Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

Here is Grandpa's mighty VC Mustang.







Go the Zoom 25!



She is very well used and, to be honest, I wouldn't feel very safe using it these days. Like most of his generation, Old Pa would mend everything rather than throw it away. Hence the patched up catcher.




And the little primer button would always lubricate your finger for a cold start.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by 290GTP

Pffft..to hell with pushing mowers around.



image

100%

Still need a hand mower for fiddly bits.

So got myself a Victa "easy walker"

Powered wheels ftw.
If there's an easier way I'll find it.

[DFB FGXR6]

Behold Hercules. Three speeds of self-propelled mulching power.



In top gear, be prepared to run!

No emptying the catcher with this bad boy. Can also side discharge if needed.

[roddy1960]

G'day all again ..Loving the thoughts on all things mowing . What a classic is the VC Mustang DFB , she's a beaut . What's taking over big ride on's these days or lawn tractors as they used to be called is the Zero turn ones .

we have a Toro at work , I don't use it much but it's bloody fun when I do . The groundsman who hogs it like nobody's business can make it talk . Me , not so much yet .

Been brush cutting/trimming today with a Stihl FS 80 , an old bugger but it's just been done up as the back up brushcutter and it's now got a new fangled self feeding head on it. Pretty nice .
From a while back when Australian owned (rarity these days) Cox were getting into zero turn ride on's ..Pretty tough too. Got an idea they use Honda powerplants now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTCLB-ODdWI...

[Pepscobra]

Are the little Victor 16" Ultralite mowers you get from Bunnings (exclusive to Bunnings only I think) any good?
I want one as I only have a small lawn.
They have a US made B&S motor... is that good?

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

Are the little Victor 16" Ultralite mowers you get from Bunnings (exclusive to Bunnings only I think) any good?
I want one as I only have a small lawn.
They have a US made B&S motor... is that good?

B&S motors are still brilliant, just get one on a good chassis..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

Are the little Victor 16" Ultralite mowers you get from Bunnings (exclusive to Bunnings only I think) any good?
I want one as I only have a small lawn.
They have a US made B&S motor... is that good?

I would actually spend just a little bit extra on this...

https://www.bunnings.com.au/victa-cl...mower_p3380770

It's an 18'' Victa deck but these are still very light. And it has a bigger 140cc engine (the Ultralite is only 125cc)

Those Ultralite's are not really a true Victa deck and were introduced to give Bunnings something to sell at a lower price point. Nothing wrong with Briggs and Stratton engines, but the 125cc is pretty small for a mower.

[DFB FGXR6]

And I'm not a mower salesman by the way although I get the feeling I missed my calling

[roddy1960]

The Briggs and Stratton I/C engines are bloody good and do a power of work. Even the home use Briggsy's are pretty good nowadays . Wouldn't hesitate buying a B&S powered mower.. No issues I've ever had with my own or the ones I used as a greenkeeper for eight and a half years or so .

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

And I'm not a mower salesman by the way although I get the feeling I missed my calling

And a collector of some extremely nice Fords and other quality cars too may I say .

[pottery beige]

circa 03 victa 'quattro' big block mower - its had a set of blades and an oil top up

newish echo 2 stroke snipper + blower



#mylyfe

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

circa 03 victa 'quattro' big block mower - its had a set of blades and an oil top up

newish echo 2 stroke snipper + blower

image

#mylyfe

Nice work ...very nice work ..

[.:4:.]

Why is the family dog investigating a toaster?

[roddy1960]

This is Peter Anderson from Melbourne in this Victa video.

He's done some great resto's on a few Fords and his attention to detail is stunning . Enjoyed all his car videos very much . His channel is well worth a visit .

Now found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnyyjPjKhBQ .

Very enjoyable to watch ..

[Syndrome]

Our family for many decades purchased Rover mowers. But as they are no longer Australian made the next mower may be a Honda

[DFB FGXR6]

I personally dont buy into the whole Honda superiority thing. They are overrated.

The self-prop models lack a full width chute as the SP gear takes up some of that space. This hampers the catching ability, and I can tell you there is nothing more frustrating than having to unblock the chute every few minutes. (Motor off, catcher off, clear blockage, catcher back on, motor restarted.....)

[burnz]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

circa 03 victa 'quattro' big block mower - its had a set of blades and an oil top up

newish echo 2 stroke snipper + blower

image

#mylyfe

is that your back lawn or the putting green at the local golf course??

[FTE217]

Hey PB, great lawn and cut.
Whilst on lawns what are peoples fav spring grass feed ?

I was a Victa owner for some 25yrs but I always admired Briggsy's and bought one as quoted earlier post.
I do love 4stroke simpleness.

