Two different mowers – one with a 19″ cut and aluminium construction, and one with a 21″ cut and steel build – but both with the same power. And plenty of it!
The Masport professional Contractor range, featuring the 19″ Contractor AL 3’n1 and the 21″ Contractor ST 3’n1, offers an interesting choice for both domestic and professional users. Both models boast heavy-duty chassis, reinforced axles, and the advanced Masport Quadcut® four-blade cutting system, ensuring superior cutting, catching, mulching, and rear-discharge performance. Both are powered by a Briggs & Stratton 850 engine, and both machines offer reliable starting and powerful operation for demanding conditions. Additionally, comfortable upturned upper handles with soft grips enhance ergonomics and reduce fatigue during prolonged use.
But there are a few differences which set up the two models to suit different situations.
The same, but different
While the Masport Contractor AL S19 and ST S21 SP B&S 3’n1 share a lot of highquality inclusions, there are a few very important differences. Some are obvious – like the 21″ model having a self-drive system and a heavy-duty steel chassis, while the 19″ unit has an aluminium chassis and no self drive – but not all the differences are clear at first glance.
Landscape Contractor called in a pro to give both mowers a workout and let us know how they each stood up to some serious hard work.
Mat Wandmaker from Blue Ridge Property Maintenance answered the call, and, as usual, couldn’t wait to get his hands on some premium new equipment.
Pro in the know
“I really like these mowers,” Mat beamed before he’d even started either of them. “We use something very similar from Masport with one of our contractors, the 3000 series, and we love it.
Mat’s initial thoughts on the Masport Contractor AL S19 and ST S21 SP B&S 3’n1 were straightforward enough.
“The 19″ is nice and light and really easy to use, and the 21″ is a monster,” he said, caressing the braced handle of the larger model.
Mat was a little surprised both mowers had the same power plant, but the Briggs & Stratton 850 series motor is designed for commercial use, with a steel sleeve in the cylinder, roller bearing top and bottom of the crankshaft, and a cartridge filter system.
“These are heavy-duty commercial engines,” Mat concluded after a check of the spec sheet. “From a contractor’s point of view, they’re built to work.”
Chute to fill
The large rear-discharge opening combined with the high-arch chassis design is fairly noticeable when catching, and Mat had some thoughts on that.
“What that means is it fills the catcher bag,” he explained. “The height of the chute allows it to throw the clippings to the back of the catcher bag, and then fill all the way to the front. So by the time you get to full, it’s very full,” he said, clearly very happy with that situation. “That’s what we want. We want to collect as much grass as we can.”
“But these are ‘3’n’1’ mowers,” he continued. “We’ve got the catcher, but if we take the catcher off, the rear deflector flap will drop down. If you’re going through some big, gnarly stuff, it’s easier to just throw the grass out.”
“And then there’s a mulch plug we can stick in the back and it becomes a mulching mower.”
“You don’t have to take several mowers along to do a job. One of these two is enough.”
Put to work
After a session of hard work Mat was confirmed in his opinion of Masport mowers as tough customers.
The 21″ Contractor gave him plenty to think about.
“This thing is a beast,” he panted. “At six kilometres per hour in the top gear I almost had to run along behind it. I’m still puffing!”
As his heartrate slowed and his breathing returned to normal he offered some thoughts on the Masport pair.
“They’re both fantastic,” he said, leaving no room for doubt. “They both did extremely well.
“I put the 21″ Contractor through some really long stuff. The grass is wet at the moment and it threw everything to the back of the catcher. It’s balanced really well, it turns on a dime, it doesn’t feel heavy on the ground…I can’t fault it. It’s easy to adjust the height…it’s a great machine.”
As for the 19″ Contractor AL, we thought Mat got a little ambitious, but the Masport was equal to the challenge.
“I put the push mower through some heavier stuff,” he mused, “and, power-wise, it just ploughed through it. It was thick, heavy, wet cooch, and it didn’t drop a beat.”
There was one more interesting thing Mat noticed.
“One of the big things is the cutting deck actually cuts out to the wheel. You can get right up close to fences and posts, and that means less brushcutting.
“That’s fantastic!” he beamed. “Overall, these are fantastic machines and they’ll be great for contractors.”
Pro equipment
So there it is. Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a homeowner passionate about maintaining pristine outdoor spaces, the Masport Contractor AL S19 and ST S21 SP B&S 3’n1 offer reliability, durability, and unmatched performance. The mowers are backed by a comprehensive warranty, designed for commercial operation and built to last.
Check the video of the test on this page, and for more information on the Masport range, visit masport.com.au or contact Masport on 1300 366 225.