How to choose a lawn mower

Features of mechanical lawnmowers and consumer reviews

In the age of total automation, mechanical lawnmowers have not lost their relevance. For work on a small, flat and well-groomed area, it is advisable to use a manual unit. Its main element is a drum cutting mechanism, which is driven by the rotation of the wheels. Such mowers are inexpensive, don’t need to be connected to a power source, are quiet, compact and safe. If you buy a grass collector, then the convenience of operation of mechanical models can argue with the motor models. All this is true if the lawn is not heavily overgrown, and on the condition that sufficient attention has been paid to the choice. What lawn mowers with manual drive have won the appreciation of users. our rating will tell about it.

Electric lawnmower: rating of the best models

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To understand which mechanical lawnmower is better, you need to pay attention to the parameters of choice:

  • Mowing width, height of mowing. The wider the blades, the more effort the user has to apply.
  • The size of the support wheels. High wheels are suitable for the surface with small bumps, irregularities. Bearing provide more durability, but are more expensive.
  • Availability of a grass catcher box. Not the most important point, but still, if you need minimum emissions on the mowed area, you should look at these models.
  • Performance level. If you need to mow taller, dense grass, you should consider the more powerful models. Small lawns of soft greens can be cleaned up with a simple device.

It’s also important to consider ergonomics when choosing. The machine should be easy to operate, not too heavy, slippery.

What to pay attention to when choosing a lawn mower

How it works?

The user, having chosen a flat area with growing grass, pushes the mower in front of him. From the support wheels, the movement (rotation) is transferred to the work shaft, and a horizontal and fixed blade is placed in front of it. In the process, the grass rests on the horizontal blade, and its even cutting is performed already by the blade on the spiral. If the mower is a contact mower, the blades also maintain sharpening when in contact.

Modern manual lawn mower are classified into:

  • Household. Low weight. The average width of the cutting blade 34 centimeters. Ideal for cutting vegetation up to 45 millimetres high.
  • professional. Mowing large areas. The average width of the cutting blade is 40 centimeters. Good for cutting vegetation of up to 5 cm.

Working principle

The lawn mower is designed for cutting grass on flat areas. In case of special models the lawnmower can also work on uneven surfaces. No fuel, no electricity, no wiring needed, unlike lawn mowers with motors.

The principle of operation is very simple:

  • A man pushes the mower.
  • The wheels start spinning.
  • There are blades attached to the wheel shaft, which also start to move.
  • Grass that falls into the blades is cut.
  • Grass cuttings are discarded either on the ground or in a special bag on the lawnmower.

Almost every mechanical lawnmower has additional control elements. It’s about the buttons or sliders that adjust the grass cutting height and speed of the mower. These parameters are changed by changing the position of the blades inside the mower.

The knives themselves move several times faster than the wheels. that’s the only reason why they work so effectively.

Mechanical mowers practically never get clogged. this is due to the design of the knives and their positioning at a certain angle, thanks to which even roots or stems that have fallen inside are pushed out and do not interfere with the operation of mechanisms.

Maintenance tips

After work, just wash out the grass and dirt from the hose and let the machine to dry in the sun, it would be nice to wipe the blades with an oily rag once a season to prevent rusting.

You should pay attention to the adjustment of the blades, which over time can shift. In most manual machines, the rotating blades pass over the stationary bed, and that’s what makes the mowing happen. If you do not adjust the gap the blades will stop cutting, the blades can get too close to each other and they will run into each other, making the mower harder to push and the blades will get blunt. Setting up is simple and usually requires turning a couple of set screws, depending on the model. In addition to proper adjustment will require self-sharpening, once every few seasons.

Mechanical lawnmowers differ from each other in different parameters:

  • by type of construction: manual (drum mowers) and spindle mowers;
  • the presence or absence of a bag for collecting the cut grass;
  • Contact and non-contact lawn mowers;
  • The possibility of adjusting the cutting of the grass.

As you see, there are many differences. However, it is not difficult to understand these parameters. Let’s look at each of them in turn.

Hand-held (cylinder) lawnmowers are universal and can be adapted to any terrain. These lawn mowers have a drum. it and placed blades of grass for cutting.

These lawnmowers always have devices to adjust the operation. In addition, the drum models work well at any speed, which means they are suitable for both fast and unhurried work.

