Lawn Mower Size and Suggestions?

Hi, I have set up a gardening business in late July of this year and have a mix of client's with different sized lawns. The sizes consist of small to large. I have been looking at buying a mower with a roller for my medium to large-sized lawns. However, im not sure which size to go for? Currently, I have used a clients Viking mower for their large lawn, but they are selling up and I will be taking on the same property with different client's. I need to buy a new mower, I liked the Viking because it cut well, especially in wet conditions. I have been looking at the Hayter pro 48, but read these are rubbish in the wet.

Could I get away with using a larger mower on a smaller lawn? I don't want to buy two mowers at the moment due to storage.

I have been looking at this https://m.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Lawn-mowers/Lawn-mowers-for-domestic-use/Petrol-lawn-mowers/For-small-to-medium-sized-lawns/292505-95623/RM-545-VR-Petrol-Lawn-Mower.aspx

However, it only has a 43inch cut. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Replies

PRO

Dave Colton December 24, 2021 at 5:47pm

My personal preference would be at least a 19" or a 21" unless you charge for time then the smaller cut works in you favour. A rear box gives much more air flow than a bag so aids wet pick up but a bag takes up less room in the van.
- Adam Robinson > Dave Colton December 24, 2021 at 9:42pm
  
  Cheers Dave, most appreciated. Any suggestions on brand and model?
Paul Baillie December 24, 2021 at 10:51pm

Don't know what vehicle you're running but,

mines a MWB Sprinter and during the summer I'll generally have both my Honda Izy 17" for throwing around small lawns and my 19" roller HRX sat side by side in the rear.
Mjc December 25, 2021 at 7:44am

Hi, I haven't used Stihl or Viking myself but in the past when I could only afford one mower I had honda izys 19 or 21" Good machines that won't let you down.
PRO

Busy Bee Garden Services Limited December 25, 2021 at 8:13am

I bought a Stihl rear roller mower to see if better than our normal choice of Honda pro, I'd not buy another... the cutter engagement keeps coming off and way too slow for us. Great for collecting...

based on my experience I'd recommend Honda pro 21 inch, Etesia which is a 4 wheeler and I’d recommend for poor access area or steps Stihl 4 wheeled battery mowers or ego..
- Glen Stillman > Busy Bee Garden Services Limited December 29, 2021 at 10:04pm
  
  Have you thought about getting the stihl tuned up, it makes a. massive difference to the speed. I was a bit disappointed until I had it tuned up, it's like a different mower.
  - PRO
    
    Busy Bee Garden Services Limited > Glen Stillman December 30, 2021 at 5:15am
    
    I'll have a look at that, the Hondas usually need a tune up! Cheers...
Rob Davies December 25, 2021 at 11:27am

Hi Adam

I started out myself last year, and have ended up with a Harter 41 Pro and a Honda 426HRX, both superb in wet or dry but I did have to have the engine speed on the Hayter turned up under warranty to aid pick up in wet weather (its like a new mower now! ). Both fairly light and quite quick as well. Hope this helps......

Best wishes

Rob
- Adam Robinson > Rob Davies December 25, 2021 at 3:34pm
  
  Cheers for all the advice
Sam Bainbridge December 25, 2021 at 5:17pm

I'm on the weibant pro BBC 19inch rear roller it's been turned up and collects great in wet and dry I use this on every garden some 1 acre lawns some 6ft square plus it has a 5yr warranty I got it last spring and no issues yet. I also have a etesia pro51k by far the best in wet but at a premium £2000 back in 2013 having said that it still runs the same as the day I got it and so far no repairs at all so looking at it that way it's a cheap mower so if you can afford 1 get 1