Hayter Pro 56

I was helping a friend out this summer and he runs to Hayter 56 mowers, they do seem to run a bit slow for commercial use, that we have opened the governers up slightly on the Briggs & Stratton engine, which has helped.

I have always found Hayter mowers to be very reliable and their spare parts are priced reasonably and they leave a good striped finish, however, I do find it rather amazing that in all the years that Hayter have been making mowers, the Harriers struggle to collect even slightly damp grass very efficiently. I know the collection bags need to be kept clean to keep the air flowing through, I just feel these machines should collect more efficiently.

I have also been using a Honda HRB 476 and although a very awkward mower to use (complicated handle bar arrangement), I found the collection system far better than the Harrier. I have heard of people putting a second blade on the machine to create more air flow, although this is probably not possible with machines fitted with a blade clutch.

Anyway, I hope this helps!

Interestingly enough i use older type (full width rear discharge and side drive engines) Hayter 48's and 56's as daily mowers. I have barely had any issues with grass collection, however I do run non original blades. These differ from the original Hayter blades in that they have a larger 'wing tip'.

I have also had the revs speeded up slightly on all three mowers.

A customer of mine has a newer type 48 that I use as it is easier than getting my mower into his rear garden, this is one of the 'half width' discharge models - I find in quite annoying as the (rather small) box never seems to fill properly and I end up cutting twice as it drops bits...

I think I will continue running my albeit slightly older models for a few years yet - I keep buying up low hours, privately used machines when I see them. At approx £1000 + for a new model mower, which are in my opinion not so good, i think I will stick with the bullet proof older ones!

Replies

Alasdair @ TheGardenService Ltd November 2, 2011 at 10:51pm

We've been running the 48pros this year. The wet collection isn't great but acceptable - the housing is much lower than earlier models - and the fixed speed is slow. We increase the speed slightly on ours but they still arent a patch on the honda HRH pro roller's for speed (expensive and heavy, but quick and indispensible in my opinion). Will probably still buy new pro 48s next year though as Ive not found anything any better as yet in the 19" roller bracket.
Alasdair @ TheGardenService Ltd November 2, 2011 at 10:51pm

What did you try that you found unreliable?
Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 3, 2011 at 1:01am

Pro 48 is a great replacement for the 48 autocut for me . stiffer , bumper , more power and better deck & grass box.......... i have many mowers for different circumstances but Hayter suits me on private gardens and small commercials hands down ........ best sale value to again. 'with stripes' is a winner every time :)
Roy Robbins November 3, 2011 at 12:59pm

I better not say. I mentioned the make in a reply to another thread and the discussion was closed ! Maybe the discussion was closed for another reason – I don’t know - but my comments about the importers poor after sales service and non availability of basic spare parts were polite, factual and fair comment.

Alasdair @ TheGardenService Ltd said:

What did you try that you found unreliable?
Roy Bretton November 3, 2011 at 2:33pm

I was helping a friend out this summer and he runs to Hayter 56 mowers, they do seem to run a bit slow for commercial use, that we have opened the governers up slightly on the Briggs & Stratton engine, which has helped.

I have always found Hayter mowers to be very reliable and their spare parts are priced reasonably and they leave a good striped finish, however, I do find it rather amazing that in all the years that Hayter have been making mowers, the Harriers struggle to collect even slightly damp grass very efficiently. I know the collection bags need to be kept clean to keep the air flowing through, I just feel these machines should collect more efficiently.

I have also been using a Honda HRB 476 and although a very awkward mower to use (complicated handle bar arrangement), I found the collection system far better than the Harrier. I have heard of people putting a second blade on the machine to create more air flow, although this is probably not possible with machines fitted with a blade clutch.

Anyway, I hope this helps!
Adam Pilgrim November 7, 2011 at 4:14pm

Interestingly enough i use older type (full width rear discharge and side drive engines) Hayter 48's and 56's as daily mowers. I have barely had any issues with grass collection, however I do run non original blades. These differ from the original Hayter blades in that they have a larger 'wing tip'.

I have also had the revs speeded up slightly on all three mowers.

A customer of mine has a newer type 48 that I use as it is easier than getting my mower into his rear garden, this is one of the 'half width' discharge models - I find in quite annoying as the (rather small) box never seems to fill properly and I end up cutting twice as it drops bits...

I think I will continue running my albeit slightly older models for a few years yet - I keep buying up low hours, privately used machines when I see them. At approx £1000 + for a new model mower, which are in my opinion not so good, i think I will stick with the bullet proof older ones!