Wanted: Good Lawnmower and Line Trimmer

tassieeagle on 11/12/2016 - 12:17

Hello all. I am in the market for a new lawn mower and line trimmer and need some guidance from you lovely people. Being an ozbargainer I ideally want something both good and cheap but happy to pay a bit extra if it will last for a long time.

Don't want anything corded but not fussed with either cordless or petrol.

I was initially thinking about getting the ryobi one plus line trimmer kit but not sold on it yet. No idea on mowers

Budget: $500 would be great but realistically I know it's probably going to be $600 and I don't want to pay more than that.

Cheers

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Scab on 11/12/2016 - 12:19
    +1

    Size of your yard and requirements?

    You'll generally find electric are suited to smaller yards.

    • tassieeagle on 11/12/2016 - 12:43

      Normal suburban block, lawns usually take about 20 - 30 minutes to mow at the moment. I'd estimate the edges would take about 10-15 minutes to neaten up

  • SydBoy on 11/12/2016 - 13:24

    I had aldi patrol 139cc for last 2 year and using it without trouble….my yard size is approx. 300sqm. I bought it for $149 but just saw that same model is on sale at many aldi store for $99. And i use worx cordless line trimmer which is great for last 6month ….got it for $89 from masters but it is still available at other stores

    • tassieeagle on 11/12/2016 - 16:02

      Thanks, no aldis here but I'll check out the worx

  • Euphemistic on 11/12/2016 - 16:25
    +3

    I've got a ryobi one+ 18v trimmer and a 36v mower. I got the trimmer as I already had some ryobi gear and it came with an extra bigger battery. Works well, just need to be a bit patient when I've left the grass get a bit long. I like that you can twist the grip to turn it into a vertical cut for the edges really easily. 4ah battery does my yard 250m of edging with a little left for the blower if it isn't too long.

    The mower does the lawn with a 5ah battery for 350m2, but again, if it has been left to get too long I'll need the backup battery.

    Both are nice and quiet, instant start, auto stop which is great. I don't need ear plugs anymore and no need to muck around with fuels or mixing 2 stroke. A service means checking the blades. Pop the batteries on to charge once you've finished and they are ready for next time. Id definitely recommend battery gear.

    • tissue on 11/12/2016 - 16:40

      Got to agree with going for a cordless electric. Im using a Makita 2 x 18v mower (https://www.cltoolcentre.com.au/cordless-skins/skins-outdoor…) plus looking to get a cheap line trimmer (https://www.cltoolcentre.com.au/cordless-skins/skins-outdoor…). You could get the same plus some cheap noname ebay batteries and a charger for around your $600 limit.

      Best to stick with one system though, so if you already have a cordless drill then see if you can get the other items. Cordless tools are quieter, lighter, no stuffing around with servicing or fuel and do the job nearly as well (obviously not as much power as petrol, but pretty close).

    • aragornelessar on 11/12/2016 - 16:41

      Good to know those numbers, thanks mate!

    • tassieeagle on 11/12/2016 - 17:15

      I'm leaning towards the set up you have because I really like the idea of not stuffing around with fuel and servicing, trouble is to buy it from scratch at Bunnings I'm looking at $229 for the trimmer kit, $399 for the 36v lawn mower skin, and another $149 for another 5aH battery for the mower.

      Might check out tissues idea below, Makita seems to be a bit cheaper, will need to check out some reviews

      • Euphemistic on 11/12/2016 - 18:40

        I paid retail price for my line trimmer, but as I said it came with a bigger battery for my other cordless tools too. I even bought another line trimmer/blower kit for another battery and sold the charger, blower and my old trimmer becuase I ended up paying less for the battery overall and ends up with a new trimmer to boot.

        The mower was bought second hand for $250 with a battery, then another two batteries for $100 and sold one for $100. Given there isn't much to go wrong with the mower I'd buy second hand. They pop up on gumtree regularly.

  • OldBugger on 11/12/2016 - 16:40
    +2

    Did heaps of research before buying my Briggs and Stratton mower. So I would worry less about who makes the frame and recommend looking for one with the new 550 or preferably 625ex engine in it. 18 inch cut would be ideal.

    As for the trimmer, I got a Honda UMK425 loop handle. As that would push your budget way over the top, maybe wait for another bargain on the bent shaft. Or go for the stihl which i believe you can get for $179 at the moment. Although it's 2 stroke so you have to weigh that up.

    I bought all mine at Masters just before they left the shelves. So I would now suggest going to a few mower shops and gather an idea what you could haggle them both for. I did this and got handy advice if anything. Then decide if it's worth buying online or going cordless such as the EGO or ryobi range.

    • Nugs on 11/12/2016 - 18:33
      +1

      plus one on the stihl line trimmer - my hand me down is 20 years old (FS38?). only replaced 2 bump heads and one primer bulb. mixing petrol is straight forward and given the limited use the OP has in mind, a 5/10 litre mixed batch will last a long time.

  • tassieeagle on 11/12/2016 - 16:43

    Thanks for the great suggestions so far, given me some good food for thought

  • Chilli-chilli on 11/12/2016 - 20:12

    Goat and battery powered whipper snipper?

  • tassieeagle on 12/12/2016 - 19:54

    Just an update: I think I have decided I want a cordless line trimmer and lawn mower just because I like the simplicity of the setup. I was thinking of going for the Ryobi 36v lawnmower (2x18v batteries) and the Ryobi 18v line trimmer, with the 5.0aH batteries. But, that model of lawnmower is not available locally so I'm back to square one.

    Am now thinking either the Ryobi 18v lawnmower and 18v line trimmer, or the Ryobi 36v lawnmower and 36v line trimmer (these are both a lot more than my budget), or the ozito 36v lawnmower and 16v line trimmer.

    Also I've been reading a bit about mulching lawn mower and they sound good. Anyone got a comment about those sorts?

    Thank you

    • tissue on 14/12/2016 - 13:36

      The Ozito stuff seems cheap, but be mindful that you probably wont be able to get new batteries, etc in 5 years for that kinda thing. Your mower may be stuffed in this time anyway - most cordless ones ive seen are plastic so cant withstand getting rocks pinged into them or the like, but thats why they are so light and easy to use.

      I had a mulching mower prior to the cordless electric, and it was good that you didnt have to empty the catcher (made it quick), but you cant do it every time or the grass builds up. I dont think ive heard of a cordless mulching mower at all? Most cordless mowers have a 'bar blade' rather than the 4 individual blades that swing back which is what does the mulching.

      • Euphemistic on 15/12/2016 - 08:28

        My cordless ryobi has a mulching plug that fits in the catcher chute. Seems to work OK.

  • tassieeagle on 18/12/2016 - 19:40

    Thanks for all the advice. I ended up buying a Ryobi 36v lawn mower on the weekend https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-lithium-36v-brushless-lawn…

    I have to say it is a fantastic machine. It did my front and back lawns and had a quarter charge left. Glad I didn't get a smaller machine. The other great thing was because this machine did such a good job on the edges as well I have decided there's not much need for a line trimmer so I no longer need one of those.

  • callmejj11 on 07/01/2017 - 11:47

    highly recommend honda mower and trimmer, i know its over the budget but you will never think about it again and last forever.
    or at least honda engine rebrand product.

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