Hayter Hawk

Have no problem starting it year after year (for the 5 years I have had it) and is compact and robust (metal frame helps!).

but

1. the ratchet that raises/lowers the blade has too bigger gaps so you either have it on 2 which is a touch too long and means your cutting at least twice if not three times a week or you have it on 1 and make your grass so short the moss has a real chance.

2. weight makes it a little hard on the legs if your lawn has any slope on it (not a major issue).

All in all though I still find it a super machine.

I have had this Hayter Hawk mower for 8 and a half years and only had it serviced once. (That's my fault). very reliable and ok for medium sized lawns.

Little power on this Hayter Hawk, so for me it's useless, two choices either have the cutter low and keep stalling or have it high when it won't cut hardly anything - if you want a reasonably short lawn, you have to go round twice - once on high, then on low.

The reviewer who claimed the mower was a beggar to start and had to have fresh petrol may have a duff mower. I've had my Hawk since 1996, I've used it extensively every year and I have never had a problem starting it, even after a long wet cold winter.

I take it the gentleman or lady who is having problems knows about priming with the push choke three times before pulling the starting handle?

The Hayter Hawk is a well-made machine that is let down by the extreme difficulty of starting and the fact that it requires absolutely fresh petrol or it won't start at all. I have now given up using my machine and feel I have wasted my money.