Mowing ..

[roddy1960]

Now for something a bit different

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeSGmiiPDmQ .. Ah , those were the days and who said you couldn't buy a brand new Mustang in this country before now eh ...

As a little tacker I can remember Dad's old wind up start mower with the ratchet and lever. We had that Victa for yonks and he ended up putting a chord on it when the starter failed . It'd rev it's ring off too and throw stones for miles . it was dark green ..

[DFB FGXR6]

My second favorite subject and I'm a massive Victa fan. My grandfather had a VC Mustang for years and in fact I still have it in the shed. I don't use it, its just too old, but it still starts 1st pull of the Zip Starter in a cloud of blue smoke.

I currently have 5 Victa's and I don't care what anyone says, they give the best finish out of all the brands.

But it's the 2-stroke ones that really light my fire. I love the sound of them and I can pick one running from two blocks away





The newer Victa 2-Strokes don't Rev like the older ones, but they have an amazing ability to grunt through the tough stuff like a 4-Stroke can't.

I'll stop now before I embarrass myself

(Thanks for the post Roddy)

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

My second favorite subject and I'm a massive Victa fan. My grandfather had a VC Mustang for years and in fact I still have it in the shed. I don't use it, its just too old, but it still starts 1st pull of the Zip Starter in a cloud of blue smoke.

I currently have 5 Victa's and I don't care what anyone says, they give the best finish out of all the brands.

But it's the 2-stroke ones that really light my fire. I love the sound of them and I can pick one running from two blocks away

image

image

The newer Victa 2-Strokes don't Rev like the older ones, but they have an amazing ability to grunt through the tough stuff like a 4-Stroke can't.

I'll stop now before I embarrass myself

(Thanks for the post Roddy)

Correction, make that 6 Victa's!

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Correction, make that 6 Victa's!

But who's counting !!!!...

I reckon it's awesome to have a collection of Victa's and they're actually a bloody good thing . They're iconic ..We do make a pretty good mower and you're not true blue unless you've owned or used a Victa at some stage .

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

My second favorite subject and I'm a massive Victa fan. My grandfather had a VC Mustang for years and in fact I still have it in the shed. I don't use it, its just too old, but it still starts 1st pull of the Zip Starter in a cloud of blue smoke.

I currently have 5 Victa's and I don't care what anyone says, they give the best finish out of all the brands.

But it's the 2-stroke ones that really light my fire. I love the sound of them and I can pick one running from two blocks away

image

image

The newer Victa 2-Strokes don't Rev like the older ones, but they have an amazing ability to grunt through the tough stuff like a 4-Stroke can't.

I'll stop now before I embarrass myself

(Thanks for the post Roddy)

Thanks for the pic's ..That little black utility style Victa you showed REALLY floats my boat ..What a beauty ..Sweet..

[roddy1960]

Anybody here gone down the battery powered mower path yet , or electric for that matter .

I understand the battery pack ones especially are getting more popular . Kinda sorta a bit like cars with petrol-diesel versus hybrid-electric I suppose .

Love to know whether you'd ever consider something like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAkU6hj8Ed0 ..

[PG2]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Anybody here gone down the battery powered mower path yet , or electric for that matter .

I understand the battery pack ones especially are getting more popular . Kinda sorta a bit like cars with petrol-diesel versus hybrid-electric I suppose .

Love to know whether you'd ever consider something like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAkU6hj8Ed0 ..

Yeah, I would consider battery - for a number of reasons.

I normally get home from work and do the lawns in the cool of the evening during summer. It gets annoying when you are rushing to get it done before the sun goes down and you realise you have no fuel. With battery, if you keep it charged you can plug it into the mower and off you go.

Also, no more petrol fumes in the shed.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Anybody here gone down the battery powered mower path yet , or electric for that matter .

I understand the battery pack ones especially are getting more popular . Kinda sorta a bit like cars with petrol-diesel versus hybrid-electric I suppose .

Love to know whether you'd ever consider something like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAkU6hj8Ed0 ..

ive got a mate who uses all the sthil electric gear, he does landscaping and maintenance in mosman and the clients love how quiet it is, he said its not as good as the petrol gear but when trimming hedges for 8 hours you finish with no head ache, no fumes blowing into your face and his arms aren't sore, he said quite a few blokes in the area are using the gear now for those reasons, not to mention caring a electric mower down 200 odd stairs and through houses is much easier

[scoupedy]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

My second favorite subject and I'm a massive Victa fan. My grandfather had a VC Mustang for years and in fact I still have it in the shed. I don't use it, its just too old, but it still starts 1st pull of the Zip Starter in a cloud of blue smoke.

