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  Paul McNulty April 14, 2014 at 5:36pm

  Looking at the handle, I've used one of those before. It's obviously a domestic machine, most are built to sell cheaply at DIY warehouses, where price is the only factor.

  I'd say it'll be OK for a small amount of work, so might well suit you fine. Keep it serviced (oil/air filter etc.), keep the underneath very clean along with the basket (power-wash gently), as you need the airflow to help collect the grass. Sharpen the blade regularly as well, and be careful not to get dust or muck in the fuel, use a filter when filling.

  Treat it gently, e.g. no banging in and out of the van, down steps, over kerbs. If you rely on it, I'd keep spare cables: they always break when you need the machine most, and definitely if you're folding the handles to transport it (the cables kink).

  I think you'd find it limiting if you were cutting grass all day, every day, and would want something more pro-spec. See how it goes, it's cheap enough to bin if it breaks!
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  Peter April 14, 2014 at 7:14pm

  It will do you for smallish gardens a couple of days a week, I've used one myself and they are decent little mowers. But you wouldn't want to be mowing a lawn of any significant size and length of grass sward as this is when you will struggle.
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  Roger April 14, 2014 at 7:28pm

  Thanks for the response; I went after an older mower as i read somewhere that the old ones are better and not made to break on purpose (like the ones in the DIY wharehouses), although it might not be that old. Anyhow thanks for the pointers; I collect it tomorrow.
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  Sarah Russell April 15, 2014 at 6:45pm

  I used one of these for a few years, as I don't do a huge amount of mowing but mainly border work. I found it perfectly adequate, reliable and surprisingly durable. And I loved the fact that it had a hard grass box, rather than the soft one, I found it much easier to empty when full.
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  Paul McNulty April 15, 2014 at 9:57pm

  That's a good point about the grassbox, Sarah. The fabric ones also clog up far worse, and that ruins collection.

  The only benefit is that the fabric reduces dust in dry conditions, but I can live with that compared with pressure-washing the fabric box every couple of weeks. Having changed mower this year the plastic box is so much nicer.
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  Seth Burgess April 15, 2014 at 10:44pm

  The idea is that a fabric collects better as the air blows through it, but a modern mower shouldn't be struggling to collect in the dry, and as soon as its wet the idea of air blowing through the box sort of goes out the window.
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  Paul McNulty April 15, 2014 at 11:01pm

  
  
  Seth Burgess said:

  The idea is that a fabric collects better as the air blows through it, but a modern mower shouldn't be struggling to collect in the dry, and as soon as its wet the idea of air blowing through the box sort of goes out the window.

  
  Hi Seth,
  
  I don't understand that at all? The shape of the deck, the lift on the blade, any fan device underneath, they all rely on airflow to carry cuttings though and keep the chute free. It's great if a mower is designed well, but if the bag is completely clogged there is less airflow, the grass doesn't move as fast, and if wet will block it up.
  
  A fabric bag clogs up fast, and is difficult to clean. A plastic box has far larger holes, an can be shaken, brushed or hosed easily.
  
  I thought that fabric bags were only fitted to reduce dust, and airflow is compromised by the tiny holes?
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  Seth Burgess April 15, 2014 at 11:46pm

  I think it's because a fabric bag has far more consistent holes so is supposed to create even pressure across the chute (although I suppose select holes in a plastic box should be even better as sucking grasss along). It was explained to me awhile ago so I might be forgetting, but as we all know from experience it doesn't really work correctly.

  Although my mower has a fabric sides and plastic top and has no problems in wet or dry. Just a bugger to clean.
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  Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd April 18, 2014 at 9:12pm

  I started out with something similar along with a £50 car (mower was probably more expensive!).
  
  In hindsight I should have started off with a 2nd Hand Etesia Pro46. I recently picked one up for £200 and for us is a perfect backup!
  
  They are unstoppable machines and earn us money!
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  Roger April 18, 2014 at 9:24pm

  Thanks for all the response; I picked it up yesterday, it runs but could do with a service. Im really pleased with it, now all I need is a few willing customers and a bigger car (Van) to transport it in. While im here, does anyone know the weight of a dumpy bag full of grass cuttings ?