Spindle mowers are designed to work on even surfaces. With them it is possible to achieve a good result, the main thing is to know the right technique of work (longitudinal to transverse cutting of the grass). As a result, lawns are smooth and beautiful.

Spindle mowers can be contact and non-contact. In the contact mechanism, the blades of grass interact with each other when cutting the grass, in the non-contact mechanism they do not. The latter allow you to achieve a better result, but also more finicky to the technology of cutting grass. you need to work with a certain speed and effort.

Lawn mowers also differ in the presence or absence of a special bag or grid into which the cut grass falls. On some mowers there are no fasteners, while on others such bags can be either attached or detached. There is no difference in efficiency. it all depends on how much a person cares about the end result. In principle, for small areas you can use mowers with a bag. so the result will be more pleasant to the eye.

Finally, mechanical lawn mowers differ in terms of functionality in terms of adjusting the cutting of the grass. Most tools have this feature, but the difference lies in the limits of this adjustment: not all mechanical lawnmowers will be able to work with too low or too high grass.

Also, not all mechanical lawnmowers can work too fast or too slow. All of these can be a nuisance when working with the tool, which means you need to pay attention to the limits within which everything is adjustable when buying.

Operating principle

Every machine of this type is equipped with drum cutting tools; rotary cutting tools are used only in mounted and trailed machines.

The drum cutting system consists of:

The knife drum consists of:

Let us describe how these types of machines work.

The spindle is connected via an overdrive reducer to one of the wheels, which gives it several times the speed of the wheel. The discs are rigidly attached to the shaft, so that they rotate with it.

The knives are mounted nearly perpendicular to the discs and nearly parallel to the shaft, and due to the slight deviation they pass by the counter-knife like shears, the point of contact moves from one edge to the other as the drum rotates.

The knives of the drum, as well as the counter-knife, are sharpened at a 90 degree angle, which makes them even more similar to scissors. Due to this design of the spindle mechanism at each moment grass is cut in a small area, which reduces the load on the shaft, and therefore requires less effort to rotate it. The counter blade is rigidly mounted to the mower frame, so it is always in the same place in relation to the reel.

Turning the mower housing relative to the ground varies the height of mowing, whereby the counter blade is always in the same position in relation to the drum, which means that regardless of the height of mowing, the mechanism cuts the grass with the same efficiency.

Gearbox is most often made of plastic, where a big gear is mounted on a wheel and a small one on a spindle, thanks to which the spindle rotation speed is several times higher than the speed of the wheel. The disadvantage of this drive is the very low power, so the lawnmower only cuts low and thin grass very well.

What features to pay attention to when choosing a mechanical lawnmower?

Important! When buying a device, it is worth paying attention to a number of features and parameters:

  • Type of mower. Mechanical lawn mowing devices are usually divided into spindle-mounted and hand-held. The first ones are equipped with a special spindle blade that is driven by the rotation of the wheels. The latter are equipped with a cylinder with a working blade that can be adjusted to the optimum speed using a special element.
  • Grip width when mowing. This characteristic in mechanical models varies between 33 and 45 cm. This may be higher or lower on some models. Large mowing width means high mowing performance.
  • Mowing height. Adjustable mowing height enables to achieve the ideal result, getting a smooth and well-tended lawn. Adjusting the height of cut is especially important on mechanical mowers, because most of these machines can handle high vegetation in two or three steps.
  • Handle design. Most mechanical mowers have a telescopic, folding handle. This is very convenient if you need to transport the equipment or during the preservation of the device for the winter.
  • Weight of the equipment. A heavy non-self-propelled unit, which includes any mechanical mower, is not too easy to manage. Lightweight and compact models are much more mobile and maneuverable, but have somewhat less performance.

What features to look out for in a mechanical lawnmower?

