What’s better than a petrol or electric lawnmower

What lawn mower is better to buy: choose the type and model

With the advent of summer the owners of private plots and cottages think about how to arrange their lawns. an important part of the landscape design. And the best solution to the problem will be the purchase of a lawn mower. However, making the right choice with all the variety of models and brands is not so easy. In our review, we’ll talk about how to choose a lawn mower based on your individual needs, and provide a ranking of lawn mowers in three different categories of this gardening equipment.

How to choose the right lawnmower? To begin with, it is necessary to understand the functional differences of lawnmowers from similar garden and park equipment: trimmers and brush cutters. Often country property owners do not see a significant difference between this equipment, which is fraught with errors when choosing equipment.

• Lawn mower. it is a moving on wheels garden and park equipment of medium size and power for mowing the lawn on a flat landscape.
• grass trimmer. a mechanism of low power, intended for carrying in hands, consisting of a cutting element, boom and motor. A grass trimmer is used when you need to cut grass on uneven terrain, in hard-to-reach places, and near plantings. This device is usually used for processing relatively small areas. Or for mowing up the remaining areas where a lawnmower did not pass.
• Lawn mower (lawn mower). more powerful and structurally more reliable version of the grass trimmer. Designed for high grass and uneven terrain. Can be used as the main tool to take care of the site, if there is no possibility to use a lawn mower, but because mowing is done manually and unevenly, it is not suitable for use on lawns.

We have now established that the lawnmower is the best choice for plots with a flat landscape and a simple geometry. But this is only the beginning. Next, you need to choose the type of mower. For ease of perception, the classification of mechanisms, the principles of individual models, as well as their advantages and disadvantages are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Lawn mower principle

Technical parameter	Advantages	Disadvantages
Type of motor and power source:
Electric motor without battery	Electric lawnmowers
	Environmentally safe, does not require the purchase of fuel and lubricants, has a low noise level (at 80 dB).	Requires connection to the electricity grid, power strip, risk of cable damage, dangerous to run in rain and dew, have limited power.
Electric motor with a battery	Cordless and robotic lawnmowers
	They have the same advantages as listed above, but are also characterized by increased mobility. Robotic lawnmowers do not require an operator.	Have the same disadvantages as above, but also are characterized by high weight, limited working time from the battery (15 to 30 minutes), the necessity of the long recharging.
Gasoline internal combustion engine	Gasoline lawnmowers
	Highly productive, manoeuvrable, reliable and designed for intensive use.	They are heavy, have high noise level (over 90 dB), require regular maintenance and purchase of fuel and lubricants.
No motor, no muscle power	Mechanical mowers
	Completely environmentally friendly, quiet, low cost, energy independent, can be used in all weather conditions, ideal for areas with short, young grass.	Requires more physical effort for fast machine movements, more time spent mowing. Not suitable for thick or tall grass.
Drive type:
On front wheels	Self-propelled, front-wheel drive mowers
	Manoeuvrable on headlands, easy to steer.	Used only on flat lawns.
On the rear wheels	Self-propelled rear-wheel drive mowers
	With larger-diameter rear wheels, can work on slopes and undulating terrain.	Uncomfortable when turning, sometimes you have to stop or even lift some models to do this.
All-wheel drive	Self-propelled, four-wheel drive lawn mowers
	Powerful and highly productive, versatile for landscapes of any complexity and for working in any weather, easy to climb up and down hills.	High cost, high weight (about 50 kg).
Without drive	Non-self-propelled models
	They weigh about 15 kg, are economical.	Necessary to push, low power (models with engine without wheel drive).
Operating Principle:
Cylindrical (drum) mechanism (“combine principle”, with cutting blades, spirally wound around the rotating drum)	Lawn mowers with drum cutting unit
	These include all two-wheeled models of mechanical lawnmowers with manual drive, as well as individual models with an electric motor, which determine the merits of the technique. Provide the best quality of mowing (grass cutting).	Low power and maneuverability, not suitable for neglected areas.
Rotary mechanism (“propeller principle”, a cutting disc or 1-2 pairs of cutting blades. spindle blades are fixed on the vertical rotating shaft)	Lawn mowers with a rotary cutting unit
	They are versatile, have the ability to adjust the blade height that allows you to work on both high and uneven terrain. All four-wheeled, gasoline-powered and electric models are included.	Disadvantages are determined by the type of motor, drive, blades, body material installed.
Air cushion	Wheelless mowers
	Maneuverable, easy to pass and steer, designed to work on uneven terrain and hard to reach places.	Rarely available, have a small lineup, difficult to steer in a straight path.
Power:
Electric. up to 1,5 kW ICE. up to 2,5 L. с.	Low power lawnmowers
	Compact, lightweight and economical, perfect for small flat lawns with flowerbeds.	Small cutting width (up to 40 cm), high amount of time and effort required to cut the lawn, only young and short grass can be cut, very limited functionality.
Electric mowers. 1,5-2 kW DC Motors. 2,5-6 liters. с.	Medium lawnmowers
	Best option for most sites with small surface slopes and irregularities, capable of cutting weeds with thick stems, mowing lawns much faster.	Have higher cost, relatively big weight and dimensions.
Engine horsepower. more than 6 hp	High-power lawn mowers
	Reliable and productive, can only be petrol, semi-professional and professional models.	High cost and expensive after-sales service.

