Mountfield SP474

Me and my friend run a small gardening business mowing lawns and other general garden jobs. This mower has been in constant use for over a year and has never let us down. I dont know why other people are moaning but we were given the mower after laying idle under a sheet in the garden for 2 years. After a bit of fettling and some fresh fuel it fired straight up and this is how it has behaved every day.

Although the mower is far from a pro grade machine it has earnt its keep many times over. To be honest if it blew up I wouldnt be too worried as it has done us proud. The only draw back is that it could do with a larger blade but otherwise its a great little work horse. Must also mention that in the period we have been using it that oil consumption has been minimal although we do use full synthetic 5w/50 car oil

Please do not buy this machine it is utter rubbish, I purchased this 12 months ago and it was initially hard to put together, I wished I hadn't bothered as its engine has lost so much power it no longer cuts grass over 4 inches. I personally believe this machine should not be sold as its not fit for purpose. If I could score zero I would.

Bought the Mountfield SP474 because of the Mountfield reputation. Probably the worst thing I have ever bought. Due to constant problems trying to start it I took it to a lawnmower dealer and service agent who advised me that the engine was Chinese and notoriously troublesome. I mistakenly thought the engine was British. Having injured my shoulder trying to start it I have decided enough is enough and I am looking for a reliable replacement. If I could award it 0 stars I would. In my opinion this is a cheap and nasty machine hiding behind the Mountfield reputation which will be seriously damaged in the long term.

Had one for less than 2 months third time of using it the machine died on me halfway through the lawn checked for petrol a ok went to restart it & the pullcord recoil mechanism broke took it back to B&Q they did not want to know directing me to a service centre, after sending £270 pounds with them there was no hint of custormer service only got your money don't want to know. when I arrived @ the service centre response was "bought @ B&Q good job we get paid to fix warranty work Lesson learnt go to the experts & get sound advice saves time, money & agro not being takuse en for ride by companies only interested inturnover & profit & definitely not customer service I will never ever use B&Q again for any item other than consumables even then I will think twice before going ahead before dealing with shelf fillers & cowboys if only I had read these reveiws before hand Lesson learnt

Think very careful when buying because B and Q models use very cheap parts and they wont last.....

I've had my mower for about 2 years, I thought mountfield were a well known and good manufacturer, however, its been nothing but trouble. Petrol cap has split, starter handle is in two and the gaskit has blown.. I think the gaskit is on its way out again as the motor is very uneven and its cutting out regularly.. I hate it!

If the grass is slightly too long it won't cut and the engine keeps cutting out and you get a really awful cut. The grass box only half fills before the vent from the blades blocks up. Build quality is very poor and I'd recoment anyone to avoid mountfield at all costs!

I would like to eco the sentiments of many contributors. The SP474 is quite frankly rubbish. I had a Moutfield for more than 15 years with a Brigs and Stratton engine and if work fine until the day the deck rusted though.

The new machine purchased 2 years ago has been nothing but trouble and has been in for repair twice and to cap it all the drive belt to the clutch has now gone.

Talking to the service centre which when I took mine in last time they (surrounded by broken Moutfiled) suggested that he engines on the B&Q models where made in Spain and from there perspective where "fantastic" as they where having to do so many engine replacements within the two year warranty.

For my part as well as the broken belt I notice the oil has gone white suggesting an issue in the engine. I will run the machine on to the end of the season (as a push mower) and then purchase a new mower. However it will mot be a Moutfiled.

How the company on its web site has the affront o claim they never cut quality I do not know. All I can say is we seem to have another example of a company that has lost its way and go down market to the point it has destroyed its brand.

My advise never never buy a Moutfiled,

Bought this mower from B&Q one month ago and thought it looked brilliant. However,the second time I used it something snapped when I pulled the starting cord, a bit of plastic flew out, and would then not start (the starting cord would not turn the engine round)

I rang Mountfield and wasn't impressed when they said they would send some parts to do the repair myself so I took it to a repair centre who said 'not another B&Q one' It would appear these are made in China especially for B&Q.

Knowing what I know now I wish I had bought another make!!

I bought one of these mowers last summer and to date it hasn't let me down once.

It does struggle on the lowest setting, but i find the next setting up is short enough for me. That said i have used it on the lowest setting and it works OK, just struggles a bit on rougher terrain.

Mine has started first time every time and has coped with pretty much everything i've thrown at it (even plouging through fallen apples, on my mother in laws 130ft garden). The build quality seems fine to me.

Before this mower i had a flymo hover mower, which was hard work.

This mower is an absolute Godsend and has made lawn cutting easy,quick and cable free.

I can do both my front and rear lawns within 1 hour, even if the grass has got out of hand, whereas before it took over 3 hours, having to go over it a few times.

I have also used my uncle's homelite petrol mower and that was also very good, but apart from that one i can't really give any comaparisons to any other petrol mowers, but i'm not intersted in any others, because mine works just fine.

I've given it 4 stars because of the rough terrain thing, but i haven't used any other petrol mower on it's lowest setting, so i don't know if they would cope either ?

Would i recommend it ?

Absolutely

Bought my Mountfield SP474 lawnmower 2 years ago of B&Q - after the motor of my electric mower had caught fire. It starts well, cuts even damp grass, nothing has broke so far and after customizing the basket I manage to cut the grass of my medium-large sized garden with no problem. It took my daughter and me a few go's to start it yesterday after a winter in the garage, but that's normal, I guess. Once the motor was warm it re-started straight away. And yes, as a woman I would recommend it.