Hayter petrol lawn mower. Hayter Harrier 48 Review: Why it’s One of the Best Mowers I’ve Used

Hayter Harrier 48 Review: Why it’s One of the Best Mowers I’ve Used

In this Hayter Harrier 48 review, we’re going to take a good look at what I think is one of the best petrol mowers around. Especially if lawn stripes are important to you.

Short Hayter Harrier 48 Review

If you’re looking for one of the best petrol lawnmowers you can buy, then the Hayter Harrier should be high on your list.

OK, it’s not cheap. But it’s designed and manufactured in the UK, the build quality is impeccable, it’s packed with features and cuts beautifully.

I’ve been using Hayter lawn mowers for years and I love them. Invest in one and you’ll get years of quality, reliable service from it.

A Quick Overview of the Hayter Harrier 48

Key Features

Engine: 163cc, 4-stroke; Cutting Width: 48cm; Grass Box Capacity: 70 Litres; Weight: 43.8kg; Self-Propelled: Yes; Warranty: 5 Years;

There are several versions of the Hayter Harrier 48. However, I’ve based this review on the new 2019 model.

The Hayter Harrier 48 AutoDrive VS ES Instart (code: 476A).

That said, previous year’s models are still available online.

Pros

Provides That Classic Striped Finish
Easy to Start and Use
Incredibly Reliable
Mow Right to the Edges of Lawns
Easy to Clean
5 Year Warranty

Cons

Hayter Harrier 48 AutoDrive VS ES Instart (code: 476A)

Award-Winning Lawn Mower
Incredible Build Quality
Creates a Beautiful Striped Finish

Who is The Hayter Harrier 48 For?

The Hayter Harrier range is designed and built for the serious lawnsmith with medium to large lawns.

They also make the Harrier 41 for small to medium lawns and the Harrier 56 for large to extra-large lawns.

If your lawns are immaculate and you need a machine that’ll produce a sublime, reliable cut while at the same time create the most beautiful striped finish, the Hayter Harrier is for you.

Design Features

The Harrier 48 AutoDrive VS ES Instart (code: 476A) is Hayter’s top domestic model for 2019 and have improved the working design from previous models.

163cc Briggs Stratton 675iS Instart Engine

Briggs Stratton engines are the best of the best when it comes to lawn mower engines and the BS 675iS which Harrier have used is a beast.

It combines power and performance with instant electric starting. There’s no cord pulling needed, just press a button and you’re away.

Variable Speed AutoDrive

As you’d expect, this is a self-propelled machine with variable speed which you can set between 1.8mph – 3.3mph.

This means you can set it to match your walking pace or to suit the conditions you’re mowing in (a slower pace for cutting long or wet grass for example).

This is especially useful on inclines as this machine weighs in at around 44kg so it’s pretty hefty.

Cutting Features

The Harrier has a mass of mowing features.

It has a cutting width of 48cm and a massive 70-litre grass collection bag. This makes it a good option for medium to large lawns.

The rear roller creates the stripes that all lawnsmiths want. It’s made from polymer with a fibreglass weave which makes it incredibly durable. Plus, it’s ribbed to improve traction and split into two pieces to improve turning and manoeuvrability.

There’s tons of adjustment too in terms of how hight you mow the grass. You have 7 settings to choose from ranging from 13mm – 60mm.

Combined with the height adjustment, Hayter has developed what they call ‘Vari-Pitch™ cutting technology’. This adjusts the forward pitch angle of the cutting deck as you raise or lower the cutting height to improve airflow under the mower in more challenging cutting conditions. Like when mowing long or wet grass.

The mower also features what Hayer call Trim Side. This basically means that the right-hand wheel, rear roller and cutting blade are all positioned inline with each other so you can mow right up to the edges of your lawn.

Easy Wash Port

Cleaning your Harrier 48 after use is easy with the inclusion of an easy wash port.

Attach your hosepipe to it and spin the mower blade. It’ll wash the underside of the cutting deck to remove any debris or grass clippings.

This is especially useful after mowing wet grass.

Hayter Harrier 48 Performance

As I’ve already said, I’ve used Hayter Harriers for years so I’m very familiar with just how good they are.

Assembly

Putting the lawnmower together is as easy as any other. It’s just a case of attaching the handle, assembling the grass box and filling the engine with oil (SAE 30) and fuel (unleaded petrol).

