Choosing a lawn mower for home and work Criteria for choosing lawn mowers (electric, gasoline): type of engine, cutting element, power, design and equipment, warranty and service. Rating of models for home and work.
Electric or petrol
The lawn mower does not restrict freedom of movement, as it does not need to be connected to the mains. As a rule, such units are more powerful and can cut even tough weed stems, vines and artisanal thickets.
This is the most advantageous option for making hay for animals.
However, there are also disadvantages:
- High price;
- Regular refueling with gasoline and oil;
- High level of noise;
- Traffic fumes.
Electrokosa is small in size. It is compact and not very noisy. This machine does not need to be regularly refueled, but its power is much less than that of lawn mowers. It cannot be used to cut thick branches.
Electric scythes up to 1 kW are ideal for delicate lawn grass. A more powerful machine can handle dense grass and weeds.
- The presence of a cable for connecting to the mains, which limits the freedom of movement of the trimmer;
- The possibility of water getting into the scythe motor with its lower location;
- The need for regular charging of the battery, if the scythe has one.
The most popular and common brands that make braids today are as follows:
- EFCO (Japan) equipment that makes virtually no noise during operation. Due to the overhead position of the motor, there is practically no vibration. Cutting tool fishing line or steel knives. This unit weighs less than 2 kg.
- AL-KO (Germany) high quality braids with a long service life and a high level of safety. They are suitable not only for mowing the lawn, but also for removing weeds. The equipment is lightweight and easy to use.
- CRAFTSMAN (USA) braids of high quality, which are characterized by lightness, practicality and reasonable price.
- CHAMPION Sino-American product. This equipment with steel knives can easily handle both lawn grass and young shrubs.
- MAKITA (Japan) high quality lawn mowers. All models are easy to use, maneuverable and have an ergonomic design.
Power
Braid manufacturers most often indicate the power of the equipment in watts or horsepower.
If you purchase a scythe for processing a small area with lawn grass, then 0.8-0.9 kW of power will be quite enough. For areas with thickets of weeds, vines or shrubs, it is worth choosing a more powerful scythe of 1.2 kW and higher. Professional models have a power of over 3 kW and can cope with a site of any complexity.
Cutting tool type
The cutting element for lawn mowers can be:
- Disc knives made of metal or plastic in the amount of 2 or more units. Metal knives are used to mow tough grass, weeds, bushes and even young trees. Plastic ones easily cut only grass (young and not so) and dry stems. Such an element is able to work for a long time without replacement.
- Sharp line on a reel. It is designed for mowing grass. The diameter of the line, as a rule, varies within 2-3 mm. When the lawn mower is in use, the line spool rotates quickly, cutting through the grass. The need to replace such an element is determined by the thickness of the line.
Choosing a lawn mower for yourself functions, features, characteristics
To spend less time and effort mowing grass in the area, you need to use the mechanisms designed for this lawn mowers, trimmers and lawn mowers. With their help, it will be possible to maintain the area adjacent to the house in excellent condition. The advantage of lawn mowers is that it is not tied to a power source like electric scythes. In addition, its application allows mowing grass on uneven terrain, as well as in hard-to-reach places (for example, under a bush). It is also less safe, since when using electricity there is always a possibility of electric shock.
What to look for when choosing a lawn mower?
Since the purpose of the scythe is precisely to mow vegetation, the first thing to do is to look at the cutting tool. Domestic lawn mowers are equipped with steel or plastic blades. A saw blade or nylon scaffolding is also used as a cutting part. Based on this, it must be taken into account that the fishing line is absolutely unsuitable for work in areas where there are thickets of bushes. She also will not be able to cut small branches and young shoots from trees. Plastic knives, in turn, cannot be sharpened.
