Windymiller
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The great Flymo sagaLast year, Mrs W and the son went to buy a replacement lawnmower. They chose a Flymo Power Compact 330. It went well the first season's usage, but this spring it went bananas.
As soon as I started the motor, the drive belt came off the pulley. So naturally, as the belt isn't covered by the 3 year warranty, I had to get a new one, not easy as the local dealers, even the supplier, don't carry spare parts for Flymo. The Helpline proved useless, reccommending that I go to their website, which is useless as well. Only a few parts are available, not the belt though. I found nobody within travelling distance who wants anything to do with the electric Flymo.
Shoulders of Shoreham did have a belt, but with the P+P added, it cost nearly £10. But the same thing happened the second time of starting. The problem is this, it is a poly-V belt, but the pulley is smooth, with only one flange. Also, the starting is very abrupt, not soft. Upon Googling for flymo and problem, I found that throwing the belt is not unknown, and that there is a modification kit to prevent it, I eventually BOUGHT one, from the supply dealer (and it had to be ordered specially), it should be free as it corrects a design fault. It is a plastic disk about 122mm diameter and 2.6mm thick, with a shaped hole in the centre. Fitting it has cured the problem so far, but how long the disk will last remains to be seen. If it wears out, I'll make another out of steel.
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