In the latest in a series of machinery and equipment reviews in collaboration with Machinery Nation, we take a look at the Etesia Hydro 80 Mower and how it takes on awkward gardens and challenging mowing conditions with its compact and highly agile design.
Gardens are not always straightforward. When you picture one in your mind, you may often think of a rectangular garden with a flat lawn – nice and easy to maintain.
But this is not always the case.
They are often built around the landscape. They can be flat, but they can be hilly too, making them tricky to look after.
There can be other obstacles to worry about as well – narrow access, swings, tables, and plenty of other awkward features which can hamper your ability to cut your lawn.
So, if you have a garden that’s too big for a rotary mower, but too awkward or compact to make a conventional ride-on practical, what do you do?
Well, it’s possible we’ve found the answer.
Now, you could consider a mini-rider, and there are many on the market. But these machines generally tend to be underpowered and don’t collect very well in the wet.
Step forward the Etesia Hydro 80 MKHP5, the legendary wet collection compact ride-on mower.
Introducing the Hydro 80
A manufacturer of green space machinery for over 25 years, Etesia prides itself on constructing some of the best commercial-grade direct-collect mowers on the market, and the Hydro 80 is no exception. It can easily adapt to all ground conditions, making it an incredible machine for the professional landscaper.
Here are some of the main stats:
| Cutting Width | 80cm |
|---|---|
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12 Litres |
| Weight | 240kg |
| Number of Wheel Drive | 2 |
| Horsepower | 16HP |
| Forward & Reverse Speed | 9 km/h |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic |
| Dimensions | (L) 197 x (W) 82 x (H) 117 cm |
Powered by the exceptional Kawasaki FS481V twin-cylinder engine, delivering 9.4 kW of power, the Hydro 80 has a host of standout features.
There is no bonnet at the front of the machine, offering greater visibility when mowing awkward areas. Drive is via a hydrostatic foot-control transmission, delivering smooth, responsive and fully variable control of speed and power.
The mower features a robust cast iron front axle and steering quadrant, larger front tyres, and an upgraded seat. It’s highly manoeuvrable with just one full turn of the steering wheel from full lock left to full lock right. Controls are simple and well laid out with easy-to-use levers and switches.
A versatile machine
The cutting height ranges from 44 to 102 mm with the added ability to adjust the linkage for finer increments between cutting heights. The grass box has a capacity of 240L and includes an audible buzzer to indicate when it’s full, along with a gas-assisted lifting mechanism to help lift heavy loads.
The fully adjustable seat and step-through operator platform make getting on and off the mower easy. Added accessories include a lawn rake or snowplough available with an optional front linkage, meaning it can be used as a truly versatile, multi-purpose machine.
Not only can the Hydro 80 collect grass trimmings, it can mulch as well – a mulching insert can be underneath the cutting deck. It can also discharge from the rear as well, as the plate on the grass collection box can be opened, enabling you to mulch that longer, wetter grass.
What about when it’s wet?
These features enable the Hydro 80 to cut and collect in all conditions, with further assistance from the differential lock. Etesia are renowned for their wet cut-and-collect machines, especially the larger models, and the Hydro 80 is no exception.
When it’s wet and your wheels are spinning on the grass without the machine moving, locking the differential will enable the machine to move again as it forces both drive wheels to turn together, rather than spinning independently. This will provide users with extra traction and stability on difficult, uneven and undulating terrain by reducing wheel spin, reducing damage to the grass and aid in cutting presentation.
The anti-scalping wheels are positioned on the front of the machine allowing the cutting deck to move up and down with any undulations in the lawn. The machine performs so well in the wet as the blade’s large high-lift tips, which improve grass collection.Check out the video below to see how the Hydro 80 in action:
Compact but capable
Part of the reason this machine is so popular with commercial contractors is that it will easily fit into a van crossways by removing the grass box, pass through most garden gateways, and, with its tight turning circle, is ideal for small or awkward areas.
Of course, it’s understandable that some people are put off by a smaller machine, especially if you have a rough country garden, as the potential for bending a blade or damaging something underneath is high.
On the Hydro 80 however, you have a ‘safety net’ to keep you mowing when dealing with a challenging, obstacle-filled lawn. On the blade underneath the machine, there are a set of shear bolts, so if you do hit anything hard, they are designed to break off to stop any real damage. It’s then just a case of replacing them, and off you go again.
The expert’s view
Joshua from Machinery Nation was certainly very impressed with the Hydro 80 when testing it in a typically rough garden:
“This thing, just to start off with, the turning circle on it, going in around all those little obstacles, around your little stumps and stuff that are sticking up… absolutely phenomenal.”
“And I think if you were using a cheap machine, you would feel every single lump and bump. This feels absolutely solid.”
Considering it’s just a two-wheel-drive machine, Joshua noted that the Hydro 80 has got pretty good grip.
“Would I do it with anything else than this? Probably not.”
“This machine is obviously designed more for the professional market, but if you’re a domestic customer and you are wanting something that’s quality and is going to do the job, then this machine ticks all the boxes.”
Servicing
“What I really like about this machine is how compact it is and how much power it’s got. Also, it has very simple controls. There’s nothing that’s going to confuse you.”
Really, all there is are hydrostatic pedals, grass lever, parking brake, height adjuster and a few switches on the console behind the steering wheel – that’s it.
It’s very simple to service. All it takes is to slide the seat off, undo a couple of clips and you have access to the engine, air filter, the battery and the cutting deck, if you need to clean it out. On top of the cutting deck, you will find a fan that stops any buildup of grass.
The three clips on the side remove the side cover, where you will find the oil filter, spark plugs, and exhaust. Additionally, there is also a deck wash port, allowing you to connect a hosepipe if you wanted to wash out the underneath of your deck, for example.
In Summary
“It hasn’t really changed a lot through history, it’s stayed very, very much the same.”“Why change something that works?”
“In the wet, in the damp, long grass, this thing – I don’t think for the size – is going to be beaten.”If you are more of a domestic user, and you want something that’s high-end and quality, but don’t want to buy the top-of-the-range model, they do make a range of other models so it’s worth speaking to your local Etesia dealer and getting a demo.
Etesia don’t just make cut-and-collect machines, they make a plethora of ride-on brush cutters and rotary mowers, for more information on some of their machines, visit their website.
