Special Offers

One of the most popular questions I get asked is; “how much does a rear roller petrol rotary mower cost?” When it comes to petrol rear roller rotary mowers there is a huge range to choose from. In this video and blog post, I want to explain to you some of the machines that are available and the prices.

I believe that petrol rear roller rotary mowers are probably one of the most practical mowers that you can buy. These mowers can give your lawn a great striped finish and at the same time, they will cope with grass that has been left uncut for a few weeks. The finish may not be quite as good as a traditional cylinder mower, however, the costs, maintenance and practicalities are much better.

Push Or Power Driven?

The majority of petrol rear roller is are roller driven, in other words, the roller drives the mower forward. On some of the smaller machines, push models are available. However, for just a few pounds more, there is normally a power-driven version that I would definitely go for. The extra money is well worth the cost, who wants to push a mower when it can drive itself!?

You Can See More Mowers below Or Watch Our Video Or Both

Cobra RM40C 40cm Push Petrol Rear Roller Lawnmower

The Cobra RM40C 40cm Push Petrol Rear Roller Lawnmower is our cheapest petrol roller rotary lawnmower. This lawnmower sells for just £269 and comes with a two-year homeowner warranty. The Cobra RM40C is powered by a 98.5 cc four-stroke petrol engine. You can find more information on the Cobra RM40C 40Cm Push Petrol Rear Roller Lawnmower Here.

Cobra RM40SPC 40Cm Self Propelled Rear Roller Lawn Mower

Now we come onto the Cobra RM40SPC 40cm Self Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower, which sells for £299.99. This is slightly different to a previous machine due to the fact that this lawnmower is self-propelled and has a slightly larger engine. For just an extra £30 you can have a petrol power-driven roller rotary lawnmower, I would definitely recommend a self-propelled mower.

The mower is powered by a 135cc four-stroke Cobra petrol engine. There are six different cutting heights and single-speed drive system. The mower comes with a two-year domestic use warranty. You can find out more about the Cobra RM40SPC 40cm Self Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower here.

Mountfield S421 R PD 41cm Self Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower

The Mountfield S421 R PD 41cm self-propelled rear roller mower is ideal for the smaller garden where you require a striped finish. With the 41 cm cutting which and 123cc engine the mower quickly gets the job done. The Mountfield S421 is currently selling for £349.

To me one of the most important things is to make life easy in the garden, the Mountfield S421 R PD 41cm rotary mower has a powered roller that drives the machine forward. It makes life so much easier rather than having to push the machine, it’s easy just to push the lever and engage the roller, no effort required.

Mountfield has been making mowers for over 50 years, so they have a lot of experience in rotary machines. I still regularly see Mountfield’s from the 70s in constant use, that can’t be a bad advert for a Mountfield mower!

The mower comes with five years warranty, which is great as it gives so much peace of mind and keeps your expenses down. I guess that the only catch is that the mower has to be serviced at a dealer once a year. However, it’s always good to look after machinery if you want it to last.

Masport Rotarola RRSP18 Rear Roller Lawn mower (Honda engine)

The Masport Rotarola RRSP18 rear roller lawnmower offers a lot of mower for the price. I would say that it comes between the home user models and commercial models, in other words, a semiprofessional machine. The Masport Rotarola RRSP18 is currently selling for £729.

One of the great things is that the Masport rear roller lawnmower has a Honda engine. Honda engines are renowned for their reliability, I have had plenty of experience with Honda engines. It’s actually possible to leave a Honda engine untouched for a couple of years and for it to start up first time! I have a friend who would normally only buy a machine if it has a Honda engine fitted!

The engine is powered by a 160 cc Honda GVC4 stroke petrol engine. It has a 46 cm (18 inches) cutting width with cutting heights between 10 and 70 mm. The powered roller makes the mower very easy to use, no pushing, just simply engage the lever and you’re off.

The Masport petrol mower comes with a two-year warranty for domestic users or 90 days for commercial users.

Masport RRSP-22H Self-propelled Rear-Roller Lawn Mower

The Masport RRSP-22H self-propelled rear roller petrol lawnmower is Masport’s largest machine in this category. Once again it offers excellent value for money and I would put it in the semiprofessional range. The machine sells for just £849 which is a great price for a mark of this capacity.

Powered by a Honda GCV Honda overhead valve four-stroke engine which has a capacity of 160cc.

The 54 cm (21 inch) width quickly covers the ground makes large lawns become smaller. The cutting deck is moulded from a single sheet of aluminium, which brings lightweight strength and no rusting. The cutter deck actually comes with a 15-year domestic use guarantee, so Masport obviously has confidence in their products.

The blades have a swinging action, the idea of this feature is if they hit a foreign object, it helps to cause minimal damage.

The Masport RRSP-22H self-propelled rear roller petrol lawnmower comes with two years warranty and a 15-year cutter deck warranty if it is used for domestic use.

Weibang Legacy 48VE Self-Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower

The Weibang Legacy 48VE Self-Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower is a professional machine although many people purchase for domestic use. The machine currently sells at £1029 and comes with a three-year commercial warranty and a five-year domestic warranty. Weibang obviously have faith in their machines!

I have used the Weibang mowers and encountered very few issues. Something important for me is that the strong build system and heavy-duty drive systems will actually last. The only thing that some people may be against is the Weibangs are slightly heavier than other roller rotary’s due to their excellent build quality. Personally, I would sooner purchase a machine that is built well and is slightly heavier rather than something that’s delicate and not going to last so long.

The Weibang Legacy 48VE Self-Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower comes with a Briggs & Stratton 775IS Instart engine, which comes with electric start.

The mower has a 48 cm (19 inch) cut, the cutting height varies from 13 to 67 mm, which is carried out with a lever in 11 different settings. The weight of the machine is 57 kg.

