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#2611 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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If I could design the "perfect" mower, at least for someone who uses these for a living, I would have the following -
Deck - 21-inch alloy deck for durability and work time efficiency. The best I have used has been the Rover Pro-Cut base, a full width chute for excellent catching, with the ability to change the angle of the ride height to suit mulching if desired. ![]() Drive System - as I have mentioned in the past, you don't really want to be pushing a big 21-inch machine around all day, fine if you are young, but not pleasant for hours on end. Again, the Rover system mounted the gearbox on top of the deck, keeping it cleaner and maintaining the full width chute. The only drawback being the single speed, so I would want that changed to allow speed adjustment. The drive engagement lever would also mimic the Rover design. ![]() Engine - I'm torn here, because I really love the Honda GXV-160 for the smoothness, durability and fuel economy. But it doesn't quite have the reserve of torque provided by the 190cc Briggs 850-series. In fact, I would go one step above that and spec the larger 223cc 1000-series version of that Briggs engine. More is better, right? Fuel consumption would be higher, but I wouldn't be left wondering. Ideally, I would also like a high mount air filter as well. And the Briggs OE fuel gauge, fuel filter and oil filter would be nice too. https://www.briggsandstratton.com/au...ex-series.html ![]() ![]() ![]() Catcher -Dacron fabric catcher, these offer larger volume with superior ventilation, while also being easier to empty. I would also have a steel catcher flap. ![]() ![]() Cutting System - Blade disk with four swing-back blades for superior catching performance and crankshaft safety. Again, the Rover and Bushranger design is the best I have used, the main/central bolt is then supported by three other smaller bolts, making it easier to get the disk correctly aligned. ![]() ![]() Height Adjustment - Single level adjustment, with small increments between detents to better adjust to each lawn/job. Rover and Victa are king here, allowing you to scalp down to 10mm right up to tipping at 70mm. Wheels - plastic wheels suit me fine, the steel wheels with rubber "tyres" have worn quite quickly on my Bushranger, I have even "popped" them off the rim a few times. ![]() Ancillaries - Axles should be bolted in place, not suspended with clips, ala Rover and Bushranger. ![]() ![]() Steel wear strips on each side of the deck to avoid wearing down the chassis. The pull rope should be handle mounted. ![]() No engine brake/dead man's handle, I'm a grown up and don't need such a nuisance device, no more clamping! No blade clutch ala Honda, less maintenance issues. ![]() Throttle and speed adjustments in the same arrangement as the Bushranger. ![]() Handles should be solidly mounted to the deck and have a soft touch material on the hand grips. And lastly, a drink bottle holder! Don't launch, my old Victa Razor had one and it was brilliant for summer mowing jobs. ![]() Basically, this "perfect" machine would be a combination or Rover and Bushranger, with a Briggs engine. I guess such a machine doesn't exist being it would cost too much. If this theoretical mower existed, I would happily pay up to and beyond $3000 for such a machine. ![]()
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten Last edited by DFB FGXR6; 17-09-2023 at 05:16 PM. |
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#2612 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,601
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Quote:
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____________________ 2019 LDV G10 2009 Mitsubishi Express-GONE 2011 Honda Jazz ____________________ |
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#2613 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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I’m not sure if this blended model should be the “Bushrover” or just the “Roger”.
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#2614 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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I vote for "Bushrover".
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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#2615 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Probably a better name. Like Hoovering the house, I’m not sure that “Rogering the lawn” sounds ideal.
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#2616 | ||
Abuser of Charvels
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ACT
Posts: 4,044
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Presenting..........The New Mower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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#2617 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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Quote:
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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#2618 | ||
Abuser of Charvels
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ACT
Posts: 4,044
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I have not even tried to use it, but I noticed it was looking at me for those days I didn't have a mower. I had better get my butt into gear!
I tried to find someone with the Masport Contrator in stock but it was not easy, unless I lived in NZ. I rang Masport and the problem became evident. It hasn't been released here yet! The lady said it should be available in October. I looked at the lawn, wishing I had given it a mow before I took the old mower away. I was thinking of bringing the mower back and forth, but realised I can just as easily find something to use in the meantime and move it on when I get the new one. Enter the Ryobi! ![]() Very near new, the guy can't pull start anything anymore after surgery so he's gone electric. This thing does start easy, first pull every time, but it is not as solid as the Masport, or any other mower I've had. The catcher system is terrible, very difficult to put on. It did get the job done, so I'll be nice to it so it lives until I don't need it anymore. ![]()
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#2619 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,601
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Getting sick of clipping jap box spheres with hand shears. Bought this instead.
Review to follow. https://www.stanfordmowers.com.au/?attachment_id=6348
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____________________ 2019 LDV G10 2009 Mitsubishi Express-GONE 2011 Honda Jazz ____________________ |
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#2620 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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Quote:
![]() Side note regarding clipped spheres. I once had a lady come into the nursery and told me she wanted some big balls. I mean, it took all my self-control to not snigger at that. For the record, she wanted two clipped Buxus sempervirens.
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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#2621 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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That anecdote got a good snigger out of me.
Shame you had just sold out of Innuendus Sempevirens “Foxpaw” that very morning and she was stuck with Buxus. |
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#2622 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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The Victa Super 24, Super 600 or MasterCut 600.
