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09-01-2022, 06:50 PM
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#1321 | |||
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Donating Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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09-01-2022, 07:50 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,614
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I’m going to buy one of those masports for my mum to do her half an acre. She has 3 petrol mowers and struggles to start any of them nowadays. What she likes about the masport, is the metal base, and they look “normal”.
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____________________ 2019 LDV G10 2009 Mitsubishi Express-GONE 2011 Honda Jazz ____________________ |
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09-01-2022, 09:25 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Perth Australia
Posts: 3,618
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There is no nicer smell than Castrol R burning, used to love going to Eastern Creek just for the 125cc 2 strokes, lovely aroma from the back of the garages, love it, love it, love it!......
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10-01-2022, 12:10 AM
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T3/Sprint8
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,550
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Quote:
I’ll be curious which of the HR self propelled range you think…….. Typical lawns, 3 above average sections to cut at split levels - 2 sections I need to lift up 4steps - so heavy one won’t be great as I age in due time  catcher would need to detach.1 section I currently need to empty catcher 4 times min depending grass height for eg….another section pretty much same…..3rd section doesn’t fill catcher. Don’t think I need those in range at the 1200buck and more me think plus I see they are heavy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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10-01-2022, 08:02 AM
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#1325 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Quote:
She's not rusty but it'd be great to touch up the bright red paint , replace the belts and blade I guess once she's mobile and a new battery .. She's also pretty unigue to modern mowers with an auxillary chord start .. Wasn't easy to pull her over but it did work .. Cox Stockman is the name . Between 1994 bought new and 2012 she did 2317 hours as she was fitted with that gauge when I bought it from the dealer for my mowing business .. |
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10-01-2022, 08:12 AM
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#1326 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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10-01-2022, 08:52 AM
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#1327 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Quote:
But I drool over Honda's . I use one at work quite often when I do fill in yard work and it's a joy to use ...and it's an older Buffalo .. Very nice . This is lovely.... (still drooling) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW6-k1dRBCI ....... beaut . One day , one day ...... I just might end up buying one but I'll need to offload one or two others first I guess ... Good luck finding one that suits your needs . I'm sure you will . |
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10-01-2022, 11:22 AM
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Kicking back
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Western sydney
Posts: 8,675
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10-01-2022, 05:18 PM
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
Honda offer three very different options for self propel. In a very basic break down, this is how the series pans out - HRN216 - these models are 21" steel base mowers aimed at the price sensitive US market. They don't cut it for me, things like bar blades are not good for efficient catching, stupid front and rear height adjustment. The motor in these is a belt driven OHC 170cc. https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/.../mowers/hrn216 Cutting Range - 27-100mm Weight - 40 kg Price - $799, $899, $999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HRX217 - these are again a US spec mower with 21" cut and a plastic deck. The bar blade and four! height adjusters is stupid. The 200cc motor is strong, again a belt driven OHC. https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/.../mowers/hrx217 Cutting Range - 19-101mm Weight - 44kg Price - $1399, $1599 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HRU216 - this is the commercial quality mower with an alloy 21" base, 3-speed gearbox, single height adjustment and 4 swing back blades. Engine is the bullit proof GXV160 OHV 163cc. https://powerequipment.honda.com.au/...mowers/hru216# Cutting Range - not stated Weight - 53 kg Price - $1769 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One thing I would say is that you are going to notice the added weight of a self propel mower, especially the alloy HRU216, in fact all alloy Honda's are a tad heavy. Two other options for you - Bushranger 53AH 800SP - I have this as my main mower, it's built like a brick sh.t house! 21" alloy base, 3 speed gearbox with shaft rather than belt drive and the excellent Honda GXV160. If you want to spend over $1500 on a Honda powered mower, I think this is better than the HRU216 for the same price. https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...er-pu53ah6imsp Cutting Range - 25 - 76mm Weight - 53kg Price - $1799 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Victa Commercial 19" 850 I/C SP - This is labeled "commercial" but is based on the 19" Mustang base. I know you want a Honda engine, but this 190cc OHV is VERY stout! I think this mower would better suit your need to lift over steps ect as it only weighs 38 kg. https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...850-ic-sp.html Cutting Range - 13 - 72mm Weight - 38kg Price - $1499 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ##If it were me, considering your lawns and steps ect, I would be looking at the Victa as it's lighter and easier to maneuver. The catcher is larger than the domestic Victa's and I love that engine. This one is a 19" cut but is still bigger than your old 18" steel based Victa. Second choice would be the Bushranger, this needs to be manhandled (likewise the HRU216) but you will soon get used to using the drive system to help in this regard, and the shaft drive/metal wheels/heavy duty base will last a lifetime. Third choice would be the Honda HRU216. The other model Honda's are either cheaply made and/or poorly suited to how we mow lawns in Australia. The HRU is often the contractors choice, but I am seeing more and more using the Bushranger these days. I hope that helps. As you can see, self-propel adds plenty to the cost and weight of a new lawn mower, as does the Honda factor. For example, the Bushranger also comes with a Loncin 196 cc I/C engine for $410 less! When Victa offered a Honda engine option it was priced well above the B&S engine.