It is better to purchase more versatile models that have the ability to change the cutting tool. In this case, you need to ask how easily and quickly such a replacement is made. You need to understand that steel knives and discs become dull during operation. What then? If they are sharpened, how? Can you do it yourself? If the manufacturer provides spare cutting tools, how much is included in the package and can be purchased at retail? After all, the lawn mower itself is designed for a long service life. A steel knife may break, but where to get another?
Chainsaws are usually equipped with a 2 or 4 stroke engine. The first ones are somewhat lighter, but their operation is much more noisy. Although the set may include headphones that are used during work. Therefore, everyone chooses a model at their discretion. The scythe power can be up to 1.5 hp. Another such nuance of the 4T model needs to be kept somewhat tilted, at an angle. This is necessary for oil to get on all parts of the braid. But the 2T models can be held as you like, in any position they work stably.
Practice shows that corner models are less reliable, and their power is less. However, with a bent bar, steel knives are not used, since with such a configuration, the knife is easy to break. There are models with a folding bar, but they are short-lived.
The handles can be of various shapes. They are called T, D or J shaped. The T-handle is well suited for work in open and relatively level areas. This configuration follows the shape of a traditional braid and allows for large, wide sweeps. The D-shaped handle is more suitable for working in difficult areas: along fences and buildings, under bushes, among trees. For areas with high vegetation, a scythe with a J-handle works well. By the way, it is the best in terms of safety.
And yet, focusing on the technical characteristics and cost of a particular model, do not forget about the convenience of using this particular braid. If it fits well in your hands, does not impede movement, then, most likely, your choice was made correctly. I recommend watching a specialist tells about the choice of lawn mowers and its maintenance:
Bar and trimmer handle shape
Finally, you need to decide what your braid will look like. There are two types of boom: straight and angled. Experienced mowers advise to stay on a straight bar: it is both more reliable and more powerful.
But the handles come in three forms. They are designated by the letters of the Latin alphabet T, D and J, depending on which letter the handle looks like. If you have an open and level ground, grab the T-handle, you won’t go wrong. For more difficult areas (uneven, along fences, around trees) it is better to work with the D-handle. Well, if you are a lucky owner of tall vegetation, take the safest J-handle braid.
How to choose a lawn mower
- Quick response: how to choose a lawn mower?
- Power and type of engine lawn mowers
- Cutting tool
- Bar and handle shape
- Price policy
- Service
Power and engine types lawn mowers
One of the significant parameters is engine power, measured in horsepower. If your site is small, flat, problem-free, then a small power is enough for you: up to 1 hp. Usually, they take engines with a capacity of up to 1.5 hp.
Now let’s figure out the type of engine. There are two- and four-stroke engines. In addition to the obvious differences (four are more powerful than two), it should be noted that more powerful engines make the lawn mower heavier. For the fragile gardener, this can be a problem.
But the noise is much less from four-stroke engines. For the most fastidious, headphones are sold; they often come with lawn mowers. That is, you have to choose which device suits you best: lighter but noisy or heavier but quiet.
How to choose a lawn mower
Lawn mower or a gasoline trimmer is a convenient, mobile, practical and therefore a very popular tool with which you can mow grass, stiff shoots, small bushes in your summer cottage, near your house, in the garden before harvesting potatoes. Recent times lawn mowers became very popular in agriculture for harvesting hay. However, a large selection of models with different technical indicators and a wide range of prices raise a natural question from the consumer: which one to choose for a lawn mower in a price-quality ratio, and so that its technical characteristics meet the tasks that will be performed as much as possible. In this article we will try to tell you what lawn mowers are, for what types of work they are suitable, as well as the basic rules for operating a gasoline trimmer.
