Lawn mower
Any lawn mower experts here?
Used to get our grass cut by a mate at work but as he as now left I am looking to buy my first mower. He originaly had a cheap 2nd hand electric mower which kept cutting out trying to cut our over grown grass (not massively overgrown). He then bought a 2nd hand petrol mower after the electric mower died,the petrol mower made light work of our medium sized garden.
So I was thinking of getting a petrol mower but these look to be expensive compared to electric. Looking to spend around £100 ish so looks like electric is my only option. I don't know what sort of grass we have but it is a bit erm wild compared to your normal smooth type grass. The house is rented and was only laid about 3 years ago so would imagine its the cheapest grass available, if that helps any.
Had a quick look on B&Q website and they have a couple of electric mowers around £130 ish, Bosch,Flymo and a MAC mower. One of the mowers has a slighlty bigger 1600W motor although unsure how realistic mower manufacturers are with the power ratings.
Any advice on a mower for a medium sized garden (guestimating 20Mx6M ish at widest point) with rough ish grass that at the moment is slightly overgrown, a few tufty bits and some longer bits. Hopefully something with a powerfull ish motor that is well built and isn't going to die as soon as the warranty runs out. I am probably being optimistic with my low budget but I have no clue when it comes to green fingered gadgets.
Don't mind buying online if there are any bargains to be had.
Oh, forgot to say - if you can still find one - buy last years model - same name but without the ergoflex new feature (its a fancy new handle but not really worth the extra cost).
Ebay is probably your best bet - but make sure you buy a new blade if buying 2nd hand.
Makes mince meat out of any grass (even overgrown stuff - just start on the highest blade setting at 1st then adjust it as it gets shorter).
Only issue is, they hold their price because they are so good - you could just buy the next smaller model down if on a budget - 37 or 34 ? Cant remember - just means the width of cutting is smaller.
Anyways, for fear of boring you to death - I am off to bed.
The first time you leave the lawn to grow a bit long, you will wish you had a petrol mower. The job became so much quicker and easier when I switched. Yes, you will have to pay a bit more but given the time it will save you, it will be worth it.
Oxygen free copper cables really open up an electric mower's performance.
Blimey, you know your getting old when you are giving out lawnmower advice ! 
Get a Bosch, one of the Rotak 40's should do it.
Immense mower - bit plasticky but cuts the lawn beautifully.
Job done.
Should be plenty of deals about on the net if you do your homework and around your budget.
You wont regret it.
+1 Bosch Rotak brill, get the 34 or 36 for a smaller garden. Good at picking up too even on damp grass
Blimey, you know your getting old when you are giving out lawnmower advice !
Get a Bosch, one of the Rotak 40's should do it.
Immense mower - bit plasticky but cuts the lawn beautifully.
Job done.
Should be plenty of deals about on the net if you do your homework and around your budget.
You wont regret it.
+1 Bosch Rotak brill, get the 34 or 36 for a smaller garden. Good at picking up too even on damp grass
Same here. Got the Rotak from Homebase a few weeks back for £85 as they had a 15% off offer running
Another vote here, I've been using a Bosch Rotak 40 for about 3 years. It can certainly cope with long grass (I don't cut the lawn very often!). I have to say though that I'll probably get a petrol mower next time, for the simple reason that I find it a faff running out extension cables.
Bleurgh! I'm not eating that...
We got a rotak 37 last year, highly recommended. Seem to be fewer complaints than about the orange ones.
If you are a nectar card holder I believe Homebase are doing a 15% off offer this weekend ???
Bosch Appreciation Fan Club
I would recommend NOT buying a Flymo. I now hate my Flymo as much as the Flymo that current one replaced. Why oh why did I buy another. So many nooks and crannies that get full of cuttings, clumps of grass sticking to the underneath which fall off onto the lawn all the time. Takes longer to clean it up after use than it does to mow the lawn, Aarrgh I HATE IT. 
What a relatively well timed thread. Just ordered a Rotak 40 as I need a replacement for my Mountfield Princess which simply could no longer handle dew laden grass.Lots of good reviews (and in the top 15 best buys on Which)
Bleurgh! I'm not eating that...
Are you a vegetarian then ? Have always wondered what The "Lhc" bit is all about too ?
Care to share ?
Thanks for all the replies, must admit I was swaying towards a Bosch after reading some reviews on amazon etc. After quite a bit of searching I managed to find a Rotak 43 ergo for £135 at screwfix (non ergo same price) but looks like almost all of their mowers are out of stock (online and stock in local shops)
Not suprising as they were the cheapest I could find for a brand new mower.
But I have found a non ergo Rotak 43 for £140 delivered online, bonus being that they also have a proper shop in my town and are Bosch dealers. Will go and have a look on Saturday and see if I can pick one up, handy being local if anything goes wrong within the warranty as well.
A bit over my intended budget but probably worth it for the bigger motor and cutting blade.
I bought a new mower last year. Been an electric user for ever but for some reason decided to get a petrol one. £130 from home base and it has been brilliant. Good cut, doesn't matter if grass is long, short, wet dry, just does the job. No messing with extension cables either or worrying where the cable is. What used to take close to an hour for two lawns is now a 20 minute job
Blimey, you know your getting old when you are giving out lawnmower advice !
Get a Bosch, one of the Rotak 40's should do it.
Immense mower - bit plasticky but cuts the lawn beautifully.
Job done.
Should be plenty of deals about on the net if you do your homework and around your budget.
You wont regret it.