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10-01-2022, 05:25 PM
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#1330 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
Easy Walker - 19" Steel base with a 163cc OHV engine. https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...sy-walker.html Weight - 33kg Price - $849 Corvette 400 SP - 19" steel base with 163cc OHV engine. https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...tte-400sp.html Weight - 35kg Price - $879
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10-01-2022, 08:57 PM
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#1331 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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In all my years of using mowers the only Victa I've owned and technically it was Dad's mower to be honest, was am old side throw..It was dark green , it had a metal removable shute to send the grass out if not using the hard plastic catcher, revved it's ring off and had a ratchet winder starter with a lever release..
It was loud , sometimes cantankerous to start . problematic decompression valve but geez it would cut ..We took it places that defied logic on the property until it finally gave up the ghost when I was about 20 ...Dad then bought a Scott Bonnar (anybody remember them ) .Dad and I used that mower for about 10 years until Dad passed away in 1989 and I used it myself after that . In 1994 I bought a brand new Rover two stroke and as it happens it was the last 2 stroke I've had . When I began Rod's Lawns in early 1994 the Rover and an MDT 4 stroke and my Cox Stockman were my fleet . I did it for about three years . Both of the push mowers are still in my shed and still run well..I digress though. Back to Victa . Courtesy to some very knowledgable fellow AFFers not least DFB FGXR6 it's great to see that Victa in fact are right up there and still making some really good mowers and other equipment .. Maybe along with a Honda at some stage in the future I could do well to re look at a Victa option as well .. A company that's been in production in a fiercely competitive market must be doing something very right ... Old enough to remember classic Aussie ads like this . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeSGmiiPDmQ Someone pretty well known to us Ford fans ...and check out the diverse range at the time... Last edited by roddy1960; 10-01-2022 at 09:24 PM. |
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10-01-2022, 09:17 PM
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#1332 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Bugger me.....I had a quick squizz on You Tube (been known to do that a bit) and found the exact same mower we had when I was a little tacker ..
This is exactly the same . Even the colour is .. Incredible . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs0iCyRogKE Enjoy ... |
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10-01-2022, 10:22 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Pt Lincoln far side South Oz
Posts: 5,842
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guy over this way collects reel mowers.
To say he is OCD is ...well lets say more CDO in alphabetical order. Posted this as I want to buy ...  man Id eat my dinner off that, then promptly be killed.
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Dont p i s s off older people. At our age the term Life in Prison is not a deterrent |
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10-01-2022, 11:10 PM
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T3/Sprint8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,550
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Quote:
I’m so so glad I asked you DFB with all your valued experience……… Thankyou so much ! Opened my eyes a lot - understand your points on the sell for the USA market and it’s telling me a lot. Front and rear adjustment is not necessary though once you’ve set the height that suits you wouldn’t need to change again. It’s shifted my mind which is a good thing. Self drive ones with their weight will really be a PIA getting up the steps - I’d be smarter getting some timber planks tbh but I’m tickled by the Victas ! Close to my heart like roddys post re Dad. I inherited his trusty ol Mustang and Commando kicking on for 20odd years I was sad having to dump them finally wearing out - the base’s rusted out. Once I saw the blue one you posted like looking at a blueprint T3 I thought that’s the one ! Having Blue links to Ford I like that. It’s not ott in price I was planning to spend but it just looks great, light weight and seems the one. I’ll check the bush ranger and another you posted. Thanks again been so helpful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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10-01-2022, 11:50 PM
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Living the Dream
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Traralgon, Victoria
Posts: 452
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I bought one of these last year to replace the Victa 2stroke I've had for the last 15 years due to the deck rotting out (pressed steel) and it's been pretty good, engine is plenty grunty. The push button electric start I thought would be a bit of a gimmick but it's been worth it. Alloy based was what I was chasing in a replacement.
