My garden has plenty of corners, overhead branches, deeper verges etc.
I can get at all these areas easily.
As regards the mulching. If I don’t cut it too tight the residual clippings aren’t an issue. Collecting for me would be a pain as I’ve the guts of a 1/2 of ground.
The front deck is super from a view point of view plus the articulation in the centre of the Lawnmower makes it super manoeuvrable. Plus I’m mowing the grass before driving on it, great cut therefore provided I keep the blades in good order.
Access to the deck to clean it is great.
The hydrostatic drive is excellent.
All round I love it and wouldn’t even contemplate one of those Zero Swing mowers as it would be manoeuvrable on my site.
Service it once a year, been bombproof so far after 4 seasons work.
Highly recommend it. But as I said, don’t be to aggressive on the cut height. I basically cut at the highest setting myself. During high season 2 cuts a week is fine.
( final point - it doesn’t like heavy wet grass but most don’t tbf )
Talked to my lawnmower man today and he said a lot of fellas that bought Husqvarna ride-on’s spent good money on them and there have been things go wrong on them. He says he’s seen a lot of dissatisfied customers and because of the high price point he recommends the much cheaper Castlegarden which in his view are straight forward in comparison and I think he may have used the phrase “bombproof”. He said about €3,500 would get me a good new Castlegarden ride-on suitable to my lawns here. I do know someone with a front deck Husqvarna though that cost north of €5k and he has a bag with it and is delighted with it. And of course you have been lucky with yours with mulching only.
Look up a Kubota G18/G21, they are all second hand at this stage. They are a professional mower and will last forever, no belts all PTO driven and will cut grass that is wringing wet. A collection only mower. Parts will be dear but it won’t break doing your job, the finish from them is superb.
Otherwise do as the man says and buy a generic castlegarden brand new and mind it. Think about changing it after 2/3 years and you won’t have any issues, the cost to change won’t be big. Once you have to change circuit boards, tyres, decks and belts you’re fucked with these mowers. Get a wider deck and that will get rid of most of the track marks.
The consumer level Husqvarna stuff across the board is shit now. I changed over to sthil nearly 10 years ago for the handheld stuff plus my saws and they are excellent for the same money.
I bought a new Alko Solo ride on last year , happy with it, good at cutting damp grass. Was going to buy a Husky but the lad that services my mower but me off it. Paid 2800 for it last year now gone up to 3100 now.
Clueless about mechanical stuff in general so here goes.
Battery has given up the ghost on my 12 year old Castelgarden ride on.
So I need a 12 volt battery.
There are 12 volt batteries costing €25 to €35 on Screwfix but I see ones online costing €55 and upwards on other sites. What should I be looking for? Any advice appreciated.
Ride on batteries vary… older ones are typically 6V… I’ve a Honda from 2’17 and she’s 6V… if yours is 12 year old and 12V fair enough…
You don’t need a hape of starting current, and the charge/discharge time will be low so a battery charger/conditioner (essentially a trickle charger) is a good investment for the winter.
You get what you pay for, I’d say 40 or 50 notes would get you a fine battery, any reputable mower dealer will have one for you.
Just match the Ah rating and you’re up and away.
Careful hooking it in, tis tight in there with a spanner in your paw. I’d tie in the + first.
