Today we are looking at the budget-priced Racing 4000P Push Petrol Lawnmower. This is a mower that is suitable for home users with a cutting capacity of up to 500 m². This is definitely not a machine that I would recommend for contracting, however, if you’re looking for a budget-priced lawnmower, the Racing 4000P is a good option. It’s an ideal mower for the smaller garden and for domestic use.
The Racing 4000P Push Petrol Lawnmower is currently on special offer at £169.95, which offers a saving of £50. One of the great things about this petrol lawnmower is the fact that it has a two-year warranty. So if the mower only last two years it has still only cost you £85 per year! For most users I would expect several more years providing you take proper care of the mower. I always tell people to buy the best machine that they can afford, however, in this case, I have to admit you do get good value for money. The reviews are pretty good too!
The powerful 139cc engine has plenty of torque to power the 40 cm cutting deck. The modern overhead valve 4 stroke engine delivers quiet and fuel-efficient power.
Cutting Deck
The 40 cm (16 inches) cutting deck offers manoeuvrability and the ability to get into those tight spaces where other mowers cannot go. The cutting deck offers single-lever adjustment and a cutting range between 25 to 70 mm in height. It’s always useful to have a mower that has the ability to cut high, especially if your grass has been left uncut for a few weeks. The grass collector has a generous 45 L capacity with a vacuum collection facility.
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To Conclude
The Racing 4000P Push Petrol Lawnmower is a budget petrol push mower and suited for domestic use. The Racing mower certainly offers value for money and with a two-year warranty, you cannot go far wrong. However, if you are looking for something a bit more upmarket we offer more four-wheeled lawnmowers here.
Today I was using a Howard Gem Rotavator (Dowdeswell 650) in preparation for creating a new lawn. This is one of the later Howard Gems as they were taken over by Dowdeswell in the ’80s, hence the Dowdeswell logo on the rotavator.
The Dowdeswell 650 is a great machine for reclaiming ground, creating lawns and general rotavating in the garden, nursery or allotment. Over the years I have owned seven different Dowdeswell and Howard Gem rotavators. Unfortunately, the Dowdeswell Rotavators are no longer made and are getting fewer and fewer every year. I believe production stopped in the late 80s or early 90s.
My preferred model is the 30-inch model which comes complete with dual wheels which make it much lighter on the freshly tilled ground. The 30-inch models seem very rare, I don’t believe there were many produced, I have owned one 30 inch model.
I believe the most popular model is the 20-inch model due to its ability to be able to get into most places. The model in the video is a Dowdeswell 650 24 inch powered by a 10 hp single cylinder Acme diesel engine. The most popular diesel engine model is the German Hatz diesel engine, a great engine that has lowdown torque. Other diesel engines have been fitted including Ruggerini, Sachs and probably more!
You Can See The Howard Gem In Action Below
In this particular garden, the turf had already been removed by a turf cutter. Removing the turf isn’t a five-minute job and there’s also the job of disposing of the turf. If you have space it can be composted. In this particular case, a 16-ton lorry was used to take the turf away.
Fortunately, the soil was very free draining and easy to rotavate, it was literally drying with the March/April winds by the time I was ready to give the ground a second pass with the rotavator.
The next process will be a combination of raking and rolling to level the area and then a layer of quality topsoil from the sugar beet factory.
Mountfield HP414 – HP41 Push Petrol Rotary Lawnmower
Today we are looking at the Mountfield HP41 petrol rotary lawnmower. This Mountfield push rotary petrol mower is currently on special offer at just £159, a saving of £20. This is actually the cheapest petrol mower that we sell on our website.
The great thing is with the Mountfield HP41 petrol rotary lawnmower is that it comes with two years warranty. To my mind, it is much better to have a cheap petrol mower rather than an electric mower. You have the freedom to go where you want to and there is more power and no trailing cable.
The reviews for the Mountfield HP41 petrol rotary lawnmower average 4.6 out of 5, which excellent good for a budget lawnmower at this price.
With a 123cc petrol engine, this 15 inch (39 cm) has plenty of power and will quickly cover the ground.
Folding handlebars for storage and easy transportation.
Multiposition height adjustment (five positions).
Lightweight and very manoeuvrable.
Two-year warranty
The Mountfield HP41 Petrol Rotary Lawnmower
The Mountfield HP41 petrol rotary lawnmower is a budget petrol push mower that really does offer excellent value for money. Mountfield also offers the SP41 petrol rotary lawnmower which is on special offer at £199. This has the added advantage of being self-propelled so there is no need to push this machine. It’s definitely worth taking a look at for the small extra cost.