How to choose a lawn mower

Rational choice of lawn mower involves linking its technical and functional characteristics with the features of the area, which will be mowing the grass, and user preferences. The best way to do this is to make a table with the criteria you have chosen (personal preferences and site conditions) in one column, the second column shows which characteristics of the mower match these parameters, for example “1. yes” and “0. no”, the third column shows their weight which characterizes the individual importance for you. The most significant factors will have the maximum weight. the multiplication factor of the points.

You can use our test to help you choose the lawn mower type that best suits your needs (Table 2). To calculate the result, add up the points corresponding to your answers and compare the obtained value with the nominal values (given at the end of the table).

The main issues

What is the area of the lawn?

For small territories up to 500 sq. Small, compact lawnmowers with low mowing power are ideal for lawns of this size. These models have a low weight and are inexpensive. Plots up to 1,000 sq. and above need more productive technique. As a rule, it is more massive and more expensive. Such areas require more power and a few extra features to make mowing easier. With them, even the most demanding work can be done easily and effortlessly.

How close your lawn is to a power source?

Where will the mower be stored??

Before you buy a machine, you should think about where to store it. Whether it’s a spacious garage or a cramped utility room? According to this, the dimensions of the lawnmower are already chosen. Also consider right away whether you’ll need to walk with it through a confined space, such as a door or wicket. Measure the openings beforehand so you can buy a model that will fit through without problems.

Let’s look at the main aspects of choice.

Types of lawn mowers

Rotary mowers

There are models in the rotary lawnmower range that have:

Mechanical mowers

There are models in the range of mechanical lawn mowers that have:

Mowing width of 300 to 400 mm Height-adjustable mowing functions Grass collection volume up to 40 liters Weight of 6,1 to 9,1 kg

Robotic lawnmowers

They are designed to mow your lawn for you. You don’t need to be involved, that’s why it’s also called a lawn mower. They are a great option for any lawn area. But the terrain should be level enough to get the job done. The Bosch Indego, for example, can mow lawns up to 1,000 square meters. м. The first time you set it up, you use the touchpad to define your lawn boundaries and the LogiCut navigation maps for the most efficient mowing. Once set up, the lawnmower will travel in parallel lines within the set boundaries. It manages to cover the entire lawn, and mowing will be 30% faster than robotic lawnmowers with random navigation systems. Don’t worry about hitting a curb or other obstacle. This is prevented by tactile sensors that pick up the blades if something other than grass is in the way.

Bosch Indego has a cutting width of 260 mm, 10 cutting height settings from 20 to 60 mm, 32 V lithium-ion battery power, “smart charging” function.

