Hand lawn mower Petrol mower how to choose
There’s grass in the yard: How to choose a lawn mower?
A neat lawn is the result of hard work. Strange as it may seem, in order for the grass to grow well and thickly, it is necessary to lead an eternal struggle. We tell you how to choose a lawn mower, a reliable and handy tool for lawn care.
A lawn mower or a trimmer for grass. the choice depends, first of all, on who and what will mow. It should be said right away that keeping the tennis court, soccer field or golf lawn in working order requires a professional or at least semi-professional mower, but we will talk about home lawn mowers. And one more thing: you want smooth “English” lawns. choose a wheel mower, as the grass trimmer does not allow you to adjust the height of cutting the grass and does not give to achieve a perfectly smooth surface.
In favor of the grass trimmer
weed trimmers are not for sissies. After all, the user will have to carry a 5-7-kilogram machine mounted on a strap, or hold (and actively wield) a 3-kilogram device.
Trimmers have an obvious advantage over wheeled lawnmowers: they can mow grass of any height. even up to the waist, while wheeled lawnmowers are more suitable for regular maintenance of the site: if the grass has overgrown a certain height, the “cart” can not fail. In addition, the grass trimmer is always maneuverability and the ability to accurately bypass obstacles: bushes, trees, flowers, garden decor. weed trimmer. if power allows it, it cuts young bushes and weeds, and besides, it does not need to adapt to difficult terrain.
Powerful
In analyzing the two different models, let’s start with perhaps one of the most important attributes, power. Its size has a direct influence on its performance, stimulates the whole technical potential. Powerful petrol mowers are able to fight both dense thickets of grass grown in a few weeks and young sprouts. In the same situation, but with less powerful technology we are doomed to work less efficiently. The Castel Garden XS 55 and the Husqvarna J 55 S have the same power rating, 4 kW, which keeps them in balance at this stage.
This is worth putting in the first place, together with the power, because its value is so important. The fact is that even the most powerful machine with the smallest mowing width is of very limited professional use. That’s because the mowing width determines how many passes you need to make. The conclusion is that by operating a powerful mower with a small mowing width you will spend as much time on mowing as you would spend using a less powerful mower with a larger mowing width. Let’s look at our test candidates, the Castel Garden XS with 53cm cutting height is slightly worse than the Husqvarna J 55 S with 55cm cutting height.
Mowing height
So we have considered the main indices, the most important ones, so to say, and now we come to the comparison of less important, but no less important parameters. Next in line is the cutting height. In order to feel its importance, you need to have some knowledge of lawn cultivation and care. Namely, the height of mowing a lawn should depend on its current length and much more. Let’s not go deep into the dark theoretical wilderness and have a look at our test candidates. The Italian Castel Garden XS with its range of 75 to 30 cm and the Swedish Husqvarna J 55 S with its 101 and 24 gets an undeniable advantage. It’s worth noting that the wider the range, the more freedom you gain in adjusting it.
It’s no secret that the material of the lawnmower, whether it’s electric or gasoline, determines some performance points. Garden Helper Castel Garden XS is made of galvanized steel, when Husqvarna J 55 S is “dressed” in steel. For those who know the consequences of the galvanization process, there is no need to explain its benefits. This steel is more corrosion-resistant and aesthetically pleasing. Steel does not have these advantages, so you can draw your own conclusions.
Lawn mower types
Rotary lawnmowers
There are models in the rotary lawnmower range that have:
Mechanical mowers
In the range of mechanical lawn mowers there are models that have:
Mowing width of 300 to 400 mm Height adjustment mowing functions Grass collection capacity up to 40 liters Weight from 6,1 to 9,1 kg
Robotic lawnmowers
They are designed to mow your lawn for you. No user intervention is required, which is why it is also known as a lawn mower. It’s the perfect choice for any lawn area. However, the terrain must be reasonably level. For example, the Bosch Indego robot is capable of mowing lawns up to 1,000 square meters in size and up to 10,000 square feet in area. м. During the first setup, the lawn borders and LogiCut navigation maps are set via a touch panel for the most efficient mowing. Once it’s set up, it will mow in parallel lines within the set boundaries. This way, the entire lawn is covered and mowing will be 30% faster than with robotic lawnmowers with random guidance systems. Don’t worry about the robot hitting a curb or other obstacle. This is prevented by tactile sensors which raise the blade if something other than grass is on the way.
Bosch Indego has a mowing width of 260 mm, 10 mowing height adjustments from 20 to 60 mm, 32 V lithium-ion battery power, “smart charging” function.
Riders
The range of riders includes models that have:
Minitractors
In the range of mini-tractors there are models that have:
Power Types
Corded electric lawn mowers
Electric lawn mowers are ideal for most garden areas and maintenance of the lawn of a cottage, private home, small hotel. You can mow without having to worry about refilling the fuel tank or recharging the battery. And to prepare for work takes minimal time. just connect the equipment to the mains and go! Models with this type of power supply provide stable power and are easy to operate and maintain. They also work more quietly than their gasoline counterparts. The main thing is to choose a suitable extension cord to ensure the movement of the mower on the site without restrictions.