https://www.victa.com/nz/en_nz/produ...-ultimate.html |
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11-01-2022, 10:52 AM
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#1336 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Another motoring well known car person endorsing Victa mowers . This is good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTU7p8WgG-s. Shamelessly off topic (sorry moderators) but like Victa another great Aussie classic (eventually), also sometimes maligned by some like Victa has been at times with the same person endorsing it as well . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJk_-SKLh8Y Cheers .. Last edited by roddy1960; 11-01-2022 at 11:01 AM. |
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11-01-2022, 03:51 PM
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#1337 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
*The blue Victa Easy Walker is a Bunning's only model. It's a higher spec that is not always stocked at every store so you may need to order it. https://www.bunnings.com.au/victa-ea...mower_p0080736 *If it were me, I would get the non-Bunning's version but that's more of a case of I prefer to buy this sort of thing from an expert in the field. Either way, if you need service or repair, it will be going back to the dealer and not Bunning's. *The self propel on these is a single speed, about 5 kph. *The 163cc OHV engine is going to be a decent step up from you old 148cc side valve engine. It's the same capacity of the Honda and has more torque at 9.8 Nm vs 9.6 Nm. *The lighter steel frame is going to suit you more than the Alloy commercial models. *I tend to always recommend Victa's for a reason. I have used Honda's, Masport's, Rover's and various others, I always come back to the Victa's for the performance and catching ability. I found my Honda to heavy and the angle of the handle had me stooped over it, the Masport flogged out its base in less than 12 months.
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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11-01-2022, 08:28 PM
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Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
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Anyone have any experience with the bushranger lawn mowers ? They have an engine branded Kohler, I was a bit worried when the engine says oil never needs to be changed.
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11-01-2022, 08:41 PM
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#1339 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
I have the big bugger 53AH with the Honda on it, that replaced a Rover with a Kohler engine.  That Kohler has done a power of work. It burned oil from day one, not in a smokey way but I seemed to be topping it regularly. I never liked that engine, despite what the brochure states, for what is larger engine (173cc vs 163cc for the Honda) it never seemed to have enough grunt. I note Bushranger offer certain models with Briggs and Stratton's, I would recommend those over a Kohler. https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...ey-start-mower https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...wer-bush46tb6m https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...er-bush46tb5em Avoid this one however as it only has 125cc - https://bushrangerpe.com.au/browse-p...wer-bush46tb45
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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11-01-2022, 08:44 PM
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 656
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After a bit of advice.
So I picked up a Stihl FSA 57 battery line trimmer yesterday and proceeded to attack my 4 week overdue edges after my 20year old Stihl FSA 45 gave up the ghost. I was a little underwhelmed. The effort to trim the edges was far greater than my old trimmer but I will say it did trim the leaf/blade satisfactory but it struggled with the runners (Sir Walter). Once I get back into weekly or maintenance mode I am sure it will be up to the task. I also only got 80m or so trimming before the standard battery went flat but again it’s first workout was unusually thick. Also the standard line of 1.6mm is rubbish. I use 2.4mm in my old unit and will be looking to upgrade to min 2.0mm when the supplied stuff runs out. So my question is does anyone have the same unit and what cord do you run. What is the biggest you can fit ignoring the manual. Once my 20 year old Victa packs it in I will look at the Stihl RMA 460 mover with another battery. Any feedback on this mower. I am on a 550m2 mostly level block. The buffalo is fairly spongy. |
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11-01-2022, 08:46 PM
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#1341 | ||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Briggs and Stratton also state no changing the oil, only top ups as well.
Please ignore that recommendation. The traditional rule of thumb is change the oil after the first 5 hours on a new engine, then annually or 50 hours thereafter.
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11-01-2022, 08:59 PM
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#1342 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
If you bought the FSA 57 as a kit form, you will have the smallest AK10 battery, explaing the lack of "range". If you do go for a Stihl lawn mower, if you do for a RMA 460, buy it as a skin only then buy a larger AK20 or AK30 battery to give you sufficient run time. But also please make sure that it will cut low enough for you, the RMA 460 has a 35mm lowest cut height. On Sir Walter, that might be ok but I would go out and measure your current mower on it regular setting to see if it will be suit. 35mm is very high, I know someone who did buy one of these and he hates it.
