My first ride on mower

MeathMan · Hazel Tree Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Meath

Hi, I'll be buying my first ride on in the next few months. My lawn will be fairly large, about an acre of grass I expect. Don't know anything about mowers and would like to know what I should look for and what price I should expect to pay. What's most important to me is being able to get around the lawn fairly fast but I don't know if this depends on the type of mower used? Also, I'm pretty sure I'll be getting something with a mulcher as It would be a major pain to have to empty bags & dispose of grass. I'll probably buy second hand. Any advice welcome and some indication of what I need to spend?

Thanks

Sive · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:18 am Post subject:

Don't even think about getting one unless it has the option of a mulcher......this is absolutely vital in such a large lawn.

Liparis · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:41 am Post subject:

Your going to spend a lot of time and cash on your lawn, don't ruin it by finding the fastest option to cut it. I see people whizz around their huge lawns on these ride-ons to get it done quickly, big mistake. I cut a half acre grass in little over 2 hrs with a walk-behind, taking my time.
If you have to have a ride on, do as Sive says. Also, look for one that has a brush and collector behind it. The best is going to be cylinder, but they are costly.
Think before you buy, do you want to be spending every other year hiring a scarifyer and spending 2 or 3 days sorting out your lawn?
Also, and I see this not being done far too often, walk your lawn before cutting it. Get rid of every stone you can find, even those small ones or the pieces of wood that you think your mower can handle, continuous chipping at the blades like that is a sure way to ruin your blades and mess your lawn. As well as the therapeutic value of a walk-behind, you do all that as you go.
Don't just rush into a ride-on because it's fast, it's only faster if your cutting a couple of acres of grass and it doesn't matter what the grass looks like.
Bill.

Sive · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:51 am Post subject:

Hi again, Meath Man, Liparis has given you lots to think about.
I suppose the crucial point is whether you will be cutting a "lawn" or just keeping the grass down !
If you do decide on a ride-on, my better half here says you'll need a 48" for that amount of grass, and he also says to watch the horsepower.......apparently ours is 22 hp and it gives you the necessary power.
I suspect I'm straying into caveman-territory here, so I'll bow out now !

Michael196 · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

I have a Honda 2216 from 2003, with a 40 inch blade cutting 3/4 acre. takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on growth.

the blades can be mulch blades or pick up blades. I use pick up blades as I have an active composter feeding a veg garden . I do not mulch at all.

the current version of this honda is 2317 I think. 17 horsepower engine.

current price new is 4000 euro. You can pick up sedcond hands but expect to pay 2000- 2500 euro.

galwaybeginner · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject:

I got one last year, paid about 2400 in Headford. It worked really well and only thing I can think to advise is to be sure the picker picks up (that the grass lifts). Ours clogs a fair bit with any dampness of lawn.

Not the same place, but I think this is the same model...
http://www.abbeygardensales.co.uk/ride-on-mowers/partner-ride-on-mowers/showitem-P12597K.aspx

Windyacre · Hazel Tree Joined: 20 May 2009 Posts: 10

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Hi MeathMan, I know I am a bit late with this reply, but hopefully you wont have purchased yet. I have about 3/4 acre to cut and bought my first ride-on last December. I thought they might be a bit cheaper off season. I got a Mountfield 16 hp with mulcher for 2600 euro. I was initially limiting myself to 2000 euro but that would have only got me an 11/12 hp machine (not powerful enough) or a second hand. If you can afford between 2500 to 3000 euro I would strongly recommend buying new, second hand you really are taking a gamble. I am delighted with this machine, I can have the area done in about an hour, last summer it was 6 hours with a walk behind !!!

sean mc · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject: Ride on lawnmowers

Hello all,
I'm a new member and am facing into turning a field into a garden, at present plans I will end up with about one and a half acres of lawn plus about another acre of "grass with trees" which will need cutting on a less regular basis; I would welcome advice on what kind of mower (ie engine hp, cutter width, etc) I should go for and how much I'm likely to have to spend.
Many thanks,
sean mc
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