DFB XR6, re Hondas sorry I can't agree.
More and more councils are buying them I notice over the years, Lawn Mowing Service guys are buying them.
My brother is a Honda motorcross devotee for 30 odd years on 5acres, obviously Johhny Deer ride on but Honda mowers.
My neighbours have sworn by them from years ago - I don't see any of them stopping unblocking the shute ever.
Quality product and damn reliable - I'm just a tight **** not to spend that much but I wish.

On another thing mowers, how does everyone like these full plastic rim/wheels ?

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Hey PB, great lawn and cut.
Whilst on lawns what are peoples fav spring grass feed ?

I was a Victa owner for some 25yrs but I always admired Briggsy's and bought one as quoted earlier post.
I do love 4stroke simpleness.

DFB XR6, re Hondas sorry I can't agree.
More and more councils are buying them I notice over the years, Lawn Mowing Service guys are buying them.
My brother is a Honda motorcross devotee for 30 odd years on 5acres, obviously Johhny Deer ride on but Honda mowers.
My neighbours have sworn by them from years ago - I don't see any of them stopping unblocking the shute ever.
Quality product and damn reliable - I'm just a tight **** not to spend that much but I wish.

On another thing mowers, how does everyone like these full plastic rim/wheels ?

Alot of the mowing contractors are buying them ex-council, they turn them over yearly every, two at the most. I picked up a self propelled one, 3 speed for my elderly father in law for about half the price of a new one. He loves it.
Blocked chute comes from the wing tips on the blades being worn out.

RE feeding, what do you want to do, make it grow or just green it up?
General lawn feed to make it grow and give a little colour, apply a little at regular intervals is best.
If you just want to green it up use 1 part manganese, 2 parts iron. We use this to colour fairways without the growth spurt. Just be sparing, black comes after green on the colour spectrum, lol.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by FTE217

DFB XR6, re Hondas sorry I can't agree.
More and more councils are buying them I notice over the years, Lawn Mowing Service guys are buying them.
My brother is a Honda motorcross devotee for 30 odd years on 5acres, obviously Johhny Deer ride on but Honda mowers.
My neighbours have sworn by them from years ago - I don't see any of them stopping unblocking the shute ever.
Quality product and damn reliable - I'm just a tight **** not to spend that much but I wish.
?

I got burnt by a Honda a few years ago. It was sold to me, at a considerable price premium I might add, as the best thing on earth but turned out to be a dog. Put me off them ever since. It's a bit like cars, sometimes you get a lemon and it puts you off the brand for ever.

That said, they are solidly built units and the engines are reliable. Heavy buggers though.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Hey PB, great lawn and cut.
Whilst on lawns what are peoples fav spring grass feed ?

I was a Victa owner for some 25yrs but I always admired Briggsy's and bought one as quoted earlier post.
I do love 4stroke simpleness.

DFB XR6, re Hondas sorry I can't agree.
More and more councils are buying them I notice over the years, Lawn Mowing Service guys are buying them.
My brother is a Honda motorcross devotee for 30 odd years on 5acres, obviously Johhny Deer ride on but Honda mowers.
My neighbours have sworn by them from years ago - I don't see any of them stopping unblocking the shute ever.
Quality product and damn reliable - I'm just a tight **** not to spend that much but I wish.

On another thing mowers, how does everyone like these full plastic rim/wheels ?

Spring grass feed?
Well the horses wander all over the place and **** where they want to . I just jump on the ride on and spread it. Easy, cheap and reliable.

[danzvtil]

I had a victa with a Briggs motor for about 15years, the engine was smoky from day one but always started first pull. The wheel bearings are worn out and rickety from use as I have 4 lawns I mow regularly.
When time came to upgrade, I wanted a Honda and looked at some HRU something units for epic dollars but only had half a chute. Thru a contact at a bunnings I work at, they had a display mustang with the Honda engine with some parts missing they gave me $200 off with a list of spares I needed (worth $20 ��).
The Honda is plenty powerful and heaps more fuel efficient, plus has a big fuel tank. The other Honda advantage I find is the oil change is by tipping the unit to the side, no stuffing around propping it up on chairs to find the sump plug under the Briggs.

[Junkyard-Dog]

I will have to take a picture of the Victa Mustang that my gf's grandfather gave us to take care of our yard. It looks much like the one in the top post on this page.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Alot of the mowing contractors are buying them ex-council, they turn them over yearly every, two at the most. I picked up a self propelled one, 3 speed for my elderly father in law for about half the price of a new one. He loves it.
Blocked chute comes from the wing tips on the blades being worn out.

RE feeding, what do you want to do, make it grow or just green it up?
General lawn feed to make it grow and give a little colour, apply a little at regular intervals is best.
If you just want to green it up use 1 part manganese, 2 parts iron. We use this to colour fairways without the growth spurt. Just be sparing, black comes after green on the colour spectrum, lol.

