The Mountfield Princess 38 is a 1600 watt electric corded lawn mower that has a 38cm cutting deck and 3-in-1 cutting system including collect, mulch and rear discharge of the grass cuttings. This mower is designed for medium sized lawns, has 6 height positions from 25mm to 75mm and a very respectable rigid 40 litre grass collection box. It is fitted with a rear roller for a luxury striped appearance and is supplied with a 15 metre cable.
These mowers are identical in build quality and functionality, the only variation is with the deck size, grass collection box size and the power of the motor.
The Mountfield Princess 38 is more suited to those that have medium sized lawns up to 250m². Mountfield has provided this mower with a respectable 40 litre grass collection box to ensure less stops for emptying. They have also supplied this mower with a 1600 Watt motor that is what you will need for this size of lawn. As we mentioned earlier this is the middle brother of this range of Mountfield brothers, and therefore has a 38cm deck, which is 4cm larger than its smaller brother and 4cm smaller than its bigger brother. In my opinion the 38cm deck size on this Mountfield Princess mower hits the sweet spot as it feels just right in terms of manoeuvrability without compromising on size. The combination of these features really make this a great mower for medium sized and challenging lawns. Having said that, it performs equally well on tendered lawns with its range of 6 cutting heights from 25mm to 75mm and its rear roller.
This Mountfield Princess 38 mower is competing very well with the likes of Bosch and others in terms of features and value for money. You get so much with this mower such as the ability to mulch the lawn out of the box (this is an optional extra with some other brands), an integrated rear roller for striped lawn appearance and a rear discharge option. So truly a 3-in-1 lawn mower.
Although this mower is not self-propelled, the larger rear wheels, the dual grip starter handles and its lightweight make it a pleasure to work with.
There are three different Princess size models to choose from, the Princess 34, 38 and 42. There is a handy comparison table below to show the differences between them.
The Mountfield Princess 38 has a 15 metre cable which is longer than average and saves the inconvenience of having to use an extension cord.
The blades on this Mountfield Princess 38 are hardened steel and are designed to provide a sharp cut and the ability to mulch your lawn.
Steel blades can always be sharpened when they become blunt. Anyone with basic DIY skills and a few tools, such as a metal file, will be able to sharpen the blade. Alternatively, you could always purchase a new blade for your Mountfield. Blades are readily available from DIY stores or from Amazon and will cost less than £20.
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Height Adjustment
Now some mowers only have 3 cutting heights, but that is not the case with this Mountfield. You have the choice of 6 height positions that range from 25mm to 75mm. The height adjustment lever is mounted to the rear of the mower and will adjust all four wheels simultaneously.
I do prefer the height lever to be mounted more central to the mower as it makes it easier to adjust. Mountfield provide a unique grip on the handle to make it easier for this rear adjustment lever to be operated, and seems to work well. Please see my video review to see the height adjustment in action.
It is not the easiest height lever I have used, however as you are not going to be using it that often it is not a big issue.
Cutting Diameter
As the name suggests Mountfield Princess 38 has a 38cm deck size that is designed for lawns sized up to 250m², this is around the size of a tennis court. As mentioned above, Mountfield offer three size options with the electric Princess range, and this model is the middle brother.
The trick is to choose the deck size that best suits your lawn shape and size. Remember, the larger the deck size (and grass box) the quicker you will get the job done. But remember, the larger mowers are heavier, especially when the grass collection box becomes full, and less manoeuvrable around flower beds and slopes.
The great thing about the 38cm deck is that it seems to hit that middle ground, especially for medium sized lawns. A large enough deck to get the job done quickly without compromising on manoeuvrability and weight. The comparison chart below shows the differences between these three Mountfield electric mowers.
The grass collection box on the Mountfield Princess 38 is an all solid construction and can be easily fitted and removed from the mower. Many mowers have a semi rigid construction with a cloth mesh middle and the benefits of this are: less storage as the grass box folds flat, and better grass collection as there is increased air circulation.
So why did Mountfield choose to have a rigid collection box? Well the problem with cloth collection boxes is that they are prone to damage. This is particularly true if you have thorny shrubs or wire fences around the lawn as these will catch on the cloth sides causing tears and damage. Mountfield pride themselves on producing quality products that last, so I believe this is the reason they chose to supply this mower with this type of collection box.
Please note that solid grass collection boxes always come in two parts and need to be assembled. This is never an easy task, as it is with a cloth collection bag, but once it’s done, it’s done!
Practicalities
The whole range of Mountfield Princess electric mowers are fantastically practical. You are getting 3-in-1 cutting options as explained above, this means you can cut the lawn whatever the conditions and weather. Mulching is a fantastic way to save time and help the environment at the same time.
Having larger rear wheels for easier manoeuvrability and stability, foldable handles at two points on the bars to reduce storage space, and a central carry handle, all go to making this a versatile and practical mower.
This is a well built mower and the strong ergonomic handles give this mower a high quality and durable feel. I will of course update this blog should I notice any long term quality issues. However my first impressions after my first few cuts lead me to believe this will not be the case.
Roller (Stripes)
Good news! This Mountfield Princess 38 comes with a built in integrated rear roller for that traditional striped lawn finish. This is a fantastic additional feature for gardeners here in the UK. This combined with the 3-in-1 cutting options means that this mower has it all. Well done Mountfield.
