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[Viral_Jim]

As we had some sun this weekend I tried to get one last cut of the grass in. Hadn't gone more than about 5 yards before the mower slowed, stopped and gave off some blue smoke, and a nice burning smell.

Stripped it apart, found the top part was full of dried dead grass. What a sh!tty design! Anyway, cleaned the commutator and the brushes up, hoovered out all the cr@p and put the motor back together.

Then this happened.... 


https://imgur.com/gallery/TZTbvov

So, probably a new mower then.  question is, do I go with a new 240v one, or spend a bit more and get a compatible 18v one from Makita and not bother faffing with the cables every time I want to use it....

In truth I probably won't do anything for a bit, as it's not going to be required for a few months now.

[dave the builder]

As we had some sun this weekend I tried to get one last cut of the grass in. Hadn't gone more than about 5 yards before the mower slowed, stopped and gave off some blue smoke, and a nice burning smell.

Stripped it apart, found the top part was full of dried dead grass. What a sh!tty design! Anyway, cleaned the commutator and the brushes up, hoovered out all the cr@p and put the motor back together.

Then this happened.... 


https://imgur.com/gallery/TZTbvov

So, probably a new mower then.  question is, do I go with a new 240v one, or spend a bit more and get a compatible 18v one from Makita and not bother faffing with the cables every time I want to use it....

In truth I probably won't do anything for a bit, as it's not going to be required for a few months now.

the "warming light"  "warning light" is on
"read the fault codes and report back "   

[Andy B]

.....

Then this happened.... 


https://imgur.com/gallery/TZTbvov ....

Ooops!   

[Mr Skrunts]

Cordless sounds like a great idea, but how many spare batteries will you have to get to cut the grass

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Cordless sounds like a great idea, but how many spare batteries will you have to get to cut the grass

Nah...petrol with a 7 litre V8 is what he needs to cut long grass.

[Viral_Jim]

Nah...petrol with a 7 litre V8 is what he needs to cut long grass.

What's your weapon of choice M'lud? Must be something fairly chunky to keep your rolling acres under control...

[Doctor Gollum]

Nah...petrol with a 7 litre V8 is what he needs to cut long grass.

What's your weapon of choice M'lud? Must be something fairly chunky to keep your rolling acres under control...

Goats I should imagine...

[Marks DTM Calib]

The battery ones just don't have enough power to get through the grass when its been left for a bit, a good old second hand Atco Admiral petrol would be my suggestion.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I recently bought a second hand Mac Allister (B&Q own brand) petrol lawnmower which has a 125cc Briggs and Stratton engine, after my trusty old Bosch Rotak electric mower fell apart. 

I've only used it once so far, but once I got going after faffing about filling it with petrol and getting it started, it mowed my lawn nicely and quicker with the wider deck. 

Much heavier than the leccy mower though, and as it's not self propelled, mowing the lawn will be good exercise in future! 

[Marks DTM Calib]

I recently bought a second hand Mac Allister (B&Q own brand) petrol lawnmower which has a 125cc Briggs and Stratton engine, after my trusty old Bosch Rotak electric mower fell apart. 

I've only used it once so far, but once I got going after faffing about filling it with petrol and getting it started, it mowed my lawn nicely and quicker with the wider deck. 

Much heavier than the leccy mower though, and as it's not self propelled, mowing the lawn will be good exercise in future! 

Hence the advice on the Atco, self propelled and the ES  model has electric start   

[Viral_Jim]

I do like the idea of a petrol, but not sure I CBA with the maintenance etc that goes with it. Living as we do in suburbia, we have three lawns, but totalling only about 125m2. The size and weight of a petrol mower is more inconvenience than benefit in this scenario I feel. But the advice on Atco is noted and they had caught my eye as a good brand.

[Viral_Jim]

The battery ones just don't have enough power to get through the grass when its been left for a bit, a good old second hand Atco Admiral petrol would be my suggestion.

Somewhat ignoring what I've just said - eBay provided this potential bargain and winter tinkering project. What do you reckon mrDTM?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225760100917?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ar5po0l7tk6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=D-AKHJpRS7-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Assuming the seller means it's hunting, probably a decent carb clean/service would see it right...

[TheBoy]

Those B&S carbs do that when the diaphram thingie in the car splits a bit.  Not a huge amount else that can go wrong, besides catastrophic failure.

And its an afternoon in the garage tinkering, without earache from the missus

Downside of older mowers, you have to stick to E5 petrol, which in my case means Tesco 99 stuff.


BTW, my "lawns" are tiny, but I would never be stupid enough to consider an electric mower.  Battery strimmer and a petrol mower makes cutting the grass less than a 5 minute job.

[TheBoy]

And we have a secret B&S saddo on the site, isn't that right Mr YZ250

[Viral_Jim]

Well, I suppose we'll find out, I've bought it now...

I had a look and whole new carbs can be had for £20-35 depending on how authentic you want them to be, and service kits for half that amount. I figure less than £50 I should have a very usable mower.   

Good tip on the E5 Mr TB, I honestly wouldn't have thought of that. .