OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum Off Topics Mower choice

Hi all,

I am running out of room for personal mowers, and have started getting commentary and "the look" from the Mrs.

It all started when I found the excellent condition Masport 400 mower a few weeks back. Since then, my garage is looking extra full, and I think I need to cull the herd so to speak.

So, my personal use mower fleet currently consists of;

Victa Tornado 300 2 stroke; first, and only, mower I have bought brand new back in 2007 I know the base is a shocker, and the long shafted PT engine is painful to transfer, but the deck is still in good nick, and the insides of the engine look like the Sistine chapel when you open it up due to me always making sure top quality oil and petrol are used and regular maintenance done. First time starter, perfect runner.

Victa Mustang 2 stroke 2016 model that I found in a salvage yard; You guys would remember this one as well. Virtually unused, for sale in a Bankstown salvage yard. While I haven't owned it since brand new, it was near enough to being so. It is looking virtually as new as the time I got it, apart from the decomp breaking, and me replacing it with an old, rebuildable one. Starts first time, and a brilliant mulch and catch mower, if a little heavy (alloy deck on these are huge).

Victa Mustang 2 stroke 1984 model, first edition PT; You have seen this one as well. The green machine is still in perfect order, starts first go, and is the perfect revenge for when neighbours keep you up all Friday/Saturday night with a party, and you need to mow the lawn next morning. Has an oversized piston, is very powerful, no over revving (loud though), great machine with a big, fat, green thumblatch catcher.

Masport 400; Recent addition. Belonged to an old guy that treated this like a baby. Dates from perhaps 1990 or thereabouts. Base, wheels, everything in excellent condition, with not a SPOT of rust on the chrome handles. Briggs Quantum 35 (190cc? 178cc?) starts first go with the choke, and runs perfectly with not a hint of any off sounds.

Possible new addition soon; my elderly mother may be wanting to move into a smaller home soon, even though I do the lawns, gardens, fix stuff, etc. It all depends on how the home care stuff works out. If she does end up moving, that means I end up with the family owned, since buying new from Grace Brothers in 1981 (when they still had a garden section), Victa FC160 Corvette. This would really push the garage real estate into the red zone, but isn't a definite for the moment. Either way, this mower will be a keeper.

So, if you had to cull one of these mowers, which one would you think would be at the top of your list? And why?

They all sound fantastic but will they all get used enough?
I personally would nominate the Mustang mulch and catch as that is a late model that is likely to attract buyers and a good selling price. You already have the Tornado for mulching duties and it has more sentimental value as your only mower you personally bought brand new. The Masport offers the civilised and more fuel efficient four stroke that will cut the grass quietly if you want to do a last minute mow late in the day without risk of annoying neighbours having their tea.
If you're really fond of the Mustang then maybe let go of the Tornado instead as you were after that model to undo your mistake of getting the Tornado in the first place.
It's a difficult choice I know.
The 84 Mustang is a keeper. Historically significant EBay find that has an Aussie cast PT with a much needed mid life refresh under its belt in the form of a rebore that's effectively enlarged it's cubic capacity.
Of course the FC Corvette family heirloom (which looks cool as hell) has to stay. You got it from Grace Bros.
I have the fondest memories seeing the Victa range they had at their Macquarie Centre store in the late 80s including the Mustang GTS and their most expensive, a yellow base Pro self propelled rear catcher model with the fattest inlet pipe about 10cm diameter going for a grand in 89!

Your problems are "running out of room" and getting "the look". Having too many mowers should not be considered a problem IMO, and in your case they all sound like good ones.

I suggest you take a look at MaxWestern's post on constructing shelves so you can fit more mowers into your existing shed space.

Recently a mate needed a mower. After careful consideration he drove off with a Victa Quantum 60 in excellent condition and I was down to just 18 mowers (runners that is). The next weekend another mate turned up with an old unwanted Rover which is now a good runner.

Culling doesn't work it seems.

Hi all,

Yep I would just make a small rack for them ,you can nail some wood together or use bolts. That way 4 mowers will fit in the space
of 1 mower.

If I had to get rid of one it would be the Victa Mustang 2 stroke 1984 because it's loud but I wouldn't sell any mowers ,just take the engine off
and store the parts on a shelf as spares.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/117045/1.html

Cheers
Max.

Hey guys,

I actually hunted down Max's thread on the advice of Maniac, and repurposed an old Aldi shelf I had used down in the back shed. The mowers fit across the shelves perfectly, just had to move it back from the wall about a foot. Absolutely perfect. They can also be easily taken out whenever mowing is on the cards.

Thanks guys.

Found this across street. Hoping to get four mowers on it but still freed up a little space in the patio.

Always so difficult when you are short of space