The 15-inch wide deck is not massive, but it does enable you to go where other mowers cannot go. The mower is suitable for areas up to 600 m². I know of people who use a small petrol mower like the Mountfield to cut around obstacles and to get into awkward places. And then use a larger mower to cut the main lawn, which can be another excellent use for this machine.
Four Stroke Petrol Engine
Powered by a four-stroke 123 cc petrol engine, developing 2.5 hp. The overhead valve engine is manufactured by Stiga and comes with an easy pull recoil start. There is no choke on the engine just simply prime the engine and pull the recoil cord and the engine will start.
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Cutting Deck
The mower deck is approximately 15 inches (39 cm) wide and manufactured with a quality steel deck. The cutting deck sits on four wheels which make the mower very easy to push. Due to the straightforwardness of the Mountfield HP41 petrol rotary lawnmower, it has a very good collection system, even in damp weather.
One of the good features of a four-wheeled rotary mower are the fact that there is no roller that can sometimes act as an obstacle in the grass collection process. The only downside is that four-wheeled rotaries don’t create nice traditional stripes. However, we do have a range of rear roller rotary mowers if you are looking for that perfect striped finish.
With a 40 L collection bag, the Mountfield mower has plenty of space for grass, even when the grass is damp.
The cutting deck has five different cutting positions which vary from 25 to 70 mm. To adjust the cutting height, there is a simple five-stage adjuster on each wheel.
To Conclude
If you have a smallish garden and prefer petrol power over electric power. The Mountfield HP41 petrol rotary lawnmower definitely offers value for money. I have actually used the equivalent machine and the collection system is excellent. Even with thick damp grass mower collects the grass efficiently.
With a two-year warranty and a price of £159, you cannot go far wrong.
Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier (Special Offer)
Today we are looking at the Einhell GC-SC 4240 P Petrol Lawn Scarifier. At the time of writing the Einhell Petrol Lawn Scarifier has 115 reviews and a 4.7 out of five star rating, which suggests something good. It’s currently available at just £349 and has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Recently we looked at the Cobra S40C 2-In-1 Petrol Scarifier And Aerator, another petrol scarifier on special offer. This Cobra S40C is currently our top-selling scarifier and is available for a slightly lower price of £299.98.
With springtime quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at a few of our scarifiers. Over the past few years, the lawns have taken quite a battering due to the wet winters and the dryish summers. In general, the British lawn is very resilient and it’s very easy to bring a worn lawn back to life. A few simple steps such as scarifying and using an aerator can quickly help to bring your lawn back to life. It’s also a good idea to use a spring and autumn dressing to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free.
Hardened steel blades for efficient and long life scarifying.
16 inch (40 cm) working width.
8 settings adjustable by a lever.
Large wheels for manoeuvrability and ease of pushing.
Ideal for lawns up to 1500 m².
45 L collector.
Foldaway handles for storage and transport purposes.
Two-year warranty
Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier
The Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier is a low-priced scarifier that can quickly help to bring your lawn back to life. It offers excellent build quality, reliability which is something that you would expect for a machine that has been designed and engineered in Germany. With a two-year peace of mind warranty, you can purchase this machine with confidence. Judging by the 115 reviews, customers are very happy with their Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier purchase.
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Four Stroke Petrol Engine
With a powerful 212 cc four-stroke petrol engine, developing 4.2 kW which equals 5.6 hp, the scarifier has plenty of power. The air-cooled engine has a straightforward recoil start engine that is manufactured by Einhell. I like the freedom that a petrol engine gives on a machine, there is no risk of a battery going flat or a trailing cable getting in the way. We do have a range of petrol and electric scarifiers that can be found here.
Hardened Steel Blades
With 18 hardened steel blades and a 40 cm working width, the Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier quickly scarifiers your lawn. The scarifier can be set to -15 to +5 mm, which brings plenty of variation. The height is controlled by a lever at the side of the machine that gives you eight different settings within a 20 mm overall setting.
Collection Bag
Whenever I scarify a lawn it never fails to amaze me how much moss and thatch comes out of the lawn. There is always a lot more than you can ever imagine! The Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier comes with a 45 L collection bag, however, in most circumstances the collection bag will fill up extremely quickly.
