Hello learned people,

I need a new push mower, we have 3 that are in varying states of disrepair and cobbling together.

To replace these Frankenmowers I have 500 of our Australian Dollars to spend.

It needs to be 4 stroke and have a rigid catching thingy.

Advice on brands?

We've had a cheapo Rover from Bunnings, lasted 3 years, are their more expensive mowers any better?

Thinking Victa, maybe Masport (seem to be 2 stroke though).

Originally wanted a Honda (used by the council, always a good sign) but they seem to start at $800. Ouch.

Only to be used for around the house yards (1/2 acre?), the horses can deal with the rest.

Advice appreciated

Victa do some good machines now (some say that they always have done) 'fraid to say that mine is a two-stroke without catcher but it rips through anything. Can you strectch to $560.00 ish?

Victa website has a "professional" section.

Don't know what type ours is, think it's Victa, has one of those catcher things on it, but it's also a mulching mower and it mulches and spits the mowed grass back onto your lawn if you don't put the catcher on. Got it from some big mower place down your way somewhere about five or six years ago. Never had any problems with it.

Thanks, $500 tops at the moment.

Reading around it's looking favourite.

I am grateful for your input but a model would be cracking

Why does it need to be a 4 stroke? Just interested as I'm also in need of a lawn mower and I'd be interested to know the pros and cons of 2 stroke and 4 stroke?

I can't be arsed to mix up 2 stroke fuel mainly

I believe 4 strokes are also:
- Quieter
- Smoother
- More power
- Less smelly

But they need more maintenance (oil checks) and don't function as well on hills, apparently.

Gardner's Choice gcs400. $249.00 from Kmart. Father's day special. Pretty awesome so far.

http://www.productreview.com.au/p/ga...ut-gcs400.html

I had a cheap new 4-stroke mower from Bunnings - it lasted 2 years before stopping and the mower service guy said it was not repairable.

Since then I bought a second hand 2 stroke Victa for $80 having been told they are bomb-proof. So far so good, yes its loud and yes I need to have 2stroke fuel in a can - but its not so bad....

The mower starts easily every time and cuts awesomely.. If it stops working the construction is so simple I can completely strip down and rebuild and it being the most common design mower in Australia there are a gazillion plaes to get parts if necessary.

Honda HRU19D - probably a bit more than you want to pay though. Was $610 in 2005. Quick look online and it seems RRP is about $770 now.

Sound me old mucker. I've been transitioning all my petrol machines to 4 stroke, including a second hand Honda whipper snipper. Next it will be a blower.

I have a sloping block and my 4 stroke 'Tornado 50' (Masport?) with a Victa engine has been used as a mower (and slasher too he he) on it for nigh on 7 years without so much as a service or a oil change.

I'm convinced that like a car engine, the length of time it is running has done less damage than once over a nature strip.

Have a Victa but have no idea if it is the best. It cuts the grass and can mulch if I am lazy.

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 ...

Get a lawn raker for that job

Re- spending more.

I have a Victa with a Honda engine, not started for 2 years. Put fuel in, 3 pulls to give it a bit of lube, fuel on, starts 2nd pull. To say I was impressed is an understatement.

My mother bought us a Victa when she was here and its great even i enjoy cutting the grass with it