to take your time, but apart from that...

Hope this helps,
Peter

"rapdor" wrote in message
...
the time has come to buy a motor mower

age is winning the battle

so im looking for a gentle power mower, something that wont destroy my
lawn
my garden would take less than half an hour with a power mower, but i
really
do want the least agressive machine possible im told that mowers with
four cutting blades are less damaging than those with two the garden
is
filled with trees, so has lots of curves and corners, and no large
expanses
of grass

any comments or suggestions on what to buy (shudder) would be appreciated

"Bushy" wrote in message
...
Get a fly mower that is powered by electrickery and hovers on it's own air
cushion. They are light to use and you can quickly become an expert with
them. They are great around tight spots that include lots of curves
because
you don't have to turn the wheels, and you can swing it from side to side
and around corners.

They won't handle the heavy clumping grasses like green panic unless you
are
prepared to take your time, but apart from that...

Hope this helps,
Peter

Peter, I'd agree with that 100%. When I got sick of spending 1/2 an hour
starting the 25 yo Victor mower I decided to get a new one. Saw one of the
hover type at Bunnings for $116 and bought it about three years ago. I don't
have to rake up because it seems to shred the grass as it's spinning at 1440
rpm. This means that it has no grunt so wont handle the rough stuff but if
you use it regularly it will keep the lawn manicured. Mine's never been
better since I started using it. They are very light construction and I've
given mine too much abuse (rocks & sticks on the lawn:warning) and its
carked it. Nevertheless, I'm buying a new one this week. ($128 now)

Graeme

Peter, I'd agree with that 100%. When I got sick of spending 1/2 an hour
starting the 25 yo Victor mower I decided to get a new one. Saw one of the
hover type at Bunnings for $116 and bought it about three years ago. I
don't
have to rake up because it seems to shred the grass as it's spinning at
1440
rpm. This means that it has no grunt so wont handle the rough stuff but if
you use it regularly it will keep the lawn manicured. Mine's never been
better since I started using it. They are very light construction and I've
given mine too much abuse (rocks & sticks on the lawn:warning) and its
carked it. Nevertheless, I'm buying a new one this week. ($128 now)

Graeme


Yes, I had a Flymo once, and it was fine except as you mentioned, if the
lawn is not cut very regularly it was hard to get through the longer grass.
Is there a more powerful model available by any chance?

"Bushy" wrote in message
...
Get a fly mower that is powered by electrickery and hovers on it's own air
cushion. They are light to use and you can quickly become an expert with
them. They are great around tight spots that include lots of curves
because
you don't have to turn the wheels, and you can swing it from side to side
and around corners.

They won't handle the heavy clumping grasses like green panic unless you
are
prepared to take your time, but apart from that...

Hope this helps,
Peter

I agree with getting an electric mower. But make sure you have an earth
leakage device installed to cut the power should you run over the cord,
because that is a pretty common accident.

"rapdor" wrote in message
...
the time has come to buy a motor mower

age is winning the battle

so im looking for a gentle power mower, something that wont destroy my
lawn
my garden would take less than half an hour with a power mower, but i
really
do want the least agressive machine possible im told that mowers with
four cutting blades are less damaging than those with two the garden
is
filled with trees, so has lots of curves and corners, and no large
expanses
of grass

any comments or suggestions on what to buy (shudder) would be appreciated



4 blades are better than 2, mostly when it comes to cutting heavier grass.
As long as blades are kept sharp, not knife sharp, just not damaged from
hitting rocks or concrete edges, then it should never destroy your lawn.
Running a mower at too low revs or with damaged blades can bruise the lawn
or possibly pull some of it out.
I'd personally go for a 4 stroke mower. They last for ages with minor
maintenance. Biggest problem with 2 strokes is carboning up in the cylinder,
exhaust or plug, and they wear quicker than 4 strokes.
If you cut your lawn regularly, and don't let it get out of hand most 4
strokes will handle it quite well. Also a Mulch mower might be an option, or
one that is designed to run without a catcher, saves emptying it, and
manouvering it around the curves and corners you mention.
Go for a known name too. The Honda motors (not sure what base they are on)
are great, and Briggs and stratton aren't too bad either.
Check out a mower place, see what there is and see what the sizes are of the
mowers and weights to find one to suit you, then go from there.
Oh, I saw the other posts about Flymos. I never tried the electric ones, but
if you get one, make sure you run a power cut out switch to avoid
electrocution. We have a 2 stroke one at work, but it's pretty heavy. Great
to use, but heavy getting in and out of the shed. Almost like moving a
normal mower around without wheels.

Hope this helps a little

Good luck

P.S. Did you used to mow it with a "push" non motorised mower before?

