Help me choose a lawnmower

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by 2nd_bassoon, Apr 18, 2017.

  1. 2nd_bassoon

    2nd_bassoon Super Gardener

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    New turf has taken and is growing like wildfire, hurrah :Wino: Attention now turns towards curtailing the growth...

    My original plan was to get a handpush machine but human error while laying the turf means it isn't completely level, something I understand to be problem with push machines. Anyone have any experience with this?

    Alternatively, any recommendations for powered models? Requirments are:
    - Light (have to carry it up and down a flight of stone steps each time it's used)
    - Small (limited storage space)
    - Not too pricey! (Ideally <£80 - happy to look second hand)

    The lawn itself is small, only about 12m2. I considered trimmers from the weight/storage angle but not sure that would be enough on it's own? All input gladly received!
     
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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  3. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    @2nd_bassoon , I have used the Bosch Rotak for 10 years and it really is a good lawnmower. But for a small lawn I also have , also about 12m² , I use a flymo, which works fine.
    The Flymo 280 is £55 and weighs 8.8kg
    Buy Flymo Hover Vac 280 Corded Collect Mower - 1300W at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Lawnmowers and accessories, Lawnmowers and garden power tools, Home and garden.
    The smaller lighter 330 confusingly costs more at £79 , but only weighs 6.5kg . No grass collection on this model , but this is not a big problem on a small lawn
    Buy Flymo Corded Turbo Lite 330 Hover Mower - 1150W at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Lawnmowers and accessories, Lawnmowers and garden power tools, Home and garden.
     
  4. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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  5. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

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    Hi,

    Bit surprised this was the only thread we could find in the forum about small corded mowers ?

    Looking at the Bosch Rotak 32R or preferably the 34R as in previous years it seems to have had very good reviews in the shops, but in the last couple of years the reviews get worse with faulty motors or electrics and plastic parts breaking way too easily, and as some who previously owned the same model mower, they say the quality is just not as good and not what you would expect of Bosch ?

    Is that anything to do with Bosch taking over Qualcast ie does a Qualcast factory actually make the new Rotaks 34R rather than Bosch?

    Several such mowers on the market like Spear and Jackson, Challenge and McGregor, though hard to see any difference apart from the colour of the plastic, but the Flymo EasyStore does seem a different design.

    Any recommendations for 2022 ?
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2022
  6. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    I got a cordless mower in September 2020. Wanted a Bosch but non available , I got a Spear and Jackson one from Argos. Really pleased with it, came with two batteries, and it cuts my lawns a treat. I'll never go back to corded. The build may be a tad on the light side, but no probs after winter storage, cut the front lawn no problem :blue thumb:
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      I may be able to help here as I have just come up against this very problem. I have a Bosch Rotak 40 that I've had for years and has been an excellent mower to be fair to it, but sadly has failed and the parts are no longer available (not really surprising given its age); I looked at Bosch by default but was finding them expensive and like you @ricky101 was also reading an incredible amount of reviews saying they were rubbish with many of those being disappointed being prior Bosch owners.

      In the end, I couldn't bring myself to spend quite a lot of money on something that was looking to be a risk. I don't have a huge lawn now (I reduced it in size year before last by adding the veggie area at the back) so didn't need to be going for the really big machines and petrol would be a complete waste. Also, I am not a fan of Flymo machines full stop - they've always been cheap rubbish in my experience.

      After quite a bit of searching, I stumbled over this - https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PV3RN9S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

      Turns out that this is the electric brand of Briggs and Stratton from the US, so not exactly a small company, so that coupled with reasonable pricing and the five year warranty, I plumped for it. I admit that the handle and control bar configuration was also a large consideration for me as I am not as able as I once was, tending to do things like grass cutting in two or three phases. I've not used it yet, so cannot comment on the cut (will be using it soon though) but build quality is as good as my old Bosch.
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        I suppose a pair of scissors is out of the question. :whistle: :heehee: I could let you have one for nothing as I have a lot of them. :blue thumb:
         
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