Important! When buying a device, you should pay attention to a number of features and parameters:

  • Type of lawn mower. Mechanical devices for mowing the lawn are usually divided into spindle and manual. The former are equipped with a special spindle blade that is driven by the rotation of the wheels. The latter are equipped with a cylinder with a working blade, which can be adjusted to the optimum speed using a special element.
  • Mowing width. This characteristic in mechanical models varies between 33 and 45 cm. In different models it can be more or less. Large mowing widths translate into high mowing performance.
  • Height of vegetation. Adjustable mowing height allows you to achieve a perfect result, get a smooth and well-groomed lawn. In mechanical mowers, adjusting the cutting height is especially relevant, as most such machines can handle tall vegetation in two or three steps.
  • Handle design. Most mechanical mowers are equipped with a telescopic folding handle. This is very convenient when you need to transport equipment or during the preservation of the device for the winter.
  • Weight of the equipment. The heavy non-self-propelled unit, which includes any mechanical mower, is not too easy to manage. Lightweight and compact models are much more mobile and maneuverable, but have a slightly lower capacity.

Features of product application

If you use it correctly, it will last a long time. Observe certain safety rules while working. Above all, be careful with the cutting elements. They are very sharp and can seriously injure you if used improperly.

Make sure that all parts are securely and reliably fastened before you start working. The place also needs to be cleared of unnecessary items, toys, and debris. You should also wear clothing that protects you from injury. E.g. tight fitting pants, closed shoes, gloves, safety goggles. The last accessory is not required because a hand-held lawnmower does not provide high blade speed.

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You need to move strictly forward. It shouldn’t go too fast. Clean the grass catcher box periodically. When finished, it is advisable to store the machine in a utility room out of the reach of children.

Manufacturers and prices

The most inexpensive mechanical lawn mowers are offered today at a price range of 2 000-3 000 p. For about the same money you can buy a grass trimmer, but note that these are two types of devices, which are completely different mow the grass. Good functional models of famous brands cost 5 000-7 000 p. The lawn mowers from such well-known manufacturers as Bosch, Fiskars, Husqvarna and Gardena are very popular.

The owners of private households lawn mower just need in the economy, and the dacha owners it is useful. If you need to mow a small lawn, there’s nothing better than a manual lawn mower. It’s inexpensive, self-contained and virtually noiseless, which is important if you do not want to spoil relations with the neighbors, mowing the lawn on Sunday morning.

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Varieties of mechanical mowers

Even such a seemingly uncomplicated device as a hand lawnmower is divided into types. There are only two of them:

The first type of device is not very convenient for cutting grass in large garden areas. This type of mower has spindle blades, which start moving from the energy transmitted by the rotating wheels. Spindle mowers come in two types based on the type of cut:

The name of each type speaks for itself. In the first case, when cutting, the blades intersect with each other, and in the second. they do not contact, as there is a small distance between them. The cutting is performed by feeding the grass to be picked up to the blade located at the bottom of the construction. The greatest inconvenience in use gives the need to constantly adjust the speed of the device, which greatly complicates the process of beautifying large areas. In addition, spindle mowers poorly work the surface of the lawn, because of which it is required to pass over the plot both along and across.

Manual devices are much more convenient to work with. They are equipped with a rotating cylinder on which the blades are located. These mowers have a handle on which there are regulating elements, which eliminates the need to constantly monitor the speed of the mower. The machine is easy to set up in the desired operating mode, and then you can go to work on the lawn. Manual mowers are able to cut the grass at a speed of 3-5 km/h. And, importantly, they are more durable than their spindle counterparts.

Both the first and the second type of mowers are offered by manufacturers at approximately the same cost. The difference between manual and spindle devices, for the most part, is noticeable only in the technical characteristics of each device. However, it is worth noting that among the mechanical mowers, the manual type is considered the highest quality, especially when you consider that the price of such devices is quite attractive.

Lawn mowers: the rules for choosing

In order to make sure that the process of improving the site brought not only benefit, but also pleasure, it is necessary to choose the correct device for mowing the grass. Mechanical lawnmower, which is not suitable for a particular amount of work, will bring more of a sea of trouble than the successful completion of the processing of the garden site. Therefore, it is extremely important when choosing a device to consider its technical characteristics, such as:

On the performance of the machine will depend on the efficiency of its work. If the mower is purchased in order to mow tall and dense grass in large areas, then it is worth choosing the most powerful device. A simpler machine can handle small lawns covered with soft greenery.

Blade size is a factor that directly affects the width of grass mowing. The longer the blades in a lawnmower, the more area they cover in one movement, and therefore cut more vegetation.