Types of lawn mowers
Depending on the technical characteristics, as well as on the operating mode, all lawn mowers can be conditionally divided into:
- Professional
- Household
Professional lawn mower designed for industrial use, performing a large amount of work for a long time, and is perfect for use by utilities or in agriculture. Naturally, for this, the lawn mower must have not only high technical performance, but also the appropriate build quality. As a rule, professional models have engine power from 1.8 hp. And above, they are equipped with both a trimmer head with a line and a steel knife. over, the thickness of the fishing line is greater than usual (from 2.4 mm), and the knife can be 3, 4 and 8 lozenges (the latter is used for mowing tall, weaving grass and for hay harvesting). There are also knives with a large number of teeth, they visually resemble saw blades and are used for mowing bushes. In addition, a distinctive feature of a professional lawn mower is a non-separable bar, in the middle of which the shaft moves. On the one hand, this is not very convenient, especially when transporting and storing the tool, since the device is quite large, and on the other hand, such a design prevents sand, dirt, dust from getting into the middle, which significantly extends its resource. over, the connecting mechanism of the two shaft parts may loosen over time, which causes backlash. Separately, it is necessary to dwell on the shaft, which is located in the middle of the rod and transfers the engine torque to the cutting attachment. It comes in two types: flexible and rigid. The flexible shaft has the appearance of a cable and prevents damage to the gearbox when a knife strikes from a stone or tree trunk. It simply absorbs this blow. At the same time, the rigid shaft (metal pin) resists deformation under load. These lawn mowers are used for mowing dense thickets and bushes.
Household lawn mowers intended for work near the house, in the garden, in the garden. They rarely exceed 2 HP and can also be fitted with a line trimmer and steel blade. Structurally, they are similar to professional models, but there are some features:
- A number of household models are equipped with a curved bar, which is convenient when working in hard-to-reach places (under benches in the garden, near flower beds, between trees), since such lawn mower less overall than its counterpart with a straight bar;
- A type of handle, which can be bicycle type (like professional models), or it can be D-shaped. In the second case, a handle is attached to the mower bar, which the user holds with one hand, and the other hand holds the tool by the bar near the engine. Users’ opinions were divided: which design is more convenient. The matter, as they say, is a matter of habits, since it will change from a bicycle handle to a D-shaped one or vice versa, as practice shows, not everyone succeeds
- Household models are more often found with a collapsible bar, which is very convenient for storage and transportation, since disassembled lawn mower two times less, and assembling it back is not difficult and takes a minimum of time.
Another feature that significantly distinguishes a household model from a professional one is its cost. The latter will be much more expensive. Therefore, before choose a lawn mower it is necessary to decide which tasks you will perform with its help. If you have a plot of up to 15-20 acres, it is absolutely not necessary to overpay and buy a professional tool, since in this case a household lawn mower can perfectly cope with such a volume of work.
We work as a lawn mower: basic rules
The main requirements for working with a lawn mower directly depend on the rules for operating a gasoline 2-stroke engine. Such a motor runs on a fuel mixture of gasoline and 2-stroke oil, which is prepared in a ratio of 1:50, that is, 1 gram of oil is added to 50 grams of gasoline. It should be said that when starting work with a new tool, it is recommended to add a little more oil. Let the lawnmower work at 50% of its capacity on one tank of such a mixture, then feel free to fill in the usual mixture. When preparing a fuel mixture for your lawn mower, remember that it is suitable for use for no more than two weeks, after which its properties change, which negatively affects the operation of the tool as a whole. Therefore, do not rush to prepare it in large quantities, and also drain the fuel from the tool during long breaks between mowing. There are also models with 4-stroke engines, in which oil is poured separately with gasoline, they are more economical and have a longer service life. But such lawn mowers have more weight and cost more.
Before starting work, we recommend that you carefully inspect the area and remove stones, branches, and other debris from it, which you may not notice in the grass during work, which can lead to breakage or to premature wear of the cutting tool. When working with a gasoline trimmer, you must remember that it is not only a practical and convenient tool, but also quite dangerous. Since the trimmer head with line or steel blade turns at a high speed, the following safety rules must be observed when working:
- Do not use tools without the protective shield that comes with every lawn mower
- Wear glasses when working to prevent grass particles from getting into your eyes
- The engine heats up during operation, therefore, when removing the tool between mowing, it is better to hold it by the bar or the handle.
