Mowing .. - Page 26

**GasoLane** · 04-11-2020, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelion65

https://www.husqvarna.com/au/product...RoCRoAQAvD_BwE
??????
Expensive, but the prices are coming down rapidly.

Yeah nah, nice idea but way too expensive, and our front and back would be too complicated for it

**GasoLane** · 06-11-2020, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Something else to keep in mind is the battery system. The tools are often the cheapest element, while the batteries and charger add a large portion to the cost of the overall purchase.

Do you have existing battery powered tools that could be used with the mower. If not, choose something that you could potentially add to in the future. Ryobi is popular because of their extensive range of tools that run from the same battery system.

I ended up getting a mower I'd never heard of three weeks ago, an EGO. https://www.totaltools.com.au/141646...-kit-lm1903esp

I spoke to a couple of people who have them and they speak highly about them. A quick run over that back lawn yesterday convinced me that I should have got one of these years ago

**DFB FGXR6** · 06-11-2020, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

I ended up getting a mower I'd never heard of three weeks ago, an EGO. https://www.totaltools.com.au/141646...-kit-lm1903esp

I spoke to a couple of people who have them and they speak highly about them. A quick run over that back lawn yesterday convinced me that I should have got one of these years ago

Good job!

I have heard good things about Ego so I think you have bought well. I'm pretty sure they designed the battery system themselves rather than contracting the technology out like other companies do.

A good range of tools should you want to add to the mower as well.
https://egopowerplus.com.au/products

**GasoLane** · 06-11-2020, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Good job!

I have heard good things about Ego so I think you have bought well. I'm pretty sure they designed the battery system themselves rather than contracting the technology out like other companies do.

A good range of tools should you want to add to the mower as well.
https://egopowerplus.com.au/products

Yeah the battery that came with it is a 5.0AH and lasts long enough to do the front and back.

Obligatory pics of offending lawns.................

MITCHAY · 06-11-2020, 06:30 PM

I mowed today after letting it go for a while after aerating, weed and feed and cutting it right down low.

It's filled in nicely since we have had decent rain except struggling where this tree and bushes are. It has some runners but mostly dirt still.

I don't think it is getting enough sun or as much water because of them. With the bushes I'm gonna cut it back and bring out the edge since it doesn't grow there anyway.

The tree I'm going to look at how much to remove but it is fairly big so probably a decent amount.

roddy1960 · 06-11-2020, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Yeah the battery that came with it is a 5.0AH and lasts long enough to do the front and back.

Obligatory pics of offending lawns.................

image

image

I believe they're one of the best battery powered mowers going and like most newer tech just keep improving all the time . EGO make a growing range of equipment going on this video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK432bFDZMg...

I hope yours works really well for you over the years ..

roddy1960 · 06-11-2020, 07:52 PM

Anybody out there know much about fixin'..... On Monday I was three quarters finished cutting me Ponderosa when my trusty MTD side throw just stopped mid cut . Thought it was out of fuel because it spluttered briefly ..Nup ..still had a nice bit .. blocked maybe ..Nup ..Plug was wet and fuel line full and primer working normally .. Plug maybe ..Nup .. I took the plug out which looked fine and even put it in my other MTD and fired and ran beaut . Coil maybe ...so I pulled the shroud and starter off and got the multi meter out ..seemed to test like it should after watching a instruction video on that .. A mystery ... She does seem to lack a bit of compression though.

Could it possibly be a stuck or stuffed valve as a friend at work suggested ..

What do you guys reckon ?.. She's about 11 years old and done a lot of heavy mowing . As MTD go it's been a good one til now with a Briggsy 158 cc engine . Any other possibilities why she just stopped suddenly . Any thoughts appreciated greatly as always.. Cheers ...

**Rallye Sport** · 06-11-2020, 10:26 PM

Hey Roddy, has it got any safety switches? The seat switches normally give us the most grief. There may also be one attached to the hydrostatic pedal, that one can play up at times aswell.

