Just the other day...

[Batfish]

I just stumbled across this thread and wanted to add my own experience.
Daf - I, too, can't get combustion-type tools to run (or stay running) unless certain planets are aligned. They just plain suck. Really. Yep, they suck.
So anyways, I figured I could let you in on how I solved my lawnmower problem. I bought a rechargeable electric mower :)
I know you're not in the US, and I'm not sure if they sell/ship to you, but Black & Decker makes a good electric mower with no cord.
http://www.blackanddecker.com/outdoo...istByType.aspx
I bought this mower just about 3 years ago and have not had a single problem with it yet. I have about 5500 sq ft of lawn that I mow about 30-40 times each year and have never had the mower battery die during the job. I keep it plugged in from the first time I mow (usually in April) until the last time I mow for the season (October-ish).
After reading this post, two things occurred to me...
1 - What would it take to make my lawnmower R/C? :)
2 - What motor and gearing is in my lawnmower? After all, B&D says it's a 24 volt lawnmower with 5HP. Not knowing the gearing, that sure sounds like a good power and motor combination for R/C use. I run it for about 45-60 minutes at a time without the battery dying and, considering how long I've had it that means that the motor has held up to about 100 runs of 45+ minutes. Sounds like a durable motor, too :)

Figured I'd toss that into this thread.