Weibang Legacy 56 Pro 3 speed Self-Propelled Rear Roller Lawn mower

The Weibang Legacy 56 Pro 3 speed self-propelled rear roller petrol lawnmower is Weibang’s largest rear roller mower. With a 56 cm (22 inch) cut, the  Weibang quickly covers the ground. At the time of writing this machine is selling for £1399. It comes with a five-year domestic warranty and three-year commercial warranty. To me, I always like the idea of a good warranty as it gives me confidence in the manufacturer and the fact that I have no costs in the first few years of operation, apart from wearing parts.

I have personally used the Weibang Legacy 56 Pro 3 speed self-propelled petrol rear roller mower many times. It has many great features; I like the fact that it is well built and made to last. I have used many other machines that do not have the strength of the Weibang, especially when they are being used commercially.

Powered by a Kawasaki engine, which is an excellent engine in my experience. I don’t like to admit it, but the Japanese engines do seem to be very reliable and economical and quiet.

Three Speed Gearbox

With the three-speed gearbox, the Weibang can cope with longish grass, to be fair, I normally always use a machine in top gear as it seems to be able to cope well. We have to remember that roller rotaries are designed to be used regularly to cut your lawn.

There are 11 different cutting heights that range from 13 to 67 mm.

The only downside of this machine is that it is slightly heavier than its competitors. However, I would much sooner purchase a machine that has a strong build quality and have a bit more weight rather than something that’s going to break.

I have personal experience with this particular machine and I firmly recommend it to homeowners and commercial landscapers.

Today we are looking at the Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower. This mower has 35 positive reviews at the time of writing and comes with a two-year warranty.

The Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower is currently on special offer and selling for £159. At the time of writing, this is a £20 saving on the normal price. There is free delivery on this Mountfield mower, delivery times are normally around 2 to 4 working days.

Read The Reviews For The Mountfield Princess

In case you are new to the mower world, Mountfield has been making lawnmowers since 1962. I can remember some of the early roller rotary mowers from Mountfield in the 70s. Some of these machines are still being used today. I have a friend who is still using his Mountfield petrol rotary mower, which is around 45 years old. It still has the original Briggs & Stratton 3.5 hp engine, so this a good advert for Mountfield!

As some of you know, I prefer a machine with a petrol or diesel engine on. However, looking at the reviews and knowing about Mountfield mowers. The Mountfield Princess 38 Electric Lawnmower looks like a good buy for anyone looking for a quality electric roller mower.

So, Let’s Take A Closer Look At The Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower.

Features

• Quiet brushless induction motor.
• 1600 Watt motor (2.1 hp).
• Six cutting heights.
• Safety break.
• Three in one cutting, cut and collect, rear discharge, mulch.
• Foldable handles.
• Rear roller for a perfect striped finish.
• Large rear wheels for easy turning.
• Solid topped grass collector to keep the dust to a minimum.
• Lightweight collection box.
• 15 m of electric cable included.
• Two-year manufacturer’s warranty

The Mountfield 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower is a quality electric mower with great reviews. With its modern brushless induction electric motor, this mower offers minimal maintenance and great features.

Electric Motor

The electric motor produces 1600 W of power, which equals just over 2.1 hp. To be precise 746 W equals 1 hp. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not a great fan of electric mowers, however, there is literally no maintenance on the engine. And the running costs are extremely low. Plus, you have quiet power!

You Can Find More Roller Rotary Mowers Here

Cutting Deck

With a 38 cm (15 inch) cut width the Mountfield mower is perfect for lawns around 15 m², although I believe are of this size could tackle much more than 15 m² if required.

The cutting height is adjusted by a single lever with six different heights ranging from 25 mm to 75 mm.

Rear Roller

Although the Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower looks like a wheeled mower from the outside, it actually has a rear roller attached. The rear roller will give you that perfect striped finish that makes an English country garden.

Compact

Due to the compactness of this mower, it can get into most places. Folding handles and quick release clips allow for easy storage and transporting the mower.

Generous Grass Collector

With a 40 L grass collector, emptying times are kept to a minimum. There is also a grass box full indicator that takes the guesswork out of knowing when your collector is full.

The Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower comes with 15 m of cable and includes a full two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Let’s Look At A Few Alternatives

If you’re looking for a petrol alternative then the Mountfield S421 R PD 41cm Self Propelled Rear Roller Lawnmower is worth taking a look at. You can find even more roller rotary mowers here.

To Conclude

Mountfield offers quality mowers at good prices, the Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4-Wheel Roller Lawnmower is no exception. The only downside for me would be the trailing cable. However, with a modern brushless motor you can expect many years of service from your Mountfield mower.

Specification

Today we are taking a look at the excellent manoeuvrable Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. Over the past few days, we have been looking at some of the zero-turn mowers on our website. Recently we looked at the Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower which is built for domestic use.

The Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is currently selling for £3859 which at the time of writing offers a £200 saving. This is a slightly more heavy-duty machine than the previous Toro we looking at.

The Zero Turn Advantage

I have owned several zero turn mowers from walk behind the machines to ride-on machines. A zero-turn mower is the most manoeuvrable machines on the market, you will not find anything more manoeuvrable. Hence why I have owned several of these machines.

A zero-turn mower consists of two rear driving wheels that are powered by an independent hydrostatic motor. The majority of zero-turn mowers are controlled by two levers each side of the operator’s seat. There are a few machines that have a steering wheel, however, I have not used a zero-turn mower with a steering wheel.

A zero-turn mower has two heavy-duty caster wheels at the front of the machine which turn 360°. This allows the machine to be turned in its own length, due to the independent control of the rear wheels.

The hydrostatic motor enables the two rear wheels to be controlled independently in forward and reverse and variable speed. Combined with the heavy-duty caster wheels this really does give excellent manoeuvrability, machines can actually turn around in its own length.

In my experience, a zero turn mower can produce amazing results compared with the traditional lawn tractor. There are two main reasons for this, the zero turn mower is far more manoeuvrable than a traditional lawn tractor. Secondly, most zero terms have the ability to mulch so there is no grass to collect.