In some cases, it is easier not to use the collection bag and to pick up the grass either manually or with a ride on mower. Fortunately, moss and thatch are very lightweight so this can quickly be gathered up with a rake.
The easiest way to clear your lawn of moss after it has been scarified is to use a ride-on mower with a collector. I appreciate that not everyone will have this privilege, however, in my experience, this is by far the best way and quickest way to clear away the thatch and moss.
The other way is to simply rake the thatch and moss into heaps and then either place the material in a large barrow or gather up on a large tarpaulin. As I mentioned, the thatch and moss are really quite light so you can move large amounts quite quickly.
More Features
The large wheels on the Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier help to make the machine easy to manoeuvre and push. Although it’s a push machine, it is fairly effortless to push.
With foldable handles, the Einhell Petrol Lawn Scarifier becomes very compact, especially for storage purposes in the winter. At just 31.4 kg scarifier can easily be lifted into a van or back of a car.
To Conclude
Scarifying really does help to create a healthy lawn. Owning your own scarifier gives you the benefits of being able to scarify in the perfect conditions.
With 115 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of five, the Einhell GC-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier definitely has to be worth a look. The two-year manufacturer’s warranty is also a good plus point.
Just remember that you will be amazed at how much thatch and moss comes out of your lawn. But you will also benefit from a much healthier looking lawn. Regular scarifying can make a huge difference mixed with a weed and feed regularly.
Today we are looking at the Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator, which is currently on special offer at £299.98. Offering a saving of £31. Cobra produces a range of popular garden machines that are designed in the UK and sensibly priced.
At Garden Equipment Review we have a range of scarifiers and aerators to suit every gardener’s needs. I personally prefer the petrol models as I like the idea of being able to work anywhere and not have to worry about an electric cable.
Over the last few years, the lawns have taken quite a battering, due to the dry summers. I have to say that lawns are extremely resilient and can quickly be repaired and with some tender care and quickly get back into shape. After the wet winter, many people are suffering from huge amounts of moss and thatch in their lawn. This is where a scarifier and aerator can help you.
It’s always good to give your lawn a spring and autumn feed. There are many different lawn feeds available. My preferred type being in granular form with a mix of a balanced fertiliser and broadleaf weed control.
The Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator is a 16 inch (40 cm) machine that quickly covers the area of your lawn. Although compared with mower sizes, the machine is not a massive width. We have to remember that aerating is something that we will probably only do a couple of times a year.
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Four Stroke Petrol Engine
With a powerful 212 cc Cobra 4 stroke overhead valve engine, the engine has plenty of power to cope with all your lawn care needs. The engine is a recoil start engine that offers excellent economy and quiet running. As I mentioned earlier in this post, I find the petrol scarifiers much more versatile and advantageous over the electric models where you have a trailing electric lead.
Collection Bag
It never fails to amaze me how much thatch and moss comes out of a lawn when you scarify your lawn. The Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator comes with a 45 L collector which will fill up extremely quickly in normal circumstances.
One method that I have used when scarifying a lawn is to scarify without using the collection box. And then, if you have available, use a ride-on mower with a collector to collect all the thatch and moss out of your lawn. I appreciate that not everyone will be able to do this, but it is certainly a laboursaving way of making good use of time.
Adjustable Height
The Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator has a dial-type adjuster. This easily adjusts the height of the machine which can be varied from -15 mm to + 5 mm.
More Features
One of the great features of the Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator is the fact that it comes with two different cartridges. The first cartridge is a 16 springtine scarifier and the second cartridge is a 17 bladed cartridge. The cartridges can very easily be switched over, from one to the other.
The fold-down handles are very useful for transport and for storage. At 39 kg machine can be lifted into a vehicle without too much difficulty.
To Conclude
To have a perfect lawn takes time and effort and work. The Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator can definitely help to assist you in having that perfect lawn. Many people do not trouble to scarify their lawn at all, however, regular scarifying and aerating can really transform a lawn.
The Cobra S40C 2-in-1 petrol scarifier and aerator is a push machine that comes with a two-year warranty. It is presently our bestselling scarifier.
Today we are looking at the Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower, one of the most compact or smallest ride-on mowers on the market, today. One of the issues with ride-on mowers is often their size and manoeuvrability for getting around in gardens. However, the Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower overcomes the manoeuvrability problem, due to its compact size, fitting through most garden gates. It’s also fitted with hydrostatic transmission which increases manoeuvrability and versatility.
The Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower is currently available for £1499, complete with electric start and hydrostatic transmission. There is a cheaper gearbox model available, the Mountfield 827M Compact Lawn Rider, which is available for £1199. It does offer great value for money, however, I would definitely go for the hydrostatic version despite the extra £300.
One of the most compact ride-on mowers available today.
Hydrostatic transmission for ease of use and manoeuvrability.
Ideal for small gardens and tight areas.
Designed for areas up to 300 m².
Electric start overhead-valve four-stroke petrol engine.
150 L grass collector.
The grass collector can be operated from the driver’s seat.
Six cutting heights.
Optional mulch plug.
Two years warranty.
The Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower
The Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower is one of those ride-on mowers where most other ride-on mowers cannot go! Being just 73 cm (approximately 29 inches) wide, this compact ride-on mower can fit through most garden gates. With a turning circle of just 155 cm combined with the variable speed hydrostatic transmission, this ride-on lawnmower can get to most places, efficiently!
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Hydrostatic Transmission
The majority of ride-on mowers are fitted with hydrostatic transmission today. There are a few budget machines that still have the old fashioned gearbox system, however, I wouldn’t recommend buying a ride-on mower with a gearbox transmission. The extra cost for a hydrostatic drive is worth every penny.
Hydrostatic drives work in a very simple way. There is a hydraulic pump which is driven by the petrol engine, which in turn powers a hydraulic motor that powers the wheels of the ride-on mower. The hydrostatic drive gives instant forward and reverse speeds, there is no gearbox and no clutch. The majority of machines just have one foot pedal which gives you the ability to go forward or backwards at variable speeds. My estimation from my experience is that it almost cuts mowing time down by one third.
Electric Start Four Stroke Petrol Engine
The Mountfield ride on mower is powered by a Stiga four stroke 224 cc petrol engine, developing 4.8 hp. It also has an electric key start, so there is no rope pulling.
To be fair, I would like to see a larger engine in the Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower, however, this is a budget machine. And as the reviews mention, the machine does what it says on the packet.
Cutting Deck
The 66 cm (27 inches) cutting deck makes the Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower highly manoeuvrable, going places were most ride-on mowers cannot go. The cutting height varies from 30 to 80 mm which gives a wide range of cutting heights for every condition. There are six different cutting height positions.
There is an optional mulching kit for the Mountfield compact ride on mower, however, personally, I would not recommend a mulching kit for a machine of this power. Mulching takes a considerable amount of power as mulching keeps the grass within the cutting deck and chops the grass into small pieces. This takes a considerable amount of power and I don’t believe that a 4.8 hp engine can really cope with this type of task.
Grass Collector
The Mountfield compact ride on mower has a large 150 L collector that can be emptied from the driver’s seat. This is a good feature as I see too many ride-on mowers where you have to manually remove two or three collection bags by hand. This defeats the object of having a sit on mower! It’s surprising how much time you can save by staying on the mower, emptying a grass box from the driver’s seat saves time and effort, a good plus point for the Mountfield compact ride on mower.
To Conclude
The Mountfield 827H Compact Ride On Mower is a very compact machine that can go where most other ride-on mowers cannot go. Combined with the excellent hydrostatic transmission which helps to bring much more manoeuvrability, efficiency and ease of use making your lawn cutting more pleasurable.
I would like to see a considerably larger engine on this ride on mower. However, it is a budget machine and providing you cut the grass regularly it should be able to cope.
The Mountfield ride-on comes with two years warranty for peace of mind.
Today we are looking at the Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor, a ride on mower that is ideal for cutting lawns up to 8000 m². The Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor is currently on special offer at £1799, this is a saving of £250.
Recently we looked at the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor which again is on special offer at £1449 and again offering a saving of £250. My only criticism of this machine was the fact that it had the old-fashioned and out of date gearbox transmission. The Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor is slightly more expensive but has a much more efficient hydrostatic drive. I would not buy a ride on mower today with a gearbox, I would definitely go for a hydrostatic drive mower, despite the extra cost. I’ll explain more about hydrostatic drives further down this post.
The Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor is designed to be a mulching and side discharge mower. There is no collector on this machine, it’s ideal for cutting paddocks, orchards and areas where grass collection is not required. It is powered by a dependable Mountfield engine. For peace of mind, the lawn tractor comes with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Hydrostatic transmission giving instant forward and reverse variable speeds.
Seven position cutting height.
Powerful 11.2 hp petrol engine.
Electric start.
Twin headlights.
Five-year peace of mind warranty.
The Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor
Mountfield has been making grass cutting machinery for over 50 years. They are a brand that many home users know very well. I know of people still using their roller rotary lawnmower from the 70s. To me, this suggests something good about Mountfield mowers!
The hydrostatic drive Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor is a great machine for areas where you do not require grass collection. As I mentioned, the Mountfield lawn tractor does not collect the grass clippings it only mulches or can be used as a side discharge machine. The machine comes with a tow bar which is great for towing a trailer or collector if required. Other towable equipment can also be used behind the Mountfield tractor.
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Powerful Four Stroke Engine
With a powerful four-stroke 452 cc engine developing 11.2 hp, the Mountfield lawn tractor has plenty of power. The engine comes with electric starting for ease of use, there is no recoil start to pull. The overhead-valve engine gives excellent economy and efficiency and smooth running.
Mulching Deck
I am a great fan of mulching as it saves having to empty the grass collector which is a very time-consuming job. To mulch properly and efficiently you need to cut your grass regularly, or at least once a week. When the cutting process is carried out on a regular basis, mulching can act as a green manure that will help to keep your grass greener in dry weather. It also saves a huge amount of time in disposing of the grass clippings.
With a 3 foot (98 cm) cutting deck, the Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor quickly eats up the grass. The cutting deck has seven different cutting heights ranging from 25 to 80 mm. I like the idea of having a good range of cutting heights. If the weather has been poor the high cutting height gives you the ability to be able to bring your grass back to its normal height, very quickly.
There is a hose connector port attached to the mower deck which helps to keep your mulching deck clean. Simply attach the hose to the deck, engage the electric clutch and let your lawnmower run for a few minutes and it will clean the inside of the deck.
Deck engagement is carried out through an electric clutch. Simply flick the switch and your cutting deck will be engaged. Just take care to make sure that your engine is running at a low speed so that the cutting deck doesn’t snatch in. In other words, it’s much more gentle on your clutch and prolongs clutch life.
Hydrostatic Drive
Hydrostatic drives have been powering mowing machines, combine harvesters and many more machines for over 30 years. It’s a very efficient way to drive a ride-on lawn tractor. A hydrostatic drive consists of an oil pump and a hydraulic motor that powers the mower’s wheels. This is normally then controlled through a foot pedal which gives you instant forward and reverse and at variable speeds.
Once you have used a hydrostatic drive mower will never want to go back to the old gearbox type. With a hydrostatic drive, there is no clutch, just a foot pedal that will give you instant forward and reverse at variable speed. This is great for cutting around obstacles and it also makes the machine much more efficient. For example, if you have a lush area of grass you can instantly slow the mower down, no gear changing, just all controlled on one foot pedal.
To Conclude
The Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor offers great value for money, especially with the current special offer. The lawn tractor has great reviews and a five-year warranty which are both valuable plus points. As I mentioned. I would definitely go for a hydrostatic ride on mower as the benefits are huge. Despite the increased cost over the gearbox model, I would say the benefits far way out the extra cost.
Once again this lawn tractor has excellent reviews coming out at 4.8 out of five, which is pretty good.
The Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor is a highly popular tractor lawnmower. With 32 reviews averaging 4.8 out of five, the Mountfield tractor is definitely worth taking a look at. Especially as the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor is currently on special offer for £1499, a saving of £250.
Mountfield had been making lawnmowers for over 50 years, I have seen many of their old rear rotary roller mowers from the 70s still working today. So there has to be something good about the Mountfield brand. The Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor comes with a five-year manufacturers warranty, for peace of mind.
The 98 cm cutting width quickly makes large areas seem like small areas of lawn. The manufacturer recommends this lawn tractor is suitable for areas up to 8000 m². It is ideal for mowing long wet grass found in orchards and paddocks and in areas where collecting is not required. The mulching feature helps to keep your grassed areas green in winter and of course, there is no collection box to empty, which is a great time saver.
Powerful purpose-built four stroke 452 cc engine developing 11.2 hp.
36 inch (98 cm) cutting width suitable for areas up to 8000 m².
Mulching feature keeping your grass greener for longer.
Side discharge capabilities for longer grass.
Perfect for mowing orchards and paddocks.
Five forward and one reverse gear.
Electronic clutch for easy cutter deck engagement.
Tow bar included or optional attachments.
Twin headlights.
Five-year peace of mind warranty.
The Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor
I believe that the most attractive features of the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor are the fact that the lawn tractor has a mulching facility. This can save a huge amount of time due to the fact that there is no collection box to empty. The price is very attractive for a ride on tractor due to the special offer. And finally, the five-year warranty which gives total peace of mind and suggest to me that Mountfield trust that our products.
The only thing that lets this lawn tractor down is the fact that it has a gearbox rather than hydrostatic transmission. We will talk about hydrostatic transmission further down this post. If I was purchasing this machine I would go for the Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor which is equipped with hydrostatic transmission.
Mulching Capabilities
In the last few years mulching mowers have come a long way. One of the great things about mulching is the fact that there is no grass collector to empty and your grass stays greener for longer in dry weather. The mulching feature acts as a green manure for your lawn. Emptying a grass collector on a lawn tractor can be time-consuming, I appreciate there are times when it is necessary to pick up the grass clippings. However, I actually find it much easier to mow the lawn on a regular basis rather than having to collect the grass clippings and spend time emptying the collector.
The Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor has the ability to be used for a mulching machine or a side discharge mower. If your lawn is slightly long then you’re better off to use the side discharge feature and then to come along and mulch the grass a few days later.
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Mulching grass does consume quite a bit of engine power due to the fact that the grass is being kept inside the deck and being chopped up into tiny pieces. Regular mowing is the key to successful mulching, with no grass collector, the Mountfield garden tractor can quickly cover the ground.
The 98 cm (3 foot) cutting deck can quickly cover the ground, it is suitable for areas up to 8000 m². The seven-position cutting heights ranging from 25 to 80 mm give a great variety of cutting heights to suit almost every needs.
The mulching deck has an electronic clutch for ease of engagement. There is also a hose lock fitting to attach a hose and wash the inside of the deck out. A great feature for keeping your deck clean underneath.
Gearbox Transmission
As I mentioned earlier in this post, the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor has a five forward speed and one reverse speed gearbox. This is okay, however, if I was going for a ride on tractor I would personally go for a hydrostatic drive model.
Hydrostatic drive machines are almost like driving an automatic car. There is no clutch and no gearbox, just simply an oil-driven motor powered by an oil pump. A hydrostatic drive system offers variable speed in forward and reverse speeds. Hydrostatic mowers can outperform gearbox models by a long way. A hydrostatic mower makes it so easy to cut around awkward flower beds and obstacles, by simply just varying the speed on a foot pedal. There is no clutch to depress or no gears to change.
Another great benefit of hydrostatic transmission is the fact that if you’re cutting thick grass you can immediately slow the machine down instantly. There is no stopping to change gear, everything is on one-foot pedal giving you instant variable speed in forward and reverse. Once you have used a hydrostatic drive mower you will not want to revert back to the old gearbox style.
If you would like to purchase a lawn tractor with a hydrostatic drive, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor. This is identical to the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor, apart from it was powered by hydrostatic drive.
Four Stroke Petrol Engine
With a powerful 452 cc overhead valve engine the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor has plenty of power to cut grass. The 11.2 hp Stiga engine has been built on 10 years of rigorous testing. The engine has been specially designed for ride-on mowers and offers minimum vibration and excellent economy.
More Features
The twin headlights on the Mountfield ride on mower means you can even cut your lawn in the dark. The wide profile tyres help to keep the machine on top of the lawn causing minimum damage even in wet conditions. Another great feature is the towbar that comes with the ride on mower, this is ideal for optional accessories like trailers and towed collectors.
To Conclude
I have used many Mountfield products over the years, as I mentioned earlier, I have seen many roller rotary mowers from the 70s still in use today! Mountfield makes good quality products for the home user. I like the fact that the Mountfield 1538M-SD Lawn Tractor has a five-year warranty, a good warranty is always a massive plus point for me.
I would definitely look at the hydrostatic drive version of this lawn tractor. Although the cost is slightly more, I believe that it is definitely money well spent. It makes your mowing experience much more pleasurable, much easier and the output is also considerably more. You can see the Mountfield 1538H-SD Lawn Tractor here.
Feider Pro Petrol tiller 212 cm³ – 4-stroke engine – Cutters 8-…
Today we are looking at the Feider Pro garden tiller; this is a petrol garden tiller that quickly eats up the work with a 100 cm working width. I believe this is the widest rotor driven garden tiller that I have come across. This is certainly a tiller that can cover the ground quickly!
Recently we looked at the Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm, a much smaller and compact tiller. The Racing garden tiller is available for £279.95 p offering a saving of £120 on the retail price.
