Barnsdale Gardens head gardener Jonathan Brocklebank tests the Mountfield SP185 pedestrian petrol mower, which targets medium to large lawns of up to 1,500m2
Assembling the mower was straightforward. The handlebars needed unfolding and tightening with the supplied bolts, the wheels had to be slotted on and secured and I assembled the grass box by simply pushing the material section into the clips on the box. A little time and basic tools to secure everything and the mower felt properly put together.
You’ll need SAE30 oil plus petrol. The oil filler hole is quite narrow and sited lower down on the side of the engine.
The mower feels solid, with robust steel deck powder-coated in Mountfield’s traditional red. The wheels are hard plastic, and handles comfortable, even without extra grip or padding.
The 139cc Stiga ST140 Autochoke OHV engine was a first for me on a Mountfield but it looks the business.
For the first cut of the year, I wanted to collect clippings and fitted the 60 l backbox easily and set cutting height slightly higher than for the main season. The grass wasn’t long, but it varied in height throughout the gardens. The six-position height adjuster is one of the most user-friendly features – the single lever changing height for all wheels in one easy, smooth action.
A lovely job
With the dead man’s handle pulled in, I gave a good pull on the starter cord and the mower fired up first time. I pulled up the self-propelled drive handle and we were off.
It moves at a really good, easy pace, so you’re more guiding than pushing, making a noticeable difference when covering large areas or for extended working.
The 46 cm cutting width and manageable weight give a good balance between progress and manoeuvrability, and the mower feels easy to handle in tighter spaces. For areas requiring more control, simply release the self-propelled handle and control the speed yourself.
It did a lovely job – a skid plate on the underside of the deck reduces lawn scalping but with slightly higher cutting, not an issue. The box collects well and has a ‘Bag full’ indicator.
Mulching option
The mulching plug is easy to place and lets you cut clippings finely and return them to the lawn evenly as a light mulch if required.
The handles are comfortable, height adjustable and fold down for storage. The self-propelled lever is easy to engage and disengage, and you can quickly drop back to ‘push only’ when working in tighter spots. The recoil start system is straightforward and easy, and the engine is neither overly loud nor excessively rough over a normal working session.
Routine care pays off, as with any petrol mower.
Emptying the grass box, clearing the deck, keeping the blade sharp and checking oil regularly will keep the SP185 cutting cleanly and starting reliably. The two-year manufacturer warranty and the wider Mountfield/Stiga support network are reassuring too.
For all Barnsdale’s lawns where stripes aren’t required, the SP185 will be my go-to machine. It is particularly well-suited to our orchard, where fruit trees sit within a grassed lawn, with trees and beds to cut around – the self-propelled drive and manageable size suiting these more intricate spaces.
Verdict
A capable, self-propelled petrol mower for medium-sized lawns, the SP185 is well worth a serious look. It is not a lightweight toy but a properly built machine that allows you to cut efficiently and comfortably.
For a straightforward, no-nonsense mower to cope with regular use, the SP185 self-propelled version has earned a solid place in our machinery shed.