Principles of comparison
The size of the lawn. the larger its area, the more powerful the mower should be.
| Lawn area, sq. м | Electric | Gasoline | Cordless | Mechanical |
| up to 150 | 1 kW | up to 3 liters.с. | ||
| up to 400 | – | |||
| 400-1200 | 1-2 kW | 3-5 л. с. | – | – |
| Over 1200 | – | starting from 5 liters.с. | – | – |
Mowing width. the wider the working width, the faster the operation. If the lawn is square or rectangular, you can follow the recommendations in the table.
| Area, sqm. м | Mowing width, cm |
| up to 70 | 30 |
| 70-140 | 36 |
| over 140 | 40 or more |
In the presence of sharp corners, bottlenecks, various obstacles of all suitable options for the site should give preference to a smaller mower, as it will be easier to manage.
The grass catcher box is a container that collects grass during mowing. It is installed on electric, battery-powered and petrol lawnmowers. It is available as an option for mechanical type models. Without it, grass stays on the lawn, which impairs its growth.
What else can affect your choice of lawn mower
Before buying a lawn mower, answer the question: “Where will you store it at the end of the season?” Leaving a valuable thing at the cottage is not always possible. You have to drive to town.
Problems can arise with models equipped with a gasoline engine or battery. The first ones are difficult to keep in the apartment because of the persistent smell of gasoline. The appropriate place would be the garage. The latter, namely their batteries, should be kept in a heated room. Deciding the question of storage, also pay attention to the size and weight of the tool. Gasoline mowers have more of these indicators than others. It is recommended to get acquainted with the peculiarities of maintenance of different types of lawnmowers, this can also influence your choice.
What lawn mower is better to buy: choose the type and model
As summer arrives, home and cottage owners start thinking about how they can get their lawns in shape. an important part of landscaping. And the best solution to the problem is to buy 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 give a rating of lawn mowers in three different categories of this gardening equipment.
How to choose the right mower? First we 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.
- A lawn mower is a wheeled lawn and garden equipment of medium size and power for mowing grass on a flat landscape.
- The grass trimmer is a small power tool, designed to be carried in hands, consisting of a cutting element, a boom and a motor. Lawn trimmers are used when it is necessary to cut the grass on an uneven terrain, in places difficult to reach and in the vicinity of plants. This device is usually used for relatively small areas. Or for mowing up the remaining areas where the lawnmower has not passed.
- The lawnmower (lawn mower) is a more powerful and structurally more reliable version of the grass trimmer. Mowing high grass and uneven patches of grass. Can be used as a basic tool for maintenance of the area when there is no possibility to use a lawnmower, but because mowing is done manually and unevenly, it is not good for use on the lawn.
We have thus judged that lawn mowers are the best choice for flat lawns with a simple geometry. However, this is only the beginning of the journey. Next you need to choose the type of lawnmower. For easy perception, the classifications of the mechanisms, the operating principles of individual models, as well as their advantages and disadvantages are shown in table 1.
Table 1. Working principles of lawnmowers
| Technical parameter | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Type of engine and power source: | ||
| Battery-less electric motor | Electric lawnmowers | |
| Environmentally friendly, does not require the purchase of fuel and lubricants, have a low noise level (at 80 dB). | Requires connection to the electricity grid, power strip, risk of cable damage, dangerous to operate in rain and dew, have limited power. | |
| Electric motor with battery | Cordless and robotic lawnmowers | |
| Same advantages as above, but also more portable. Robotic lawnmowers do not require an operator during the mowing process. | Have the same disadvantages as listed above, but also differ in a large weight, limited operating time from the battery (15 to 30 minutes), the need for long recharging. | |
| Gasoline engine | Gasoline lawnmowers | |
| Highly productive, maneuverable, robust, for intensive use. | Heavy, noisy (over 90 dB), require regular maintenance and purchase of fuel and lubricants. | |
| No engine, power source is muscle power | Gasoline lawnmowers | |
| Absolutely environmentally friendly, quiet operation, low cost, energy independent, can be used in all weather conditions, ideal for areas with short, young grass. | They require great physical effort for fast travel and long mowing times. Not suitable for dense or tall grass. | |
| Type of drive: | ||
| On front wheels | Self-propelled, front-wheel drive mowers | |
| Maneuverable when turning, easy to steer. | Use on flat lawns only. | |
| On rear wheels | Self-propelled reversible lawnmowers | |
| the rear wheels of larger diameter can work on slopes and rough terrain. | Not easy to turn, sometimes you have to stop or even lift some models to do this. | |
| All-wheel drive | Self-propelled, all-wheel drive mowers | |
| Powerful and productive, versatile for any terrain and all-weather conditions, effortlessly climbs and descends hills. | High cost, high weight (approx. 50 kg). | |
| Without drive | Non-motorized models | |
| Lightweight (approx. 15 kg), economical. | Necessary to push in front of you, low power (models with engine without wheel drive). | |
| Working principle: | ||
