The Great Big Lawnmower Thread

AL-KO T 22-110.0 HDH-A

looking for opinions on these two. Orchard type areas to maintain. Not show lawn. General grassed .

Thanks

Just an opinion based purely on specs, the 110cm/13hp Alko is €1800 less than the 103cm equipped/12hp husky. The Alko is a ruggedised version of their T22 bagger mower, about €400 extra for the hard-core 3 blade mulch deck and tractor style rear tyres. The Husky cut is a tad low at 7cm, the Alko at 9cm gives better clearance over roots, and overgrown grass. Husky is a bit under powered for mulching 103cm. The Alko has an extra horse, but at a wider 110cm cut it will need it, though the special 3 blade cutter might be better able to cope.

For the price of the Husky you could get this serious zero turn Snapper, with the pro 8 series B&S engine churning out 47NM of torque, 24hp at 3600rpm. Huge 132cm cut (maybe too wide for some parts of an Orchard?), the zero turn will radius around trees with no missed bits. Extra high max cut of 11cm ideal for overgrown grass. Side discharge, mulch kit may be extra.

http://www.cgeltd.ie/product/snapper-ztx350-52-zero-turn-lawnmower/

Just realised it's a brand new machine. If it persists you'll need to invoke the warranty. It could be contaminated petrol too, causing misfires. Make due your next fill is clean, from a clean petrol container, no raindrops or moisture or or other residue.

It will do fine, as long as it hasn't been sitting around for 20 years with the lid loose. Oil deteriorates over time once it's in an engine and used, even briefly. Unused in an unopened sealed container it's good for many years, opened and half used, should still be OK for a good few years. Lawn mower will be less critical anyway.

Is this a decent lawnmover? Based in Mayo so not sure if anyone knows of somewhere local?

Not a huge area, mid sized takes about 20-25 mins to cut but have a lot of what looks like scutch grass that has taken over the garden and looks horrible.. borrowing a lawnmower at the minute which is a pain so just looking to get something asap.

https://www.coopsuperstores.ie/Garden/Lawnmowers/Petrol-Lawnmowers/Webb-Pro-Bs-Petrol-Lawnmower-46cm-18-1799626

So got my mower picked up by my local shop and timing belt indeed snapped. 160 to replace as well and collection drop off again so a bit of a sting to the wallet.

When I have more time on my hands, this will be a job ill hopefully be able to do myself in the future. Thanks again Deezell.

If you can easily remove covers then it can be well worth taking a few photos of how it should be when its all together and working.

This is the Viking/Stihl synchronised deck as per the post by Deezell

IIRC, correct timing belt tension is achieved when the longest stretch of belt deflects 1/64th of the pulley to pulley contact distance when a force if about 4 kg is applied to the centre. For the Viking 127cm cut it's about 12mm, using a small luggage scales to to measure the pull. This force is for 8mm pitch 25mm wide timing belts. Its almost impossible to get accurate data from online tools for belt tensioning. Some calculators use the hp delivered, others use the construction of the belt. Mower Manufacturers' data would be best if you could find it. Nowadays they use sonic meters and pluck the belt like a guitar string. Somewhere around 50 hz or G1 to G1# if you're of a musical disposition. Too tight is bad, but too loose and the belt will 'flap' on the unloaded side which leads to wear and jumping teeth. I use a luggage scales I got in Eurosaver for SFA, I bent the hook flat and at right angles, it fits exactly between two teeth.

Sell, Sell, Sell. Consider this example of a 2000 model. https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/craftsman-ride-on-mower/31271801

7 year old for €1600. About 42% of new price for 7 years/seasons depreciation. Yours is only 4 years old? Fourth to fifth season, so rule of thumb says about 58 to 52% of new price, (assuming €3800 or thereabouts), so about €2200-1950 asking, by comparison. Craftsman are a good brand, made by MTD though older ones made by Husqvarna. There is a source of sales and parts here, in Ennis. http://craftsmanmowers.ie/

It may not be a brand that has high sales here, but that shouldn't deter a customer for a good used model. Apart from the distributors, I've not seen new ones advertised so I've no idea of the current retail price of a new 2000 model machine or equivalent to calculate expected used price.

Heres another example of a 2000 model, only 3 yo for €1750, but it's pictured in a trailer, and he keeps a set of new spare blades, so I'd say it was used commercially. Immaculate looking though. https://www.donedeal.ie/tools-for-sale/tractor-lawnmower/31278599

You'll sell anything if the price is right. State the hours or acreage/m2 it cut, if it was flat lawn only etc.

If you're not trading in, you'll have to accept well under market price, for them to be able to service it, then sell it on with a margin, some VAT, and a short warranty. Same as selling a car to a cash dealer. It will save you hassle though.

If its this link https://www.screwfix.ie/p/mountfield-sp53h-51cm-167cc-self-propelled-rotary-petrol-lawn-mower/976fy then I'd go for it particularly as I got this showing at the top of the screen EXTRA 10% OFF LOWEST PRICE WITH CODE GDN10 making it £383.40

Note Save 10% on Selected Landscaping - Promo Ends 04/07/2022

Didn't work for me until I spotted I'd added a space to it when I copied and pasted it ;-)

Bingo, it works now, thanks

Might get this and try and raise the height a bit using the mod Deezell mentioned.

On the video here it say the highest cut is 90mm but the reviews on Screwfix say its 65mm.

And Mountfield.co.uk says:

Note Mountfields own site only lists the version with the Stiga motor.

I'd go with 80mm as eyeballing that video and comparing it with another mower 80mm max seems about right.