Riders

There are models in the range of riders that have:

Minitractors

There are models in the range of mini-tractors that have:

We compare gasoline and electric units

Criterion #1. power and noise level

In terms of power, gasoline-powered lawnmowers are significantly stronger than electric ones. The latter are powered from the mains, which means that manufacturers can not install too powerful electric motors, otherwise the network of 220 watts will not withstand the voltage. True, some models are additionally completed with a battery, but it is designed to work for up to 2 hours.

But the weaker the motor, the quieter it works. Mowing your lawn with a gasoline-powered unit, you will feel what the roar of the motor is. Not without reason that the most powerful lawn mowers come with headphones as an accessory kit.

When working with a gasoline mower, it is mandatory to wear headphones to protect your hearing from the strong noise

By the way, the maximum power in gasoline models can cause damage to the machine. Imagine that you are mowing an area with a medium-powered scythe, and a pebble or a bone brought by a dog accidentally falls under the knife. How the engine reacts? Slows down! They pick up the stone and quietly go on mowing. If the same object will get under a powerful gasoline lawnmower, the “horsepower” will be enough to move the jammed blades further. As a result, the cutting mechanism will finally curve, causing deformation of the shaft and breaking the bushings. It smells like a major overhaul!

For country needs gasoline motors with 6-7 “horses” are quite enough, therefore, before you choose a gasoline lawn mower of higher power, think, whether you have no “pitfalls” on the plot, which will provoke similar failures.

When choosing a lawn mower, you should not chase high-powered motors, because they take a lot of gasoline and are hard to manage

Criterion #2. performance

Performance is naturally tied to power. Large and medium fields are easier to mow with the gasoline models, because they can work for a long time without stopping. The electric motor can’t go that fast. They work for about 15 minutes and then give a rest to avoid overheating the mechanism. Т.е. That’s enough power for the front lawn, but not enough for mowing 10 acres. Also, before choosing an electric lawn mower, consider the distance from the power source. The standard size of the unit’s cord is no more than 20 meters. And if you have to mow at 50 m. From the outlet, then you have to buy more than 30 meters of extension cord. Good cable automatics for the cost of the mower itself = the price of a medium-powered gasoline model. So is it worth “getting attached” to a corded unit when you can buy a “free, unleashed horse” for that price.

Electric lawn mower is tied to power grid, so it needs an extra cable for big areas

Criterion #3. Maintenance

The electric models are much easier to service. They do not require constant monitoring of oil and gasoline levels, so for people who are poorly versed in the intricacies of the filling fluids in the motors, it is better to buy an electric version.

Criterion #4. safety level

If to analyze, which lawn mower is worth choosing according to the safety level, then both variants have their disadvantages. So, gasoline models are not happy with the amount of exhaust gases that somehow have to inhale the mower, especially when working on small areas. The electric machines have no harmful emissions, but cannot be used in wet weather. And if they are not handled carefully, there are cases where the cutting part can run into the cable and cut it, which can be dangerous. And yet, if according to the instructions to mow only in rubber boots, it is more comfortable to work with an electric mower.

Criterion #5. the weight of the machine

When choosing a petrol lawnmower, consider who has to work with it. Due to the powerful motor, this unit has a considerable weight and it is harder to operate than the electric variant. The load on the hands is high, which means that women, teenagers and the elderly find it difficult to work with such equipment. Electric models are more maneuverable, easier to control, and smoother to drive. All the operator has to do is steer the cart in the right direction.

What to watch when buying a specific model?

If you have already decided which lawn mower to choose. gasoline or electric, pay attention when buying the individual nuances that apply to both types of units.

Grass catcher availability and quality

Many models have a grass catcher box to catch the cuttings from the blades of grass. The advantage of such a device is that there is no need to rake the grass after mowing, but you have to stop working periodically to clear a full bag.

Soft grass catchers make it easier to check the level

The grass catchers come in two versions: soft (made of mesh) and hard (made of plastic). In the soft ones it is easier to control the level of filling: as soon as the bag stopped inflating when air is supplied, it is already full. It is impossible to check plastic bags this way. But for wet mowing, the second version is clearly more convenient, because wet grass stuck to the grid walls and so clogged that after work you have to wash the bag, or even vacuum it.

