What lawnmower to buy???

Hello guys and gals,I purchased a lawnflite-pro 553hws pro about two years ago I like the over all build quality of this mower but I have had one gear box replaced under warrenty and now having a second gearbox reconditioned as it failed again just as the season started, I have waited 4 weeks for the parts to fix it which is ridiculous imo but anyway realised I need to have a second back up mower.I have also found the weight of the mower leaves ruts in the lawn over time with the 4 wheeled version so would like to go for a rear roller.Key features I would like:- 21" or more- rear roller- variable speed or at least high/low- blade brake- robust and easily available partsI don't really wanna spend over £1100, will be using this on main lawns and leaving the ruff stuff for the 4 wheeled one hoping to share the load abit.

Comments

PRO

Adam @ SLGC May 17, 2015 at 3:00pm

I'll stick my neck out here and say something..... as a mechanic in a previous trade and running a Lawnflite Pro myself - there is no reason for premature drive failure PROVIDED THAT the drive cable is kept properly adjusted and the machine is given a gentle push when setting off.

The dog clutch mechanism inside the gearbox is actually quite robust when you look at it as a piece of mechanism, but it the cable is not kept correctly adjusted and the 'dogs' are allowed jump or slip, it will wear out.

There was an issue with some of the early gearboxes where the drive pinion was incorrectly shimmed relative to the sprocket, for which there is a modification kit available. I had this issue and the pinion broke up due to only meshing on the very edges.

Four weeks for parts is excessive given the prevalence of the model in the market - was this through a dealer?

Personally I have not seen (or know of) a twin speed pro roller mower - although happy to be corrected on this.
Ryan paul carr May 17, 2015 at 5:01pm

Thanks for the reply the pinion and bevel gear arnt meshing properly causing a lot of play I noticed a leak originally plus it was slipping causing a brief pause I do always push it to get it going as I had one die on me before no propelling at all that's sitting in the conservatory atm but that was a 2008 model so put it down to age this one was new 2012 model when I bought it and has failed twice it may be that it wasn't adjusted correctly As the dealer I used were aweful 3 months to get the mower back service not done and gearbox not installed correctly it was that tight that the cable actually snapped and I fitted a second one how should the adjustment be on them I always was of the understanding that it should engage when the handle is about 1 1/2 inches forward? The parts were through Ernest does apparently the spring and pin were on back order and the manufacturer were waiting on them to be shipped from abroad. I have seen variable ones haven't seen two speed but I wouldn't want to not be able to slow down the speed on occasion it's useful.
PRO

Gary RK May 17, 2015 at 5:07pm

Is not the Weibang WB567SK V-R (56PRO) mower being spoken about elsewhere on LJN as a possible 56cm Roller with 2 speeds from memory ?

Also looks like the 48Pro is variable speed...

No experience of them, but that's a good engine in the 56 :)

We've had the Danarm version of the Lawnflite rollers and have had no problems (nor with the 4 wheeler). We just bought one of the newer Danarm models with the faster/redesigned gearbox.

Finally, buy something a good local dealer can supply and/or maintain.
Ryan paul carr May 17, 2015 at 5:15pm

I really wanna go the lawnflite route but just feel disappointed with the gearbox and the fact a new gearbox costs nearly half the price of the mower and that the parts took so long to come to fix the gearbox as I didn't want to spent £420 on a new gearbox....
PRO

Gary RK May 17, 2015 at 5:16pm

http://landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/fy2015-danarm-553-hrs...
Ryan paul carr May 17, 2015 at 5:18pm

Yeah I saw the weibangs they offer 5 year commercial warrenty so must have faith in their product yeah the lawnflite-pro 553hws prohs I was looking at with a high speed gearbox but I think it's only one speed am I correct?
- Graeme @ BGS > Ryan paul carr May 17, 2015 at 5:38pm
  
  You don't get the blade brake with the pro Weibang but it has three speed settings (you must select the speed setting before driving it off). The gearbox from what I have seen and heard is excellent. I'm sure if you like the lawnflite mowers you wouldn't have any problems with the Weibang. Just make sure the dealer will support you with this machine in case any issues with the importer etc.
  
  I raised a question about this machine in the BOG - See http://landscapejuicenetwork.com/group/the-bog/forum/could-this-be-... but it is paid members only access.
PRO

Gary RK May 17, 2015 at 5:28pm

Yes, but you can feather the throttle if you really need to slow down or disengage drive.

p.s Ryan, best to create any new threads/questions etc via a Forum Post rather than a Blog. Easier to track, respond and improves SEO for later use

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