Wealden Mower Workshop

01/09/2026

A regular customer asked for recommendations for petrol scarifiers/aerators.
This is my recommendation:
Cobra S40C
- 40cm (16 inches) working width
- 4 stroke 212cc engine
- comes with blades and spring tines
- 45 Litre grass bag
- 39kg
- 2 year domestic warranty
- £379.99 RRP

Im happy that the customer agreed to purchase one from myself and this machine arrived into the workshop at the end of the last week, set up, fueled, oiled and tested prior to delivery to my customer tomorrow morning.

My personal review:
This machine has plenty of power, is lightweight and fuel efficient. Having seen several more expensive brands of scarifier through the workshop, this one equals them for a fraction of the cost. It is very easy to use and simple to change between blades or spring tines.
Unlike other machines on the market, Cobra has a good support network and parts are readily available if required.

Cobra Garden Henton and Chattell

30/07/2026

Customer states:
"full service, hasn't run for a while.

Oh, and it constantly leaks oil, can you rectify it?"

The oil tank on this machine is formed as part of the crankcase, so everything has to be dismantled to get to it. The sealing gasket had failed, causing the oil to trickle out.
A satisfying job to undertake, both visually and mentally, especially when it didn't take much to get it to start again!

And yes, I did stand beside the bench at the end of rebuild with 2 screws in my hand, wondering where they came from. Didn't take long to work it out though!

08/07/2026

I have been made aware that my number has been "Spoofed", or used by a scam line to cover their number. If you get a call from my number (07971 734 612) claiming to be anything other than garden machinery related enquiries, I can assure you it is definitely not me! Also, I will never cold call anyone.
The following is the email that alerted me:

"I don't know if you are aware of this happening, but I had a scam call on my landline today about Amazon putting charges on my account (which account?) so I checked out the phone number, which was 07971 734612. When I Googled it your business page came up on Facebook, which was interesting as I am in need of a mower for a paddock, but not very nice for you. I went and checked the number again and it is definitely the same as yours. I thought I should let you know."

Unfortunately this person is too far away for me to follow up on a mower for!

01/04/2026

Due to the excruciating increase in the cost of fuel, as of today (1st April) I will now be accepting litres of diesel as a valid form of invoice payment.
Should you require your invoice total in litres of diesel, rather than pounds (£), please let me know and I will amend the invoice.
Many thanks.

17/03/2026

This machine was serviced last season at a well known local dealer. The customer doesn't do any servicing to this machine and both of us are disgusted to find that this is how it came back to him.
The first picture shows the air filter, incorrect for the machine, cut to "fit", but during operation air and dirt are getting behind the filter and into the engine.
The second picture shows the dirt and debris which had built up behind the filter.
The third picture shows what the correct filter should look like.

09/03/2026

PHONE PROBLEMS:

Over this past weekend, I have been setting up a new phone to split personal and business calls. This means that at evenings and weekends, I will be putting my work phone on silent and ignoring it so that I can spend time with the family without interuptions.

Consequently, I am transferring my work number (07971734612) to a different provider. The transfer is happening today, but at the moment, I am unable to make or receive calls on this number. I am hoping it will be resolved before tomorrow.

I can still be reached on WhatsApp, so please try there if you get no answer.

Thank you

Call now to connect with business.

23/02/2026

No new posts for some time? That either means I have been busy or nothing out of the ordinary has been in to show you!
Its actually a bit of both, we are rapidly heading towards the first cut of the season (when the ground dries out!) and there has been a lot of annual servicing over the last few weeks.
Consequently i have decided it is time to retire my faithful wire brush (top in picture). It has done well, I think i have been using it for about 4 years, lets see how long the new one lasts!

02/02/2026

FOR SALE:
Hayter Harrier 41, approx. 2008/09
Very good condition for age, Grass box complete and no holes!
Fully serviced and ready to mow.
Asking £250 (Offers Considered)

Regularly serviced and repaired by myself since 2022, this mower has come to me as my customer is downsizing and has no need for a petrol lawnmower.

05/01/2026

I'm back in the workshop today, a fresh (and cold) start for 2026.
I have a mountain of parcels to go through (more than were under my Christmas tree!) so hopefully all the backordered parts will finally be with me and I can get machines returned!
I do have a few appointments already in the diary for this week, so if I don't answer, please leave me a message and i will get back to you.

31/12/2025

As we finish 2025, I'm looking back at what a rollercoaster year it has been.

From a personal side, there has been some fantastic moments which I would love to repeat (the opportunity to drive and fire a full size steam engine!), but there has also been family loss, which I would rather not have happened, but was unavoidable. Christmas day was quieter this year, although the cheery smile of my son brought joy to all of us. He will be two in a few days time and I'm confused as to how that has happened, it was only a few days ago he was born, surely!?

From a business side of view, it has been my best year yet, despite us having such a dry summer. As some of you will know, I've had help in the workshop and with deliveries which I hope to continue next year. These have both created more time for me to focus on paperwork and organisation, as well as getting more servicing done. Also, importantly, it has enabled me to leave the workshop at a sensible time each day to spend time with my family.
Obviously there are aspects of this year which should or could have gone better. I have already changed the way in which I do some things and have plans to change a few others too.

Looking forward to this coming year, there is a change in the workshop happening, which I can't say too much about yet, but should make things easier and more productive for me.
I will also have a towbar fitted to the van, meaning that I will be doing less onsite servicing than previously (as much as onsite servicing is more convenient for some people, if it doesn't go to plan, it ends up costing me more time and money than I charge for the standard service. Also some places are very weather dependent)
Finally and inevitably, I will be reviewing prices in the first few weeks of January. One of my largest costs is my van, which this year just gone, has needed double maintenance costs from last. On top of this, fuel and oil keep fluctuating, and the cost of general service items keeps increasing. One of my suppliers reviewed their postage costs at the start of December, meaning that a standard parcel now costs me £7.20, £2 more than the start of the year.
An obvious solution is to change courier. My only option there is to go with royal mail. Unfortunately their delivery times are not good enough and the price is only a few pounds cheaper (FedEx is next day if ordered before 2pm with this supplier). Alternatively I hold an order until I can make it to £200 (minimum for free postage) , sometimes that's easy, sometimes though customers are desperate for items and so I have to order anyway. In future, if this is the case, the customer will have to cover this cost.

To finish this ramble on a positive note, I hope you have a happy new year and do everything you want to do in the coming months.
The lawnmower may not be doing much at the moment, so it is an ideal opportunity to get it serviced for the spring (also before the prices change!)
As ever, it is best to phone me and if I don't answer, please leave a message to say who you are and your number! (I've had several messages this year that have been anonymous and no record on my phone of the caller!)

George.