Mulching function

Some lawnmowers have a device that finely chops everything that gets inside and discharges it as mulch for lawn fertilizer. Seems like a useful addition, but! A good mulch is only obtained when completely dry, soft grass is mown. If you mow damp lawns, the mulching material is lumpy. Clumps scattered over the lawn clog the grass roots and prevent normal growth. You could end up with “bald spots” on your lawn. In addition, too much mulch causes a build-up of so-called felt, which gradually rises higher and higher and interferes with normal grass growth. You have to rake over the entire lawn to comb out the excess.

The mulching function is only useful for those owners who don’t care about the quality of their lawn. This eliminates the need to take the mowed vegetation out somewhere.

Side discharge

This is a useful feature for places where you need to cut the grass at the curb.

Front-drive or rear-drive models (for petrol lawnmowers)

In gasoline units, there are two types of drive. Front-wheel drive is easier to operate. With these machines, you can turn right around on the spot without stopping the engine. But when the grass catcher box is full, or heavy grass (wet, tall), you have to constantly push the mower to move. Rear-wheel-drive models are virtually immobilized, but to turn them, you have to disengage the wheel drive lever.

Front-drive mowers are more maneuverable, but can slip when the grass catcher box is full

Grass Cutting Height Adjuster

If you have to deal with different areas, this feature is handy, especially since the adjustment does not spend more than 3 minutes. In case the technique will constantly mow the same area, usually the same height is exposed, which means there is no point in overpaying for the regulator.

No two opinions are the same about what the best lawn mowers look like. Any model can be a great helper in the household, if it is selected taking into account the above tips, not only by manufacturer brand and price.

Gasoline-powered products

What to choose a gasoline lawnmower, if all of them are reliable, have maneuverability and long service. Weight of machine, noise level (over 90 dB), purchase of fuel and lubricants, and regular maintenance are important when choosing. The more powerful the engine, the greater the noise level; therefore, headphones should be worn while operating. We need to take into account the fact that the high power of the motor is not always a good thing.

In areas with difficult landscapes, a stone or bone hidden by a dog in the grass, any foreign solid object can get under the cutting element. Then the engine can stall, and a high power lawn mower can have a breakdown if the engine does not stall. It will rotate the cutting tools, which are already jammed. Then the blades will bend, the shaft will be deformed and the bushings will be destroyed. you will need to do a costly overhaul. It is recommended to purchase 6-7 horsepower equipment for medium-sized areas.

The best gasoline lawn mowers include the following models:

• Swedish Husqvarna LC 356 AWD is a self-propelled machine with 4-wheel drive that provides better grip on slopes and slippery wet surfaces. Steel body of the model, the product is equipped with adjustable cutting height, side discharge from a soft grass catcher box with the volume of 68 liters, also mulching. The product is heavy. up to 39,5 kg. Recommended for mowing grass on large lawns with the presence of irregularities and slopes. Price. 60 thousand.
• Caiman Ferro 52CV. self-propelled model with a common mowing system: collection, side discharge, mulching. Variator speed has 7 steps. The motor can withstand an intensive load, without reducing productivity when working on large plots. up to 30 acres. Manufactured using innovative technical solutions and high quality materials. Price. in the range of 40 ths.

Mechanical units

The best mechanical models include:

• AL-KO Soft Touch 38 HM Comfort. a mechanical two-wheeled drum mower up to 7.9 kg in weight. The model has high maneuverability, lightweight and sturdy body. Can work on an area of 250 m2±20% of land. High quality drum has 5 blades for a perfect cut of grass.
• Husqvarna 54 is a two-wheel product for use on a flat area with short grass. Blades mow to a width of. 40 cm, the weight of the unit. 8.6 kg. They are easy to handle, hard-wearing and have a grass catcher box if you want to use them.

Important. When choosing lawn mowers, you need to pay attention to their weight, because they have to work regularly and for a long time. Gasoline units have more powerful and heavier engines. The lighter electric counterparts are easier to control.

What features are most important??

It is clear that the steeper the characteristics, the more expensive the mower. And the price can differ by 10 times, or even more. How to choose correctly, so as not to overpay, not to be a bargain, and to remain satisfied?