![]() Victa made these for decades, basically an alloy base slasher mower that delivered a 600mm / 24-inch cut. They had no self-propel and the blades were belt driven. These things were typically fitted with the 2-stroke engine for stamina, but they also used Honda and Briggs engines at various points too. ![]() ![]() In the end, Victa was fitting the useless DOV Vanguard, which I think would have been pretty underpowered. Once the 2-stroke engine was discontinued in the late 2010's, the MasterCut 600 disappeared with it. I want one by the way! ![]()
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#2623 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 372
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Re. The Victa Super 24, Super 600 or Mastercut 600.
If I could attach photographs etc I would show you mine. An ex hire co. machine likely made in house here in Perth. Somewhat similar in design to the Victa with a Kubota GS 300 engine set up for the blades to turn anti clockwise. |
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#2624 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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Quote:
Sign up at PostImage, then click "Upload", select your pics, then follow the below by clicking "Share" and then "Hotlink For Forums". Go back to your post and paste the image link into the post. https://postimages.org/ ![]()
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#2625 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Got an interesting challenge here, looking for suggestions.
I’m out of Sydney clearing a deceased estate for listing. Large (empty) aviaries in the backyard, smothered by heavy wisteria growth. Aviaries need to go, it will make the yard look much bigger. Access is by small gate only; it’s about 900mm wide. Budget is very limited, as is my time. I’m working solo. Any suggestions on ways to shift the wisteria in a way that balances time, thrift, removal and potential resale of some aviary units? |
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#2626 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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Quote:
Or......................tip the jerry can of petrol on it, set it on fire and call the fire brigade.
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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#2627 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Good spot on the jerry.
![]() Hadn’t thought of cutting it into big strips. Being presently in the higher eighties with weight, not sure if I want to add much to the roof load by walking on it - will be cautious! |
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#2628 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,601
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Quote:
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____________________ 2019 LDV G10 2009 Mitsubishi Express-GONE 2011 Honda Jazz ____________________ |
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#2629 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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It’s not a large town, even the free items take a while to move on. I’m worried if I put a “buyer to remove” condition on the units (yes, they appear to be independent cages) it might fall into the category of too hard/CBF, when they see it.
I’d say these cages have been in place 15-20 years, maybe longer. Even if they’re not really anchored I think they’ll have sunk into the ground quite a bit and kikuyu will have finished the job of holding them in place. |
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#2630 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Still yet to achieve this outcome, had to divert for prior scheduled jobs in Sydney.
Crash Bunny has an FS38 bent shaft Stihl trimmer with carby issues (plug looks almost new). Hard to start then won’t rev. Likely to come good with a carb adjustment or just chuck another complete unit on? |
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#2631 | |||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,178
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Quote:
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#2632 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,878
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#2633 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Much improvement; a three person job with ladder, recipro, loppers and 18V Ryobi chainsaw to get this far. One tip and trailer load to date. Fibrous aerial roots were matted with humus 80-100mm thick in places.
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#2634 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Pt Lincoln far side South Oz
Posts: 5,764
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poor old shed will fly away with that load gone
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Dont p i s s off older people. At our age the term Life in Prison is not a deterrent |
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#2635 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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There would be no complaints here.
![]() Tomorrow we edge, mow, do a tip run of mixed waste (ute tray) plus balance of green waste (trailer), dismantle and stack the shed panels. |
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#2636 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,878
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Quote:
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#2637 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Lithgow Tip is free for residents, my friend who’s helping is executor and the rates notices are to her. Even the tip “shop” is free.
We were early adopters of the FOGO bins in Launceston but honestly if you have a decent yard/garden they’re undersized. Didn’t have a ute there, had to line the boot with a tarp and take smaller loads. |
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#2638 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,601
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Quote:
I have not had any degradation on the life of the BLI300 battery, the battery case is starting to get loose from being bumped and dropped, but works as intended. Each unit has had at least one warranty repair of an electronic “module” turned around quickly by the selling dealer. The handheld has just received a new blade set worth $250 as i had worn the old one out. The pole unit is in currently getting the switch button replaced. I am now completely sold on battery being appropriate for commercial use. The BLI range of batteries are unobtainium as councils have standing orders for dozens at a time for their crews to use. All I can say, is if you are looking, as with petrol/2stroke units, make sure you are looking at commercial rated units. My next battery powered purchase will likely be a blower.
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____________________ 2019 LDV G10 2009 Mitsubishi Express-GONE 2011 Honda Jazz ____________________ |
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#2639 | |||
HSV - I just ate one!
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of nowhere
Posts: 3,111
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Quote:
Onto other topics, over the weekend I picked up another Honda mower, this one a HRU19K1, and to my surprise, for a 19" deck, it has a plastic blanking plate similar o what you'd expect to find if it was optionable with a self propelled drive axle.... well whaddya know, it has a half width discharge chute, and from multiple reports, issues discharging wet grass! Person who dumped it says "it wont *******start"..... got it home, gave it some fuel, nope, no start..... check the plug (which wiggled when i tried removing the plug lead) and its got a BR9ES plug half screwed in..... wonder why it wont start? gave it a new plug and it started straight up..... Some people simply dont deserve anything nicer than yardforce.
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I dont care if some prius driving eco-hippy thinks its politically incorrect for me to drive a V8..... I'm paying for the fuel! |
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#2640 | |||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 21,852
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Indeed, the spark arrestor was solidly caked with carbon. Presently got the whole muffler in chemicals to try and remove much as possible.
Hoping there is no further issue, but I notice the primer bulb never gets a really “firm” feel to it so there could be supply side investigations later. Quote:
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