McCulloch M46

Adequate machine with niggling flaws and future repair problems – This mower was given to me in near new condition by a neighbour's relatives when she passed away. In short, it is a simply appointed but powerful 4 stroke. Equipped with a reasonably effective mulching plug and adequately sized plastic catcher, the choice of mulch or catch is convenient. Easy to start, I find it an adequate unit for small-medium… Read more

sized yard. Downsides include: Its engine noise (claims to be 76dB its more like 95dB) so wear your ear plugs. From time to time it shoots out plumes of smoke (despite the fact that it is near new and has had the oil changed) The handle fouls on the air filter case when folding and can cause damage. Some of this mower series came with a standard, bullet-proof Briggs and Stratton motor. The engine on this unit however seems to be a Chinese copy of a Honda engine but spare parts were not available on the internet. Match this with the poor reviews and lack of co-operation by the McCulloch dealers and this unit will present operating problems as itor gets older. Doesn't surprise me they're discontinued.

Worst lawn mower ever – This is the worst mower ever. Won't start, floods on first pull. Stop start directions were upside down. No choke. Repaired once and worked twice now doesn't start. Have used 4 times since bought. Have had to get someone in to do the mowing. Consumer Affairs will investigate. McCulloch must be liable for selling dodgy mower.  Show details

Started Off Well But Time Does Take Its Toll – Mower originally was great - started every time, didn't have issues apart from it struggling to cut thick grass (that's my fault). It does seem to need more maintenance than my old mans Honda mower - blades always seem to be needing sharpening, plug needs to be replaced every 6 months. 3 years on and the throttle cable assembly on the handle… Read more

broke up on the inside. Unable to find parts online, I had to take it apart and loop what was left of the throttle cable so I could still adjust the speed with a set of pliers. In hindsight, I think it would be better to use more metal in hand controls and less plastic!

Biggest piece of rubbish!! – I had my Mcculloch m46 for 4 mths before it started playing up. ( mind you I only used it 4 times as it was winter) I had taken it down to the mower shop to be told it was no longer under warranty because I didn't get it serviced in the first 3 mths. So... 3 shop visits later and it still a piece of crap! The air filter needs to be changed… Read more

every 3 mows, constantly conks out and that's if it starts?!

Manuel states there's a fuel switch, which there's not. Also has a completely different sticker saying stop/ start.. And no choke position?

When it is running it vibrates terribly and I've been told the throttle is 'temperamental' and only works in one particular spot.

Will NEVER buy one again!!!

My old 16 year old mower had 2 services and filter changes in its life.

This crap cost me $ 599!

Even Macculloch repaired can not repair – I have had the mower for about 2 years, In recent weeks it got harder to start until it suddenly would not start. I gave it the basic service (new plug, air filter, oil) still wont start. So i took it to a mower repairer who advised that he has heard nothing good about the machine and he is not able to get parts. I contacted a McCulloch service… Read more

centre as advised on the McCulloch web site and was informed that parts were difficult for them to get and they likely wont be able to fix it. I have borrowed my fathers 20 year old Victa until i buy a new mower. Like most of these reviews i purchased the mower based on the name, turns out its just Chinese junk.

Wrote a glowing review elsewhere, then it died :( – Funnily enough I wrote a good feedback review on Masters website after having this for about 2 years. Then the next time I went to mow, it failed to start at all. Have probably only used the mower a dozen times over the 2 years. Was working perfect, always started 1st/2nd go, cut was fine and all was good, only downside was little gutless in… Read more

thick grass and seems to be a bit heavy on fuel.

Next time I went to mow, dead as a door nail. Checked the air filter (not too bad) replaced the spark plug but no go. It seems the carby has decided to gunk itself up as putting a bit of petrol down it I can start it again for a second. So waiting for a rainy day to pull it apart, or take it to a shop.

So apart from the presumed carby problem, haven't had any issues that others have had - thankfully.

I bought this due to the McCulloch name, however seems this is just another China made piece of rubbish. If I can get it working again, I'll keep it till it dies again, but it's the last time I'm buying a McCulloch and certainly wouldn't recommend it.

Thankfully I priced matched + 5% less and only paid $349 instead of $429.

Lessons learned:

Make sure spare parts are available locally unless you want a throw away item.

Don't trust previously good brands these days.

Wasted more time getting it repaired than the machine is worth – Had the mower about a year now, and only have a small lawn (therefore it doesn't get used very often). We have taken it back 3 times already (each time 2+ week without it). 1. Pull start cable snapped, and the cord went into the mower. - Repaired under warranty, got it back and the cable slipped out of the plastic grip, managed to pull the… Read more

cable out of the mower myself (as it had the knot in it), untied it, threaded it back into the grip, and tied 3 knots.