--
Remove "not" from start of email address to reply

"Andrew G" wrote in message
...
SNIP
We have a 2 stroke one at work, but it's pretty heavy. Great
to use, but heavy getting in and out of the shed. Almost like moving a
normal mower around without wheels.
SNIP

Sorry, missed it

We have a 2 stroke "Flymo" at work that is


--
Remove "not" from start of email address to reply

g'day rapdor,

been following the posts in this thread.

as an ex-mower mechanic here's my bit.

flymos have their uses they don't do the finest cut because they only
have a 2 blade cutting system, the petrol flymo (2 stroke) would be
more powerful that the electric.

4 strokes are much more reliable as far as i know it is only the rover
that has 4 blades, there could be other brands that i am not familiar
with. just with 4 strokes they do need the oil changed.

all rotary mowers are aggressive in their cutting action that is the
nature of the beast, the type of mower that cuts the neatest and with
less aggression if you like is the reel mower their cutting action
resembles that of using a pair of scissors.

depending on what sort of garden edging you have mowers aren't going
to cut neat up to them unless you have mowing strips with the edges,
so you will need something to trim edges and into corners with.

have fun

len

On Wed, 26 Feb 2003 05:27:52 GMT, "rapdor"
wrote:

the time has come to buy a motor mower

age is winning the battle

so im looking for a gentle power mower, something that wont destroy my lawn
my garden would take less than half an hour with a power mower, but i really
do want the least agressive machine possible im told that mowers with
four cutting blades are less damaging than those with two the garden is
filled with trees, so has lots of curves and corners, and no large expanses
of grass

any comments or suggestions on what to buy (shudder) would be appreciated


--
happy gardening
'it works for me it could work for you,'

"in the end ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do" but consider others and the environment
http://hub.dataline.net.au/~gardnlen/

thanks for that information len since asking the original question, ive
done quite a lot of searching on the net and asked a few people who know a
bit about mowers the knowledge ive accumulated supports your reply: a 4
stroke with 4 blades seems to be the way to go

ive had a good search for more powerful electric mowers, since i dislike
petrol engines, but there is nothing available that is much of an
improvement on the (inadequate, in my opinion) flymo

so it looks like it will be a rover 'easy push', a machine apparently
suitable for small gardens with lots of obstacles

as for the edges, i have an atom electric edger--a fantastic product made by
an excellent aussie company i bought it on the internet from

http://www.cairnsmowercity.com/webcontent3.htm

even though i live in northern nsw, soi will probably buy the mower from
them as well, unless i can find a good deal tomorrow when i do the rounds of
local shops but i will still be keeping my 'pushie' oiled and ready for
use the day this damn new thing wont start

thanks again for your help, and for the comments from others who replied

"len brauer" wrote in message
...
g'day rapdor,

been following the posts in this thread.

as an ex-mower mechanic here's my bit.

flymos have their uses they don't do the finest cut because they only
have a 2 blade cutting system, the petrol flymo (2 stroke) would be
more powerful that the electric.

4 strokes are much more reliable as far as i know it is only the rover
that has 4 blades, there could be other brands that i am not familiar
with. just with 4 strokes they do need the oil changed.

all rotary mowers are aggressive in their cutting action that is the
nature of the beast, the type of mower that cuts the neatest and with
less aggression if you like is the reel mower their cutting action
resembles that of using a pair of scissors.

depending on what sort of garden edging you have mowers aren't going
to cut neat up to them unless you have mowing strips with the edges,
so you will need something to trim edges and into corners with.

have fun

len

On Wed, 26 Feb 2003 05:27:52 GMT, "rapdor"
wrote:

the time has come to buy a motor mower

age is winning the battle

so im looking for a gentle power mower, something that wont destroy my
lawn
my garden would take less than half an hour with a power mower, but i
really
do want the least agressive machine possible im told that mowers
with
four cutting blades are less damaging than those with two the garden
is
filled with trees, so has lots of curves and corners, and no large
expanses
of grass

any comments or suggestions on what to buy (shudder) would be
appreciated


--
happy gardening
'it works for me it could work for you,'

"in the end ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do" but consider others and the
environment
http://hub.dataline.net.au/~gardnlen/

Hi rapdor,

I bought a Honda HRU 19 Residential and it does a great job. A friend who
mows lawns for a living recommended it to me. Not the cheapest but starts
first time, everytime. Had it now for about 4 years.


"rapdor" wrote in message
...
the time has come to buy a motor mower

age is winning the battle

so im looking for a gentle power mower, something that wont destroy my
lawn
my garden would take less than half an hour with a power mower, but i
really
do want the least agressive machine possible im told that mowers with
four cutting blades are less damaging than those with two the garden
is
filled with trees, so has lots of curves and corners, and no large
expanses
of grass

any comments or suggestions on what to buy (shudder) would be appreciated