The first thing to do is to formulate the mowing requirements: what size area to mow, what kind of terrain is there, what quality of grass, are there a lot of plantings, etc? Setting the conditions. we get the answer!

• Deck width: from 30 cm
• Grass catcher bag capacity: from 30 liters
• Engine power: from 1.5 liters.с. and better
• Self-propelled: no

• Deck width: from 40 cm
• Grass catcher bag capacity: from 40 liters
• Engine power: from 1.5 liters.с. and better
• Self-propelled: no

Gasoline mower or electric mower?

There is a lot of debate on the net between users on this topic. And everyone is right in their own way. We suggest comparing gasoline and electric lawnmowers according to 7 important criteria.

Performance. Even an electric lawn mower can get the job done with a perfectly flat lawn. The power of 1,5-3 horsepower is enough. If your lawn is far from perfect, if the grass is with weeds, and the area is large, complex, then you need a larger capacity. The choice of powerful lawn mowers with a gasoline engine is much wider.

We recommend to pay attention to the following models:

Usability. Electric lawnmowers have a huge disadvantage. wire. The wire which is about 40 m long needs to be constantly corrected, pulled out of bushes, trying not to run over it It turns out that the wire. It’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a headache. And the bigger and more complex the site, the greater this pain.

Easy maintenance. And that’s where the headache of a petrol mower comes in. It needs to be taken care of like a motorcycle: stored in a certain position, lubricated, filled with quality gasoline and motor oil. The electric lawnmower is as easy as a vacuum cleaner: clean it, put it down and forget about it.

Engine durability. The motor of an electric lawnmower is much longer. For a gasoline engine after a couple of seasons you will have to buy spare parts.

Noise. Electric mowers are much quieter than petrol mowers. And this is a fact!

We recommend paying attention to the following models:

eco-friendliness. When working with a petrol lawnmower there are the exhaust emissions to add to the noise. Yes, it sounds and puffs like a tractor.

Price. Electric mowers cost less than petrol mowers. It is also necessary to take into account the cost of maintenance. Electricity is cheaper than gasoline, motor oil, and parts.

Despite its less efficiency and manoeuvrability, the electric mower wins this battle on the whole with a score of 2 to 5. And the wire problem is solvable, because there are cordless mowers.

Does it matter what brand it is??

Once the type of mower, its power and mowing width are determined, the buyer can choose from several models from different manufacturers. The first thing people usually look at is the price difference. Sometimes it can be very substantial.

expensive machines are produced by companies that specialize in the production of equipment for the garden: Ryobi, Al-ko, Craftsman, Efco, Gardena, Husqvarna, MTD, Oleo-mac, Partner, Toro, Yard-man. Some of them produce professional-grade devices, which are used by utility workers, landscapers. It means that the machines are designed for a long service life and withstand daily work. The high quality of the equipment is evidenced by the long warranty period. In many of these manufacturers they are 2-3 years.

Mowing a single lawn once every 10 days places far fewer demands on the equipment. Therefore, other manufacturers, producing household products at a lower cost, quite successfully compete with the above-mentioned manufacturers.

The buyer should assess their tasks to decide whether buying an expensive model makes sense. It is also important to find out where the nearest service center of the selected manufacturer. This is not only necessary for possible repairs.

It’s all about service. The mower blade should be sharpened or replaced with a new one once a year. Sharpening is recommended to perform in a service center, usually there you can also buy it. The same applies to other parts of the device.

Read about it in the article “Consumables for lawn mowers” (text )

In the online store “AllInstrumenty.there are more than 20 manufacturers of lawn mowing equipment. Anyone can be confused at the sight of such a variety. After all, the tool must have sufficient power, a suitable mowing width, size and weight. If you have any questions, call our manager, and you will get recommendations from a qualified specialist.