I currently have 5 Victa's and I don't care what anyone says, they give the best finish out of all the brands.

But it's the 2-stroke ones that really light my fire. I love the sound of them and I can pick one running from two blocks away

image

image

The newer Victa 2-Strokes don't Rev like the older ones, but they have an amazing ability to grunt through the tough stuff like a 4-Stroke can't.

I'll stop now before I embarrass myself

(Thanks for the post Roddy)

Sorry but IMHO rover self propelled roller mowers give the best lawn

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by scoupedy

Sorry but IMHO rover self propelled roller mowers give the best lawn

Like these?



Would love to give one of these a try one day.

[Rallye Sport]

From a bit of retro charm to this dang fangled new gizmo

With new financial year upon us the suppliers are falling over themselves to give us demo machines. We've just seeded a new green so we thought we'd trail, read; loan for free, some cylinder mowers. A couple of fossil burners and this electric model. Its not a bad unit, the transport wheels are handy and run off an extension of the roller shaft with quick release hubs. You don't realize how noisy the ICE until you use one of these and the torque is incredible. To its detriment I feel. The drive is either on or off and if the roller isn't spinning up and bruising the grass its pulling your arms out of their sockets. It really needs a speed controller or a clutch of some sort.

On to another loan machine thats got a big tick of approval, a pedestrian top dresser.

With most of our tee's backed by trees or perched on slopes its difficult to top dress or dust them with the tow behind dresser so we do them by hand.
This one will turn on itself with a cast of about 3m, perfect! We'll also be trying it on our new green thats not ready to have a full size machine driven over it yet.
It can also be dialed down low enough to spread granular fert. We won't be buying one but I'll be making as much use of it whilst I can.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

From a bit of retro charm to this dang fangled new gizmo
image
With new financial year upon us the suppliers are falling over themselves to give us demo machines. We've just seeded a new green so we thought we'd trail, read; loan for free, some cylinder mowers. A couple of fossil burners and this electric model. Its not a bad unit, the transport wheels are handy and run off an extension of the roller shaft with quick release hubs. You don't realize how noisy the ICE until you use one of these and the torque is incredible. To its detriment I feel. The drive is either on or off and if the roller isn't spinning up and bruising the grass its pulling your arms out of their sockets. It really needs a speed controller or a clutch of some sort.

On to another loan machine thats got a big tick of approval, a pedestrian top dresser.
image
With most of our tee's backed by trees or perched on slopes its difficult to top dress or dust them with the tow behind dresser so we do them by hand.
This one will turn on itself with a cast of about 3m, perfect! We'll also be trying it on our new green thats not ready to have a full size machine driven over it yet.
It can also be dialed down low enough to spread granular fert. We won't be buying one but I'll be making as much use of it whilst I can.

Nice stuff, RS, this reminded me of a nice job I did back in the 80's for a golf course in Sydney. Drystone walls for the Tee off and greens for all 18 holes.
I would drive down to each job and have to pop the bonnet and boot lid up then wind all four windows down so as to protect my car at the time.

Wednesday, ladies day at the course was something else, most times I would be running for cover.

[Peter B - CV8]

I grew up using a Victa Corvette - the same ratchet & wind starter that Roddy mentioned + I also remember that the fuel cap had a built in cork float/fuel level indicator.
I did our lawns, then neighbours lawns etc for pocket money & that mower just kept on going. Eventually the ratchet starter gave up the ghost - so it became a pull start. The base fell apart & wheel axles were held on with twisted wire etc etc. Got a good 25+ years out of the old girl.

[Tommie]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

As a little tacker I can remember Dad's old wind up start mower with the ratchet and lever. We had that Victa for yonks and he ended up putting a chord on it when the starter failed . It'd rev it's ring off too and throw stones for miles . it was dark green ..

I'd say your father might have had a Cortina model like mine did. Bought in about 1971 Id say. He also used a rope to start it when the ratchet windup mechanism broke. I still have that mower and still use it sometimes. Starts easy, smokes like hell when on idle and revs like crazy.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Tommie

I'd say your father might have had a Cortina model like mine did. Bought in about 1971 Id say. He also used a rope to start it when the ratchet windup mechanism broke. I still have that mower and still use it sometimes. Starts easy, smokes like hell when on idle and revs like crazy.

That's it Tommie , It was a cortina I think now you mention it ..You're good . Thought it was a corvette but I think you're right now.