Mountfield Princess 38 Video
To give you a visual representation of the Mountfield Princess 38 please watch the video below:
Warranty
The Mountfield Princess 38 is supplied with a two year manufactures warranty. This is standard across the range of mowers at this price point.
Mountfield Princess 38 Safety Features
The Mountfield Princess 38 comes with a standard central starter button that must be pressed simultaneously in order to start this mower. The mower also has a quick stop safety brake feature that stops the blade spinning within three seconds of the operator releasing the switch.
There are also some safety procedures that the user should always follow when using an electric lawn mower –
if possible avoid mowing wet grass
as with all wheeled lawn mowers, cut across a slope, never up and down
ensure you keep your hands and feet away from the rotating blade
always carry out a visual inspection of your mower before use (nuts and screws are tightened)
always ensure the mower is disconnected from the mains when cleaning the underside of the deck
The Mountfield Princess 38 has the ability to mulch the grass cuttings as it comes supplied with a mulching plug. This really is a nice touch from Mountfield as most electric mowers do not have a mulching ability and a rear roller.
The mulching plug can be fitted and removed very easily with no obstructions. It is not always suitable to mulch the lawn, for example when the lawn is too wet, so being able to switch to collection makes this mower versatile in all conditions.
There are three varying sizes of Mountfield Princess lawn mowers, the Princess 34, 38 and 42. Below is a comparison table to highlight the differences between them.
1400 W Motor
1600 W Motor
1800 W Motor
Lawn Mower
Mountfield Princess 34 Electric 4 Wheel Rear Roller Lawnmower
Mountfield Princess 38 Electric 4 Wheel Rear Roller Lawnmower
Mountfield Princess 42 Electric 4 Wheel Rear Roller Rotary Lawnmower
Grass Box Capacity: 40 litre with a window for easy viewing to know when the box is full and needs emptying
Pros and Cons
Pros
Durable mower with 3-in-1 cutting system – collect, mulch and rear discharge
Excellent performance and cut quality
Rear roller for striped lawn with front anti-scalping plate
6 height adjustment options that are easy to change
Foldable handles for compact storage
Ergonomic left and right starter handles
Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
15 metre power cable
Trusted Mountfield brand
2-Year warranty
Cons
Grass box assembly can be a little tricky
This Mountfield Princess 38 Is Ideal For:
People with medium sized gardens around 250m² (size of 1 tennis count).
People that require the option to mulch the lawn cuttings.
Those that would like a rear roller for a striped lawn finish.
Those that require a medium sized 38cm cutting width for good manoeuvrability.
Requires a powerful 1600W motor for longer/thicker grass.
People that would like a good sized grass collection box (40 L) with a vision window.
Those that require a large range of cutting heights (6 heights from 25mm to 75mm).
Conclusion
As mentioned above this mower really is competing well with the other well known lawn mower brands in terms of both durability, quality of cut, functionality and value for money. The 1600 watt motor has enough power to deal with damp or long grass and the steel blades will cut with precision. The Mountfield Princess 38 mower is well priced, weighs 14.2 kg and has additional features normally found in higher priced models.
This mower comes with a good 2 year warranty and the support provided in the UK from Mountfield is excellent and responsive. Spare parts and replacement blades are readily available and reasonably priced.
The only negative I could find with this lawn mower is the design of the grass collection box making it little difficult to assemble. Assembly should be tool free, however this is not the case and a pair of pliers may be needed. Having said that, once the box is assembled this naturally is no longer an issue.
All in all, you will not be disappointing with this Mountfield Princess 38 mower or its almost identical smaller or bigger brother (see my comparison table below). As this mower is the middle sized brother in this range, and is designed to get the job done quickly whilst remaining small enough to be nimble to manoeuvre easily around narrow strips and flower beds.
Remember this mower has myriad of features such as powerful motor, many easily adjustable cutting heights, the roller, mulching ability, dual left and right starter handles and overall good build quality.
The only challenge you will have with this mower is deciding which size of the Mountfield Princess electric mower to choose. They are all packed with the same features mentioned above, it is really down to the size of your lawn, and the small difference we mentioned earlier.
Where Should I Purchase This Mountfield Princess 38?
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
Having read some of your reviews (very useful, thank you) I decided the Mountford Princess 38 would be the best mower for me. However, when I looked for online sale sites, it seems the solid collector box has been replaced with a bag. I would prefer a solid box but could put up with the bag if everything else is the same. I’m reluctant to commit though in case other aspects have changed and it maybe no longer matches your review. Are you likely to re-review anytime soon?
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Having read some of your reviews (very useful, thank you) I decided the Mountford Princess 38 would be the best mower for me. However, when I looked for online sale sites, it seems the solid collector box has been replaced with a bag. I would prefer a solid box but could put up with the bag if everything else is the same. I’m reluctant to commit though in case other aspects have changed and it maybe no longer matches your review. Are you likely to re-review anytime soon?
Hi, Thanks so much for your comment and feedback. As far as I can see the mower still comes with a solid grass collection box.
What website did you see it with a cloth collection bag?
Thanks
Mark