Tassie f100 · 06-11-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Anybody out there know much about fixin'..... On Monday I was three quarters finished cutting me Ponderosa when my trusty MTD side throw just stopped mid cut . Thought it was out of fuel because it spluttered briefly ..Nup ..still had a nice bit .. blocked maybe ..Nup ..Plug was wet and fuel line full and primer working normally .. Plug maybe ..Nup .. I took the plug out which looked fine and even put it in my other MTD and fired and ran beaut . Coil maybe ...so I pulled the shroud and starter off and got the multi meter out ..seemed to test like it should after watching a instruction video on that .. A mystery ... She does seem to lack a bit of compression though.

Could it possibly be a stuck or stuffed valve as a friend at work suggested ..

What do you guys reckon ?.. She's about 11 years old and done a lot of heavy mowing . As MTD go it's been a good one til now with a Briggsy 158 cc engine . Any other possibilities why she just stopped suddenly . Any thoughts appreciated greatly as always.. Cheers ...

Might have stripped the keyway in the flywheel,although that wouldn’t affect the compression

**Captain Stubing** · 06-11-2020, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Anybody out there know much about fixin'..... On Monday I was three quarters finished cutting me Ponderosa when my trusty MTD side throw just stopped mid cut . Thought it was out of fuel because it spluttered briefly ..Nup ..still had a nice bit .. blocked maybe ..Nup ..Plug was wet and fuel line full and primer working normally .. Plug maybe ..Nup .. I took the plug out which looked fine and even put it in my other MTD and fired and ran beaut . Coil maybe ...so I pulled the shroud and starter off and got the multi meter out ..seemed to test like it should after watching a instruction video on that .. A mystery ... She does seem to lack a bit of compression though.

Could it possibly be a stuck or stuffed valve as a friend at work suggested ..

What do you guys reckon ?.. She's about 11 years old and done a lot of heavy mowing . As MTD go it's been a good one til now with a Briggsy 158 cc engine . Any other possibilities why she just stopped suddenly . Any thoughts appreciated greatly as always.. Cheers ...

I had one of these MTD's and it threw the con rod. It's not an uncommon problem with these motors, and would explain your lack of compression.

Take out the plug, poke a length of wire carefully into the cylinder, and see if it moves when the motor is turned.

roddy1960 · 07-11-2020, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

I had one of these MTD's and it threw the con rod. It's not an uncommon problem with these motors, and would explain your lack of compression.

Take out the plug, poke a length of wire carefully into the cylinder, and see if it moves when the motor is turned.

Thanks Captain Stubing for that ...sounds logical and possible given the way it stopped because there was a splutter and a noise..Will do what you said and let you know if the piston moves or not ..Cheers ..

roddy1960 · 07-11-2020, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Might have stripped the keyway in the flywheel,although that wouldn’t affect the compression

Thanks Tassie , It was weird how it just suddenly went from full running to nothing so I guess something might have let go .Might also be the conrod as Captain Stubing suggested ...Cheers.

roddy1960 · 07-11-2020, 09:20 AM

Conrod not broken I don't think Captain Stubing ..piston still moving up and down as it should ..Maybe it is out of timing though if flywheel issue as Tassie mentioned ...or indeed the coil has failed . Multi meter seems to show it giving resistance in the fours like it should though .. Bought a new set of feeler gauges last night to check the air gap for the armature/coil although that probably wouldn't explain a sudden loss of power and a noise ..something broke inside is still most likely I guess .

roddy1960 · 07-11-2020, 10:36 AM

Duh...for me .. I just realised I forgot to put the plug back in , in the dark the other night ..That doesn't help with compression does it !!! Plug back in and it seems pretty normal compression and it pulls my thumb in pretty hard with the plug out as basic as that test is...That probably eliminates a stuck valve as an issue too.. Nothing like a mysterious fault to figure out to occupy your time on a windy Saturday morning..