I've got nowadays , A Husqvarna 18 hp ride on with the 38" deck , a Cox Stockman 10.5 hp in bits awaiting a rebuild , a 1980's Victa that still runs that I bought very second hand at a garage sale, a Rover that I've used since 1995 from brand new , still runs perfect , a side throw newish MTD 4 stroke and a POS MDT that I bought in a weak moment that's gutless as heck Another source of pride is a fully working Villiers reel mower .Bought it off an old English immigrant for $50 .. Oh yes and Dad's Scott Bonnar that he bought to replace the aforesaid very ancient Victa mentioned in the original post .Motor seized though but won't throw it out .. Also got a Jonsered TL33 commercial brushcutter from 1994 ish that has a load governed carby that senses when under load and opens up the power as needed basically. Also an elderly Echo line trimmer owned by an uncle that needs a bit of a reno .

You guessed it , despite that armory I often find the grass is wet and a foot long before I get mowing...

The Cox Stockman was the friction drive rear engine mount , was a ripper until the cone wore down too much after about 20 years constant use . The cost of parts is horrendous but I've tracked down a few bits . Busted off one of the shaft bolts causing skinned knuckles and thrown spanners but I'll get there one day . The Husky is a beaut and a pleasure to use .

A hedge trimmer , two chainsaws and a garden tiller too.

[anobserver]

Hey all,

I have two older Victas, a 20yo four and an even older 2 stroke. Both look pretty beaten up but start easily and cut well. Have just put new blades on each and they're running ok, but won't last forever.

I was looking over the row of new mowers at my local store. Its an old school affair run by an older couple, and they're always flat out.

Anyway, I was looking for a four-blader that also mulches for our suburban patch. Its a reasonably sized yard, and was wondering everyone thinks of the Masport brand. They suggested masport because they believe parts are easier to get and that the build quality is better than the current Chinese made Victas.

I was directed to this option:
https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garde...bo-mow-n-stow-

I have an elderly parent who occasionally asks me what i'll do with an inheritance. Maybe he expects me to talk about cars or holidays. Instead I regularly respond about lashing out on a new mower. He loves it!

Thanks in advance,


NB for you DFB, my much used 2 stroke.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by anobserver

Hey all,

I have two older Victas, a 20yo four and an even older 2 stroke. Both look pretty beaten up but start easily and cut well. Have just put new blades on each and they're running ok, but won't last forever.

I was looking over the row of new mowers at my local store. Its an old school affair run by an older couple, and they're always flat out.

Anyway, I was looking for a four-blader that also mulches for our suburban patch. Its a reasonably sized yard, and was wondering everyone thinks of the Masport brand. They suggested masport because they believe parts are easier to get and that the build quality is better than the current Chinese made Victas.

I was directed to this option:
https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garde...bo-mow-n-stow-

I have an elderly parent who occasionally asks me what i'll do with an inheritance. Maybe he expects me to talk about cars or holidays. Instead I regularly respond about lashing out on a new mower. He loves it!

Thanks in advance,


NB for you DFB, my much used 2 stroke.

image

I had one of those 19inch steel based Masport's, mine had the larger 190cc Briggs and Stratton 850 on it.

https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garde...st-s19-2-n1-ic

I had that thing for less than 3 months before the axle ground into the chassis, it was basically scrap after that and couldn't be repaired. Now, my usage case is more than most homeowners, but nowhere as much as a full time lawn contractor. However, that's not something I have had happen with any of the countless other mowers I have had over the years. And for that reason I just can't recommend them.

Considering how you mention having a larger yard, I would be aiming for a 19 inch base, preferably alloy and with a larger engine than the 150cc on the Masport you linked above.

Victa Corvette 400 with the 163cc engine. The base is steel on this one -
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...vette-400.html

Victa Mustang with the 190cc engine. I have had a number of these over the years, this is an alloy base that is very high quality, a step above the cheaper steal bases. You pay more for this one, but it will last a LOT longer than a steel base mower. The engine also has a cast iron bore for longevity.
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...stang-850.html

Bushranger 48AL7M with a 196cc engine with a cast iron bore. Alloy base and built like a tank.
https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...loy-base-mower

I can vouch for both the Victa Mustang and Bushranger, both very good machines.

[anobserver]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I had one of those 19inch steel based Masport's, mine had the larger 190cc Briggs and Stratton 850 on it.

https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garde...st-s19-2-n1-ic

I had that thing for less than 3 months before the axle ground into the chassis, it was basically scrap after that and couldn't be repaired. Now, my usage case is more than most homeowners, but nowhere as much as a full time lawn contractor. However, that's not something I have had happen with any of the countless other mowers I have had over the years. And for that reason I just can't recommend them.

Considering how you mention having a larger yard, I would be aiming for a 19 inch base, preferably alloy and with a larger engine than the 150cc on the Masport you linked above.

