[MeathMan]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

[
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]

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
[/quote]

[decwat]

Hi ,

Thinking of purchaseing a craftsmen ride on lawn mower, as below....


Total price is 2700 in the west region. It as an American brand which is putting me off but want to know what you think..What is the best at reasonable price.NEW



Thanks




Home » Ride-ons and accessories » Ride-on tractors - 18HP plus


Craftsman 20HP ride-on


This 20hp Craftsman is ideal tractor for larger lawns and offers great value for money. The 20hp Briggs & Stratton Intek engine powers the 42" cutter deck with ease and the hydrostatic gearbox ensures stress free driving.

Overgrown areas present no problem. With a generous cutting width, even large lawns are quickly tamed and with the standard mulching plug clippings can be left neatly behind.

Craftsman's advanced collection design of twin contra rotating blades makes for easy operation and the large rear discharge collector means fewer stops to empty.

Specification summary
Manufacturer: Craftsman
Model: 20
Type: Ride-on
Engine: 20HP B&S
Transmission: Hydrostatic
Deck size: 42"
Grassbox size: 250 litres
Mulching kit: Standard
For lawn size: 1 - 2 acres


Email Friend Price: €2,899

[qwerty?]

I think 2700 sounds dear for a Craftsman. I used a Side Discharge geared one before and found it very poor. Is this model a rear discharge?

For a few hundred more (€300) you could pick up a Castlegarden 17.5HP mower the Castelgarden XT180 HD with Mulching Plug and Towbar. I have one for the last year and find it purfect.

[MeathMan]

I ended up buying a Simplicity Axion 20hp witha 42" cutting deck and mulching blades. I love it. I can get aroung my 1acre+ of grass in under an hour. Its a zero turn so I stripe the lawn with parallel lines running towards the road. The zero turn makes thast easy. It cost me 3300 but was well worth it. It also has a tow hitch for pulling sprayers/small trailors etc which I've never used.

MM

[hobbs]

[Anonany]

I see you're in Wicklow, hobbs. We bought our Simplicity from Jim Hanley in Ashford (http://www.jimhanleyfarmmachinery.ie/).

Fantastic machine and Hanleys have always been excellent, not only about keeping a good range of everyday spares in stock, but also ordering in any more specialised parts or accessories.

Our garden runs downhill so we use weights on the rear wheels and, occasionally, chains for a better grip. With the mowing deck off, we also use a small trailer to get prunings, plants, compost, timber, etc around the garden and it's a boon. It 's even hauled gravel, rocks and blocks !

If you're anyway handy you could do what my Husband did and make up a small platform accessory to fit onto the grass collector mount. For bulky, but lightweight loads, he mounts an old wheelie bin on the platform; in tight spaces it's a bit more manoeuvrable than the trailer.

In my opinion, MeathMan made a good choice !

[hobbs]

Great thanks for that. Actually I assumed you had got it from Hanleys, and yes I agree they are first class and having bought my previous mower from them I will be going back again for the Simplicity Axion... particularly after your glowing report! Many thanks

[Greengage]

I have not read all the above comments but I have a lot of experience of ride on mowers, Having had Honda, Husquvarna, Iteasia (Probably spely wrong)
if your buying a mower but the best you can and your only man is KOBOTA expensive but it surpasses anything else and Id buy nothing else.