I need to get a new mower, thinking of John Dere or Countax but do wonder
whether the B&Q ones that are cheaper would be just as good. Has anyone had
any experience of the cheaper models.Rough grass (not Wimbledon standard)
Any advise welcome.

"Jabber" wrote in message
...

I need to get a new mower, thinking of John Dere or Countax but do wonder
whether the B&Q ones that are cheaper would be just as good. Has anyone
had
any experience of the cheaper models.Rough grass (not Wimbledon standard)
Any advise welcome.

b and q ones fall apart last maybe one year john deere is better

FWIW I bought a small MTD ride-on mower called PINTO for £750 in April 2001.
I use it to mow a rough grassy area about 1/3 acre with several trees and
bushes in it (and many mole hills). It has coped with this work very well,
mowing once a week in the high season, and I would heartily recommend. it.

Its not beautiful or fast but very manoeuvrable, starts easily and is
reliable. Does what it says on the tin!

--
Brian
---------------------------------------------
www.ashnookplants.co.uk
Top quality seeds & stuff at value prices!
"Jabber" wrote in message
...

I need to get a new mower, thinking of John Dere or Countax but do wonder
whether the B&Q ones that are cheaper would be just as good. Has anyone
had
any experience of the cheaper models.Rough grass (not Wimbledon standard)
Any advise welcome.

I have John Deere LT170 mulching mower... the only problem i have had with
it is a snapped drive belt(under light load)....cost £40 each time...not
sure id recommend one like mine...unless they swap to gear or chain drive.

Steve
"Jabber" wrote in message
...

I need to get a new mower, thinking of John Dere or Countax but do wonder
whether the B&Q ones that are cheaper would be just as good. Has anyone
had
any experience of the cheaper models.Rough grass (not Wimbledon standard)
Any advise welcome.

Steve
"Jabber" wrote in message
...

I need to get a new mower, thinking of John Dere or Countax but do
wonder
whether the B&Q ones that are cheaper would be just as good. Has anyone
had
any experience of the cheaper models.Rough grass (not Wimbledon standard)
Any advise welcome.


I got a "Champion " from Focus and find that it can't cope with uneven
ground. (£799)
It has a fixed deck although the height of cut is adjustable.
I would definitely go for the more expensive floating deck style next time.
If your lawn is nice and flat a cheapy would probably be o.k.but you cannot
cut right to the edge of the lawn with it, as is not the problem with a twin
blade floater.

Pete
www.thecanalshop.com

Cheap B&Q Mowers are exactly that cheap.
Consider what you want it to do, most cheap ones I have tried do a
miserable job of collecting clippings etc..

They look very poorly constructed as well with very cheap plastics

The chassis are also normally not very strong so towing a trailer for
example may not be practical

I have an acre to mow and easily fill a reasonable trailer whist cutting

The same money would be better spent on a second-hand machine, or stick
with your suggestion of a Deere or Countax, the new JCB Diesel looks
interesting

I looked at lots and in the end bought a second-hand Roper (probably
American), I have been using it regularly without problem for three
years I can even tow a small chain harrow with it.

It is amazing how useful these little machines are,they have a tough
life so go for something the will last.

Jabber wrote:
I need to get a new mower, thinking of John Dere or Countax but do wonder
whether the B&Q ones that are cheaper would be just as good. Has anyone had
any experience of the cheaper models.Rough grass (not Wimbledon standard)
Any advise welcome.

My grass is rough too but I have a 15HP Stiga Park Compact HSP mulching
mower with hydrostatic transmission that copes with it well - as long
as I a) get the first cut of the season in by very soon now and b) mow
regularly.

I bought it new last year for £1700 which isn't the cheapest in
absolute terms but is cheap for a ride-on mulcher. It was a special
deal from http://www.grassland-services.com/detail.asp?prodID=255

What I like about it:

- Very powerful in its class
- Very reliable
- Big wheels, tractor treads
- Articulated body - turns on a sixpence
- No emptying!
- The mulch disappears! I never walk any into the house.
- Easier to clean tilting out-front deck

What I don't like about it:

- Too much power! Sometimes get skid marks on wet lawn
- Tubeless tyres - punctures not easy to fix
- Will dump long grass in slimey piles
- Articulated body demands respect on slopes

Overall, I would recommend this mower. Not emptying a grassbox has
transformed my life!

Stan

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005, r.p.mcmurphy wrote:

I have John Deere LT170 mulching mower... the only problem i have had with
it is a snapped drive belt(under light load)....cost £40 each time...not
sure id recommend one like mine...unless they swap to gear or chain drive.

Looks to be a nice machine - but expensive!

I'm going to have to buy such a mower this year as my kind neighbour in
Normandy is giving up sheep and I have just under an acre of grass to
keep under control.

Can anyone tell me of a make/model to steer clear of?

David
--
David Rance http://www.mesnil.demon.co.uk
Fido Address: 2:252/110 writing from Caversham, Reading, UK