Which lawn mower is better or how to choose a lawn mower
Every summer resident or gardener sooner or later has a question of mowing grass, as well as a question of weed control. Many people solve it with the help of an old but reliable old-fashioned hand scythe tool. Who does not remember the proverb koshi scythe while the dew is. But if the site is large enough, but there is not enough time, or simply laziness overcomes, then you can use mechanized assistance. Today we will talk about how to choose a lawn mower.
A lawn mower (gasoline lawn mower, trimmer) is a special garden tool that is designed to mow grass or small bushes using a gasoline engine.
For lawn mowers, as well as for chainsaws, gasoline of the A-92 brand is mainly used, although it is better to look at the instructions for each specific tool.
In addition to gasoline lawn mowers, there are also electric lawn mowers that use an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine. However, a robotic electric lawn mower needs a connection to the electrical network, which is not always convenient and possible.
Let’s list the main parameters of lawn mowers, which are key when choosing it:
1. The power of the lawn mowers.
Lawnmowers’ power is measured in watts or horsepower. The conversion of watts to horsepower is as follows: 1 kilowatt = 1.36 horsepower.
In order to mow a relatively small lawn with grass, 0.8-0.9 kW of power may be enough, however, in order to mow areas with weeds, etc. You need to choose a lawn mower with a power of 1.2 kW. Professional lawn mowers can have a power of 3 kW or more.
2. Engine type.
Most lawn mowers have two-stroke engines. This can be said to be the standard for lawn mowers. However, over time, lawn mowers, which have a four-stroke engine, are increasingly starting to appear on sale.
The 4th stroke engine is less noisy and more reliable, but it weighs more and such tools are more expensive.
3. Type of cutting element.
Lawn mowers use two main types of cutting elements: knives and special line.
Lawnmower line is used when mowing grass. It can have different diameters (mainly from 2 to 3 mm).
The lawn mower blade can be metal or plastic, and it can have 2.3 or more cutting surfaces. With knives, you can cut harder grass, weeds and even bushes. If handled carelessly, the knife can also mow a young tree.
Most modern models of lawn mowers are designed in such a way that they can be hooked to both a bobbin with a fishing line and knives. Be sure to make sure you have this option when choosing lawn mowers.
4. Weight of the lawn mower.
Although a lawn mower is easier to mow than a regular lawn mower, it also needs to be handled. The weight of the tool determines how long you can work.
On average, lawn mowers weigh between 4 and 8 kg. The weight of a lawn mower is directly influenced by its power. The more powerful the instrument, the heavier it is.
On average, focus on a weight of 6.5-7 kg. For a medium power streamer.
Be sure to make sure that the lawn mowers have a special belt in the kit, which allows you to redistribute its weight not only on the arms, but also on the torso, which greatly facilitates the work and reduces fatigue.
I also need to say a few words about brands and prices.
Lawn mower manufacturers can be divided into three conditional groups: famous brands, good China, just China.
Well-known brands such as Alpina, Stihl, Oleo-MAC, Husqvarna produce quality but expensive products. Low-power models from these manufacturers start at 250, and medium-power models from 300-350.
If you want to have a really reliable unit that you will often use, take a look at these brands.
If you don’t want to overpay for the brand, look for normal china lawn mowers. Almost all of them are now called by big names such as Temp, Vityaz, etc. It doesn’t hit here once at a time. You yourself need to look at the quality of materials and assembly of a particular braid. There are quite good models of lawn mowers with a price of about 140-180.
Ordinary China is anything that costs about 120 or less. There is already a real lottery, the tool may or may not work well. Such Chinese lawn mowers can be taken only if you need to mow something not very large-scale from time to time.
Well, I hope now you will be aware how to choose the best lawn mower for your garden, vegetable garden or cottage.