Vat (avoidance) - summer job

[Forestboy1978]

You really think getting a self properly mower would be better in the long run that a ride on?

You can't really cut wet grass with one though, well you can but it's twice as hard and looks crap.

[Forestboy1978]

pain in the arse

of course, thanks

[dig dug dan]

if its wet, it will still look crap whatever mower you use. I run a 32hp kubota tractor with 5' rotary mower, and do a lot of council contracts, and if its wet, it makes a mess.
If you buy that sit on, you are relying on the customers letting you leave the clippings on the lawn, and having a gateway wide enough to get the machine in, neither of which i think is likely

[Forestboy1978]

That sit on will fit through a standard gateway if there are no obstructions.

If the customer is willing to delay I'll delay, if not they will have to accept it wont look as good. As long as they cut regular enough those clips will disappear. If they don't then I'll charge more and get the hayter out.

[dig dug dan]

that machine is 1000mm wide. most STANDARD garden gates are 900mm., but we all know that anything under that is normal.

[michaelthegardener]

in 10 years ive never had a domestic customer who didn't want the grass collected get yourself a nice 18" walk behind

[Forestboy1978]

OK not that exact machine then. But under 900mm normal, I have never fitted one, ever, and not noticed walking through one that I can think of.

[Forestboy1978]

in 10 years ive never had a domestic customer who didn't want the grass collected get yourself a nice 18" walk behind

You're talking about long lengths though right?. The whole point is to dice it up is it not? To re fertilize the grass with itself instead of constantly stripping it. Properly cared for grass should be clipped anyway.

My understanding of these machines is that, if dry, they will mulch it to clippings and fire them broadly around. I know for a fact that anything below 1.5 cm will not create thatch and such if it's spread properly it doesn't even show.

[Forestboy1978]

in 10 years ive never had a domestic customer who didn't want the grass collected get yourself a nice 18" walk behind

What do you recommend. My hayter is amazing but it's not self propelled nor 18"

[michaelthegardener]

ive got an etesia at the moment and it seams a good all round mower for the jobs ive got think it a phts

[Forestboy1978]

They do one with a kohler engine

http://www.etesia.com/en/products/clipper-pro-51k.html

Perhaps the wise decision would be to at least start with a self propelled walk behind.

Damn you guys for making me see reason lol

[Forestboy1978]

NOT CHEAP THOUGH

[r896neo]

A good mower like an etesia pro 46 will cut even in wet conditions. A light mower is worth its weight in gold as you can cut on damp ground without leaving terrible ruts which is where a ride on will really give you problems. Unless your cutting lots of lawns more than 500sqm the extra time it takes you to get your ride on out of the van and going will see you finished with a light fast pedestrian mower.

A mulch mower is very good and most decent mowers can mulch by simply adding a plug in place of the grass box. Speeds up cuts and is good for the grass.

You can't mulch on grass more than 2 weeks long and also you can't mulch if its wet at all.

[Tony McC]

I've got a Qualcast.

From Argos.

60 quid.

It's shite!

But then, it's only for my own postage stamp lawn