regular readers may recall my asking for recommendations for a ride on mower about this time last year. Since it is getting into the grass cutting season again, I thought I might be helpful if I posted a summary of the beastie I went for in the end...
Anyway, after phoning about a few places, found myself at a local branch of Altons (machinery prices are ok, but I wouldn't buy plants there!). Encouragingly they really do have a section of the shop with a banner that reads "big boys toys" ;-)
Chatted through the various options and in the end went for a MTD Lawnflite 703.
This has a 13.5 HP B&S engine, and a 36" twin bladed deck. The drive system is a single pedal variomatic type of affair that seems to work rather well - a slight jerk on pulling away but then smooth control of speed therafter.
Reasonably solid build quality and just large enough to squeeze my 6'3" into without having my knees under my chin. (the seat does adjust back and forwards a bit - but only about 4-5". Another 3" back would be ideal).
The standard mower has a large collection box and does a pretty good job of collecting. Only had it clog about twice in total so far. It leaves a nice finish with no scalping on turns etc. You do get stripes of a sort
- two per pass from the counter rotating blades. The only time I was aware of a shortcoming in collection performance was in the autumn when the grass was wet, and there were also lots of leaves - some leaf residue gets left. Emptying can be done from the seat by using a large tipping bar[1] that sticks out the top of the box. This works well enough but can be a bit heavy if full of damp grass. There is no grass full indicator as such, although you can reach back and feel the top of the bag to get an idea of if there is any remaining space in it. If you leave it too long then it basically just starts leaving a trail of uncollected grass (which to be fair it will pick up later if you go over it once emptied).
I also bought it with a mulching kit, which is basically an odd shaped plastic plug on the end of a metal rod that you stuff up the grass chute having removed then normal collection cowl; Its about a 3 min job to install it - just requiring a couple of cotter pins be pulled to free the chute. It has just enough power for mulching to work well enough if you don't leave it too long - cutting every five days at the peak of the season would be about right. The mower does have to work harder, and gets through more petrol when mulching.
Economy is not bad however and I probably only used 60L or so during the year, collecting and mulching in about equal measure.
The grass box can be removed and a towing bar extended. This works well pulling the trailer, or a tow behind sweeper I added recently (good for leaves and rotten windfalls from the fruit trees). The trailer also makes a popular ride with the sprogs!
Only had one breakage in the season, and that was a main rubber drive belt. I would put this down to operator error - it was probably a mistake seeing how fast one could make it pull away from a standing start! Replacement part was easy enough to get, but at an eye watering £50 odd quid. (I think my comment about daylight rubbery was taken in the spirit it was intended by the shop!)
So in summary, actually well pleased all things considered - would be better at about half the price mind you!
[1] This is just about substantial enough to only bend slightly while having the whole rig pull a wheelie should you drive under a branch that is somewhat lower than the bar. DAMHIK!