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Post by jardiniere on May 27, 2023 12:11:55 GMT 1
I decided to use a local Agence Intermediaire to cut my grass and it worked well twice but the third time they've done a really bad job and some damage. Different team each time. So I'm reverting to Plan A which is buying a lawnmower and doing it myself. Part of the garden is on a slope so I need it to be as easy to use as possible and know this won't come cheap. It needs to be either battery or petrol with electric start. The area comes to about 800 sq mtrs altogether but in 4 separate pieces. The "lawns" have very little grass, mostly weeds and wild grass (that's a problem for another time but at least they're green) so the mower needs to be quite tough. Any suggestions please?
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JohnnyD
Member
Mayenne (53) When Covid allows..........Which isn't very often these days........
Posts: 2,014
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Post by JohnnyD on May 27, 2023 13:16:39 GMT 1
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exile
Member
Massif Central
Posts: 2,690
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Post by exile on May 27, 2023 15:42:06 GMT 1
The advice I was given is to look for a machine with a Honda engine. My Mcculloch (which I would not particularly recommend - OK but nothing special) has a Honda engine (which I would certainly recommend - never had an issue yet) is now over 15 years old.
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Post by Polarengineer on May 27, 2023 16:18:08 GMT 1
I certainly agree with Exile. the honda GX35 engine will always start first time. it is a 4stroke engine Not a two stroke, so it runs on normal petrol and not the 2T mix, which is causing so much trouble with carburettors
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Post by robertarthur on May 27, 2023 16:58:38 GMT 1
Three years ago we bought, special offer, a new mid-range lawn mower. One of the tondeuses in the "Beaux jours" range of Leclerc, made by MTD and with a Honda 4-stroke engine. Honda is still nr 1 according to several reviews.
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JohnnyD
Member
Mayenne (53) When Covid allows..........Which isn't very often these days........
Posts: 2,014
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Post by JohnnyD on May 27, 2023 17:16:45 GMT 1
I spend today removing the engine housing from my Honda Izzy from 2007 as the chassis had rusted through, a new chassis is 145 quid arriving next week, so will be good to fit it next week, I had to turn it upside down to do that, so now have oil all over the air filter ……. How did that happen LOL
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Post by jardiniere on May 27, 2023 17:49:00 GMT 1
Would that be '4 temps moteur' in French? honda GX35 engine will always start first time Does it have to be GX35? The more I look at lawnmower ads, the more I realise why I went for Plan B! This would be difficult enough in English.
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Post by houpla on May 27, 2023 17:55:25 GMT 1
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Aardvark
Non-gamer
Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
Posts: 2,172
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Post by Aardvark on May 27, 2023 18:16:30 GMT 1
Pretty much anything with a Honda motor should be worthwhile. Electric start may not be an issue today but several years down the line it might be very important.
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Post by Polarengineer on May 28, 2023 5:13:40 GMT 1
Would that be '4 temps moteur' in French? honda GX35 engine will always start first time Does it have to be GX35? The more I look at lawnmower ads, the more I realise why I went for Plan B! This would be difficult enough in English. Yes 4 temps No, it's just my experience with the GX35. I'm beginning to think that a battery powered lawnmower might be easiest. They are not cheap, but you will not have the kerfuffle of fetching and storing fuel and starting is not a problem. They exist with traction driven wheels for your slopes although they are usually designed for flat surfaces, so check this out before buying, also I would recommend a spare 9Ah battery, as they always seem to die just when you have not quite finished. jardin.honda.fr/lawn-and-garden/products/cordless/overview.html
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Post by spectrum on May 28, 2023 7:18:50 GMT 1
I would recommend Husqvarna, not cheap but very good mowers, I have an MTD 2005 model never let me down I have 2700 m2 of grass to cut, the deck is rusting and have repaired it once so next mower will be the Husky R214TC comfort edition. There is a couple of battery powered ride ones, but expensive.
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Post by jardiniere on May 28, 2023 17:27:27 GMT 1
I need it to be as easy to use as possible and know this won't come cheap. Thank you for all the advice but I'm so shocked at what this might cost! When I said the above I was thinking max 500€. Haha. Didn't know they could run into over 1000€ for what is a relatively small garden. If it wasn't for the slope/steps I wouldn't be so picky with my requirements. Still looking and thinking ...
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Post by lurcher on May 29, 2023 7:39:10 GMT 1
It may seem a shockingly high price but consider how much you would pay for a good, reliable company to service your grass. You have already experienced the high cost and possible poor performance of one of these companies. Stick to your original, well chosen requirements and don’t be swayed by apparent “bargains”.
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Post by rabbit on May 29, 2023 10:12:59 GMT 1
Honda engines are good, but are more expensive. A lawn mower engine is very under-stressed and a run of the mill Briggs and Stratton will last a lifetime and do the job. Parts readily available too
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Post by jardiniere on May 29, 2023 11:15:28 GMT 1
You have already experienced the high cost and possible poor performance Poor performance but not the high cost You could say "pay peanuts, get monkeys" but I used the local agence intermediaire successfully for years at my previous address. Their system ran differently so I always had the same capable, reliable person. Perhaps I just struck lucky there. It works like chèque emploi in that you get 50% of the cost back via impôt the following year. So the net cost comes to about 11€ an hour.
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