Lawnmower that’s a step up from a B&Q Special

I’ve got a Mountfield self propelled mower that I’ve been keeping going with new belts, new plastic guards, the height mechanism is wired up in it’s highest setting and the throttle control is bodged together with bits of bike cable. And now the handle has broken off this morning.

It’s time for a new one.

What should I be looking at that’s a step up in quality & durability please?

A high cut setting is a must and I guess a wider diameter cut would be good too.

Cheers!

I’ve got a Lawnflite with a Briggs and Stratton engine that replaced a bodged together mountfield with Honda engine. Think I’ve had it 8 years so far – has a composite deck so it shouldn’t rust out like the mountfield – I think the engine is fairly reliable – but not as powerful as the Honda engine was.

All I’ve done is change the oil / spark plug / air filter most years and recently changed the coil / lead as it wasn’t hot starting as well as it should. Back to smooth again.

When I was looking the other equivalent that seemed closest was a Hayter – Honda stuff was out of budget.

The Wolf mower that came with the house has finally rotted through. It had a few running repairs over the years but the deck is past saving, and I don’t mind a challenge.

I picked up a Husqvarna from Facebook in very good condition for £200. I’m definitely getting old as I feel I shouldn’t find a mower this impressive ?

I’ve got an AlKo. Been fine for the 8 years I’ve had it. Just change the oil every year and sharpen it. Needs a new blade and air filter now but otherwise no major issues.

Edit: when I bought it a couple of places recommended the AlKo own brand engine over the Mount field own brand. Quite a lot of mowers are available with Briggs or Honda engines. AlKo spares seem to be available on the internet or from the dealer no problems.

Got my first Honda Izzy earlier this year after various brigs and Stratton mowers and it is a joy to use and worth every penny it cost. It starts so easily and the grass collector takes loads.

Ta all. I was looking at Hondas earlier, I guess I need to see what the difference is with all the models.

I’ll check out FB market place too for anything local

Second hand Hayter Harrier 41 or 48 depending on the cut width you want. Yes it will do immaculate, crisp stripes, but it will also happily lift its skirt and pretend to be a council parkland mower should you wish.  Particularly if you push it manually and let it send all its energy to the blade rather than some to the roller for propulsion. Mine needed a new HT lead about 18 months ago. It’s currently using a bit of 6mm² twin and earth instead and seems to just ignore my wilful neglect.  Doesn’t like starting after hibernation in the spring? No problem, quick squirt of de-icer into the air filter and it fires up instantly.  I can’t kill it.

And why do Honda give recommended garden sizes in relation to tennis courts? I’ve had to Google how big a tennis court is.

Stiga.  Mines ace

https://www.oleo-mac.co.uk/en-gb/p/g-53-tk-allroad-plus-4-18478/

Wide, powerful, large range of cut height adjustment, can block the rear outlet to force it to chop the grass finer, big wheels for bumpy lawns, big fuel tank.

Only thing I miss is a variable speed self drive, but not really a problem with the amount of power it has.

It’s a long time since I used a Mountfield, and this is a step up in quality, I don’t find it lacking but can’t make comparisons. Proper machine though in terms of ability to ram it into a lawn that’s not been cut in a couple of weeks.

As you mention high cutting, have a look for a Rover.

Also look at some of the mulching ones maybe from the likes of Husqvarna, Stihl/Viking and ALKO

Otherwise plastic deck for longevity, I’ve a Honda with one that I picked up for £11 a few years back, think it is late 90’s machine as I nearly bought a new gasket for it this spring before finding it was fine with just a wipe out of the carb’.

After realising how unexcited I am about spending £££ on a new mower, I’ve just ordered a new handle. £50 and it’ll be here tomorrow.

We’ve had a Weibang for almost a year. Kawasaki engine, long warranty. So far very good experience interms of starting, cutting and petrol economy.

I have a Mountfield that is 5 yrs old and slowly braking/held together by Zip ties etc.

Local bloke who repairs them round here said Cobra are the good middle ground, Made in Nottingham, and use good stuff ie their better models use Honda.

He did say Briggs & Stratton are made in China these days, however thats the one bit still going ok on my mower (no oil change)

I opened the thread to say my mountfield is still surviving, albeit like the OP it’s held together by spare parts, hopes, prayers and zip ties. 9 years with us and was a 2nd hand freebie needing a few bits even back then though.

Based on my experience with the strimmer it’s replacement will be electric.  I can maintain an engine, I’ve been taking them apart since not long after I could walk. But it doesn’t mean I want to ?

Having said that, 2nd hand makes a lot of sense, people throw stuff like this out for the most trivial of reasons.

My Husqvarna is great. Ride on tho, so not sure what their smaller ones are like – id imagine pretty good tho. My mate has a ego power one which does a lawn of about 1/5 of an acre pretty effectively. I have a non self propelled makita for doing a verge round the front – it’s fine but a bit gutless, much worse than the ego power.

Another vote for Honda. Worth the cash and last forever.

I’ve got a Mountfield self propelled mower

Me too.  Plastics hanging off, case rusting through and on its last legs but it’s done about fourteen years so I’m not complaining given it was pretty cheap at the time.  Always been easy to start which makes me love it all the more

Local lawnmower shop sold me Husqvarna with Briggs and Stratton engine and decent plastic deck. It’s 5 years in and not missed a beat – was basically £50 more than the cheapo big shed / B&Q shite.

I would look these days at an electric one for any smaller lawn.

Back up and running with its new handle, til the next bit falls off.

Efco Honda 4.5hp 4 stroke here; about 20 years old, held together with spare parts, bolts, zip ties… Currently on its second deck.  Engine runs sweetly.

It’s well looked after; gets cleaned at least once every two years.  It’s been well worth the investment.