Lawn mower and weed whacker options

[Danwell]

I've been considering a push mower for a while as our old one really struggles with a lawn left to grow for more that a week, and we need a new weed whacker because our old one is dead (the guy at the local mower shop says not worth repairing), and was wondering whether or not anyone here has any advice on what to look at?

I live on an average sized block with a few clover patches but otherwise just ordinary grass. The backyard doesn't get a whole lot of sunlight and is quite often a bit damp when it comes time to mow so I need something that isn't going to pass out when dealing with wet grass. Doesn't need to be self propelled, but does need to be reliable.

Same thing for the weed whacker I suppose....something hardy and reliable, single piece straight shaft driven, and preferable one that isn't a total pain to refill the string or line or whatever on.

Looking forward to hearing some ideas for brands and models

[Riverkilt]

No Clue. I believe in paying a neighbor kid to do yardwork. They're usually most grateful and do a good job. It supports capitalism and the economy.

[Pleater]

I hear a sheep can make a good lawnmower...

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[McClef]

I hear a sheep can make a good lawnmower...

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Plenty of THEM in Australia!

[Bugbear]

If you are going to use the type of whacker that uses nylon string, the string will break several times during each whacking. I think there are other systems with different, and less breakable cutting strings, which I wish I had.

I don't remember what brand my weed whacker is, it's not the best of the best. There is one feature I like, though. The cartridge that holds the string has a button that feeds out a little of the string at each push. The top or lid of the cartridge also snaps off, and the string and spool can be accessed. That is compared to the last weed whacker I had that had a screw on a knob holding the spool and all of the parts down. I hated that because you had to take the screw with knob completely off, then all the parts that made up the spool apart to get at the string. Hard to do in the middle of the yard, and I lost a ring that held down the string and ended up having to just tie the string to the knob.

Had the zoning codes not been changed, I would have considered one of those miniature nanny goats to eat the Bermuda grass, and produce milk and fertilizer.

I do have one of those Elmer Fudd style push reel mowers with which Fudd is always chasing the dandelions. It does nothing what so ever to Bermuda grass and some of the other weeds that grow out here.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Tobus]

Just a few weeks ago, I bought a Ryobi Expand-It model. I live on 15 rural acres with lots of fence and trees to trim around, though, so I'll say up front that my needs are probably different than yours.

But I just love that little thing. For regular trimming around the house and garden, I use the curved-shaft string trimmer. For heftier work out in the horse pastures and such, I switch to the brush cutter attachment. They also make attachments for hedge trimming, a blower attachment, a chainsaw, etc.

The base model came with the curved shaft string trimmer (or you could get a straight-shaft model) and was $79 at Home Depot. That's a pretty good price for a weed whacker, especially one that's as versatile as this one.

I like that it's very lightweight and is easily fitted with a shoulder strap and such.

[tyger]

I recommend a machine with muscle. Take a look at this workhorse that has served me well for 25 years:

My Green Machine (HMC) is 6'2" long. That means I do not have to stoop over to use it. Well, I don't have to stoop much, and not at all compared to most machines. Curved shaft? Forget it!


One thing that you can get for good weed machines is a cast headplate into which you put ribbed weed line that is stout, and has its own muscle too


These beefy pieces of line will last and last, while the little bump and run cartidges give out. Tough big line is less expensive than the wimpy stuff that everybody uses


And you can put on some serious blades when you need to saw stuff. This one is 9.2 inches diameter (230mm).


Muscle muscle muscle. OK, if you have a little yard, you might not need it.

PS- One thing that I have learned is that poor tools that are generally less expensive tools ususally wind up costing more than good tools that are almost always more expensive. And cheap tools can aggravate the tar out of you, and they can hurt you. I think that going to a good outdoor implements place that has a real line-up of weed tools is an invaluable experience well worth the effort. You will get to see the spectrum of implements that is available, you probably will encounter instructive sales assistance, and you can select the correct tool for your purposes. I venture to say that the tool will cost you the same, or less, than hitting the big box joint; however, the specialty store expertise coupled with your ability to select will be much more rewarding.

[tripleblessed]

Hear, hear! What Tyger said!!!! The joy of good tools far outweighs any money
saved, and the aggravation of cheap tools FAR outweighs the thrill of money
saved.

For mowing wet, DR makes a trimmer/mower that's like a weedwhacker on wheels w/ a 5 or 6 hp motor that will stand up to most anything, including
kudzu. A little much for regular dry grass, but not scared of dew or even rain.

[Whidbey78]

As a 12 year co-owner/co-operator of a small engine repair business here's what I have learned.

Any trimmer with decent power and a good string setup will work as long as it's comfortable for you. Just remember that the heavier the string and spool setup the more power you will need to not have it bog down when you cut the thicker grass, weeds, etc. The saw-blade types need a lot of power, and really aren't good for around the house use anyhow. I'd avoid those. And those 60 dollar Weed-eaters from True-Value, Home Depot, etc. are good for one season, maybe two and almost never three. Underpowered, poorly built, not tunable, sub-standard materials....disposable like a Bic pen. Under moderately heavy use they will turn belly-up quickly.

As for mowers, get one with good power. Don't scrimp on power! It's better to have 8HP when 5 is enough than to have 5 when you really need 8. Get one with 12 inch wheels for easier pushing. Don't get a Honda self propelled mower...they have an unreliable ratchet design in the drive wheels made from sub-par materials and replacement parts are expensive. Keep the blade sharp...and get a GOOD blade. Like many circular saws, the stock blades are usually junk. If it's a bagger, make sure the chute is fairly large, especially if it's the only means to empty the bag. I have a Toro with a chute that's about 4X12 inches. Dumping the bag one time(about 12 times per mowing!) is more work than mowing the whole yard. If your grass is wet, most push mowers, and most riders will bog down and clog up. Walker mowers will actually mow grass in standing water while it's raining, but they cost as much as some used cars. I have only found a few pushers that handle wet grass well, and they all have extra large discharge chutes(wet grass never bags well) and tons of power. Also, affter mowing, especially damp grass, clean out the underside of the deck! That stuff is like concrete when it dries and gives grass from the next cutting no where to go, cuts the airflow so it won't bag or mulch properly, and just makes more work out of it. Cleaning out this mess is literally half of my work at the shop! You wouldn't leave guacamole in the blender would you? Same thing, except nobody dips corn chips in the crud under the mower deck!

Or, like Ron said, just get the neighborhood kids to do it and then it's not your problem! I can't wait until my son is big enough to do it.

[Danwell]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply, Whidbey.

I’ve heard good things about the Honda mowers – I’d only be looking at a self pusher; my block is only small and it’s flat so pushing it is fine by me. Can you tell me about any of these?? Is the mesh catcher better than the hard plastic one? (Click the pictures for details)

BUFFALO BUCK - HRU19R for AU$780


BUFFALO CLASSIC - HRU196 (older model 5.5hp) for around AU$900


BUFFALO BULL - HRU197 (new model 6.5hp) for AU$960


Is there anything to look at outside Honda?

I haven’t heard much about weed whackers………are the Honda models of these as good as their mowers? If not, what do you suggest?