As for the grass catcher box, not all devices are equipped with it. In fact, this capacity is a bit useless, as the grass during the mowing with a mechanical lawnmower is still partially dispersed in different directions. However, if you still need this element, you should pay attention to its capacity.

A separate point can be made ergonomic indicators of the selected lawnmower. These characteristics cannot be generalized, as they are individual for each person. In any case, the machine must be easy to work with.

The manual lawnmowers

They are actuated by the muscular power of a man. Are a body on wheels, inside which there are cutting blades. A distinction is made between spindle mowers and hand lawnmowers. The first ones have spindle blades that are driven by the energy transmitted by the turning of the wheels when the mower moves. Spindle mowers can be contact (blades cross over each other) and non-contact (a gap is left between the cutting elements). They all cut the grass when it is fed to the blade.Older users note that spindle mowers treat the lawn worse: the same places need to be passed several times.Hand lawn mowers have a rotating cylinder with blades attached. There are regulating elements in such a mower, the grass is cut cleaner, and the manual mower is more durable than the spindle mower.

Advantages of all types of mechanical lawn mowers:

  • autonomy. no need for wires, fuel, etc.д. The mower is always ready to use;
  • simple device. it will serve you well for many years, and repairs are not difficult. Requires minimal maintenance;
  • Quiet. the absence of any motor makes mowing the grass a very quiet process;
  • environmentally friendly. there are no emissions.

Disadvantages:

  • Effective only for small lawns;
  • Not suitable for uneven hilly areas;
  • The quality of cutting is lower than on mowers with engines.

Electric lawn mowers

The cutting elements are driven by an electric motor. For convenience, 4 wheels and a handle with the device controls are attached to the body. Electric mower pushes forward, and the knife (or several) cuts the grass evenly. The unit, depending on the model, can be powered from both the network and the battery. Ideal for small lawns.

Advantages of electric mowers:

  • relatively low price. gasoline models usually cost more;
  • not difficult to work. turned on and push evenly forward. The light weight of the device does not require great effort
  • Good mowing quality, not bad productivity.

Advantages of electric mowers

  • The range of the area is limited by the length of the electric cord. May have to use extension cords, which is not always safe. Having a battery doesn’t really solve the problem. From batteries, this unit works for 15-30 minutes and then takes a long time to charge;
  • are not suitable for tall grass and neglected areas;
  • It is not recommended to mow wet grass because of the risk of electrocution.

Usually people only look at the price of the device before buying. But the high price does not guarantee quality construction. It is better to choose such mowers, which have already managed to prove themselves and gained leading positions in the world. There are a few companies that produce really good quality equipment.

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  • Husqvarna. This brand has been the world’s lawn mower leader for years. The equipment with manual drive is equipped with five modes of blades But the technological characteristics, as well as good materials are worth the cost. It can mow grass up to 50 cm high. The width of the working area of the blades is 40 cm. The weight of the equipment is approximately 9 kg.
  • Gardena. It’s more affordable model, the principle of work contactless. The manufacturer guarantees easy processing of the lawn, if the area of the plot is less than 200 square meters. Lawn mower has a horizontal counter blade as well as a cutting cylinder that ensures even cutting of the grass. A folding handle is installed for convenience, that’s why any family member can use such a mower.
  • AL-KO. Lawn mowers of this brand cost about 4,500. Increased working width of 38 cm. The equipment can be used on difficult terrain. There are five sharpened blades to make a quality cut. The lawnmower type is non-contact, which affects the quality of the cut. The weight of the mower is 8 kg. This is an excellent budget option that is suitable for working on a cottage or private property.

Safety Technology

This mechanical device is not too difficult to repair or maintain, unlike a rotary device. If there is no current, there will be no short circuit. But it is better to comply with the safety requirements.

Familiarise yourself with the instructions before using them. Always make sure that your extremities are not in contact with the drum or blades. Children should not be allowed near the machine, even if supervised. When the grass is mowed, there should not be any disturbances, resting people and animals on the site. To apply the equipment more comfortably, it is necessary to buy special gardening shoes. And you should always wear gloves and safety glasses.

Mechanical mowers are very difficult to use on large plots. In such cases, it is better to buy electric or gasoline mowers. But if there is a small garden plot, then a mechanical device is perfect and will cope with the task. You only need to read all the documentation before buying to choose the model that is suitable for your area.