**DFB FGXR6** · 07-11-2020, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Anybody out there know much about fixin'..... On Monday I was three quarters finished cutting me Ponderosa when my trusty MTD side throw just stopped mid cut . Thought it was out of fuel because it spluttered briefly ..Nup ..still had a nice bit .. blocked maybe ..Nup ..Plug was wet and fuel line full and primer working normally .. Plug maybe ..Nup .. I took the plug out which looked fine and even put it in my other MTD and fired and ran beaut . Coil maybe ...so I pulled the shroud and starter off and got the multi meter out ..seemed to test like it should after watching a instruction video on that .. A mystery ... She does seem to lack a bit of compression though.

Could it possibly be a stuck or stuffed valve as a friend at work suggested ..

What do you guys reckon ?.. She's about 11 years old and done a lot of heavy mowing . As MTD go it's been a good one til now with a Briggsy 158 cc engine . Any other possibilities why she just stopped suddenly . Any thoughts appreciated greatly as always.. Cheers ...

I'm assuming this is a push mower with that engine?

If so, it could be the carby diaphragm needs replacement.

Some reading for you.......
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/diaphr...er-102621.html

"The symptoms of a bad diaphragm are similar to other mower problems. Refusal to start or cutting out during running may be the first sign of a problem. The mower may smoke excessively or sound sluggish."

LG17 · 07-11-2020, 07:44 PM

I mowed part of the house paddock today. I'm pretty sure it's the first time since March 2020 that I've done it.
We've had no grass, just dirt since then.

The 107mm of rain we got last week has transformed the place for the time being.

roddy1960 · 08-11-2020, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I'm assuming this is a push mower with that engine?

If so, it could be the carby diaphragm needs replacement.

Some reading for you.......
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/diaphr...er-102621.html

"The symptoms of a bad diaphragm are similar to other mower problems. Refusal to start or cutting out during running may be the first sign of a problem. The mower may smoke excessively or sound sluggish."

.....Yes. Thanks .....It could be the diaphragm . Might have to pull it to bits . I re cut the grass this morning using the old 25 y.o. MTD and it ran sweet but being only a rear discharge , its not as good as the side discharge for clogging up and such and it really needs a new one piece blade too . Our grass is literally growing like crazy at the minute and has grown about 150mm since last Monday when the broken down mower stopped .. Either got to sort it out or replace it with a similar one ..We had a fishing trip yesterday so I might start pulling more bits off today after lunch ..Cheers

danzvtil · 11-11-2020, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I'm assuming this is a push mower with that engine?

If so, it could be the carby diaphragm needs replacement.

Some reading for you.......
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/diaphr...er-102621.html

"The symptoms of a bad diaphragm are similar to other mower problems. Refusal to start or cutting out during running may be the first sign of a problem. The mower may smoke excessively or sound sluggish."

I watch a couple of guys on YouTube (mustie1 & Andrew camarata)who pick up old mowers off the side of the road, this diaphragm is the reason most of them are dumped, they just stop and people think it’s too hard to fix.

whitelion65 · 23-11-2020, 01:06 PM

OK gurus! I have to pull the engine out of my ride-on...it's blown out (or sucked in) the sump gasket.Its a B&S V-twin. You can hear the leak when you pressurise the crank case.

Anyway, whilst I have it stripped down, I've cleaned up the deck and am looking at painting the underside. Is this worth doing, and how long will it last? What is the best product to use?

.:4:. · 23-11-2020, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelion65

OK gurus! I have to pull the engine out of my ride-on...it's blown out (or sucked in) the sump gasket.Its a B&S V-twin. You can hear the leak when you pressurise the crank case.

Anyway, whilst I have it stripped down, I've cleaned up the deck and am looking at painting the underside. Is this worth doing, and how long will it last? What is the best product to use?

I dunno the best product per say. But maybe try something like this https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...100405#start=1 . Sounds like, well off the description, should give some form of protection.

**DFB FGXR6** · 03-12-2020, 05:58 PM

My employer picked up this beast this afternoon.

This Ferris mower is powered by a Yanmar 3 Cylinder diesel water-cooled engine. Replacing a well used Toro, the added strength and comfort features should see serve the company for years to come. I had a bit of a spin and was impressed with how fast the ground speed was and the engine is surprisingly smooth and quiet. Independent suspension and a suspended seat make it extremely comfortable to ride.