Types of lawn mowers

Lawn mowers on the market can be divided into five basic types:

To decide which lawn mower to choose for the country house, or for professional lawn mowing, first read about the characteristic advantages and disadvantages for each type:

Mostly used on relatively small plots. The reason is obvious. the electric lawnmower’s reach is limited by the length of the power cord. It is not very pleasant to drag a long tail, and still make sure that the blades of the lawnmower do not damage it. Nevertheless, electric lawn mowers are convenient to work in the yard, where there is always the possibility of connection

Advantages of electric lawn mowers:

• Silence. We can not say that the electric mower is completely silent, but the comparison with gasoline mower, certainly, will not be in favor of the latter. The maximum recorded noise of an electric lawnmower is barely 50 dB, while gasoline mowers produce 90.
• Cost-effective. No fuel, no engine oil, no spark plugs. Electricity is cheaper than petrol.
• Eco-friendliness. No harmful emissions.
• Price. The most expensive electric lawn mower will cost you approximately 5 or more times cheaper than a similarly equipped gasoline mower.
• Low weight. Thanks to this units are much easier to transport.
• Unpretentiousness. Electric mowers require minimum maintenance. No piston system inspections or repairs. And if you have to rewind the burnt-out motor, it will cost much less than repairing the internal combustion engine.

Disadvantages of electric lawnmowers:

• Mains dependence. As said before, you can’t go farther away from the outlet than the cord length allows. Or you will have to use extension cords, which also does not add convenience in the process of work. But it’s not just the length of the power cord that limits the working area.
• Low power. Electric motors installed on these lawnmowers are much weaker than internal combustion engines. Approximate operating power range of these motors 900-2000 watts. Lawn mowers tend to overheat, and you regularly have to stop and let the engine cool down. Prolonged overheating can lead to serious malfunction. However, most modern models are equipped with a special temperature sensor, which will not allow you to bring the electric motor to a dangerous degree of overheating.

Probably the most popular type of lawnmower. Almost all professional mowers belong to this group. As a rule, gasoline mowers are used on plots larger than three acres, but they are also used on smaller areas, if there is no possibility to connect to the electricity grid. If you are wondering how to choose a gasoline lawnmower, read about the disadvantages and advantages inherent in this type:

• Self-sufficient. Independent of external power supply.
• Power. Gasoline models handle much tougher terrain than electric mowers.
• The duration of the work session. No need to stop the engine for cooling. The duration of the working session is limited only by the volume of the fuel tank.
• Maneuverability. Due to the lack of feeding cord, gasoline lawn mowers are often used on landscapes with complex design (alpine hills, trees, bushes).
• Low environmental impact. The most obvious and significant disadvantage. Exhaust fumes, which are an integral part of the internal combustion engine’s operation, can make you uncomfortable.
• Noisiness. Again, the petrol engine is noisy at over 90 dB.
• Demanding in service. The internal combustion engine requires regular maintenance, you will have to spend money on fuel and lubricants and periodically change the spark plugs.
• The heavy weight, making these lawnmowers inconvenient to transport.

When choosing a gasoline lawnmower, pay attention to the engine power.

Household models use engines with a capacity of 2.3-5 л. с. with an approximate volume of 110-190 cm³. These models are usually used to work plots of not more than 8 acres. For such an engine a service life of about 700 hours is usually indicated. This means that after seven hundred hours of operation it must undergo a scheduled repair.

Semi-professional lawnmowers are equipped with 5-7 liters engines. с. with a working volume of 160-200 cm³. Such a unit allows you to work a 5 to 20 acres area. It has a service life of up to 1200 hours.

And finally, professional lawnmowers are equipped with motors with power from 7 horses. At the same time the engine volume is usually more than 200 cm³, and motoresource reaches 2500 and more hours. Such machines are used not only by public utilities, but also by private persons wishing to buy a lawn mower with a good reliability margin. In addition to the powerful engine, such models are characterized by expanded functionality. often than not, they carry on board additional grass trimmers, mulching devices, etc. п.

Among gasoline lawnmowers stand out the so-called riders.

In brief, the rider is a lawnmower, which is equipped with a saddle, steering wheel and pedals. So it does not need to be pushed, it does not even need to walk behind it. The rider drives itself, mowing the grass along the way.

