I just registered here after reading all the posts regarding the fiskars and bermuda at the lower settings. I purchased a fiskars a couple of weeks ago and noticed the chopping look and the grabbing of the grass at the lower settings too. I laid my bermuda 419 in my front yard a couple of months ago and have been trying to keep it at the lowest setting like it was from the sod farm. When the mower does not jam up and stop dead it its tracks I get a rippled look like someone else mentioned earlier. I was going to post a couple of pics but can't seem to figure out how. I have sent an email with pics to fiskars explaining the difficulty with my bermuda and will post a follow up if they can offer a fix. I don't want to have to send it back since I ordered it online and I think it is a nice mower, but if it won't glide through my bermuda, what's the use? Someone mentioned that it needs a roller on the front instead of the two little wheels, what do you mean by that? I also have scott's classic 20" but didn't notice a roller on the front. I have read this explanation somewhere else too, but would like some clarification. Thanks, so far I love the advice given here.

Jim This mower is a 1983 model. Once it is cleaned up the only real wear that can be seen is at the lower section of the deck due to being rubbed against stone walls, trees etc over the years. It still runs and pulls good thou the large plastic rear wheel spokes tend to flex more than expected. Another problem is the small 35 sized chain drive. The chain will come off of the large sprocket on the axle when the mower is placed on any steep side slope. That has always been a problem with it. I have thought about looking into converting it to full belt drive with a solid pulley on the PTO shaft and another on the axle with an idler pulley attached to a cable to act as a tensioner. That or trying to adapt a larger 428 sized chain and sprocket. But have not brought myself to messing with it so far. It really is not a bad concept or design as is. It just needs to be improved and built using stronger parts. =============================== Sax I prefer revolvers. I am looking for a good older .45 Colt Government 1911. I have dropped four Hogs in Ohio and three Whitetails here in WV with it over the years. It will hold a 3 to 4" six shot pattern at 100 yards from a solid rest with 240 grain Jacketed Hollow Points. Thou I love my hand guns. I like collecting and shooting Winchester Model 70 Featherweights better. Added these four to the collection within the past two weeks. Top to bottom .308 (dealer had to order the scope I wanted for it) .270 Stainless .7MM WSM .243 I like to top them off with Leopold bases and rings then add a Nikon scope. I have not had the chance to align the scopes other than Bore sighted and will most likely take them out this weekend and fire off a few rounds.

G'day M8 I've always been an advocate of 4-stroke, unless there is a particular reason why you'd use 2-stroke [weight with a chainsaw...]. But, I've got to say that the 2-stoke Victas have made me a believer. I'd go with the Victa [better engine] than the [I'm guessing] China made Sanli [?]. Seems as though the China made are hit and miss. You might get a good one, or you may have to go through several [warranty returns] 'til you get a good one. The QC is not up to snuf and they'd happily warranty several than build a good one the first time. That attitude [barely good enough] is abhorrent, and I'd not buy one just for that reason.

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