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I tried exactly this when most of my contracts were smaller lawns. Of course, the next new jobs I got were all huge!
It depends more on the mower: a fast 19" will be quicker than a slow 21", good collection makes a difference to speed, how big is the box.
I went from 21" Kaaz to a 19" Hayter. I'd say it was faster on smaller sites, mainly as the Kaaz was so heavy and the handles are so long. Trouble is the Hayter wasn't any faster in a straight line, and the wet collection wasn't as good.
I went back to 21" Kaaz after a season, but added a cheap used Etesia to the fleet (of one, lol). For the really small ones it's fine.
I now use a lighter 21" roller mower, and carry a matching 4-wheeled. It definitely saves time/effort to have a lighter machine, and it's so much easier on the roller mower if it's not used on rough ground or longer grass.
Honda Pro is 58kg, my roller is 42kg and the 4-wheeled 36kg. Makes a big difference when turning them, or loading in to a van! Cost-wise the two add up to the price of a Honda Pro, but they aren't as solid. That said, only one cable failed over this long season, between two machines.
Honda Pro is 3.6kph speed, my roller machine is 4.5kph. That does make a difference.
Which lighter roller is it you're using? I fancy the Honda 476 one, 42kg etc, but can't find how it's drive speed compares to my danarm 21" pro roller (which has just had a £300 quote for roller and shaft replacement...not going to fix it this time as it's ancient!)
Was it the higher end Mountfields you got? I remember someone mentioning buying a 4 wheel and roller SP555's as the price was less and they didn't look too bad.
Yep. The 555 roller and wheeled versions.
To be honest I was expecting more parts to be shared, so I could do repairs/part swaps on site. In fact, the machines are 90% different aside from the front wheels and engine, so it's a false economy.
I'd still say the best set-up for a one man operation is two mowers. Having a back-up mower on the van saves a lot of time if you have a breakage, and using a cheaper wheeled mower saves the expensive of damaging the roller machine on poor sites.
I had the Honda pro copies like Kaaz and Lawnflight for 15 years or more. I think you instinctively know if you need that level of machine, in which case buy one and factor in perhaps £400 per year to replace the roller and gearbox? Still a cheap option as they are so reliable.
I'd buy a Kubota version of the Honda tomorrow. They have the newer gearbox, and they aren't that much more than the obsolete versions like the Cobra. Fact is, they are too unweildy to use on smaller sites as they are so long and heavy, so I'm resigned to using non-pro 21" machines, and throwing them away when they break.
I was just considering this issue today as the 3 tonne honda-pro chewed up each end of the lawn when turning. It was great moving to 21 inch about 2 years ago and I'm not sure I'd go back to a 19 but its tempting.
My current solution for banked lawns, stepped access, fiddly lawns and the like is to throw my very second hand (I wouldn't pay good money for one) Hayter Harrier 41 in the van. Its honestly bliss on a sloping lawn.
I have the Honda 476 QX, 19" Roller mower. I got mine for just over £800 from a local dealer which was important to me.
It starts 1st time, is frugal on fuel. Loads into my Fiat Doblo, even with the handle extended.
The bag catcher is big and easily cuts any lawn that I do with it being emptied once, maybe twice on some of the lawn I do.
The only downside I would say is on smaller lawns the turning circle is not great , due to the long handles, and so takes some effort to maintain a straight stripe.
I have run 21" self propelled mowers previously and would say that the 19" is easier to load into the vehicle even though it 42 kgs.
The spares for Honda are easy to get, i do all my own servicing and repair work outside of the warranty period.
Hope this helps.
Yup it is between that and the 21 pro, just wondering about drive speed of the 19" honda vs the honda/kaaz pro 21 really. Weight into the van isn't an issue as I always use ramps.
Pros of the smaller machine that I can see are: weight, cost, DIY serviceability of the roller(?), easier to use, single height adjust lever.
Pros of the pro spec 21": tougher build, faster cutting?
Questions: How do the drive speeds vary between the two? I've no idea. May try and get into somewhere that has them both in to see.