I have seen rates increase by 300% using a zero-turn machine. Now, obviously this depends on what type of lawn you have, if you have many obstacles a zero turn mower will speed up your lawn cutting hugely. As it is capable of weaving around obstacles and overhanging branches. Whereas a traditional lawn tractor would be making many manoeuvres in a similar situation.

So, let’s take a closer look at the Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower.

Features

• Zero turns are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market.
• Perfect for areas with obstacles and low hanging branches.
• Optional mulching feature.
• Powered by a Briggs & Stratton V-Twin engine.
• Electronic blade engagement.
• Anti-scalp feature on cutting deck.
• Comfortable adjustable seat.
• Optional tow hitch available.
• Three-year peace of mind warranty.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, Swedish designed Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower offers unrivalled manoeuvrability to cut around obstacles! Stiga are famous for their out-front mowers which are becoming more and more popular, due to their manoeuvrability and mulching capabilities. Having said this a zero turn mower is the ultimate manoeuvrable mower.

Engine

Stiga have powered their machine with a popular Briggs & Stratton Intek 7200 4 stroke 656cc 2 cylinder engine. The engine develops 13.5 hp with its V twin-cylinder arrangement and overhead valves. Over the years I have had many machines that have been powered by Briggs and Stratton engines. These engines are well proven and over time, I have had minimal trouble with Briggs & Stratton engines. Another large plus point is the fact that Briggs & Stratton parts are readily available and sensibly priced.

Cutting Deck

The cutting deck size is 107 cm, which is approximately 3’6”, which makes the machine very compact indeed. There are no levers to engage the cutting deck, simply engage the electronic clutch and you are ready to mow. Just take care to engage the electronic clutch at low revs. In this way, the blades won’t snatch in and this will prolong your electronic clutch life.

There are three blades underneath the cutter deck and a side discharge chute. I would firmly recommend the optional mulching attachment as mulching is a great option. Mulching helps to keep your lawn green in dry periods and also acts as a green fertiliser.

The cutting heights vary from 38 to 114 mm, it’s always useful to have plenty of adjustment on the cutting deck. Especially if your lawn has become long due to poor weather or being away etc.

Optional Accessories

Stiga offers a tow bar which helps to really make your zero turn into a workhorse. The optional towbar can be used for trailers, sweepers, aerators and sprayers and more. As I mentioned earlier I firmly recommend the mulching attachment.

To Conclude

I would recommend the Stiga ZT3107T Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. Stiga have a lot of experience in building mowers, plus I am biased towards zero turn mowers, but in a good way!

Different manufacturers make different claims about the performance of zero-turn mowers. I know from experience that a zero turn mower can really speed up your mowing time. In some cases, I have seen a 300% increase in performance compared with a traditional ride-on tractor. However, this does depend on the number of obstacles you have to negotiate. A mulching kit to me is a must, I’m surprised the manufacturers don’t make this a standard feature, to be fair.

Stiga obviously has confidence in their product as they offer a three-year warranty, which to me brings great peace of mind.

Specification

Today we are looking at our cheapest and smallest ride-on zero turn mower, the Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower. This domestic zero turn mower has just recently been added to our website. The current price of this zero turn mower is £2999, which offers a saving of £376.

Recently we looked at the slightly larger Toro TimeCutter ZS4200T Zero Turn Mower. Again, a value for money domestic compact zero turn mower, that offers excellent manoeuvrability.

The Zero Turn Advantage

Zero-turn mowers are my favourite type of mower, they offer fantastic manoeuvrability that no other ride-on mower or walk behind mower offers. Zero-turn mowers are powered by two hydrostatic motors that give instant forward and reverse on the two rear driving wheels. In general, zero-turn mowers have two levers each side of the operator’s seat that give you total control over the machine.

The heavy-duty caster wheels at the front of the machine turn 360° and enable machines to be turned within the machines own radius. You will not find a more manoeuvrable mower on the market other than a zero-turn.

Mowing around obstacles, such as trees, shrubs and flower borders becomes very simple with a zero-turn mower. You can literally weave in and out of low branches and get to places where a traditional lawn tractor cannot go.

Let me give you this example, I could cut a 2 ½ acre site with many obstacles with a 61 inch zero turn mower in 50 minutes. When I used a traditional lawn tractor with a collector and a 4’6” cutting deck, the same job took me three hours. Admittedly, I had a mulching deck on my zero turn machine, which saves a huge amount of time as there are no grass clippings to empty. However, the biggest time saver was manoeuvrability of the zero turn machine.

Let’s take a closer look at the Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower

Features

• A budget domestic zero-turn mower at a great price.
• Zero-turn capabilities giving excellent manoeuvrability.
• Hydrostatic transmission combined with smart speed.
• Optional mulching capability.
• 10 gauge steel deck.
• Washout port.
• Three-year domestic warranty.

First of all, in case you are wondering, every Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower is delivered to your home and is ready to mow!

The Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower is an extremely compact machine that has a cutting width of 81 cm. Despite this being a small zero turn mower, the cutting ability is still excellent due to the fact of the zero-turn manoeuvrability factor.

Engine

Toro uses a 452cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine in this mower. Although the engine is referred to as a Toro engine it’s actually an Italian engine known as a Loncin engine which seems to become more popular as time goes on. However, I would prefer if the engine was powered by something like a Kohler, Honda, Briggs & Stratton or Kawasaki as I know that all these engines are well proven and will last.

The fuel tank has 11.2 L capacity with a sight gauge that tells you exactly how much fuel you have left in the tank.

Cutting Deck

The 81 cm cutting deck is constructed with heavy-duty 13 gauge steel and strong steel guards that protect the mower against unwanted debris. One of the things that I first look at on a lawnmower is the strength of the deck as mower decks can take quite a bit of abuse.