When I wanted to boost the greens quickly while I worked as a country golf course greenkeeper I used Sulphate of Ammonia for nitrogen and potash for potassium in equal parts and mixed in sulphate of iron to control moss. Once or twice a year a good dose of dolomite lime to help balance your pH. Later on I tried liquid fertilisers like Seasol but still gave the greens a periodical feed of Ammonia/Potash/Iron. I had to keep weed control and ground grubs in check and the fertiliser program aided the greens coping with the stress of such sprays and close mowing but also of course with consistent asthetic appeal .

Ideal pH for grass is slightly acidic 6 to 6.5 so anybody keen on maintaining a healthy lawn it's not a bad idea to buy a soil analysis kit or a decent quality pH reader from a garden shop or hardware store just to take the guesswork out of it a bit .

A tip for Ammonia based fertilizers too . Best time to do it is when it's raining or when rain is imminent . Otherwise ensure you give it a quick watering via hose or sprinkler because left dry the ammonia will leave burn marks . Even a quick wash in will prevent that . Normally the deep colour change and boost of growth is extremely quick indeed.

[roddy1960]

The Great Honda Debate ..

Never yet owned one ..but I've used a couple over the years . Engines especially seem pretty good but as stated through the thread they do have issues .

Found this interesting ..

http://www.mowersgalore.com.au/lawnm...a-lawn-mowers/ .

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

The Great Honda Debate ..

Never yet owned one ..but I've used a couple over the years . Engines especially seem pretty good but as stated through the thread they do have issues .

Found this interesting ..

http://www.mowersgalore.com.au/lawnm...a-lawn-mowers/ .

My old man was a VIP lawnie for 20 years, his machine choice was rover with Briggs motor, right before he retired, he got the Honda motor he wishes he had done so 20yrs earlier.

[buggerlugs]

So, you like "push" these mowers, do you ??!!
Sounds like hard work....................

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Hey PB, great lawn and cut.
Whilst on lawns what are peoples fav spring grass feed ?

I was a Victa owner for some 25yrs but I always admired Briggsy's and bought one as quoted earlier post.
I do love 4stroke simpleness.

DFB XR6, re Hondas sorry I can't agree.
More and more councils are buying them I notice over the years, Lawn Mowing Service guys are buying them.
My brother is a Honda motorcross devotee for 30 odd years on 5acres, obviously Johhny Deer ride on but Honda mowers.
My neighbours have sworn by them from years ago - I don't see any of them stopping unblocking the shute ever.
Quality product and damn reliable - I'm just a tight **** not to spend that much but I wish.

On another thing mowers, how does everyone like these full plastic rim/wheels ?

Agreed, i managed one iof the biggest Jims franchises in NSW in the 90's and used the Buffalo self drive on anything up to 25 jobs per day and the only time i had these issues was if trying to do too much at once or in first cuts which had been neglected and ideally would have been left to a push version if not for the terrain.
When i bought my own franchise here in SA in the mid 2000's i used a Buffalo push and a Briggs Quattro as they came with the purchase and it was noticeably harder work.
Personally i wouldnt give tuppence for a Briggs and only used it as a backup but things may have improved since then.

[FTE217]

Rallye and others on the lawn feed Q. - thanks for your inputs, good to see some green keepers, take my off to youse, I just like being a player and some greens are marvelous the work you guys do.
A mix of this a mix is not me though - I asked purely on the base's to see what anyone does.
I have been using Shelleys No17 for yonks, ( my grass's are mostly the sir walter type buffalo) it may not be to many here's approval maybe BUT I find it works great ! just before Spring I buy my 20k bag and spread it around, I do some minor weeding here or there of the obvious large one that have turned up but by the time the grass has been invigorated it over grows the small weeds and my grass is lush as especially having had 2-3wks of rain here in Sydney.

Bent8, yer even though I have a Briggsy and rate it as long as you don't try to grab too much at first cut they are not a problem but I'll really consider a Honda next upgrade for me.

buggerlugs, if I have acreage ofcourse I would go ride on who wouldn't, my suburbia patch is 1250sq's incl house ofcourse and have split level areas - a push mower is the only go, besides I love being out there doing the job for I can't hear the Mrs's for starters and good excercise

[burnz]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Agreed, i managed one iof the biggest Jims franchises in NSW in the 90's and used the Buffalo self drive on anything up to 25 jobs per day and the only time i had these issues was if trying to do too much at once or in first cuts which had been neglected and ideally would have been left to a push version if not for the terrain.
When i bought my own franchise here in SA in the mid 2000's i used a Buffalo push and a Briggs Quattro as they came with the purchase and it was noticeably harder work.
Personally i wouldnt give tuppence for a Briggs and only used it as a backup but things may have improved since then.

i'v had both briggs and Honda, the Honda hru series oiled it self to death..


so briggs for the lawn and Honda for the trimmer, that I cant fault either of then..