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  Colin Hunt February 15, 2013 at 8:12am

  I depends on the hours and type of use the mowers have had of course. If you can manage with one mower, then I would think that a new one would be the answer, keep one for a spare and get what you can for the other.

  We buy a new something or other nearly every year(roller or mulcher) and move the oldest(after 4 or 5 years) as a working spare, so that no matter what happens, we always have cover or something for a rough bit of ground.......that's how I seem to have a 'collection' now and you still cant beat our 20year old Hayterette on wet grass though!
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  Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance February 15, 2013 at 8:20am

  Can't be the old hayters!
  Well both have been well used in commercial sites over their 4/5 yr lives. But extremely well looked after and serviced.
  I just think that it maybe more financially viable to buy a new one rather than keep servicing old.
  We run a variety of mowers and now days these mowers don't get used full time, so I suppose technically these are spares anyway.
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  David Cox February 15, 2013 at 8:53am

  I would personally replace one - with the same model, and scavenge the worst of the two for spares for the other one / new one. Then in 2 years do the same - start a rolling replacement programme, so your never replacing everything all at once....

  I personally try to keep machines the same so parts are interchangeable - EG I now have 2 spare clean carbs for my Pro46- Spare wheels etc... which means repairs are quicker and have less financial surprise!
• PRO

  Gary RK February 15, 2013 at 9:14am

  Would generally agree - having a rolling replacement plan founded by accruing money during past 'n' years works well.

  Keeping loyal to the same make (if it makes sense) is a good practice for the reasons David & Colin mentioned above.

  What "n" years is depends totally on your type of mower/work/care/servicing and the big unknown factor 'Staff' (ab)use :-).

  For us it's a move to Danarm/lawnflyte & Etesia's. The only Hayter's we have are old models that we keep scavenging spares for...
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  Colin Hunt February 15, 2013 at 10:15am

  I need to get a new roller rotary before the end of the March to replace either our hayter 48 or 56. Would have no hesitation in replacing with same, but our mechanic has warned me against the build quality of the new Hayters.
  We already run a Lawnflite(honda), which is OK for larger 'easy cuts', but too long and heavy for smaller gardens.
  Suggestions Gary, bearing in mind we are 'stripey people'?
  
  GaryRK said:

  Would generally agree - having a rolling replacement plan founded by accruing money during past 'n' years works well.

  Keeping loyal to the same make (if it makes sense) is a good practice for the reasons David & Colin mentioned above.

  What "n" years is depends totally on your type of mower/work/care/servicing and the big unknown factor 'Staff' (ab)use :-).

  For us it's a move to Danarm/lawnflyte & Etesia's. The only Hayter's we have are old models that we keep scavenging spares for...
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  Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance February 15, 2013 at 10:33am

  What about the smaller version of the lawnflite Colin? Smaller and lighter.
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  Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance February 15, 2013 at 10:34am

  Just popped in to our local supplier who has agreed with most on here to buy a new one. And try and sell one or both the others on eBay. With a good service these should be good for another couple of years so I think I will do this.
• PRO

  Gary RK February 15, 2013 at 10:56am

  We took delivery of one of the new 19" Danarn Roller (kawasaki engined) before Xmas to replace an old Hayter in readiness for the this year's season. We needed a small roller for a specific set of jobs, otherwise we use their 21" Pro models and are really pleased. They work for us.

  It's not been used yet in anger. Engine & noise seems good.

  Will report back in due course.
  Colin Hunt said:

  I need to get a new roller rotary before the end of the March to replace either our hayter 48 or 56. Would have no hesitation in replacing with same, but our mechanic has warned me against the build quality of the new Hayters.
  We already run a Lawnflite(honda), which is OK for larger 'easy cuts', but too long and heavy for smaller gardens.
  Suggestions Gary, bearing in mind we are 'stripey people'?
  
  GaryRK said:

  Would generally agree - having a rolling replacement plan founded by accruing money during past 'n' years works well.

  Keeping loyal to the same make (if it makes sense) is a good practice for the reasons David & Colin mentioned above.

  What "n" years is depends totally on your type of mower/work/care/servicing and the big unknown factor 'Staff' (ab)use :-).

  For us it's a move to Danarm/lawnflyte & Etesia's. The only Hayter's we have are old models that we keep scavenging spares for...
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  Colin Hunt February 15, 2013 at 5:26pm

  Agree, the basics can be done by (almost!) anyone with a bit of gumption. We usually wait for a particular horrible day(been plenty so far), give them a good clean-up, scrape, blade sharpen, a good blast of WD40, check filters/oil/cables etc and fire them up for 15 mins each.
  
  Rowly Hill said:

  Hi Steve,

  Just picking out these comments for debate.
  
  "We usually have all tools serviced by our dealership each year and everytime the mowers are serviced, they come back like a new machine.

  But each mower is 4-5 years old now and I estimate each mower will be £250 to service."

  In recent conversations with a few folk I was very surprised to learn how many of them did not complete any aspect of servicing themselves - even the basics.

  I wonder how many might consider reducing their servicing costs by taking on some of these tasks ( especially winter maintenance/ pre season jobs when if you " go wrong" you've got time to get the dealer to sort out the problem).

  I've tried to wean myself away from dealers, particularly "in season", as I need the machines up and running asap. Being told " it'll be a week" is no good to me.

  We are now carrying basic stock for all machines - plugs, filters, blades and other consumables.

  I realise not everyone is a mechanic but utilising your labour particularly out of season rather than paying for somebody else's has to be worthy of consideration.
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  Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance February 16, 2013 at 8:00am

  Hi rowly
  We have a routine of doing the basics of servicing on mowers- blades every few weeks- spark plugs- tweak of cables- wd40 sprayed everywhere etc etc. but with our mowers- lawnflite, they tend to suffer a bit with the gear box so we always have these worked on by professionals.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Rowly Hill said:

  Hi Steve,

  Just picking out these comments for debate.
  
  "We usually have all tools serviced by our dealership each year and everytime the mowers are serviced, they come back like a new machine.

  But each mower is 4-5 years old now and I estimate each mower will be £250 to service."

  In recent conversations with a few folk I was very surprised to learn how many of them did not complete any aspect of servicing themselves - even the basics.

  I wonder how many might consider reducing their servicing costs by taking on some of these tasks ( especially winter maintenance/ pre season jobs when if you " go wrong" you've got time to get the dealer to sort out the problem).

  I've tried to wean myself away from dealers, particularly "in season", as I need the machines up and running asap. Being told " it'll be a week" is no good to me.

  We are now carrying basic stock for all machines - plugs, filters, blades and other consumables.

  I realise not everyone is a mechanic but utilising your labour particularly out of season rather than paying for somebody else's has to be worthy of consideration.