The cutter deck has a good range of cutting heights from 38 mm to 114 mm. To my mind, every rotary mower needs a high cutting setting. It’s always useful if you are cutting long grass or if you’re grass has grown slightly out of control due to bad weather or being away.

The cutting deck has one single blade underneath. The deck is fitted with washout ports; simply attach your hose to the deck and engage the blade and your cutting deck will quickly become clean.

Toro uses an electronic clutch to engage the blade on the machine, there is no hand clutch or levers to move, simply flick a switch. Always engage the cutter deck on tick over as there is no need for the cutter deck to snatch in. Failure to do this will shorten the life of the cutter deck clutch.

Above the deck, an antivibration rubber mat that helps to reduce noise and vibration.

Smart Speed

As I mentioned earlier on this post, zero-turn mowers have hydrostatic drive which gives you instant forward and reverse and variable speed. Toro has added an exclusive feature known as the smart speed control system. There are three different speeds that help to give ultimate control when using the mower for various tasks.

Although the mower has three different speeds, remember that you have a hydrostatic drive that gives you instant variable speed in forward and reverse.

Optional Features

It’s always good to be able to utilise your mower, Toro offers a few options to get the most out of your machine. An hour meter is almost a must for me, it’s important to know how many hours between services. I would also add the recycling kit, which converts your mower into a mulching machine. Which in turn, chops the grass and helps to act as a green fertiliser. This will keep your grass greener for longer in dry periods.

Another feature is the twin bagging feature. Personally, for this machine, I would stick with the mulching feature and forget about the bagging feature.

To Conclude

The Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S 81cm Zero Turn Mower is a compact and very manoeuvrable machine at an excellent price. If you want to make your grass cutting simple, quick and cost-effective, then zero turn mower the answer.

I recommend the mulching feature as this is a great time-saving feature. It’s far quicker to mulch than it is to collect your grass clippings. Just be aware that mulching does take extra power out of your machine, however, most engines can cope with this extra requirement.

Toro offers a three-year warranty on their domestic zero turn mower, which for me gives great peace of mind and confidence when purchasing.

Specification

• Engine: 452 cc Toro Engine
• Fuel Tank: 11.3 litres
• Transmission: Dual Hydrostatic
• Cutting Width: 81 cm
• Deck Details: 13 gauge steel
• Cutting System: 1-blade
• Height of Cut: 38mm to 114mm
• Steering Controls: Dual Wrap Around Levers
• Cup Holder
• High back seat
• Optional Hour Meter, Recycling Kit® and Twin bagging system
• Machine size: L: 1824mm, H: 947mm, W: 99.4 cm
• Tyres: Ribbed, (F) 28 cm x 10 cm, (R) 46 cm x 15 cm – 20 cm
• Weight: 238kg
• Warranty: Domestic 3-Year, Commercial 30 days

Today we are looking at the Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower. This is possibly the cheapest zero turn ride on available, it is certainly the cheapest ride on zero turn mower on our website.

The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower is currently available for £3349 offering a saving of £150. Yesterday we looked at the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower, a slightly larger and more expensive domestic zero-turn lawnmower.

Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable type of mower on the market. Their zero-turn capabilities make them able to turn around in their own radius. If a customer has a large area of grass to cut I always recommend a zero turn machine, ideally, with a mulching deck.

Another highly manoeuvrable type of mower is the Stiga range of out front mulching mowers. These machines also have great manoeuvrability, although not quite so good as a zero-turn mower.

A zero-turn mower has two hydraulic motors that are individually attached to the rear wheels. In general, these hydrostatic motors are controlled independently, by two levers that offer instant forward and reverse at variable speed.

On the front of the machine, there are two heavy-duty caster wheels that can turn 360°. This enables the machine to be exceptionally manoeuvrable due to the independent control of the rear wheels. Just one thing, take care when turning as if you try and turn too quickly you can damage the turf. You will quickly adjust to the benefits of a zero-turn mower and how to get the most out of your machine.

So, let’s take a look at the Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower

Features

• Zero-turn mowers the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market today.
• Obstacles are no longer obstacles with a zero-turn mower.
• A great V twin engine from Briggs & Stratton.
• Electric start.
• Heavy-duty steel frame.
• Pivoting front axle for even finish on uneven ground.
• Adjustable seat for operator comfort.
• Anti-scalp deck.
• Foot-controlled cutting deck height adjustment.
• Mulching accessory available.
• Bagging system available.
• Three-year warranty.

In case you don’t know anything about the brand Snapper, they are an American brand have been making ride-on mowers since 1951. Interestingly enough, Snapper used to make some quite unusual -looking machines. However, the performance of these machines and the simplicity was excellent. About 35 years ago I was using one of these unusual -looking Snappers, the amazing thing is they still make a very similar machine. This proves that their principles work!

The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower has a prograde construction quality, designed with agility and versatility. The first time I used a Snapper lawnmower, help but notice the heavy-duty construction and build quality that had gone into this machine.

Engine

The Snapper is powered by a Briggs & Stratton Intek 7200 series engine, which develops 656cc. The four-stroke V twin engine has overhead valve technology and great torque and good fuel consumption.

The zero-turn mower is fitted with electric start for ease of use.

I have had many machines that have been powered by Briggs & Stratton engines, over the years, these engines have given minimal trouble. I actually have experience of this particular engine, Briggs & Stratton engines have come a long way over the past few years. Another great thing about these engines is the fact that parts are readily available and sensibly priced.

Cutting Deck

The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower comes with a 107 cm which equates to 42 inches. This really makes the Snapper a really compact ride-on zero turn mower.

The cutting deck has 12 different cutting heights ranging from 42 to 96 mm. It’s always good to have the option of a high cut for those occasions when your lawn becomes slightly out of hand. I would also recommend the optional mulching kit as mulching acts as a green fertiliser. Mulching grass does take more power, but in my view, it is definitely a good practice.

