View Poll Results: Which 4 Stroke Under $500?
Rover
0
0%
Victa
11
64.71%
Masport
0
0%
Other
5
29.41%
I've Picked Too Many Poll Options
1
5.88%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll
Lawn Mowers
#16
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,253
Re: Lawn Mowers
I brought my mower with me when I moved here. It has lasted me about 10 years so far with little maintenance - which reminds me I need to change the oil... It wasn't an expensive brand but the only thing I was determined to get was a 4 stroke briggs and stratton engine. That brand of engine, made in the USA, has always had a fairly reliable reputation. Or! Save up a bit and buy a honda or husky.
#17
Re: Lawn Mowers
The husband says Honda engine and Honda mower if poss. He says (and he knows) the others aren't worth it but if you can't go the Honda mower then at least get one with a Honda engine.
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Lawn Mowers
Thanks everyone, I'm not sure the Gardener's Choice is going to last to be honest, just on gut feeling. I may be turning down the bargain of a century though so will take a look.
Yup kim67 the Honda's look good but I can't justify the $, I'm not sure they are that much better than a $500 Victa. Ta for checking though
Yeh Badge, they seem to have a reputation for lasting. I saw a $50 trade-in deal (any condition) for a Masport so I might check that out.
IvanM ... I don't mind the mowing, the raking is a git.
That will be next week's purchase then ...
Yup kim67 the Honda's look good but I can't justify the $, I'm not sure they are that much better than a $500 Victa. Ta for checking though
Yeh Badge, they seem to have a reputation for lasting. I saw a $50 trade-in deal (any condition) for a Masport so I might check that out.
IvanM ... I don't mind the mowing, the raking is a git.
That will be next week's purchase then ...
But I can't criticise Honda either.
#19
...giving optimism a go?!
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Brisbane (leafy, hilly western suburbs)
Posts: 2,202
Re: Lawn Mowers
Change of heart here. I just spent 3 hours trying to get my vi ta 2 stroke started.
That's the 3rd lawnmower I'm about to give up on in 10 years.
Perhaps it's time to consider the ROI on AstroTurf?
That's the 3rd lawnmower I'm about to give up on in 10 years.
Perhaps it's time to consider the ROI on AstroTurf?
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Lawn Mowers
I reckon the ring gear on my wife's Ford is on the way out...and this is the family car...it gets going sooner or later...
#21
Re: Lawn Mowers
Thanks everyone, I'm not sure the Gardener's Choice is going to last to be honest, just on gut feeling. I may be turning down the bargain of a century though so will take a look.
Yup kim67 the Honda's look good but I can't justify the $, I'm not sure they are that much better than a $500 Victa. Ta for checking though
Yeh Badge, they seem to have a reputation for lasting. I saw a $50 trade-in deal (any condition) for a Masport so I might check that out.
IvanM ... I don't mind the mowing, the raking is a git.
That will be next week's purchase then ...
Yup kim67 the Honda's look good but I can't justify the $, I'm not sure they are that much better than a $500 Victa. Ta for checking though
Yeh Badge, they seem to have a reputation for lasting. I saw a $50 trade-in deal (any condition) for a Masport so I might check that out.
IvanM ... I don't mind the mowing, the raking is a git.
That will be next week's purchase then ...
The cheapie I bought at B&Q for £89 lasted 5+ years and was still working when I left last year.
#22
Mostly Harmless
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Lawn Mowers
Our whipper snipper has never started. Can't say I miss it ...
I'll certainly take a look, we don't have big house yards so a cheapy should do it, maybe I'm just too rough on em
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
#24
Mostly Harmless
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Lawn Mowers
I'm thinking Victa Tornado (19in) but the $560 tag is $60 too much, going to have a drive around the local dealers and see if I can trade in some of my frankenmowers.
#27
Mostly Harmless
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Lawn Mowers
I did just that, we are now the proud parents of a Victa Tornado.
That would have been a good idea, the union fees are eye-watering and could be put to some use.
That would have been a good idea, the union fees are eye-watering and could be put to some use.
#28
...giving optimism a go?!
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Brisbane (leafy, hilly western suburbs)
Posts: 2,202
Re: Lawn Mowers
I took a look at Bunnings and eyed the Victa Hurricane ($450) but decided the Masport of the same size looked a better deal ($400 and it had a newer version of the same 158cc B&S-500 Engine)... [Is it really worth an extra $100 for that extra 1 inch DV?]