The only bad thing? Well, my role doesn't involve mowing the lawns so I will never get to use it.

Yellow_Festiva · 03-12-2020, 09:37 PM

Thought I would add to this thread seeing as I have been doing a little mowing of late.

Mostly finished my house however the backyard was a mess:

Time to get the job done. Poured the footing for the retaining wall:

Got my hands on a ton of free blocks:

Retaining wall done:

Sold off the spare blocks on Ebay.

Sprayed all the grass and weeds, some took a while. That spiky weed that puts out shoots like asparagus and has little potatoes in the roots is near impossible to kill! When the excavator dug it up it peeled away from the ground like carpet - amazing how that stiff spreads out.

All up, needed 100t of fill:

The little lady was happy to help out where she could

Pushed the rubbish sandy stuff down the back where I could bury it under the better stuff.

Got some more fill of better quality and spread that out on the sandy stuff:

Got some turf underlay and spread that out, mixed in with a heap of aged chook poo from my parents farm.

First delivery of turf - around 280sqm of Kikuyu grass:

Wasn't enough :(

Did the top half the following week - another 250 sqm.

Came out pretty good... took straight away and did get much die off.

Time to cut...... The green bin was full, as was several large containers and an old 1t sand bag I had floating around... and I was only half way done. Needed to tip the rest in the trailer.

Let it grow for a few weeks, then had a ton of rain and sun.... Big mistake.

Was way too high, so a few days before I mowed I tried to knock it down a bit with the whipper snipper... It sorta worked, but the grass below was dry and woody. Then the dead grass blocked the sun and made it worse...

I have a self propelled Masport - It did very well considering the size of the yard and the grass height.

Probably several hundred kg of grass there!

Biggest waste of time was the constant travel to empty the catcher... Would walk 20 metres and it was already full.

Next time I'll park the trailer down the back where I'm mowing.

Still cutting it very high - won't ever leave it to get so long as the brown patches really annoy me.

After that trailer load I decided a different strategy to try and fit near 550sqm of grass into at least my bin and with a little left over.

I cut the new shoots after 3 days and tipped it into several large tubs I had lying around - but not my bin. Whole yard only took about 1hr and I would have emptied the catcher perhaps 7 times.

Then, every day I would tip those containers up side down into another one so that the sun dries it out. I found when I filled the green bin to the top with damp grass there was nowhere for the moisture to escape even with the lid off. When I took my full bin out last time it had only settled half a foot but the thing weighed easily 100kg - I was worried they were not going to collect it.

Anyway, after 3 more days the clippings were reduced by half and I tipped them into the bin then did another cut and did the same thing with the containers.

After 2 weeks and 2 cuts it all fit in the bin. Not bad.

Granted we have had 2 weeks of hot sun and no rain, I'm sure if it rained heavily my grass will shoot up like before and I will need the trailer again.

Whole job would have only set me back $6-7k including fill, topsoil, grass and the retaining wall. Did all I could myself, got most of the fill for free and paid for the top layer of turf underlay.

Rolled the turf myself with some help. Not a perfect job but it's a whole lot better than before.

**DFB FGXR6** · 03-12-2020, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Thought I would add to this thread seeing as I have been doing a little mowing of late.

Mostly finished my house however the backyard was a mess:

image

image

Time to get the job done. Poured the footing for the retaining wall:

image

image

image

image

Got my hands on a ton of free blocks:

image

Retaining wall done:

image

Sold off the spare blocks on Ebay.

