written by 304Jackson on 22/04/2016
The mower itself is probably fine - if a) you can start it, and b) you can make it continue running. Briggs and Stratton 450e 125cc has never started or run the way old B&S engines did. Dealer didn't seem interested, service centre couldn't fix it, just made excuses. Used to run unevenly and erratically, now just won't start and just out of guarantee. Worst machine I have ever had.
written by 1959Shields on 20/04/2016
I have had Hayter lawnmowers before that lasted and performed well over 20 years. However after buying this one would steer well clear. Problems with the autodrive detaching from the body if you only connect something by one bolt there are going to be problems. Priced for casing that was damaged £160 that was the cue for cutting my losses.
written by Alexanderct184 on 30/08/2015
The mower was bought from an independent shop. Three quarters of the way through the first mowing season it conked out after spluttering and sneezing. The supplier told me we were using poor quality fuel, but he'd try to get it going again. All fine until middle of season two, splutter cough, black smoke.....then a sod to start ....then wouldn't start so I wrote in disgust to the manufacturer...they, surprisingly, took it away and had it rebuilt, stating it wasn't set up correctly in the beginning ... Just four years old, it has now wheezed and coughed again....the starter pulley system is playing up...again...the engine runs poorly..again.... I thought I'd bought into a strong brand and quality product, not this mower...it is now for the scrap heap !
written by McGinnisfj380 on 08/08/2015
Very poor build quality mower. It is what it feels when you first inspect . Handle is very flimsy and we had to replace within two years. The mechanism to change height failed. The rear wheel has just sheered off - plastic components fixing to axle not up to the job. A shameful product for on a supposedly trusted British name
written by BRIANLAW on 21/06/2015
I HAD A MASPORT MOWER FOR 23 YEARS. IT EVENTUALLY GAVE UP THE GHOST. I REPLACED IT WITH A HAYTER SPIRIT 41. WHAT A MISTAKE! AFTER A YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE 2 FRONT WHEELS AT A COST TO MYSELF.IT CUTS THE LAWN POORLY. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT WAS HERALDED AS BRITISH MADE. NEVER AGAIN!!!
written by biGutierrez39 on 18/06/2015
3 breakdowns in 15 months - there is nothing to recommend on this product. Hayter don't even have the courtesy to reply to e-mails when asked for solutions.
written by RationalReviewer on 02/04/2015
After my 14 year old Lawnflite started to show its age we decided to look at a Hayter. Good name, renowned for quality, carries the "by appointment" logo. What a mistake. The drive mechanism fell apart inside a month, a wheel fell off, it struggles to collect the cuttings, leaving a trail of uncollected grass. Constantly cuts out and is completely unreliable. The exhaust guard fell off and the whole thing is generally of a poor quality. Our local dealer has been exemplary but Hayter have left a lot to be desired. To be fair they did eventually authorise warranty repairs but only after arguing the case. I can say with complete confidence this is the worst piece of equipment I've ever bought. It has wrecked the reputation of Hayter as far as I'm concerned and I won't be considering another one ever. I'm also going out of my way to spread the word. Steer clear! This is an expensive pile of junk.
written by monty007 on 19/07/2014
This is the second Hayter we have purchase, we purchased this based on the previous Hayter which lasted for years. This one is dreadful expensive brand made of cheap components. This is only just 18 months old, it has had 3 pull strings which start the mower, the rest snapped, the mower has started rusting badly despite it being kept indoors, now the screw thread for collapsing the push arm just spins and wont undo, which meant the nut is spinning inside the plastic screw handle. The only way of getting this part now is with a hacksaw. If your looking for a petrol mower, dont even consider the halter brand, I would look at a. Honda mower. I AM SELECTING 1 STAR AS I CANT SELECT ZERO STARS WHICH IS THE TRUE RATING.
Written on: 04/06/2017
Hi just thought i would update this review, wrote this back in 2014, the mower is still going but only just.
Had to replace lifting mechanism as metal brackets just fell apart poor quality.
Numerous pully mechanisms which continue to break or fail to recoil. The one on now has failed again.
Hayter made a big mitake making this mower, they need to stick to quality all this has done is mean i will never choose a hayter again lost faith in the brand.
written by Abbey87 on 18/04/2014
It has a small engine and it only suitable for small lawns. It will struggle with long grass and not recommended if there is a lot of moss in the lawn. My Hayter lasted for less than a year. It seemed to be doing the job last year and I was pleased with it, but when cutting the lawn for the first time this year the engine was struggling even though the grass was about one inches high. I took it to a lawn maintenance engineer who informed me the engine had burnt out and it was a write off. They don't make lawn mowers like they used to. I'm going to buy a manual push mower! A very expensive lesson learned, so be warned.
