Michael Gorey

I’m not very mechanical. Machines have a function. If they break down I either replace them or pay someone to fix them.

Mowing the lawn is something that has to be done, like getting a hair cut. It’s a necessary part of life, one that gives no pleasure but is not particularly bothersome.

I can only recall buying a mower once in my life. I’ve probably purchased several, just can’t remember.

We left the last mower in Kalgoorlie because it was a lemon. I think we bought it cheap from a hardware store like Bunnings or Mitre 10. It had plastic bits, looked tacky and towards the end sounded like Sooty (the pup) being sick.

I hate spending money to buy a mower. I hate paying a man to mow the lawns even more. I’d rather pay Michael $5 than someone $60. So today I bought a mower.

Having resolved not to get a cheap mower from a hardware store for reasons mentioned above, I went to a mower shop for the first time in my life.

There were big ones, little ones, ride-ons, trimmers and snippers. Blue, red, green and yellow were the predominant colors.

Jim and Maggie came with me and I told Jim he could help me choose a mower. He wanted a blue one that cost $750. I didn’t want to spend more than $500 and even that was burning a hole in my pocket.

I finished up paying $550 for an MTD Yardman 408A 18in, described thus:

Briggs & Stratton Quattro 40 engine provides plenty of power to handle your lawn care needs. The alloy body is strong and durable. The lightweight alloy chassis will never rust. The ‘Turbo-Cut’ cutting system offers superior air flow to throw even wet and heavy grass into the heavy grass catcher. 9-position single lever wheel height adjustment to adjust cutting height to meet any lawn condition. Ball bearing wheels reduces operator effort and contribute to longer life. Perfect for suburban sized residential lawns and rigorous conditions while still offering a superior finish.

The Briggs & Stratton Quattro 40 vertical shaft engine is from the United States. It’s nice to know Americans can engineer something other than the economic collapse of the world.

It features Magnetron® electronic ignition and a prime ‘n pull easy starting system that pumps the exact amount of petrol to the carburetor for quick and easy starts.

That means there is no petrol tap. You just press the little red rubber pump three times, pull the cord and the engine fires up.

The salesman in the shop convinced me to pay $550 for a mower because of the alloy base and the reliable engine. He said the mower should last forever if it’s looked after properly.

I’ll be happy if I never have to buy another mower.

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