The Zero Turn Advantage

Zero-turn mowers are perfect for large areas, although this machine is only a 3-foot 6-inch cutting width, it can cut up to 10,000 m² practically. I have found in my experience that I can cut three times quicker with a zero-turn machine over a tractor mower. I appreciate this does depend on the type of terrain that you are cutting and how many obstacles are in the way. This is also based on a mulching mower against a lawn tractor with a collector. It takes a lot of time to empty a collector!

Once you have used a zero turn machine you will not want to go back to the traditional lawn tractor. The manoeuvrability of these machines is absolutely amazing. When I was contracting, people were amazed at how quickly I could cut their grass with a zero-turn mower. Zero-turn mowers make cutting around obstacles easy. They are also great for getting between trees with low branches, you can literally weave in and out and between branches.

To Conclude

As I’ve mentioned, zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market, they really make grass cutting easy and straightforward. This is the reason I have owned several zero turn machines over the years.

If you’ve never used a zero turn mower it’s worth thinking about. I created this video several years ago with me using a zero-turn mower. You can see how quick and manoeuvrable these machines really are.

We are here to help, please feel free to comment below if you have any questions.

The Snapper ZTX110 Zero-Turn Ride-On Mower offers good value for money and comes with a three-year warranty. A good warranty always gives peace of mind, with no unexpected expenses for three years.

Specification

Today we are looking at the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower. Recently we have been looking at the Stiga range of out-front mowers which are exceptionally manoeuvrable. However, if you want a machine that is even more manoeuvrable then a zero-turn mower is your answer.

The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower offers excellent value for money at just £4399. At the time of writing, there is a saving of £300. One of the downsides of zero-turn mowers can be the cost, however, it appears that Toro has managed to keep the costs low on this domestic zero turn mower. The mower comes with a three-year peace of mind warranty.

Over the years I have owned several different zero-turn mowers, from commercial walk-behind machines to commercial sit on machines. Zero-turn mowers are my favourite type of mower due to their amazing manoeuvrability.

A zero-turn mower has two independently controlled hydrostatic motors on the rear wheels of the machine. At the front of the machine, there are two large caster wheels that swing 360°. The two hydrostatic motors are independently controlled by two levers which enable you to turn the mower on a sixpence. The mower can literally be turned around in the tightest of areas. Zero-turn mowers really are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market.

I know from experience how much time a zero-turn machine can save you against the traditional ride-on tractor. The work rate from a zero-turn is excellent and, in many cases, can really cut down mowing time.

Let me give you an example of a 2.5-acre site I was cutting with many obstacles. With a 4’6” tractor mower with a collector, it was taking three hours. With a 61-inch zero-turn machine, I could cut the site in 50 minutes, a considerable difference. The machine was fitted with a mulching deck so there was no grass to collect. However, the majority of the time saved was due to the zero-turn mower’s manoeuvrability.

So, let’s take a closer look at the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower.

Features

• Powerful commercial 708 cc V twin engine.
• 127 cm steel fabricated deck complete with anti-scalp wheels.
• Lever hydrostatic transmission.
• Zero-turn mowers are the most manoeuvrable mowers on the market.
• Self-cleaning air filtration system.
• Smooth ride suspension system.
• Large rear wheels.
• Comfortable seat.
• Three-year domestic warranty.

Purchase The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower

The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower has been designed for the domestic market, however, it comes with many features that are used in Toro’s Pro range. Toro claims that you can cut the grass 40% faster with a zero-turn. I would say that in many cases it is possible to cut two or three times quicker than a traditional lawn tractor. It does depend on the terrain and the number of obstacles, as in flower borders, trees et cetera that you have in your garden.

With instant forward and reverse and variable speed on the two rear driving wheels, you have a highly manoeuvrable mower that can outperform any traditional lawnmower.

Engine

Toro use their own commercial 708 cc V twin engine which develops 24.5 hp. It appears that Loncin , a Chinese company actually make the engine for Toro. I’ve noticed that Loncin engines are getting more popular on domestic machines.

Personally, I would prefer if the machine was powered by a Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, Honda or something very similar. I guess that Toro are trying to keep the price down on their machine, which I fully understand. We have to remember that this machine is for the domestic market, not the commercial market.

A Mower With Suspension

The majority of zero-turn mowers travel quite quickly, however, if you do not have suspension you often cannot use your mower to its full capacity. All my ride on zero terms have always been fitted with suspension, this is almost a must-have for me. I appreciate the fact that a decent seat can help smooth the ride, however, suspension definitely helps!

Toro has fitted a smooth ride suspension to their machine. I believe Ferris was the first company to fit suspension to that zero-turn mowers. You can see this Ferris mower video with suspension fitted which enables the operator to mow quickly. Toro has fitted an adjustable rear suspension system to enable the operator to have maximum comfort and efficiency.

Mulching Deck

I’m a big fan of mulching as I believe it’s a great way to keep your lawn looking green and healthy (especially in dry weather) and it’s great not to have any grass to collect. Once again, mulching grass really does save loads of time as one of the most time-consuming jobs is emptying the collector on traditional machines.

The Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower deck has a mulching feature and the option of side discharge if required.

The cutting widths are 127 cm which is approximately 4 foot. The cutting heights range from 38 mm to 114 mm, I always like the idea of having a high cutting setting on a mower. It really is useful if you’re grass has become long; the grass can then be taken down one step at a time. The foot-operated deck lift adjusts the cutting heights.

The cutter deck is engaged by an electronic clutch that engages the clutch at the flick of a switch. Always try and engage the cutter deck at tick over to avoid unnecessary wear on the clutch. If you think about it, you don’t rev your car up and then let the clutch out, it’s the same thing!

To Conclude

The zero-turn principle is a fantastic concept and really makes mowing easy and pleasurable. The ability to move around obstacles and mow between and under low branches is amazing. There is no other type of mower as manoeuvrable as a zero-turn machine.