The battery which powers the instant electric start does need charging though. It takes around 14 hours to charge fully so you’ll not be able to just unbox it and go.

When I get a new toy I want to play with it straight away!

Operation

After building the Hayter Harrier and waiting for the battery to charge, it started up without hesitation.

As it’s an electric start, there’s no need to prime the engine like you’d have to do on other lawn mowers.

That’s because it’s fitted with what Hayter call ‘ReadyStart® Technology’. This recognises the engine temperature and primes the starting process accordingly.

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Hayter Harrier is the weight.

The engine, self-drive motor, aluminium cutting deck and all the quality that’s built into this machine adds up to nearly 44kg.

For some, this might seem a bit too heavy.

That said, the self-drive is incredible and takes the bulk of the weight away from you while in operation. All you have to do is steer it.

Plus you’re in control of how fast you mow. The mower speed ranges from 1.8mph – 3.3mph so you can set it to a speed which suits you.

The weight also helps with something else…

It helps the rear roller to flatten the grass further in the direction you mow. As a result, the striping effect is much more prominent.

Manoeuvring the mower is easy too, even in tight spaces.

That’s because the rear roller is spilt so it can turn very easily without leaving any tell-tale marks in the lawn.

Setting the mowing height consists of adjusting the lever on the top of the mower on the left-hand side as you stand behind it. It has a very smooth action and the single lever adjusts all four wheels simultaneously.

And I have to say, Hayter has done well with their ‘Vari-Pitch™ technology’.

Normally, cutting wet grass on at a low mowing height can cause a mower to leave clumps of wet clippings on the lawn. This not only looks a mess but can cause the onset of problems and disease.

This happens because there is a lack of airflow under the mower to push the clippings into the grass collector.

However, this Vari-Pitch design increase air flow. This makes sure the mower collects all the clippings to leave a nice finish.

Also, the 70-litre grass collector is vast. Even after letting the grass grow a little taller on my own lawns, I’ve never had to empty it halfway through a cut.

Maintenance and Servicing

Keeping the Hayter Harrier clean is a breeze because you’re able to connect a hose to the top of it so it essentially cleans itself.

This is especially useful if you’ve cut wet grass and the clippings are stuck all over it.

I gave it 30-60 seconds after each cut and it was spotless.

In terms of servicing, you could do it yourself and it isn’t particularly difficult. However, to keep the 5-year warranty intact, it must be serviced by an authorized dealer.

So for the first 5 years, I’d advise you do just that.

Hayter Harrier 48 AutoDrive VS ES Instart (code: 476A)

£639.00

The versatile Hayter Ranger 3-in-1 Autodrive Lawn Mower works as hard as you need in the larger garden. Its generous 50.5cm width of cut and 3-in-1 cutting ability make it suitable for orchards, informal grassed areas as well as large lawns. The large grassbag collects cuttings efficiently. When collection is not required cuttings can be discharged out of the rear or a side discharge chute can be added to spread the cuttings evenly. A specially designed mulching facility helps recycle the grass clippings when collection is not required. Powered by a 5hp Briggs Stratton Quantum engine, the Ranger 3-in-1 Lawnmower is an indispensable tool for any gardener with a variety of grass types to tackle.

Need a little advice? We’ve got several articles to guide you through shopping online, together with helpful advice on choosing the right product for you.

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Petrol Lawn Mowers from Honda, Hayter and more

You have better things to do than mow your lawn, so to help you get the job done quickly and efficiently we have a choice of petrol lawn mowers from brand leaders Hayter, Honda, VIKING and Lawnflite, to suit every type and size of garden.

Remember too that we can service, repair and supply parts for each of the mowers we sell.

Want to know more?

Atco

Atco have been manufacturing fine quality lawn mowers since 1921 and have earned an enviable reputation for outstanding quality and performance. Atco’s petrol lawn mower range is highly powerful and manoeuvrable even on tough terrain and provide a quality finish. Making it the go to choice for those with larger gardens.

We stock the Atco Quattro and Liner ranges. Visit our shop to find your mower of choice.

Hayter petrol lawn mowers

Hayter is a British manufacturer and pioneer of the rotary lawn mower. A well respected name in the grass cutting world for more than 65 years, Hayter is holder of the Royal Warrant for the supply of horticultural machinery to Her Majesty The Queen. So with Hayter lawn mowers you know your lawn will get a superior quality cut.