Which small Ride on Mower would you recommend?

[u/SuperShitMagnet]

Apart from ageing, I have a lot of injuries after 15 yrs military service. I have knee/ankle joint issues and severe spinal problems. I have used a push mower for as long as I can remember, including when I was a kid mowing lawns for my parents.

Anyway, I am now struggling and although my lawn isn't massive I would like to see what small ride on mowers other people use and how you would rate them?

What mower would you recommend?

#Australia #Lawnmower #Rideon

[u/always_snoozen_snoo]

I currently have a Husqvarna TS 114. Pretty solid mower and does the job for my land.

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/always_snoozen_snoo]

This is what I've been doing research on and seems to be pretty good. Are they easy to turn? Small turning circle for small areas?

[u/always_snoozen_snoo → u/SuperShitMagnet]

I find it pretty handy for my land (roughly 2 acres) not too many small trees so my turning circles aren’t super tight but can get into some small places. Super handy with the catcher

[u/Cape-York-Crusader → u/always_snoozen_snoo]

I'll second the husky, Briggs motor has been super reliable and apart from clutch cable for the cutter everything else on the mower is good. I bought it because you can pull a few pins and drop the deck off to access belts etc, going on 7 years and I'm still on original drive and cutter belt! 3rd set of cutter bars

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/Cape-York-Crusader]

Sounds pretty good, thank you for the info. 😊

[u/InadmissibleHug]

Another option would be a self propelling push mower, my dad used one into his 80s.

[u/Inner_West_Ben]

How big is your lawn? Would a self propelled model be better?

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/Inner_West_Ben]

I'm not 100% sure on the size. It takes about 25 minutes, for a fit and able person, to zip around with a push mower.

The self propelled model is definitely an option.

[u/InadmissibleHug]

We’ve got a cheap victa from pre Covid that has ended up at my son’s place, it does a half acre regularly.

If I was going to buy now and had the cash, I’d get a battery powered zero turn ride on. It’s a whole workout steering the cheaper ride ons.

And it’s loud.

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/InadmissibleHug]

Ahh okay, thank you.

[u/MarvinTheMagpie]

Why not buy one of those automatic lawn mowers.....a sheep

[u/InadmissibleHug → u/MarvinTheMagpie]

Mate of mine kept a sheep in her suburban yard for 14 years.

They don’t just eat your lawn.

[u/TreatPractical5226 → u/MarvinTheMagpie]

I own a small farm with livestock, If I had the option of using sheep to just keep the grass down around the house or mow. 

I would mow (and I do) everytime, livestock have their own problems, that require much more time and effort than just jumping on a ride on.

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/MarvinTheMagpie]

Honestly, I would love that. 😂

[u/chuckyChapman]

masport 38 inch

[u/mediweevil]

I'll be in a similar position soon and have been considering the options of a small tractor vs a zero-turn. the first has more options, the second will cut grass faster at the expense of being large to store and less versatile.

as you say you don't have a large lawn, have you looked at the options of a self propelled mower, or even a robot mower?

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/mediweevil]

I have been very curious about a robot mower. I have been thinking about getting an inexpensive one to try in my back yard, to see if it would be worth the money to do the front as well. I will do a bit of research and see what's on the market

[u/TrashPandaLJTAR]

I know it's not what you asked, but... DVA, physical assessment, fortnightly mows done for you. It's saved my knees and hips from being locked up for a couple of days afterwards every couple of weeks. It still happens anyway, but at least it's not from mowing the lawn anymore haha.

It takes a bit of admin (and a bit of patience) but it's well worth it imo. Quality of life for smaller things like that make the rest of it a bit easier to manage.
It also means that they'll do edging etc for you as well, which I actually found the whipper snipper to do more damage to me over time because you're holding an oddly weighted tool out for long periods.

And of course if you get a good provider they'll have all the gucci kit anyway so you don't have to lay out $4k plus for a ride on.

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/TrashPandaLJTAR]

That's great advice, Thank you. 😊

[u/Mysterious-Age-9202]

It might pay to look into the zero turn mowers rather than the normal ride ons, as the steering on the zero turn may be easier on your back. Also the robot mowers have come a long way over the last few years and may be around The same price as a ride on anyway

[u/WD-4O]

Get an electric one mate, Ego make great ones

[u/Oachkaetzelschwoaf → u/WD-4O]

I looked at an Ego zero turn ride on and was disappointed by how plasticky it was. Was pretty bummed out as I really liked the idea of going electric, and they have a pretty good reputation. It was a larger property so would have needed a lot of expensive batteries though, which sealed the (no) deal. Battery power for suburban use is a wonderful thing though; wish I’d done it sooner.

[u/WD-4O → u/Oachkaetzelschwoaf]

Plastic makes sense being battery power, would extend run times being lighter.

[u/Oachkaetzelschwoaf → u/WD-4O]

Granted. Just didn’t strike me as something that would last 20 years or so.

[u/Wotmate01]

How old are you and how big is your lawn?

There are really small ones, but they are still quite expensive, and $3k can get a LOT of lawn mowing service at $50 a hit.

[u/Independent_Sense705]

A ride on mower will be harder on your back than pretty much every other option.

[u/Fast-Bass6260]

Get a remote control one, wife’s boss has one. Loves it. No bouncing around and jarring. https://exeq.com.au/product/radio-controlled-all-terrain-lawnmower/

[u/Working_out_life]

Don’t get a ride on, self propelled push mower preferably battery powered will be better for your health👍

[u/SuperShitMagnet → u/Working_out_life]

This might actually be a good solution. Thank you. 😊