Although I probably won't buy a new mower until next year i'm trying to get as much info on the ones i'm looking at as possible. Basically I think i'm down to either the Honda HRX476 or an Etesia Pro 46. I've got a couple questions about both mowers but mainly the Etesia so i'll start with this:
- How much roughly would you expect to pay for a new/ nearly new pro 46
- Can you easily mulch?
- How good is the forward speed of the pro 46? does it have a range of speeds?
- Does the pro 46 have a blade brake?
Ive found quite a bit of info on the Honda HRX476 and I really like the idea of the versa mow system (half collect half mulch). I have also found that it comes with two drive systems either the Hydro static or the hydro static variable speed and i'm wondering which is best?, any advice on either machine much appreciated.
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I have an hrx537 with all the features you mentioned. The blade brake is a great addition and really speeds up cuts on larger lawns and on mine it has a 70l grass bag which holds a good deal.
The versamow as you mentioned is very useful as you can half collect half mulch, my default setting is about 80% collect 20 mulch.
The variable drive can go from barely moving to a a light jog. Mine has never been past about 80% of the top speed as it gets pretty silly above that.
Lastly i love the massive cutting height adjustment range which really helps on longer lawns where my rover is could do with another few notches to go up.
Overall its a great mower but not as good on really course grass especially when damp due to the smaller aperture caused by the versa-mow system. You'll know what i mean if you look in the chute of one.
For prices either check with Dealer for any 'specials' or pop along to Creating Landscapes to see Etesia.
-As a guide Pro start @ £650-£950+vat depending on model
- I believe there is an Oregon aftermarket mulching blade (although we box off or let fly using eject chute option)
- Speed option is between 2.5 to 4mph, infinately variable.
- Engine speed can be 'tweeked' if required (but warranty ?)
- BBC is dependent on model selected
See : http://etesia.fusion-media.eu/etesia/pedestrian-mowers.html
We now have 3 Honda self propelled powered models and 2 older B&S push mowers (called our sh*gging mowers - we use them to go over rough or new areas to test out ground or obstacles ;-)
No experience of the Honda's as we've never selected them, prefering to opt for KAAZ/LAWNFLYTE/SHANKS versions for roller mowers.
Do a forum search on Etesia and you'll find a whole lot more 'user' info ....
My experience of the pro 46 is that it's slow. Maybe I only have a slow model (PBTS) but I wouldn't buy another based on that.
Looking at getting something a bit more capable next season in the small and light category. I have a pro 53 for bigger areas but it's too heavy for certain jobs where the ground is soft or access is over a moonscape of obstacles!
I am going to go for something with a blade brake, perhaps another etesia model or a wheeled honda. I guess I'm just saying I find the pbts too slow but still consider the brand for most types of work.
Dan, is your version a single speed or a variable speed model?
You may remember there is a simple pulley upgrade to single speed Pro's to speed them up/make faster. I guess it all down to how long your legs are / how fast you walk. It most be hard to decide upon an avergae walking speed that will suit everyone ;-))
Put the pulley system on my 46PBTS bought the parts local for less than £10.00. now moves at a walking pace, what I have realised with this machine cut at a slow pace you get a better cut push it along by hand faster than engaging the drive system the cut is not as neat, I often have to go over lawns twice to get a tidy finish.
Great for cutting bankings.
Cuts wet grass.
Does fill the grass box most of the time, only 52 LTS the Honda is 70LTS that's a whopping 36% more less stopping to empty the bag no clutch break on the 46 PBTS easy to start first pull but would rather have a clutch break.
The Honda you are looking at is a high end Honda so you need to compare it with high end Etesia 46 machines not the cheaper models.
We suffered a little with grass box filing, but found that jet washing grass box outside in very regularly helps by keeping air at max and thus best filling capability. In fact we were discussing just that fact at the Etesia stand yesterday at CL Show.
Lawn lover said:
I'm really interested to get a demo on both models, but to be fair the Honda for that money has my vote already.
This year i've picked up a fair amount of mowing work and i've been doing it all with my IZY 18". As i've mentioned in other posts it's out gunned the viking (supposedly commercial range) and the AlKO we bought for around the £600 - £700.
When I say out gunned I mean in every other department apart from forward speed, collection and the option to mulch. Used one of my customers ALKO's with the B&S engine the other day, so heavy, 9 months old, on start up kicking out more smoke than puff the magic dragon!!!!. Honda engine all the way!
Gary RK, good idea for having a "sh%^ing mower" the amount of times i've just sharpened and serviced mowers only to hit a non mowable object!!!!!! well.....
Anyway thanks for all the responses on yet another mower topic, any sites for commercial pedestrian mower reviews yet?
Michael Bates said:
I have a small number of lawns only 12 with total cutting time about 8hrs per week. I run a combination of my honda hrx537 and a rover 18inch.
The honda is faster by a stretch as its a wider but mainly the much bigger bag and blade brake really reduces time. Also with the versamow you can keep it on a few clicks of mulch which further reduces trips to empty.
The rover is considerably cheaper and has swingtip blades so if you hit something nasty they swing out of the way. I bought this after hitting a steel pipe with my honda and needed a new crank-shaft. It also is a reasonably priced back up yet still professional quality mower.
Neal, might be worth repeating the other point we were discussing and that is to have the rear two adjusters, 1 notch higher than the front two adjusters (ie the mower deck is angled slighly down).
Makes a difference as well.
Neal Barker @ Etesia uk said:
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