2. Mower wouldn't start, faulty start plug.

3. When I got the mower back from the repair shop from no.2, the throttle didn't work properly, and after a couple of uses, it stopped working (cable snapped?). It appears the repairs accidentally bent the cable putting the mower into the car for my wife. I received a call form the repairs saying this wasn't covered by warranty. I had to call the manufacturer and spoke to a nice tech guy, and he then contacted the repair, and they are going to replace the cable in good will.

*over all I would not buy this machine again, as it is a waste of time and money.

*not sure what I am going to do after the warranty period runs out..

McCulloch M 46 Mower – Bought in December 2014. So far so good , easy to start and easy to use . The Manual is incorrect. You screw in the oil filler cap to measure the oil level . If you follow the manual you over fill and being a horizontal piston stroke you will blow clouds of blue smoke on starting . Also the small bolt on the side of the motor is the… Read more

drain plug . Do not use it as you will have oil all over your lawn or workshop floor .

Use a siphon or syringe to remove the old oil .

The above is the result of experience and advice from the local service agent.

Rubbish – Bought a Mculloch push mower february 2012 back to dealer after couple weeks hard to start back 12 months later wouldnt rev up paid for repairs back now starts easy wont rev Dealer talked some rubbish about valves being out of synch if valves were crook it wouldnt start or would run rough what rubbish this is legal action being considered

Absolute rubbish – Bought this mower December 2013. Back wheel fell off within 5 minutes. Then the shop where I bought it from said it would be a warranty claim. I fixed it myself; faulty clip. The mower vibrates something terrible, unable to adjust throttle level properly, terrible air filter that continually blocks up, and yesterday (21.12.14) the petrol tank snapped off. Took it to the tip. Getting a new Supaswift with Honda engine.

Not worth the money – We have had nothing but problems with our mower, use it onece and need to get fixed time after time

Worst I've had – Our mower is only 13 months old and today I had to take it back to the shop for the second time with throttle mechanism failure, first time taken back was January 2014 and now again in November 2014. The blade needed to be sharpened only six months after buying and now still does not cut the grass properly. Worst mower I have ever had and would never buy a McCullock again.

First Day Breakdown – When I bought this mower, i noticed that one of the cables attached to the accelerator was as thin as a hair. i thought as soon as a branch brushed against this it would cause problems. I used the mower for less than 2 hours when mowing underneath a fairly bushy tree, the cable became dislodged. Spent the next 15 minutes with a pair of needle… Read more

nose pliers trying to get the cable back into the hole. The motor only idles now and only runs at full speed when i push the mechanism with my hands, which i cannot do while I'm trying to mow, not happy.

very impressed – My previous lawn mower was a victor and although it performed well it had too many nooks and crannies underneath where moisture and grass could gather and it eventually rusted out even though I cleaned the mower after each use. So when I needed to purchase a new mower I checked carefully under each mower. The McCulloch M46 came up the best, for… Read more ·  3

smooth lines underneath, very easy to attach the mulching plug, well built, strong body and easy on the eye.

The mower is easy to start, runs fairly quietly, mulches well, has a good rubber grip on the handle, cuts the grass smoothly and is easy to maneuver. I have experienced no problems with the air filter as stated in a previous review. Because of its smooth lines underneath cleaning with an air hose is a breeze.

The only negative comment I could give, and it is a small one, is that it is a bit fiddly to put the catcher together.

Overall this is an impressive mower and I highly recommend it. Looks great, starts easily, mows and mulches well, easy to clean.

Would Not Buy One Again – I bought an m46 from masters in june. Used it about 6 times and then couldn't start it. Took it back under warranty and was told because the filter was full of dust and it had gone through the engine it was our responsibility and nothing could be done under warrany, how cheap is the filter that after only 6 mowings it stuffs the engine up. … Read more

Before this i had a victa for 10 years and never had a problem like this after many mowings. I would never recommend this mower to anyone.

Cheap filter and bad warranty service

Very nice indeed – Just bought it today. Looks great, feels strong and solid. At first I thought its made in china might not be good, but it's a McCulloch great name and brand. Obviously made to their solid requirements. Then again everything is made in china. Started first stroke, wow brillian. 4 blades, it mulches and mows. A unit like this I thought would be… Read more

worth a lot more. Quiet also, if that's possible. Can hardly wait to begin mowing my lawns.

The only thing I struggled with was clipping the catcher together. Their is absolutely nothing else to put together, yeaah. So if your not good a putting things together highly recommend. It also came with the engine oil. Wow.

Hope this helps Good price for the quality and brand name.first time start and stop. Quiet.no assembly required on mower. Putting the catcher together. Took me 5 minutes, but then beautiful.