This is a domestic zero turn at a very good price for this type of machine. Toro does give a three-year peace of mind warranty, which is great news. I would have preferred to have seen a better grade of an engine on this machine, however, there are plenty of machines fitted with Loncin engines.

The fact that the Toro TimeCutter 5075T Zero Turn Mower has suspension is a great feature. As this is something else that helps to speed the cutting process up and reduce operator fatigue.

Would I Purchase?

Yes, I would, however, I would think about looking at a new machine after the three-year warranty is up. In this way, it basically guarantees no unexpected expenses. If you look after a machine like this it would still be worth a reasonable amount at the end of three years.

Of course, the other option is to look at a second-hand commercial machine on eBay, but obviously care must be taken.

Please feel free to comment below on this blog post.

Specification

• Engine: Toro V-Twin Commercial
• Engine Spec: 24.5HP, 708cc, 2700 rpm
• Transmission: Dual Dampening Levers, Hydrostatic design
• Fuel Capacity: 11.4 litres
• Cutter Deck: 127 cm Fabricated
• Deck Lift Operation: Foot
• Grass Cutting Heights: 38 mm to 114 mm
• Hour Meter: Optional extra
• Seat: Handcrafted High Back 46cm with Arm Rests
• Tyres: (F) 28cm x 15cm, (R) 46cm x 24cm
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: 3-year Limited Domestic / 30 days Commercial (Terms and conditions apply)

Today we are looking at the Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. This is a machine that has multiple functions, in other words, it can, mulch, collect, rear discharge and side discharge. The price of the Oleo-Mac is £449.95 which at the time of writing offers a £100 saving.

Recently we looked at the exceptional versatile range of Stiga out front ride on mowers. The Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower obviously doesn’t offer the ride on capabilities of the Stiga. However, it does offer mulching and collection and a great price.

Let’s take a closer look at the Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Features

• A unique machine that offers four in one versatility.
• Mulch, collect, rear discharge or side discharge, the choice is yours!
• All the accessories are included.
• Powerful four-stroke petrol engine.
• Robust steel chassis.
• Six cutting heights.
• Self-propelled.
• Oversize drive wheels for all types of conditions.
• Comfortable control levers.
• Large grass collector.
• Five-year peace of mind warranty.

Sometimes with all the various types of mowers on the market, it’s difficult to know what to purchase. If you’re looking for versatility and the ability to manage a range of grass types then the Oleo-Mac GV53 Lawn Mower is a great option.

Engine

The Oleo-Mac mower is fitted with the very popular Emak K800 four-stroke petrol engine. I seem to be seeing more and more Emak engines fitted on garden machinery. The Emak engine develops 196cc and comes with overhead valve technology to ensure excellent fuel consumption and smooth running.

Construction

Oleo-Mac uses top quality parts on their Oleo-Mac GV53 Lawn Mower. There is a heavy-duty steel deck which ensures that your mower has a long life. Mower cutting decks actually take quite a beating as you can imagine. You have a blade spinning round at high speed which can also pick up unwanted debris. When I am purchasing a mower one of the first things I look at is the strength of the cutting deck.

Cutting Deck

The 20-inch cutting deck offers six preset cutting heights ranging from 28 to 75 mm. It’s important not to cut the grass too short and it’s also very useful to have the option to have a high cutting setting. This is useful on the occasions when the weather is poor or you have been away a few weeks and you need to knock your grass down quickly.

Self-Propelled

The Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is completely self-propelled making it very easy to walk behind. The mower is designed to cope with lawns up to 2000 m².

The extra-large 280 mm drive wheels facilitate good traction and ease over rougher areas. The mower has lever controls that are positioned well on the handlebars.

Large Grass Collector

As with all mowers it is important to have a decent sized grass collector to keep emptying times to a minimal. The Oleo-Mac mower is fitted with a generous 70 L grass collector which helps to minimise emptying times.

To Conclude

There are so many various types of mower on the market today, which makes it more difficult for the consumer to decide what to buy. The Oleo-Mac GV53-TK AllRoad Plus-4 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is a good all-round mower that offers mulching, collecting and side and rear discharge. The only thing the Oleo-Mac doesn’t offer is a striped finish. If you require a striped finish then you need to be looking at our roller driven rotary mowers.

If you’re looking to buy a versatile rotary lawnmower, the Oleo-Mac definitely has some very good benefits. The option of a five-year warranty is also a great plus point.

Specification

Today we are taking a look at our top of the range Stiga out front mower, the Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck Mower. This is a mower that can cut up to 4 to 5 acres with ease and aimed at the professional. The current price of this machine is £9050 which offers a £1329 saving. Just remember that this machine does not come with a cutting deck, there is a choice of mulching decks ranging from 95 cm to 125 cm. The mulching deck prices range from £879-£1449, you can have a basic cutting deck or a pro electric cutter deck.

Over the past week, we have been looking at some of the vast range of Stiga out front mulching mowers. The cheapest Stiga mower is the Stiga Villa 14 HST Out Front Rider, this mower is available for £1960, just remember that you need to also purchase a cutting deck for this machine.

You can see the full range of the Stiga mowers here.

As I have mentioned before in my previous posts I really like the manoeuvrability of the Stiga articulated out front deck mowers. In my view, the articulated steer out front deck mowers is almost most the most manoeuvrable. However, if you want even more manoeuvrability, you can look at our zero-turn range of mowers. The only disadvantage is with the zero turn type of mowers is they are more expensive to purchase than an articulated steer machine.

So, let’s take a look at the Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck mower.

Features

• Fantastic manoeuvrability.
• Power steering.
• Four-wheel-drive.
• Out-front mulching deck.
• No grass to collect.
• Mulching keeps your grass greener for longer.
• Hydrostatic transmission.
• Powerful Briggs & Stratton engine.
• Quick flip technology to give easy access to the cutting deck.
• Hydraulic deck and accessory lift.
• Three-year peace of mind warranty.

As you know I’m someone who likes to keep things simple and efficient. The Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck does exactly this. With the out front mulching deck and the articulated steer, it really makes grass cutting easy and has the added bonus of no grass to collect due to the mulching deck.

Articulated Steering

I have always liked the idea of a lawnmower with an out-front deck, it’s far better to cut your grass before any wheels have run down the grass. Combined with the articulated steering feature the Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck is a highly manoeuvrable professional machine. The articulated steering enables you to literally cut around trees without having to manoeuvre at all.

Traditional lawn tractors can be slightly cumbersome in the garden especially in tight spaces; however, they have improved over the years. The articulated steering and out-front deck solves the manoeuvrability issue and makes your lawn cutting much more pleasurable and easier.

To make life easier Stiga have made the steering wheel and seat adjustable. The steering is power-assisted which makes light work of manoeuvring your lawnmower.

Hydrostatic Transmission

Traditionally ride-on lawnmowers were controlled by a traditional clutch and gearbox. Today the majority of ride-on mowers are powered by a hydrostatic transmission. Some of the cheaper mowers still have the old-fashioned clutch and gearbox. However, I would never recommend anyone to purchase a machine without hydrostatic transmission. They are slightly more expensive to purchase but the benefits are tremendous in terms of manoeuvrability and ease-of-use.

A machine fitted with hydrostatic transmission is a bit like driving a car with an automatic gearbox. On most hydrostatic machines you normally have a foot pedal or hand lever that gives you instant forward and reverse and instant variable speed in both directions.

It really is a great invention which makes mowing the lawn so much more pleasurable. For example, if you come to a thick area of grass you can slow the machine down quickly, no clutch to depress or gears to change. Once you’re through the lush area of grass you can instantly speed up the machine by applying more pressure to the foot pedal, it really is very simple indeed.

Four-Wheel-Drive

The four-wheel-drive always keeps the machine moving. There is no restriction in the turning circle as the articulated steer is different from a traditional four-wheel-drive lawn tractor. If your garden is on a slope or has a tendency to be wet, I would always suggest a four-wheel-drive machine.

Engine

The Stiga Park Pro 740 IOX 4WD Out Front Deck Mower is powered by a powerful Briggs & Stratton 14 kW (18.7 hp) 724 cc four-stroke twin engine. I have used these Briggs & Stratton two-cylinder engines on several machines over the years. They performed well and gave no trouble at all. The great thing about Briggs & Stratton engines is that parts are readily available and sensibly priced.

Mulching Cutting Deck

Traditionally mower cutting decks were designed to throw the grass out the back of the deck or in some cases, the side of the deck. As keeping the grass inside the deck takes power and the idea is to preserve power and get the grass outside the deck. Mulching mowers are the opposite, the idea is to try and keep the grass in the deck for as long as possible to mulch the grass. Mulching deck mowers are also fitted with special blades which assist with the mulching process. It does take a bit more power to mulch but it also saves a lot of time not having to collect grass.

The main advantages of a mulching deck is the fact that there is no grass to collect. This actually speeds up the cutting process considerably as there is no grass collector to empty. Combined with manoeuvrability and no grass collector to empty, in my experience an out-front deck articulated mower is twice as quick than the traditional lawn tractor.

Green Fertiliser

Another added benefit with mulching is the fact that the mulch acts as a green fertiliser keeping your grass greener throughout the year. I have used these mulching mowers in the autumn when the leaves are falling, and they actually make an excellent job of mulching leaves!

The most important thing to remember with a mulching mower is to cut your grass regularly. You cannot leave your grass for three or four weeks in the growing season and expect to have a brilliant mulch. However, if you can cut your grass at least once a week in the growing season your machine will make an excellent job.

Stiga mulching cutting decks have an electric clutch which enables you to engage the cutting deck with a flick of a switch. Always take care when you’re engaging the cutting deck, make sure that the engine is running at tick-over speed. In this way, it puts much less strain on the electric clutch and preserves the life of the clutch. I see far too many people engaging electric clutches while the machine is running flat-out, this is not a good practice!

The majority of Stiga mowers are fitted with flip cutting decks. This enables the deck to be cleaned very easily and the blades to be inspected or even changed or sharpened with ease.

Accessories

Stiga makes a range of accessories for their articulated mowers. Accessories include a fertiliser spreader, flail mower, rotary brush, sweeper and more.

To Conclude

I’m often asked what type of ride on mower do I buy and my normal suggestion for most people is an articulated out-front mulching mower. I really like the manoeuvrability and the simplicity that these machines offer. The fact that there is no grass to empty is a real time saver and at the same time, your lawn is receiving a natural fertiliser.

There’s also the option of a sweeper should you require, however, in most cases, this will not be necessary as these machines mulch exceptionally well.

The machine comes with a three-year peace of mind warranty which is always an added bonus.

Specification

Starting Method: Key
Engine Brand: Briggs and Stratton
Engine Capacity: 724cc
Cylinders: 2
Net Power Output: 14 kW
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 Litre
Drive: 4WD
Transmission: Hydrostatic
Max Speed 0 ﾖ 14km/ph
Axle Diameter: Front 1 inch Rear 1 inch
Wheels: Front 17 inch Rear 17 inch
Articulated Steering: Yes
Power Assisted Steering: Hydro Piston Servo
Steering Link: Chain/Chain
Steering Ball: Yes
Deck Lift: Hydraulic
Deck Size: 95cm, 100cm, 105cm, 110cm, 125cm.
Height of Cut: 25mm 90mm through 10 positions
Electric Cutting Height Adjustment: Yes Requires Electric Deck
Adjustable Seat: Yes
Cruise Control: No
hour Metre, Lights, Adjustable Steering Wheel: Yes
dB: 100
Dimensions: Length 255cm Width 135cm
Weight: 271kg
Lawn Size: 4 to 5 acre
Warranty: 3 Years
Chassis Warranty: 10 Years

Today we are looking at the Stiga Park Pro 340 IX 4WD Out Front Mower a machine aimed for the professional. Yesterday we looked at the Stiga Park 740 PWX 4WD Out Front Deck Lawnmower, which is a great all-round machine.