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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11-01-2022, 09:03 PM
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T3/Sprint8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,550
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Quote:
Again thanks for the heads up re the Bunnings only source on that victa. That would put me off once I found out as well - I like good backup and dealing with people who know their product - not sellers only. You’ve put me in the right paths when and where I’ll buy the upgrade. Interesting your pov on victas now…. I swore by them back in the day, they served me well - even before changing to a briggsy 4stroker. I think I changed to briggsy because I got word once GUD holdings sold victa product quality went backwards to what it was. Sounds like they have recovered. Good to hear. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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11-01-2022, 09:10 PM
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Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
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11-01-2022, 09:29 PM
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#1345 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...tte-400sp.html
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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12-01-2022, 08:13 AM
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#1346 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St Marys Tasmania
Posts: 3,556
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Quote:
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...wn-mowers.html . You've pricked my interest again too and found this very interesting indeed.. Quality stuff and a terrific range for most people . Also been watching several vids on YT of the really old girls , especially the utility mowers of the 1960's and 70's . Also the VC series (very gutsy engines) and this vid was awesome too.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8eVo8uUYOs&t=19s . DFB , out of curiosity when was the last 2 stroke Victa mower released and has any other engines than tried and true Briggs and Stratton four strokes been used . Huge fan of the Briggsy's . My only two stroke ( Rover } has a Suzuki motor but the other four are all Briggs. The Husqvarna ride on has the Husky 19.5 hp engine of course . Never ever had an unfixable issue with BS at home or at work when I was greenkeeping ..So reliable . In the shed , my old Cox Stockman has the 10.5 hp Briggs and Stratton I/C sitting quetly ..hopefully she'll fire up again one day if I can hunt up the drive cone etc to get her going again ...She's from 1994 . Last edited by roddy1960; 12-01-2022 at 08:26 AM. |
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12-01-2022, 07:52 PM
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#1347 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
I'll start on the 2-Strokes - First, let be known Victa was bought out by Briggs and Stratton in the late 2000's. Ever since, less and less models were available with the Victa 2-Stroke engine. From memory, Victa announced they would stop making 2-Strokes around 2015/2016. Production lasted a bit longer than that as demand seemed to be high, I was told "they found some more engines". In the last years of production, that engine was made in China, then assembled in South Australia. I bought two brand new 2-Stroke Victa's for keepsakes, a Mustang in 2015 and the second one a MasterCut was in April 2018, one of the last. Both have at least paid for themselves three times over in that time. Mustang (Absolutely nothing gets in the way of this thing!) -    Mastercut 460 (They are only this clean once!) -   Check out the long range fuel tank on this model. I accidentally snapped the fuel tap on tank, emptying the better part of 5.4 litres of 2-Stoke fuel into the tray of my ute, was not happy after that! Had to replace the whole tank too.   In terms of other engines Victa has used over the years, there have been a couple. For a period during the 1990's, Victa were fitting Tecumseh engines. These were a direct competitor to B&S engines, they even had side-valves and similar cubic capacity. These were not popular engines on Victa's. Tecumseh is no longer either.  Honda engines have also been used on and off, they were available up until recently on their commercial mowers. I guess B&S didn't want the competition. Both the OHC GCV 160 and OHV GXV 160 were used.   For a brief period to get a lower price point, just before B&S bought Victa, they were using a Chinese made OHV engine they called the V40.  In the same vein, Victa currently have a selected range of models fitted with a similar Chinese made engine they call the V127, V144 and V170, the numbers denoting the cubic capacity. These engines are sold up $100 less than their B&S equivalents. https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...ette--400.html  What annoys me is that Victa as a brand is the orginator of the lawn mower as we know it. Why do they cheapen their brand image with cost driven models that are nothing more than cheaply re-branded crap, both engines and mowers overall. The Sonic and Corvette V127 are prime examples. https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...ers/sonic.html https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...ette-v127.html I know they are doing this to compete with the Aldi and Big W specials, but it cheapens the brand that should be proud to make and sell a premium product, with premium engines.
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12-01-2022, 08:04 PM
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#1348 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 775
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2017 Mustang Lightening Blue, Cobb Intercooler, CAI, AccessPort, Turbo Blanket & V2 Exhaust, Mishimoto Down-Pipe & Overflow Tank, GFB DV+, Custom CRD Tune. Ford Performance Short Throw Shifter & Strut Brace. DBA T3 Brakes & Pads. Braided Brake Lines. H&R Coilovers. Anderson CF Track Pack Spoiler & Tailgate Panel. Blue CF/Leather Steering Wheel. |
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12-01-2022, 08:04 PM
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#1349 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 656
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12-01-2022, 08:22 PM
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#1350 | |||
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Donating Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 12,561
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Quote:
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PX MK II Ranger FG XR6 FG X XR8 Mustang GT T3 TS50 - gone but not forgotten |
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Re: Mowing ..
Re: Mowing ..
Linear Mode