written by on 13/09/2013
I had ha a Hayter harrier 19inch lawnmover circa 1970 something with a solid cast aluminium body and variable speed drive...served me well, built like a tank,thought i"d treat myself to brand new model because of the name I went with a Hayter Spirit 41 16.............Big mistake....muffler bolt snapped due being poor quality steel or bad heat treatment.....the auto drive is not up to the job even on two inch long dry grass, I currently rough cut the grass with a 15 year old McCulloch cheapo push motor mower before being able to use the £300 plus Hayter which clogs and stutters..........Stop Press.. the drives just gone completely!.....could be the shear pin ,but I can"t be bothered to even look at. I ain't"t one bit happy....3 years of lawn mower hell. KW
written by Duffy3034 on 28/08/2013
Bought this mower because it had a good British brand name only to find it was made in China From new cuts out constantly despite changing oil and petrol As for the warranty try and get some service Hayter blame the engine Briggs and Stratton The retailer says contact Hayter And the local or agent does not want to fix as I did not buy from them.
written by on 13/08/2013
I've had my Hayter Spirit 41 autodrive for about 4 years. I have a medium lawn area so the mower isn't under a great deal of stress yet the plastic body has cracked in several places and now the hollow handle has completely split on both sides at the base. To service the machine and replace the handle will cost about £180.00. The engine is still OK hence the 1 star. I will put the £180.00 saving from the repair towards a more expensive Mountfield and hopefully this will give me greater pleasure in mowing my lawn. I wish that I had read independent reviews before purchase and not go on a previously respected name.
written by on 15/07/2013
bought the hayter because of there name and because it had the briggs and stratton engine.I had previously had a mower with a chinese engine and assumed the hayter engine was british.The mower has never run properly and cuts out after a couple of minutes with no throttle or choke and no apparent way to adjust it ( it was while looking for adjustment i found the engine was of chinese manufacture),im at the mercy of the local hayter agent who seems to know less than i do.
written by Caborn on 02/03/2013
I have had my hayter spirit for three years, I have serviced it every year before the cutting season, I have a large back lawn, average front lawn and also cut my aged neighbours, so as you may have gathered my mower does a lot of work, On servicing my mower ready for the fourth season I found the bearings on the roller had worn out and consequently had worn the shaft, I purchased new bearings and made a new shaft in my own workshop, I decided to strip the hydro gearbox to change the oil and look for any wear on the drive cogs but there was no wear, So I think the work I have had to do to my mower is nothing compared to the work it does, One of the good points in the hayter spirit as far as i am concerned is the plastic under carriage as all my Honda mowers I have owned have been metal and corroded away, So I must add that my mower starts first pull and considering the work it does I am personally very pleased.
written by on 30/09/2012
Fell into the trap of buying this cheap and nasty mower mid 2011 to replace 20 yr old Mountfield Empress. Just outside the guarantee the rear roller has collapsed, costing £40+ for a replacement, and looks like a nightmare job to fit. Thankfully the old Empress came out of the shed and started 2nd pull after sitting for 12 months. As soon as this contraption is repaired it will be seeking a new owner. Haven't experienced some of the engine problems reported but mine occasionally backfires loudly on a hot restart and belches out clouds of white smoke. Best accessory has been a strong quick clamp for the dead man lever to prevent the darned engine stopping every time the box needs emptying.
written by hayterhater on 18/08/2012
Never easy to start, have to have muscles like an Olympian. Carburation gets worse and worse no adjustment and when presented runs poorly and does not pick up. Only works with bone dry grass. The local agents are not interested in solving problems. By far and away the worst mower ever in my experience. It is heavy to manouver and tends to fall over on tight corners.
written by Eckford on 07/04/2012
It took me years to afford a new mower & after taking advice from other gardener's over this period, I decided to purchase the Hayter Spririt 41. My pride & joy; for the 1st year, with everything working as and when required. Season two, the engine took longer to start, but put up with it. Year three useless. Now the fourth is upon us & the same situation. Stripped Carb;cleaned; new fuel;oil,spark. Primed and splutters into life until the fuel in the chamber burns up, then stops. So I'm going to give the once over again, as the American maintenence men on Youtube show. If it doesn't fire up then, I'll be changing the title of this interim revue.At present, I'm very disappointed with my decision to choose Hayter
Written on: 11/04/2012
I have found my machine performs well on all aspects as indicated above. However I am now having problems with the pulleys such that I keep loosing the power to the roller. I am wondering if I should have the veritable pulley replaced?
Also a general comment It is also a pity that the roller is not split to assist turning.
written by on 18/03/2012
A fabric grass box! Maybe there are sum who keep their mower in a mouse free shed but sadly I am not one of them.
written by Mark8112 on 19/12/2011
After a year or so of average use the drive to the rear roller failed. Now the top bearing has failed and the machine needs a new engine at £250 so its been scrapped. They are trading on the Hayter brand with a piece of junk!
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Monty007's Comment
Written on: 04/06/2017
Yes i too was taken in with the brand, only to be left with a pile of scrap metal, never buy hauter again