Well, my friend and i worked on that crazy riding mower today. Found out that the controls are decidedly different from USA type controls! At the front, on the steering column brace cover, down by yer feet, are two pedals. I haven't figured out what the left one does, but, the right one will send ya into the woods, or yer work-bench, at frightening speeds! So, when it doesn't stop, ya let up on the pedal, and that infernal machine backs up at the same speed as when it smashed into the work bench! The side gear shift sez it has 4 speeds and reverse, on a metal plate at the left side of the engine where the bent shift handle resides. Problem with that---it doesn't say where Neutral is--nothing to show its location! On the left side of the steering column plate, is another foot pedal, which i haven;t figgered out yet what it does. It took 7 minutes to find neutral, so i could even get the engine started, since it doesn't have electric start. At least, i haven't found that either, if it even has it. Finally, i did start the engine, got on it, moved the shifter handle to R (Does "R" mean something else in swedish?) And it ran swiftly into the arc welder and cart in front of it! I left up on the right pedal, and it backed out of the garage swiftly, then i pushed the pedal down and--yep--you guessed it--the arc welder cart again! By that time, i was sorry i had ever seen that infernal machine! It is going back to the owner-free-no charge! I did get it tamed down once and had it mowing and going along good, then Ruth called me for lunch, so i shut it off. I guess it had a fit of pique, because, after lunch, it did everything backwards, except it didn't put the grass back on the stems! After many years of using the right pedal for the braking process, to have it work just the opposite is scary! WEEEeee--over the cliff, foot firmly planted on the brake pedal!

Thank you both. Orangedot, I probably should have mentioned that what I'm coming out of is a Toro gas key/start self-propelled that has spent way too much time in the shop. I probably should have bailed on it a couple of years ago as I've spent way too much on repairs and it won't start again. So Toro doesn't appeal to me right now. I read something about Snapper not standing behind something a couple of days ago; wish I could remember what it is, sorry. Tom, I would love to find an end-of-the-season deal. Thanks for the info on the electrics -- more and more I'm thinking tht's the way I should go. I do have good electrical outlets, as my weed eater is electric. Do you have any brand/model recommendations? Do you have an electric?

Does it do edging? I was just out doing an edge around the garden that surrounds my deck. With a hatchet! I kept thinking will hubby come home and find me unconcious and bleeding to death missing a couple of fingers. Carol

g'day alison, you mentioned embankment? just be careful 4 strokes aren't made for steep area mowing. if you have a steep bank maybe get a flymo for that specific area? 4 stroke for sure is the way to go honda (no experience with them) are gaining a very good rep' in this area, masport with a briggs & stratton might be next then rover (not sure what else is out there?) just be sure the b&s is manufactured in the US of A. go for models with steel ball bearing wheels masport did have an adjustable set up very ideal (500mm model), for me i reckon a bag catcher outweighs the plastic models in function usability and very light so no added weight to the mower, just remmeber to rinse or hose them out after each use, almost indestructable. not sure about honda as i said above but the masport plastic catcher is very strong indeed if you go that way. for most domsetic uses don't buy less than 3.5hp capacity 4 hp is even better. me i like heaps of grunt they last longer doing domestic work so i go for the 5hp IC models never wear them out if you learn to do the servicing right and run them in from new (read my page i think i have some hints there?). so right up front don't buy from the discounters, go to a specialist shop the trick to find one where they are fully experienced but even then you are streets ahead when dealing with specialists as they only generally sell top of the range models, which the discounter models aren't. pity snapper aren't available over here anymore they have 21" 5hp I/C self propelled model that was top of the range a very nice machine indeed great for the ladies to use. the so called home grown product just isn't worth a look these days. len Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page