In the end however I chickened out and decided to go back to plan A: repair the old one....
I know I have spark....
I know I have compression....
so its all about the air/fuel mix.
When I spray "start ya bastard" into the air pipe - the damn thing fires up and burns it ok - but fails to draw more fuel through the carby.... Endless YouTube clips tell me this problem is 100% fixable EVERY SINGLE time and theres plenty of people who seem to be able to do a stripdown and rebuild of the carby in under 10 minutes... so how hard can it be?
I have succesfully removed, stripped and cleaned the carby - its all in little plasticy bits in a tin on the patio - now all I have to do is work out how to put it back together again and SURELY I will have revived the beast?!
....If all else fails then theres a probably functional mower available in Bunnings for a mere $400 and I can get $20-50 for mine as "need repair/spare parts" on eBay! ... I am NOT ready to give up yet!
In the end however I chickened out and decided to go back to plan A: repair the old one....
I know I have spark....
I know I have compression....
so its all about the air/fuel mix.
When I spray "start ya bastard" into the air pipe - the damn thing fires up and burns it ok - but fails to draw more fuel through the carby.... Endless YouTube clips tell me this problem is 100% fixable EVERY SINGLE time and theres plenty of people who seem to be able to do a stripdown and rebuild of the carby in under 10 minutes... so how hard can it be?
I have succesfully removed, stripped and cleaned the carby - its all in little plasticy bits in a tin on the patio - now all I have to do is work out how to put it back together again and SURELY I will have revived the beast?!
....If all else fails then theres a probably functional mower available in Bunnings for a mere $400 and I can get $20-50 for mine as "need repair/spare parts" on eBay! ... I am NOT ready to give up yet!
#29
Mostly Harmless
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Lawn Mowers
I took a look at Bunnings and eyed the Victa Hurricane ($450) but decided the Masport of the same size looked a better deal ($400 and it had a newer version of the same 158cc B&S-500 Engine)... [Is it really worth an extra $100 for that extra 1 inch DV?]
In the end however I chickened out and decided to go back to plan A: repair the old one....
I know I have spark....
I know I have compression....
so its all about the air/fuel mix.
When I spray "start ya bastard" into the air pipe - the damn thing fires up and burns it ok - but fails to draw more fuel through the carby.... Endless YouTube clips tell me this problem is 100% fixable EVERY SINGLE time and theres plenty of people who seem to be able to do a stripdown and rebuild of the carby in under 10 minutes... so how hard can it be?
I have succesfully removed, stripped and cleaned the carby - its all in little plasticy bits in a tin on the patio - now all I have to do is work out how to put it back together again and SURELY I will have revived the beast?!
....If all else fails then theres a probably functional mower available in Bunnings for a mere $400 and I can get $20-50 for mine as "need repair/spare parts" on eBay! ... I am NOT ready to give up yet!
In the end however I chickened out and decided to go back to plan A: repair the old one....
I know I have spark....
I know I have compression....
so its all about the air/fuel mix.
When I spray "start ya bastard" into the air pipe - the damn thing fires up and burns it ok - but fails to draw more fuel through the carby.... Endless YouTube clips tell me this problem is 100% fixable EVERY SINGLE time and theres plenty of people who seem to be able to do a stripdown and rebuild of the carby in under 10 minutes... so how hard can it be?
I have succesfully removed, stripped and cleaned the carby - its all in little plasticy bits in a tin on the patio - now all I have to do is work out how to put it back together again and SURELY I will have revived the beast?!
....If all else fails then theres a probably functional mower available in Bunnings for a mere $400 and I can get $20-50 for mine as "need repair/spare parts" on eBay! ... I am NOT ready to give up yet!
I've fiddled with the carbs on the MG, suffice to say I didn't make them run any better, I leave it to a man who can
It wasn't the extra inch that swung it soley (although ever inch is helpful ...) it was that coupled with a more powerful engine, 190cc and a slug more torque. Our place can get pretty thick in some places so for something on-budget it seem like a decent option.
Time will tell ...
#30
Re: Lawn Mowers
I was going to tell you that Masters have a mower with a Honda engine for $498, but I won't bother now.