If you’re a keen gardener or a professional gardener looking to make life more comfortable in the garden, then a garden tiller can be a great help. Garden tillers are often referred to as, rotavators, garden cultivators, petrol cultivators. They come in different shapes and sizes, my preferred type of machine being the wheel-driven type. The wheel driven type of machine is more expensive but is generally more comfortable to use, and many are more aimed at the professional market. Having said this, we do also have some budget wheeled driven tillers available.
So let’s take a closer look at the Feider Pro garden tiller.
Features
A powerful 4 stroke 7 hp petrol engine.
A heavy machine that helps the digging performance.
A maximum digging depth of approximately 160 mm.
Three-speed gearbox plus one reverse gear for manoeuvrability.
Adjustable handles that can be offset.
Comes complete with eight rotors for a 1 m digging width.
Two-year manufacturers warranty for peace of mind.
The Feider Pro Petrol Garden Tiller
I have to say that this is probably the widest rotor driven garden tiller that I have come across. For most gardeners, this petrol garden tiller is probably too wide to use effectively for most jobs. If you have an extra-large vegetable patch, this machine will obviously cover the area very quickly, so it definitely has its uses. I have owned professional machines that vary between 20 and 30 inches wide, approximately 50 to 75 cm wide. It’s amazing how much work you can cover even with a 20-inch machine. I really feel that a 3’3″ (1 m) is slightly overkill!
I do not want to put you off purchasing a large machine; I want to be real about it!
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Four Stroke Petrol Engine
With a 212 cc overhead-valve four-stroke Einhill petrol engine, which develops 7 hp, this garden cultivator certainly has plenty of power. With the efficient overhead valve technology, the engine is built to last and for economy. The engine comes with a straightforward recoil start for easy starting.
The four-stroke engine comes with a heavy-duty air filter. I see far too many people not checking that air filter regularly enough. It is of great importance that the air filters are cleaned regularly to keep the engine working efficiently and to give the engine long life. Failure to do this will result in poor engine performance and premature engine wear.
The engine is mounted in a slightly different place to the majority of garden cultivators. Most garden tillers have the engine mounted immediately above the rotors. However, on this Feider rotavator, the engine is mounted in more of a forward position. I guess this is to try to get more forward weight onto the rotors for digging efficiency.
Four Gears
With three forward gears, the Feider Pro garden tiller has a speed to suit almost any conditions. It appears that many manufacturers are adding a reverse gear, this makes the machine so much easier to manoeuvre. Traditionally rotor driven tillers only had one forward speed, this was good for simplicity but not quite so good for manoeuvrability. The reverse gear enables you to get out of tight spaces easily and efficiently and with minimum effort.
Rotors
The Feider Pro garden tiller has a 100 cm digging width, which is exceptionally wide for this machine type. There are a total of eight cutters and 32 tines on this machine, that’s quite a few tines!
The depth is controlled by a rear skid that can be adjusted up or down to get the required digging depth. If you are digging hard ground, it pays to go over the ground several times, increasing the depth at every pass. There is no point in trying to force a machine to do too much.
For safe operation, the garden cultivator is fitted with a dead man’s handle. In other words, if your hands are removed from the handlebars, the dead man’s handle will stop the machine for safety.
Adjustable Handles
It’s very important to have adjustable handles on a garden tiller, not only up and down movement, but also from side to side. It’s important to be able to adjust the handles for operator comfort. However, it is also a necessary feature to offset the handles so that you are not walking on freshly tilled soil. If the soil is dry, it is not too bad treading on the soil; however, when you are cultivating the soil, it will come up damp and sticky. So it’s important not to leave unsightly footprints on your wet soil or to cause soil damage.
Removable Belt Drive
Another one of the Feider tiller features is that it’s designed to have a removable belt drive and chain. This is great for easy maintenance and cleaning.
To Conclude
As I mentioned earlier in this post, the machine is probably the widest machine I have seen of this type. I would think for most gardeners this machine is not a practical solution. It’s probably worth taking a look at the Oleo-Mac MH175RK Garden Tiller or the Stiga Silex 103B Cultivator, a wheel-driven machine. You can see more of our various garden cultivators here.
Once again I don’t want you to put you off this machine if you have a huge vegetable patch, it would certainly cover the ground quickly. French manufacturer Feider does offer good value for money; their machines seem to receive good reviews.
The Feider pro garden cultivator comes with a two-year warranty for peace of mind.
