I decided to cut my grass yesterday unfortunately I bent the metal blade on a stone and the motor is making some very strange noises. :mad:

As my garden is big 55 ft long by 30 ft wide and most of this is lawn I am now considering buying a petrol lawn mower that is self propelled, does anyone have any experience of using a petrol lawnmower how easy are they to start, how easy are they to use.

http://media.venda.com/focus/ebiz/focus/invt/623/623.jpg

Any advice would be helpful as my husband is no longer living with me and I have to do this wonderful job on my own which is no mean feet with a garden the size of mine. :help:

I used to use my dads petrol mower a lot, mowing the lawn was always my job. I much preferred it to any of the electric mowers mainly because it didn't have a stupid wire which was forever getting tangled around trees etc. As a young teenage lad I never found it hard to start so you shouldn't have any problems there. It also had the bonus of a nice petrol smell as you mowed, that smell made me feel like I was doing proper mans work :D

My dads was a Honda mower, I'm not sure which model but I'd recommend it.

The main advantages are:

No electric cable to cut through.
Self propelled means no pushing.

Disadvantages:

Beware of cheap models (poor engine and spares supplies).
Need a bit more looking after.

JTF and Makro sell the usual brand names, but are a bit cheaper than most DIY stores.

There used to be quite a lot on Ebay from a guy (I think is in Stockport) selling decent brand name ones with some cosmetic marks on them.

an old thread I have dredged up after searching but I need a petrol mower, any tips or recommendations, like it to be driven rather than just push

I just bought this (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7303092/Trail/searchtext%3ELAWNMOWER.htm)one from Argos.

Briggs and Stratton engine....looks to be just the job.

After hours of trying to start my old petrol mower, stripping down the carburettor, air filter, etc, I decided it had had it's day.

In the half hour it took me to buy the new one, the wife decided she would try the old one again.
First pull (she says) of the string and away it went.
Don't you just hate smart women!

Fortunately Argos allowed me to return the new one.

an old thread I have dredged up after searching but I need a petrol mower, any tips or recommendations, like it to be driven rather than just push
I know this is an old thread, but this post isn't.

I would pop down to the one on John St. They have loads of good stuff down there. (it's a few doors up from the Cricketers, but the name is only on the tip of my tongue, so can't name it) :)

I used to use my dads petrol mower a lot, mowing the lawn was always my job. I much preferred it to any of the electric mowers mainly because it didn't have a stupid wire which was forever getting tangled around trees etc. As a young teenage lad I never found it hard to start so you shouldn't have any problems there. It also had the bonus of a nice petrol smell as you mowed, that smell made me feel like I was doing proper mans work :D

My dads was a Honda mower, I'm not sure which model but I'd recommend it.

Honda are the bee's knees, but especially if you have an older machine with a proper Jap engine....the newer types are manufactured in Belgium (I think) and are not as reliable.

I just bought this (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7303092/Trail/searchtext%3ELAWNMOWER.htm)one from Argos.

Briggs and Stratton engine....looks to be just the job.

After hours of trying to start my old petrol mower, stripping down the carburettor, air filter, etc, I decided it had had it's day.

In the half hour it took me to buy the new one, the wife decided she would try the old one again.
First pull (she says) of the string and away it went.
Don't you just hate smart women!

Fortunately Argos allowed me to return the new one.

McCulloch are OK, until they break down....and then you'll have trouble finding spares. It's the same with their other products too - chainsaws, hedge cutters and the like. Sourcing parts is a nightmare.
As you say, B&S supply the engine only, as they do to many of the "cheaper" end of the mower market.

"Old" petrol is the most likely cause of non-starting : petrol can start to degrade/separate after a mere 6 weeks....

an old thread I have dredged up after searching but I need a petrol mower, any tips or recommendations, like it to be driven rather than just push

If you can't afford a Honda, try for a Hayter....

I know this is an old thread, but this post isn't.

I would pop down to the one on John St. They have loads of good stuff down there. (it's a few doors up from the Cricketers, but the name is only on the tip of my tongue, so can't name it) :)

I have a Honda which is reliable............but 2 things I would change, if you like stripes get one with a rear cylinder and if you can, get one with an electric start rather than a pull cord.

I know this is an old thread, but this post isn't.

I would pop down to the one on John St. They have loads of good stuff down there. (it's a few doors up from the Cricketers, but the name is only on the tip of my tongue, so can't name it) :)

That would be:

Mowertech
110 John Street
Sheffield S2 4QU

0114 273 9273


I use them often as they will usually match prices and give excellent after-sales service.

you want to get one of these petrol mowers
they are the best mower you can buy
http://www.deere.com/en_GB/products/homeowner/walk_behind_mowers/rear_rollers/r43rve.html
you can get one here
TORNE VALLEY LTD
BAWTRY ROAD
TICKHILL
DONCASTER
DN11 9EX
United Kingdom
01302 751500

as always many thanks to all posters, much food for thought:huh: