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Petrol lawnmower.

seth plumseth plum
in Not Sports Related
My corded lawnmower has conked out and I see Aldi are now selling a petrol mower that is decently reviewed on Which for a reasonable price.
I have never owned a petrol mower before, and am curious about getting the fuel, filling it up and if it can be left with fuel in it over the winter. I don't know how much one ought to get anyway, if it needs specialist containers or whatever. I also don't know about 'mpg' or if one jerry can (?) of something like 5 litres (?) will last the summer. My 'lawn' is small probably only about 60 square meters.
Anybody have a petrol mower who can give out any tips or do's and don't's?
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Comments

  • BolderhumphreyreidBolderhumphreyreid
    edited March 2020
    Now we’re talking!

    I’ve had a petrol mower for years, just a Homebase own brand which was actually excellent, but last summer I wanted the stripes. The stripes come from the roller at the back by the way. 

    I did a lot of research and if you’ve got the dough then you can’t go wrong but just make sure it’s got a Briggs & Stratton motor.

    I settled on a mid priced one called Webb WERR17SP (from memory). I actually bought it on eBay from a garden centre. It was about £40 cheaper as the box was damaged although it had never left the box!

    Enjoy.

    To answer your questions:

    - Yes I leave the fuel in all winter although it’s frowned upon by the enthusiasts.
    - One Jerry can will probably last half a summer.
  • newyorkaddicknewyorkaddick
    As another alternative, I have a battery powered (Bosch) mower which does an excellent job in a small garden with no fears about cutting the wire.
  • TalalTalal
    Consider a battery powered one, obviously then you won't need to worry about filling up or the other points you've mentioned. 
  • ValiantphilValiantphil
    You can get a plastic 5 litre can from most garages and this amount will probably last all summer.
    Yes you can leave the fuel in it (but the fuel does deteriorate - so try not to leave too much in for long periods)

    It is simple to refuel the mower, and I just refill the can (unleaded) and stick it in the boot of my car when I need to.
  • seth plumseth plum
    BR3red said:
    Well @seth plumin this climate with all the shite going around, I applaud you for the most random post of the year 🤣

    ps. I haven’t got a clue!!!
    The garden might be the only thing to get on with when self-isolating!
  • BR3redBR3red
    Ok, got to say this has my interest as it takes me away from “other news”.

    So, is there really such a thing a mph for a lawnmower?? 😳
  • HardyAddickHardyAddick
    I would not buy a Qualcast petrol mower again
  • cafcfancafcfan
    Yes, 5 litres can be plastic but 10 litres must be metal.  Can't remember the figures but there's a fairly low maximum you are allowed to store at home. (30 litres?)   I use a 5 litre and try to run down the petrol before the winter season as it does go stale.  The potentially tricky bit with a petrol mower is service.  Are you happy about flushing the old engine oil and refilling?  I stick mine on a workmate while I'm doing it.  

    Otherwise, really it's just cleaning the air filter and maybe cleaning re-setting the spark plug every now and again.
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  • IdleHansIdleHans
    Your lawn might be a bit on the small side for a petrol mower, but no reason you shouldn't use one. 
    They're easy to service yourself if you can use a screwdriver and a spark plug spanner. 
    Mine's a Briggs and Stratton 4hp which lives outside all year under a loose cover, and starts pretty reliably despite being old. It was £25 off eBay, and has been fine ever since I changed the throttle springs (the bloke selling it had no idea what was wrong, the springs cost me £1.50). 
    I wouldn't worry about the fuel - the tanks hold so little anyway you can drain it at the end of the season and refill with fresh the next year. Make sure you check the oil regularly too.
  • cafcfancafcfan
    edited March 2020
    Oh, if you are a knackered old git like me, get a self-propelled jobbie.  Without that, the engine makes the whole thing a bit weighty to push around.
  • i_b_b_o_r_gi_b_b_o_r_g
    Keep my petrol push along mower, chainsaws, strimmer and ride on mower in the workshop, which is dry but can get bloody cold and they all start without too much hassle every year (due to be using them any time now, as soon as we get a couple of dry days). As long as it gets the recommended services and kept out of the elements, it should be okay
  • cazocazo
    seth plum said:
    My corded lawnmower has conked out and I see Aldi are now selling a petrol mower that is decently reviewed on Which for a reasonable price.
    I have never owned a petrol mower before, and am curious about getting the fuel, filling it up and if it can be left with fuel in it over the winter. I don't know how much one ought to get anyway, if it needs specialist containers or whatever. I also don't know about 'mpg' or if one jerry can (?) of something like 5 litres (?) will last the summer. My 'lawn' is small probably only about 60 square meters.
    Anybody have a petrol mower who can give out any tips or do's and don't's?

  • cazocazo
    Type your icomment
  • cazocazo
    Best one out there toolstasion 
  • Dazzler21Dazzler21
    edited March 2020
    Got a sterling push along petrol, summer before last, relatively cheap £120, think it'll do another 1-2 summers as at that price not really built to last, despite being kept in a shed etc...
  • AddicktedAddickted
    I buy a cheap petrol lawnmower every 4/5 years. Never paid more than £100 for them and after 5 years of fortnightly use, you either get them serviced and cleaned/sharpened for £200 or buy a new one.

    Greta Thunberg would love me.
  • cazocazo
    Einhell german built day no more
  • cazocazo
    Say 😂
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  • The Prince-e-PaulThe Prince-e-Paul
    Have had a Suffolk Punch petrol mower for years. Bought for £25 on eBay. It's left in the garden all year round. Only service bits I've had to do are spark plug and a belt. 
  • Hal1xHal1x
    HardyAddick said:
    I would not buy a Qualcast petrol mower again
    No need, seems like you've already got one!
  • HardyAddickHardyAddick
    Hal1x said:
    HardyAddick said:
    I would not buy a Qualcast petrol mower again
    No need, seems like you've already got one!
    Motor seized. They used to be good but now just cheap far East machines with sticker put on. Mine lasted 18 months and that was a replacement one replaced under warranty. Now gone for scrap. New one cost me £475. German make. Lasted 5 years and still going strong. My commercial gardener says it's the best one he has ever used. 
  • Rob7LeeRob7Lee
    I've a hayter harrier petrol mower with rear roller, do get a self propelled one, you'll regret it if you don't. Had mine for over 10 years, couple fo spark plugs and oil change is all it's needed. Yes it was relatively expensive (about £450 from memory) but it'll go on and on with a Briggs & Stratton engine.
  • JohnBoyUKJohnBoyUK
    edited March 2020
    +1 for Briggs and Stratton.  Excellent machines and good value for money.

    I personally now drain my fuel tank after I've done my last cut of the year and then refill with fresh fuel for the first cut of the year (which happened to be beginning of last week!)
    I was told to do that by http://www.paceymowers.co.uk/, just round the corner from me in Petts Wood after they changed my filter for me.  Have got a syringe that fits the tank to extract as much as I can.

    Mower starts first time, every time.

    My top lawn tips.  Buy a scarifier.  Use it every time the lawn hasn't had a cut for a long while.  It will remove the moss, weeds and dead grass and it will ensure the blades of grass are upright before cutting.  Especially important if you let your kids out on it during the winter.  Keep them off of it god damn it!

    Then most importantly, don't cut the lawn too short too quickly.  If you do that, it will go into shock.  So set your mower on the highest setting, mow, give it 24hrs and then lower the mower to the next setting down and mow again.  Time consuming but it will put you in the direction of the perfect lawn.

    And dont put the sun beds/deckchairs on it until the earth underneath is dry otherwise you'll end up with dents.

    One question I've got, where does everyone get rid of their old fuel?
    I've got a 2 litre bottle of old fuel in my garden from the last 3 summers and dont really know what I should be doing with it tbh.
    And no, I'm not sticking it on the BBQ :)


  • AddicktedAddickted
    NSFW























  • Rob7LeeRob7Lee
    JohnBoyUK said:
    +1 for Briggs and Stratton.  Excellent machines and good value for money.

    I personally now drain my fuel tank after I've done my last cut of the year and then refill with fresh fuel for the first cut of the year (which happened to be beginning of last week!)
    I was told to do that by http://www.paceymowers.co.uk/, just round the corner from me in Petts Wood after they changed my filter for me.  Have got a syringe that fits the tank to extract as much as I can.

    Mower starts first time, every time.

    My top lawn tips.  Buy a scarifier.  Use it every time the lawn hasn't had a cut for a long while.  It will remove the moss, weeds and dead grass and it will ensure the blades of grass are upright before cutting.  Especially important if you let your kids out on it during the winter.  Keep them off of it god damn it!

    Then most importantly, don't cut the lawn too short too quickly.  If you do that, it will go into shock.  So set your mower on the highest setting, mow, give it 24hrs and then lower the mower to the next setting down and mow again.  Time consuming but it will put you in the direction of the perfect lawn.

    And dont put the sun beds/deckchairs on it until the earth underneath is dry otherwise you'll end up with dents.

    One question I've got, where does everyone get rid of their old fuel?
    I've got a 2 litre bottle of old fuel in my garden from the last 3 summers and dont really know what I should be doing with it tbh.
    And no, I'm not sticking it on the BBQ :)


    I used to drain mine also and just put it in the car! Or you can get an additive that supposedly keeps it ok. I try to run it down so there is next to nothing left after the last cut.
  • robinofottershawrobinofottershaw
    We ended up buying a G-Tech battery powered lawnmower. Battery seems to last for about 45 minutes which was fine for us. Wanted a cord-free mower and didn't want to fath around with petrol, replacing spark plugs etc.
  • SE10AddickSE10Addick
    Rob7Lee said:
    JohnBoyUK said:
    +1 for Briggs and Stratton.  Excellent machines and good value for money.

    I personally now drain my fuel tank after I've done my last cut of the year and then refill with fresh fuel for the first cut of the year (which happened to be beginning of last week!)
    I was told to do that by http://www.paceymowers.co.uk/, just round the corner from me in Petts Wood after they changed my filter for me.  Have got a syringe that fits the tank to extract as much as I can.

    Mower starts first time, every time.

    My top lawn tips.  Buy a scarifier.  Use it every time the lawn hasn't had a cut for a long while.  It will remove the moss, weeds and dead grass and it will ensure the blades of grass are upright before cutting.  Especially important if you let your kids out on it during the winter.  Keep them off of it god damn it!

    Then most importantly, don't cut the lawn too short too quickly.  If you do that, it will go into shock.  So set your mower on the highest setting, mow, give it 24hrs and then lower the mower to the next setting down and mow again.  Time consuming but it will put you in the direction of the perfect lawn.

    And dont put the sun beds/deckchairs on it until the earth underneath is dry otherwise you'll end up with dents.

    One question I've got, where does everyone get rid of their old fuel?
    I've got a 2 litre bottle of old fuel in my garden from the last 3 summers and dont really know what I should be doing with it tbh.
    And no, I'm not sticking it on the BBQ :)


    I used to drain mine also and just put it in the car! Or you can get an additive that supposedly keeps it ok. I try to run it down so there is next to nothing left after the last cut.
    Just mix small amounts in with some new fuel - it'll be fine unless it has particles in it.
  • i_b_b_o_r_gi_b_b_o_r_g
    I think Briggs and Stratton make the engines for the majority of petrol mowers tbh
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