Sprayed all the grass and weeds, some took a while. That spiky weed that puts out shoots like asparagus and has little potatoes in the roots is near impossible to kill! When the excavator dug it up it peeled away from the ground like carpet - amazing how that stiff spreads out.

image

image

image

All up, needed 100t of fill:

The little lady was happy to help out where she could

image

Pushed the rubbish sandy stuff down the back where I could bury it under the better stuff.

image

image

image

Got some more fill of better quality and spread that out on the sandy stuff:

image

Got some turf underlay and spread that out, mixed in with a heap of aged chook poo from my parents farm.

image

image

image

First delivery of turf - around 280sqm of Kikuyu grass:

image

image

Wasn't enough :(

image

Did the top half the following week - another 250 sqm.

image

Came out pretty good... took straight away and did get much die off.

image

image

Time to cut...... The green bin was full, as was several large containers and an old 1t sand bag I had floating around... and I was only half way done. Needed to tip the rest in the trailer.

image

Let it grow for a few weeks, then had a ton of rain and sun.... Big mistake.

image

image

Was way too high, so a few days before I mowed I tried to knock it down a bit with the whipper snipper... It sorta worked, but the grass below was dry and woody. Then the dead grass blocked the sun and made it worse...

image

I have a self propelled Masport - It did very well considering the size of the yard and the grass height.

image

image

image

Probably several hundred kg of grass there!

Biggest waste of time was the constant travel to empty the catcher... Would walk 20 metres and it was already full.

Next time I'll park the trailer down the back where I'm mowing.

Still cutting it very high - won't ever leave it to get so long as the brown patches really annoy me.

image

image

After that trailer load I decided a different strategy to try and fit near 550sqm of grass into at least my bin and with a little left over.

I cut the new shoots after 3 days and tipped it into several large tubs I had lying around - but not my bin. Whole yard only took about 1hr and I would have emptied the catcher perhaps 7 times.

Then, every day I would tip those containers up side down into another one so that the sun dries it out. I found when I filled the green bin to the top with damp grass there was nowhere for the moisture to escape even with the lid off. When I took my full bin out last time it had only settled half a foot but the thing weighed easily 100kg - I was worried they were not going to collect it.

Anyway, after 3 more days the clippings were reduced by half and I tipped them into the bin then did another cut and did the same thing with the containers.

After 2 weeks and 2 cuts it all fit in the bin. Not bad.

Granted we have had 2 weeks of hot sun and no rain, I'm sure if it rained heavily my grass will shoot up like before and I will need the trailer again.

Whole job would have only set me back $6-7k including fill, topsoil, grass and the retaining wall. Did all I could myself, got most of the fill for free and paid for the top layer of turf underlay.

Rolled the turf myself with some help. Not a perfect job but it's a whole lot better than before.

Good job!

Freshly laid Kikuyu is unstoppable, I certainly don't envy that mowing job!

Citroënbender · 04-12-2020, 08:12 AM

Sort of a “noob” question, sorry.

My Shindaiwa 2-stroke straight shaft trimmer: Is it feasible/sensible to put a brush cutter disc on it for occasional use (clearing Patterson’s Curse, mostly)?

I’m presuming you swap the whole driven head. I note most brush cutters have broader twin handles than a trimmer.

Asking to see if it’s possible or safely practical from a view point of economy and less clutter.

AU-Hog · 04-12-2020, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Sort of a “noob” question, sorry.

My Shindaiwa 2-stroke straight shaft trimmer: Is it feasible/sensible to put a brush cutter disc on it for occasional use (clearing Patterson’s Curse, mostly)?

I’m presuming you swap the whole driven head. I note most brush cutters have broader twin handles than a trimmer.

Asking to see if it’s possible or safely practical from a view point of economy and less clutter.

It shouldn't be a problem if you have the flat washers to clamp the disc.
I would only use a 450 Universal head with 2.7 to 3.0 mm maxicore diamond string for Pattersons Curse. A disc is harder to control the speed on, and would not mulch the weed, but risk continuously getting wound around the shaft.
Also, if there are any rocks around, you risk damaging the disc and the brushcutter head by using a disc.

**FTE217** · 04-12-2020, 12:11 PM

Great hard work from start to finish YT.
Rule 101 - never let the grass over grow in the summer/humidity/rain/sun - too much bloody work otherwise as you said.
Due to our weather nowdays here in Sydney, I'm on fortnighly cuts religiously, its 3" high easy in 2wks.