In addition to mowing the grass, the rider can perform a number of functions. Some models allow the snow removal equipment to be attached to the front instead of the mowing deck. There is also an attachment at the back of the rider, to which additional devices (seed drill, plough, small truck trailer, etc.) can be attached. п.).

It should be noted that riders can be not only petrol mowers. There are some battery-powered riders, but they are quite rare and not very popular yet.

Criteria for choosing a lawn mower

Here we will look at the individual elements of lawn mowers that are or can be in devices with both gasoline engine and electric.

Lawnmower bodies and decks

Sometimes the two are confused, but the housing and deck are different design elements.

The deck is the load-bearing part of the structure, the frame on which all the other components and assemblies are mounted. Casing usually covers the top of the lawnmower, covering the mechanisms from external influences.

The following materials are used to make the deck and body:

• plastic. the most budget variant. Not susceptible to corrosion, but very susceptible to mechanical stress and temperature fluctuations;
• Shock-resistant ABS plastic. withstands shocks, quite resistant to abrasion. Even a few deep scratches won’t affect the unit’s performance;
• Steel. strong, reliable, not very expensive. But has a lot of weight, and if you damage the anti-corrosion coating, can be beaten by rust.
• Aluminum is the most practical, but the most expensive. Lightweight, non-corrosive, durable. Professional models are most often mounted on aluminum decks.

Lawn mower wheels

It is preferable to choose a lawnmower with a larger diameter and width of wheels, as well as with a rather rough tread pattern. It’s easier to steer and navigate over difficult terrain, and the wheels are bigger, they do less damage to the grass and the ground.

There is also a distinction between wheels mounted on bearings, or sliding sleeves. The former are more expensive, but more durable, reliable and economical due to the lack of friction.

Lawn mower drive

A distinction is made between non-propelled and self-propelled lawnmowers.

In non-self-propelled lawnmowers all the power of the power unit is spent on rotation of the cutting mechanism, and the movement is performed by the muscle power of the user. In other words, you have to push the mower yourself. This option is better suited to level ground.

Self-propelled lawnmowers drive themselves, you just have to guide them. Among self-propelled mowers distinguish mowers with front, rear or all-wheel drive. Each option has its own advantages:

Lawn mower grass catcher box, mulching function

If the grass catcher box is not used, the grass cuttings may be thrown to the rear or to the side. Some models allow you to use both options, and the so-called mulching function may be available in them.

Mulching is the shredding of grass clippings into a fine dust, for the purpose of its subsequent use as an organic fertilizer. It is recommended to leave mulched grass on the lawn from time to time, this has a beneficial effect on its condition. But do not get carried away. Specialists recommend fertilising with mulched grass up to once a week, otherwise the grass does not have enough time to decompose and prevents the grass to get enough sunlight.

As you’ve probably figured out by now, there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for any user. The choice depends entirely on the characteristics of your site, your preferences and budget.

Grass box volume

You should not buy less than 65 liters. Grasshopper assuming you shoot more than 10 cm of grass scythe is scored every 70-80 m. And wiping it out is a real treat. Especially if the design is full of obstacles as in this video the stiffener is inserted directly over the grass catcher box

At the end you will think every 5 minutes why I didn’t buy the grass catcher box 20% bigger.

Below at the end of this page, I showed you how to mow properly, what would not shake the grass catcher bag every 20 seconds, and the performance is not falling. Read all the way to the bottom and you will understand.

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Lawn mower types

How to choose the right lawn mower? First, you need to understand the functional differences of lawn mowers from similar garden and park equipment: trimmers and brush cutters. Often owners of country properties do not see a significant difference between this equipment, which is fraught with errors when choosing equipment.

• Lawn mower is a medium-sized and powerful wheeled lawn and garden equipment for cutting grass on uneven terrain.
• grass trimmer is a low-powered mechanism, designed to be carried in hands, consisting of a cutting element, a boom and a motor. grass trimmer is used when it is necessary to cut the grass on an uneven surface, in hard-to-reach places and near plants. This device is usually used to treat relatively small areas. Or for mowing up the remaining areas where the lawnmower did not pass.
• lawn trimmer (lawn mower). more powerful and structurally more reliable variant of grass trimmer. Designed for mowing tall grass and uneven terrain. It can be used as a basic tool for maintenance of the area when there is no possibility to use a lawn mower, but because the mowing is done manually and unevenly, it is not suitable for use on the lawn.

