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The top end Mountfield (I think any that are 5xx) are also Stiga's but are slightly cheaper as they tend to use plastic wheels and don't have as good AV and a few other slightly less good things that are still okay if you look after it but ultimately cost less.
Take a look at AL-Ko mowers, very good mulching and good prices
You can 'modify' an Etesia (and many other 4 wheelers) to give a 'light stripe' buy clever use of something like a strip of 'heavy weight rubber' bolted/attached to the rear lip of the mower.
Never as good as a roller (clearly, because of it's weight) but does leave a light strip that can be attractive on large areas mown with 4wheels.
You can also buy a steel or weighted roller that bolts/clamps to the handle struts. We have one and it does work, you just have to be carefully up/down kerbs etc
Gary Smith said:
Thanks for all your replys so far
Rhyas 22" Self-Propelled Electric Start Petrol Mower
offers 4 types of mowing and is extremely versatile - spreading, collecting, mulching and side discharge.
High quality steel deck.
Powerful 6HP 4-stroke OHV Petrol Engine, with electric start complete with key! No more pulling cords!
Large 60L capacity collection bag.
Height adjustable 15-75mm adjusted using one lever
Built in lawn striper for the desired effect!
Easy fold handles and is very compact.
Easy clean connector - just attach your hose and start it up!
Comes with a 12 month return-to-manufacturer warranty!
Questions to consider;
1 Warranty - domestic or commercial (who pays for return-to-base), what is turn around time?
2 Engine - is it a mainstream make (can you get engine service parts - air filters etc)
3 Mower - Availability/speed of spares if using as part of your business
Not saying right or wrong....just know what you are getting into..as an example there is someone on the Forum at the moment struggling to get parts for (what is in effect a domestic) Shindawia multi-tool.
Low cost is not always cheap.
So apporach with Eyes Wide Open....
Jason hate to burst your bubble but check out the reviews on Amazon,this is a Chinese import with very poor customer service(from the reviews) and you will have to pay for a return to manufacturer.The good reviews seemed to come from people who have only used it a few times on their own gardens so not a commercial machine.
A few years ago I bought a multi tool from Ebay turned out it was a cheap Chinese import and was utterly useless!
For that kind of money would probably be better looking for a used etesia and then buy a mulch kit for it(plug and blade about £70)
I know it's boring, and I keep saying it.....
One day, whatever machine you buy, from £200 to £200K, it WILL break down. It'll be the worst time of the year, and the day you can't do without it.
The first, and to me the only, consideration (way ahead of price), is can you drive between jobs to the local repairer, and he will bend over backwards to fix it for you?
If you didn't buy it from him, serves you right if you're at the back of the queue. If it's an unusual make, he won't have spares in stock, and you're at the back of the queue when he's sourced and ordered the parts!
My combi engine had a fault last Wednesday. Dropped it in at 2PM, picked it up Thursday morning at 9, paid £30 for the repair and a full check/adjust. Very little loss of income, the guy's ten minutes from most of my regular work, and he's a LOT better value than buying a cheap machine on ebay.....