Victa Corvette 400 with the 163cc engine. The base is steel on this one -
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...vette-400.html

Victa Mustang with the 190cc engine. I have had a number of these over the years, this is an alloy base that is very high quality, a step above the cheaper steal bases. You pay more for this one, but it will last a LOT longer than a steel base mower. The engine also has a cast iron bore for longevity.
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...stang-850.html

Bushranger 48AL7M with a 196cc engine with a cast iron bore. Alloy base and built like a tank.
https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...loy-base-mower

I can vouch for both the Victa Mustang and Bushranger, both very good machines.

Thanks DFB, much appreciated. I like the look of the Victa Mustang, might check that one out. The bushranger looks to be a nice bit of kit too, but that added weight does put me off.

The yard has a mild slope to it and the added weight might mean more effort required, even when mowing sideways along the slope.

Thanks muchly for the advice!

[LG17]

I don't have a Victa.
My old man had a couple of them.
Ge had the very first toe cutter but didn't lose any toes.
He did slice through some fingers one day when he dropped his hand too close after doing something.
I remember riding on the tram with him, fingers wrapped in a hanky, going to Princess Alexandra Hospital for stitches.


I have a Husqvarna 22hp mower with a 46" cut - much more sophisticated than walking.

[Trendseeker]

I’m another Victa Mustang owner. Alloy chassis, cut ‘n mulch, about 8 years old, starts first time every time, highly recommended.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by LG17

I don't have a Victa.
My old man had a couple of them.
Ge had the very first toe cutter but didn't lose any toes.
He did slice through some fingers one day when he dropped his hand too close after doing something.
I remember riding on the tram with him, fingers wrapped in a hanky, going to Princess Alexandra Hospital for stitches.


I have a Husqvarna 22hp mower with a 46" cut - much more sophisticated than walking.

Big fan of Husky's.. I love mine but I'd also love a brand new Victa lawn mower again . My Husky is about 5 years old now . Hasn't missed a beat , one battery only so far . A 22 would have some real grunt .. They're well made ..So are these Victa's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvajHi7veD0 ..

I'm thinking , I'm thinking ..

[Adamz Ghia]

No idea what Victa it was, but mum bought it in 1978 and after a hard life it died in 2012. It was yellow and green and mowed the toughest grass you could throw at it. And boy was it loud.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Big fan of Husky's.. I love mine but I'd also love a brand new Victa lawn mower again . My Husky is about 5 years old now . Hasn't missed a beat , one battery only so far . A 22 would have some real grunt .. They're well made ..So are these Victa's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvajHi7veD0 ..

I'm thinking , I'm thinking ..

The 2246 mows with ease. The only thing I did was swap the solid blades for swingbacks.
The cruise control makes me really lazy!

[John 13]

[QUOTE=LG17;6206978]I don't have a Victa.
My old man had a couple of them.
Ge had the very first toe cutter but didn't lose any toes.
He did slice through some fingers one day when he dropped his hand too close after doing something.
I remember riding on the tram with him, fingers wrapped in a hanky, going to Princess Alexandra Hospital for stitches.


Brings back memories; I was about 14, spending school holidays on relatives property (Wandoan QLD). mainly for tractor driving. However was mowing the side yard with similar old Victa, pulled it back over my foot. Fortunately wearing sand shoes, all I got was badly bruised toes.
Was probably at that time, wondered why mower suddenly started to vibrate badly and was hard to push. I stopped the engine and discovered that a blade had broken off and went into one of the back wheels preventing it from turning.

[DFB FGXR6]

My neighbor had one of these 70's Victa Utilities for decades.



Nothing could stop that thing, it would rev to the moon and back, in fact the kill switch didn't work for some reason so he had to squeeze the rubber induction tube and literally starve it of air to turn it off. Those full-crank 2-strokes were so tough.

If you look at the deck design, there was nothing to stop or slow down debris, to the point he actually broke a few windows over the years.

[DFB FGXR6]

Oh good, I guess I'm a rubbish removalist too now!



I should have left it there, adding to the note "how far?".

[Citroënbender]

This throw would complement it nicely:

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/att...pricot/3643306

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Oh good, I guess I'm a rubbish removalist too now!

image

I should have left it there, adding to the note "how far?".

$50 waste removal fee. That’ll make them think twice about asking you again.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Oh good, I guess I'm a rubbish removalist too now!

image

I should have left it there, adding to the note "how far?".

Hope you Put It in Their Wheely Bin...!!

[PG2]

Thanks Roddy.

I read this and felt a very strong urge to mow the lawn to the point where I went and mowed it for the first time in weeks.

My wife wants to know how you did it.