So we determined that the lawn mower is the best option for areas with a flat landscape and simple geometry. But this is only the beginning. Next you need to choose the type of mower. For ease of perception, the classification of mechanisms, the principles of individual models, as well as their advantages and disadvantages are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Lawn mower principle

Technical parameter	Advantages	Disadvantages
Type of motor and power source:
Electric motor without battery	Electric lawnmowers
	Environmentally friendly, does not require the purchase of fuel and lubricants, has a low noise level (at 80 dB).	Requires connection to the electricity grid, extension cord, risk of cable damage, dangerous to operate in rain and dew, have limited power.
Electric motor with battery	Cordless and robotic lawnmowers
	Have the same advantages as listed above, and are also characterized by increased mobility. Robotic mowers do not require the operator’s participation in the working process.	Same drawbacks as above, but also very heavy, limited battery life (15 to 30 minutes), the need for long recharging.
Internal combustion engine gasoline	Gasoline lawnmowers
	High-capacity, maneuverable, robust, for intensive use.	Heavy, noisy (over 90 dB), require regular maintenance and purchase of fuel and lubricants.
No engine, the source of energy is muscular effort	Gasoline lawnmowers
	Absolute environmental friendliness, no noise, low cost, independence from energy sources, possibility to operate in any weather, ideal for areas with short, young grass.	Require great physical effort for fast movement of equipment, time-consuming mowing. Not suitable for thick or tall grass.
Type of drive:
On the front wheels	Self-propelled, front-wheel drive mowers
	Maneuverable at turns, easy to control.	Can only be used on flat lawns.
On rear wheels	Self-propelled, rear-mounted mowers
	With larger-diameter rear wheels, able to work on slopes and rough terrain.	Uncomfortable with U-turns, sometimes having to stop or even lift some models.
All wheel drive	Self-propelled, all-wheel drive mowers
	Powerful and highly productive, versatile for any terrain and all-weather conditions, effortlessly climbs and descends hills.	Have a high cost, high weight (about 50 kg).
No drive	Non-motorized models
	Lightweight (about 15 kg) and economical.	Necessary to push in front, low power (models with engine without wheel drive).
Principle of operation:
Cylindrical (“combine principle”, with cutting blades twisted on spiral around the rotating drum) mechanism	Lawn mowers with drum cutting unit
	These include all two-wheeled models of mechanical mowers with manual drive, as well as some models with an electric motor, which determine the advantages of technology. Give the best quality of mowing (grass cutting).	Low power and maneuverability, not suitable for small areas.
Rotor mechanism (“propeller principle”, disc or 1-2 pairs of blades, spindle blades)	Lawn mowers with rotary cutting unit
	They are multi-purpose, have an ability to adjust the blade height, which allows to work both on the hills and on uneven ground. These include all four-wheeled gasoline and electric models.	Disadvantages are determined by the type of motor, drive, blades, housing material.
Air cushion	Cylinderless mowers
	Maneuverable, easy to pass and steer, perfect for uneven terrain and hard to reach places.	Rarely available, have a small range of models, difficult to direct in a straight line.
Power:
Electric. up to 1,5 KWh DC. up to 2,5 l/s	Low-power lawn mowers
	Compact, lightweight, economical, ideal for small flat lawns with flowerbeds.	Small mowing width (up to 40 cm), high consumption of time and efforts for mowing, the ability to cut only young and short grass, poor functionality of the technique.
Electric mowers. 1.5-2 KW 2nd/6 hp	Medium power lawnmowers
	Best for most areas with slight surface slopes and irregularities, able to cut thick-stemmed weeds, greatly speed up lawn mowing.	Have a higher cost, relatively high weight and dimensions.
Engine. more than 6 hp	High-powered lawn mowers
	Reliable and productive, there are only gasoline-powered, semi-professional and professional models.	High cost and high maintenance costs.