Hi Deejay
Many thanks for your warm welcome. Unfortunately my father has been in an aged care facility for some time (4 yrs) and my mother passed two years ago. The machine probably hasnt been used in as many years. My sister (from Perth) is going to their home in Esperance WA on the 14th of this month to sort through some furniture and other belongings (maybe incl the mower) and organising the transport of some other items for me. My eldest brother who lives in Esperance expressed interest in the mower and may have snavelled it already despite my pleas and great need.

We will see what transpires but I will know within a week and my initial thoughts would be to stick with the Alroh if its not been taken already.

I priced a new Rover (metal barell without the rubber sleeve thats been sitting idle in a shop for a number of months) at $1299 just before Xmas and I know you can get a 10 blade reel for it but unsure of the additional cost. I emailed a local crowd up here who seem to agents for everything "mowing" and did not recieve a response. They should not put enquiry email addresses on their web site. My gut feel is I would have to pay a min $1000 for the 2nd hand Rover 45. Are they solid machines in your opinion and where are they made now.. (China??) At $1000 2nd hand I'd rather spend the extra $300 and buy new get warranty etc. Is the $500 odd for a new reel good for both the new Rover and the older SB.

The Scotty I looked at has a smaller engine (1HP less) than the Rover and I am a little unsure as to the model now or engine size. I would have thought $600 would have been a fairly good price for the Scotty. He put some fuel in it and it started first pull and it was sending grass flying as he did a quick demo. The guy selling both is a bit of a stickler (ex speedway nut)for servicing things and blades on Scotty recently sharpened.. It certainly didnt look perfect and I am unsure as to its overall age. He is also not the sort of bloke you would haggle with. Suggest the wrong thing and I'm sure he would just send me on my way.

I understand that things of this nature are not cheap and I wouldn't say $500 was silly for a new reel. Can you choose the type of blades you would like for 10 blade reel. As mentioned the aim is to get a golf green finish on the turf I laid a month or so ago. I understand you can also get "flash" extras for things like de-thatching. Are you aware of the costs or a point of contact for these nice things!!

Thankyou for taking the time to respond to my post and I hope t become a bit of a regular. Perhaps I could show progress on the turf over time. At the end of the day these machines are all about a nice mow.

best regards and Cheers

Rob