Specification
Engine Make
Feider
Engine Model
4-stroke Einhell OHV
Engine Type
Petrol 4-stroke
Engine Capacity
212 cm³
Engine Power
7hp
Engine Fuel Tank Capacity
3.6L
Oil Tank Capacity
0.6L
Gears
3 Forward / 1 Reverse
Transmission
No
Drive
No
Working Width
99-100cm
Working Depth
Working depth: 100 mm Maximum working depth: 160 mm
Today we are looking at the compact Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm. As far as garden tillers go, the Racing cultivator is quite small for tiller standards. It’s not quite a micro tiller, but maybe in between the two types of tine driven garden tiller.
The compact Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm is available at a very attractive price of £279.95. At the time of writing, this is a £120 saving on the retail price and includes VAT. It also comes with a two-year peace of mind warranty.
Recently we looked at the very popular Oleo-Mac MH175RK Garden Tiller which has excellent reviews. This is a larger machine, but still offers excellent value for money at £395 including VAT. At the time of writing this is a £204 saving and definitely worth a look due to the numerous reviews and value for money.
It never fails to amaze me how much having the right tools for the garden can free up so much time and make life so much easier. The Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm is one of those tools that helps to do free up time and save loads of back-breaking work. With some excellent reviews, this tiller is definitely worth taking a look at.
Racing is one of those companies that appears to be able to produce budgets garden machinery at good prices and their products receive good feedback. The Racing garden tiller is powered by a fuel efficient overhead valve engine and offers compactness and agility where larger tillers cannot go.
Efficient four-stroke overhead valve petrol engine.
A smallish tiller that goes where other tillers can’t go.
Sharp steel rotors for cultivating.
Adjustable skid for accurate working depth.
Stone guard.
Transport wheel.
32.7 kg enables the machine to be lifted into a car boot.
Two years warranty.
The Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm
Garden tillers come in all shapes and sizes, they will often be referred to as, cultivators, rotavators, tillers, micro tillers and more.
If you’re looking to free up time and save some energy, a garden tiller is definitely a tool that can help take the pressure off in the garden. There are different types of garden tillers ranging from my preferred type which is the wheel driven machines. These machines have powered wheels that normally offer a selection of speeds with a separate drive to the digging rotors. These tillers are more expensive, but offer more versatility and are easier to use.
The second type of tiller and most popular are the rotor driven type which we are looking at today. These offer an easy way and a relatively cheap way of taking the hard work out of digging and creating those spring seedbeds.
The third type of tillers are the micro type, although these tillers are very small, however, they can still be extremely useful in the garden. I find a micro tiller is great for hoeing between vegetable rows and for tidying flower and shrub beds. Being small they can quickly weave between plants and shrubs making your traditional garden hoe almost redundant! Although these cultivators are small, they still have surprisingly excellent capabilities.
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Four Stroke Petrol Engine
The Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm is powered by a four-stroke overhead valve 139cc petrol engine. This air-cooled engine has plenty of power to power the 36 cm digging rotors. The four stroke engine gives excellent economy and efficiency.
Digging Rotors
With a 36 cm digging width the Racing garden tiller is certainly one of the more compact machines on the market. Even with a 36 cm digging width, it’s surprising how quickly the machine can cover the ground. The sharp steel rotors quickly dig into the ground making light work of those hard digging tasks. The machine is also great for making spring seedbeds and hoeing.
The adjustable digging skid helps to determine the right depth depending on the task ahead. If you pull the skid right up, the machine will go deep; if you put the skid down, the machine will not dig deeply, which is ideal for spring seedbeds.
A Compact Garden Tiller
Due to the 36 cm digging width which is relatively small for a garden tiller. The tiller is able to go where other garden tillers cannot go. One of the most useful features are to be able to hoe between rows of vegetables and to hoe flowerbeds and shrub borders. There are micro tillers available, however, with the tiller of this size you must have the best of both worlds.
This compact garden tiller weighs just 32.7 kg so it can literally be picked up and moved from site to site. Or even put in the back of a car boot, very easily indeed.
To Conclude
The Racing 139PTIL63-C Petrol Tiller 36cm is a budget garden tiller with excellent reviews. Being a relatively small garden tiller, the machine has the advantages of making it more universal and being able to reach smaller places. If you’re on a limited budget, this garden tiller is definitely worth a look. Going by the reviews, customers are very satisfied with this machine, it can certainly make life much easier in the garden.
Racing obviously trusts their machine as it comes with a two-year warranty for labour and parts.