The Stiga Park Pro 340 IX 4WD Out Front Mower is on sale for £6155 which at the time of writing offers a saving of £1044. Please be aware that not all the Stiga out-front mowers come with a cutter deck. This model has several various cutting decks available, which are around the £1000 mark. Stiga offers a choice of decks for this machine ranging from 95 cm to 125 cm.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I really like the out-front deck mower principle and the articulated steer. The articulated steer machines are one of the most manoeuvrable and versatile machines on the market. I’m a great fan of the zero-turn mowers which are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market, however, they do have a higher price tag. We will look closer at zero turn mowers in a future blog post.

So, let’s take a look at the Stiga Park Pro 340 IX 4WD Out Front Mower.

Features

• One of the most manoeuvrable machines on the market.
• Out front deck.
• Mulching mower.
• No grass to collect.
• Hydrostatic transmission.
• Power-assisted articulated steering.
• Adjustable seat and steering wheel.
• Range of mulching decks.
• Briggs & Stratton 18 hp engine.
• Attachments are available.
• Three-year domestic warranty.

The main advantages of the Stiga out front deck range of mowers is the fact that they are; highly manoeuvrable, there are no grass clippings to collect as these machines mulch the grass. You can literally cut around trees without having to reverse, the turning radius is amazing with these articulated steer machines.

You Can Find More Stiga Out Front Deck Mowers Here

Engine

The Stiga Park Pro 340 IX 4WD Out Front Mower is powered by an 18 hp twin Briggs & Stratton four-stroke petrol engine. These are excellent engines and offer power, economy and smooth running. I have personally owned several machines with an identical engine.

To be fair over the years I have had many machines with Briggs & Stratton engines and the issues I have had have been minimal. The fact that Briggs & Stratton are probably one of the most popular engines available means that there are a great service dealer network and parts are sensibly priced.

Cutting Deck

I have always liked the idea of mulching grass; this is for two reasons. One of the reasons is that the mulched grass acts like green manure or fertiliser, so it keeps your grass looking greener for longer, especially in dry periods. Another reason is the fact that there is no grass to collect as the grass is mulched. Although some of the ride-on machines have large collectors, it still takes time to empty the collection system, particularly if the grass was long.

In my experience, the Stiga mulching mowers cut twice as fast as a traditional lawn tractor. This is due to the fact of the extreme manoeuvrability and mulching ability.

How Does A Mulching Deck Work?

Traditionally cutting decks are either rear discharge or side discharge, in the UK we tend to have more rear discharge machines. To save power a traditional cutting deck needs to discharge the grass quickly to make the most use of engine power.

With a mulching deck, grass clippings are kept in the cutting deck for as long as possible to chop the grass and make it into mulch. A mulching cutting deck does require more power than traditional rear discharge cutting deck.

For effective mulching, you need to try and cut your grass at least once a week in the peak growing season. I have been amazed at how effective these mulching mowers really are, they have come a long way over the past few years. Although you cannot leave your grass for three or four weeks in the peak growing season and expect your grass to mulch efficiently.

Cutting Widths

There are five different cutting decks available for the Stiga Park Pro 340 IX 4WD Out Front Mower. The mulching cutting decks range from 95 cm to 125 cm. Stiga gives you many options with their cutting decks, from electric height adjustment to smaller cutting decks for more confined spaces.

Cutting heights range from between 25 to 90 cm, the heights can be adjusted electronically depending on what type of deck you purchase.

Hydrostatic Drive

Most modern ride-on mowers are fitted with hydrostatic drives rather than the traditional clutch and gearbox. Although a traditional clutch and gearbox are slightly cheaper to buy I would never recommend buying a lawnmower that does not have a hydrostatic drive system.

Hydrostatic drive gives you instant forward and reverse and variable speeds on one-foot pedal or lever. This is such a timesaving invention, it makes cutting your grass so much more pleasurable. Gone are the days when you have to keep selecting a different gear for different conditions. With hydrostatic drive, you just vary the speed instantly depending on the conditions. It’s a bit like driving an automatic car, no gear changing!

Adjustable Seat And Steering Wheel

The Stiga Park Pro 340 IX 4WD Out Front Mower features an adjustable seat and steering wheel for maximum comfort.

To Conclude

I speak to a lot of people about what type of machine to purchase as there are so many machines on the market. A lawn tractor can look very attractive in a photograph with its headlights and bright colours. However, more often than not I will recommend a Stiga out front mulching mower due to the manoeuvrability and mulching abilities. I always like to purchase something that is practical, efficient and reliable.

Stiga also gives a peace of mind three-year warranty on their machines and a 10-year warranty on the chassis.

Specification

Model: Park Pro 340IX
Type: Out front deck
Engine: Briggs & Stratton
Engine Type: Vanguard 18
Cylinders / Output : 2 / 11.9kW
Transmission: Hydrostatic + Reverse
Steering: Articulated
Servo: Hydraulic Servo
Steering Linkage: Chain / Chain
Wheels – Front / Rear : 17 inch
Max Driving Speed (kph) : 10
Seat: High back comfort with armrests
Headlight: Yes
Mower Deck Cutting Width : 95cm – 125cm
Cutting Heights* : 25 – 85mm or 25 – 90mm *(depending on deck size)
Deck Cutting Height Adjustment: 10 positions with electric deck
Deck Lift: Manual
Overall Length: 255 cm
Overall Width : 135cm
Weight : 236kg
Warranty : 3 years domestic, 1-year commercial