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  Neal Barker @ Etesia uk September 2, 2013 at 8:48pm

  Hi Andrew

  when going for your first rid on mower you need to know exactly what you want from the machine first then start to look at what machines you can get for your money, try not to go for one thing as well as there are Meany machines including our etesia range which can be multi use

  also never go for a cheap machine because of that reason alone, what you save on the cost of the machine is eaten up in months on just basic things to keep it running then big down time trying to source parts as there may not be main dealers etc.

  do your homework on the brand and machine, nothing and no one is perfect but you will get a good idea on what to expect from the machine and know where to go if something goes wrong.

  we do a wide range of machines which cover what you need and if you around saltex this week you could always pop onto our dealers stand RT Machinery where I will be as well if you wanted a chat
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  Dan Frazer Gardening September 2, 2013 at 9:11pm

  I don't think 4k would get you a suitable commercial grade machine unless you are buying used.
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  paul mcdermott September 2, 2013 at 9:21pm

  Andrew if you type which ride on in at the search section ,top right on the forum page,there is loads of info on this subject. Personally after last year(constant rain unable to mulch)Id go for a machine that has the option to pick up or mulch,happy hunting
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  Peter Davis September 7, 2013 at 1:52pm

  I love Etesias but wek haven't forgiven their MD for saying, at Saltex, that Britain wasn't big enough to justify a roller mower ;-)
  
  The problem is that, unless you are doing a lot of work, the likes of Etesia, Kubota etc are just too expensive.
  
  Personally I wouldn't mulch - even if you paid me. The key to assessing a machine is to remove the grass box & see how far the cut grass has to travel. Any tunnel or shute will block especially if the grass is wet. And unblocking them, especially on Hondas, is a pain.
  
  I would go to Saltex & look at every option. Avoid anything with a side shute. The ability to collect wet grass is more important than make or engine. Virtually all mowers are rebadged clones.
  
  Many years ago an MTD Yardman appeared that was, in many ways an Etesia copy (did Etesia kill it?). It even had a vee twin & hydro drive.
  
  Here in very wet Ireland the contractors like Castelgarden ride ons.
  
  You might be able to twist Mr Etesia's arm & get ( Bahia - it will be more than 4k.
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  Ross Stuart Mckinlay September 8, 2013 at 9:46pm

  Hi Andrew

  I use a countax with a 48inch mulching deck in conjunction with a grass collector. It has a 18hp honda twin engine
  I do about 75 to 100hrs cutting per season and i would expect to keep the mower for 4-5yrs.

  Where the countax/westwwod scores is that you can isolate the collection.If the grass isn't too long you can mulch. If its a little bit too long you can collect and mulch which reduces the amount you collect enormously.The collector sweeps the grass up, you can adjust the height and turn it on and of separately from the cutting deck,it never blocks.I believe the new decks cut/collect and mulch.If you mulch and collect the excess you have to go clockwise as the excess is discharged on the righthand side of the deck so you collect it next time round if you see what i mean?

  I guess the down side of these machines is that they are not as tough as a kubota/Iseki but they are cheaper and reasonably robust if you look after them.I do all the mowing on my machine so can look after it.They are also quieter and lighter.Servicing is about £300 a year

  Mulching is great if your the one deciding the frequency of cuts so typically in the dry east its every week ten days peak season and fortnightly if its not growing to much.I find being able to control the collection can reduce the amount of grass you take away by up to 75% so you don't have loads of waste to deal with but still get a really good finish.

  Hope that helps?

  Ross
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  Andrew Baker September 8, 2013 at 10:07pm

  Hi Ross,

  Thanks for that information, very interesting and just the kind of information I have been looking for.

  I am as yet undecided on whether to go for a full commercial spec machine as I envisage letting a sympathetic driver loose on whatever I buy (or myself) so maybe I can compromise a little on spec, we shall see.

  I too live in the dry east and also envisaged about 75 hours use per season.

  The machine I have been looking at today is a Etesia Hydro 80 which you can buy in LPG form. Seems a good commercial starter ride on.
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  Ross Stuart Mckinlay September 9, 2013 at 9:40am

  They look like well built machines and are apparently very good in the wet but to my mind the deck is just to small for the amount you pay.I think they are designed to fit through gates. I had a 36" Westwood before and the difference between that and the 48" machine i now have is incredible, i get through lawns much quicker now and earn more per day as a result!For the size of lawns you are talking about i think you may need a bigger cut?

  The south east isn't so dry today!