Well, I used it yesterday and was not overly impressed. I needed to give the lawn a slight scalp (They suggested de thatch on Gardening Australia Friday). I didn't take a photo, but it wasn't anywhere a severe one. Plus, I mowed last week, so I am quite sure I wouldn't shock it.
Put on some bentonite clay after mow to hopefully help the sandy soil, and a very light natural fertilize before the thunderstorm we are scheduled for tomorrow (hopefully pelt the clay in further than the sprinkler).
Back to the mower, started first go and mowed the back lawn without any major issues. Got several catchers off.
Then the front - a fair bit harder cut. Full throttle, slow push, stall. Repeat, same. Check full RPM - 3190. Upped it to 3300 - no difference. Ended up cutting 13-20cm strips so it wouldn't die.
The way I see it now (after stalling a Quantum 50 about 8 times in conditions a PT wouldn't have batted an eyelid over) is they are the mower equivalent of a Commodore 4 (the one with the Starfire).
They get along mostly fine in normal use, but its when you need power, you suddenly realize its not there.
It is not a fault in the mower - its just how it is. The thin quick cut blade bar wouldn't have helped its power.
Anyway, I persevered and got it done (couldn't be stuffed getting a PT out with not all that much to go)
To its credit, it worked very hard. I gave it a unloaded run at 2500 for 2 minutes part way through to cool it down. There a slight weep in one of the gaskets which occurred after the last oil change (must have cleaned crap out) so it used a bit of oil, and for the first time I noticed a little oil smoke when it revs up (practically nothing). At the end, it used from full, down to a bit over half way between full and add on the dipstick. Will add some rislone stop leak to the new oil (changed it after the mow - still relatively clean)
Whether it's because of clearances from its chinese manufacture, I don't know. It had semi synth 15w40 in the sump, so maybe a bit of burn when really hot.
Plug burn was perfect - little bit of oil residue
Love the snorkel - was dust flying everywhere - and when finished, the new filter and pre filter was near spotless.
Last edited by Tyler; 03/05/20 11:07 PM.