| Cylindrical (“drum” principle, with spiral cutting blades 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 merits of technology. They provide the best quality of cut (mowing). | Low power and maneuverability, not suitable for rough terrain. | |
| Rotary mechanism (“propeller principle”, cutting disk or 1-2 pairs of cutting blades. spindle blades are fixed on the vertical rotating shaft) | Lawn mowers with rotary cutting unit | |
| Universal, height-adjustable blades that can be used on steep hills and uneven terrain. This includes all four-wheel, gasoline-powered and electric models. | Disadvantages are determined by the type of motor, drive, blades, housing material. | |
| Air cushion | Cylinderless mowers | |
| Maneuverable, have high cross-country ability and easy control, designed to work on an uneven terrain and in hard-to-reach places. | Rarely available, small model range, difficult to steer in a straight line. | |
| Power: | ||
| Electric. up to 1.5 kW of electric motors. up to 2.5 liters. с. | Low power mowers | |
| Compact, lightweight, economical, ideal for small flat lawns with flowerbeds. | Small mowing width (up to 40 cm), high amount of time and effort required to mow the lawn, the ability to mow only young and short grass, poor functionality of the machines. | |
| Electric. 1,5-2 kW FHP. 2,5-6 liters. с. | Medium Power Lawn Mowers | |
| The best option for most areas with small surface slopes and unevenness, capable of cutting weeds with thick stems, greatly speed up the process of mowing lawns. | Have higher cost, relatively big weight and dimensions. | |
| Gasoline engines. more than 6 hp | High power mowers | |
| Reliable and productive, they are petrol only, semi-professional and professional models. | High cost and expensive subsequent maintenance. | |
How to choose a lawn mower
A rational choice of lawn mower involves linking its technical and functional characteristics with the peculiarities of the area to be mowed and user preferences. To do this we recommend making a table with the criteria you have chosen (personal preferences and site conditions) in one column, the second column shows whether the mower’s characteristics correspond to 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. a multiplication factor of points.
You can use our test which will make your choice of lawnmower type much easier (table 2). To calculate the result add up the points corresponding to your answers and compare the score to the nominal values (given at the end of the table).
Top 10 ranking by KP
Husqvarna LC 140S (medium )
This company doesn’t do bad things. With lawnmowers, this rule also works. Good motor, all necessary functions are on board. The reliability of this model is legendary. it will last for sure many seasons, but don’t forget about annual maintenance. Otherwise, it might get a big repair.
Features
An excellent lightweight and maneuverable mower for those who do not want to bother with the grass catcher box and compost, but knows how to mulch. This model has a very solid working width and powerful engine, and the price does not bite.
Specifications
German brand, made in China. The mower has a very powerful engine, large mowing width and yet it weighs relatively little. Also has all the major frills on board.
The features
This is a smart budget model, which also knows how to do everything: sideways, backward, into the grass catcher box, mulch. Engine is unnamed Chinese, but kind and powerful enough, no complaints noticed so far. Would be good recommendation for first-time gardeners who want to try out the pleasures of civilized lawn care.
Specifications
Proven design from a renowned Japanese manufacturer. Can do literally everything. Self-propelled, has an excellent engine, can eject to the side and back, soft grass catcher, can mulch. are great. But the price is not insignificant.
Features
Inexpensive self-propelled mower for first-time users. Despite its price, it has many useful features. Can mulch, has rear discharge and grass catcher box. A finder!
Characteristics
Cheap and sweet. This mower has only the essentials: a powerful engine, rear discharge, grass catcher box. But it is reliable and inexpensive! But be prepared for the fact that this model is very noisy in operation, even by the standards of a gasoline mower.
Features
Reliable model, which has already proven itself, unpretentious enough. Has everything you need on board, masters a terrain of nearly any complexity, tough middler.
The features
Another “Mercedes” among lawnmowers, a competitor to the Makita PLM4628N from our review. Big, powerful, productive, can throw grass backwards, can put it in the grass box, can go sideways, can mulch. the full range!
Characteristics
A motorist here would joke that this is the only time a Hyundai goes ahead of him. But the fact is that we have here a very inexpensive, reliable mower from a company that you can trust when it comes to gasoline technology. Everything you need: ejection to the rear, to the grass catcher box, mulching.
Features
Pros and cons
How to choose a lawn mower
Aleksey Kharlamov, who works as a mechanic at the “MTD” service center, will give you practical advice on choosing a gasoline lawn mower.
How much it eats, how much it burns
The heart of absolutely any mower is an engine. The success of the whole operation depends on how well it is made and how it fits in with its function. Today, the topic of engine construction is left aside because four-stroke engines have all but superseded their two-turbine counterparts on the market. They are more stable, use less fuel, rumble quieter. For a small countryside suit a lightweight mower with 1-3 liters mower motor.с., For larger plots, it is worth to consider a more serious model with 3-5 liters of power.с.
Large manufacturers of sophisticated equipment such as Honda, Hyundai, Husqvarna, STIHL make excellent engines for their mowers. The others put third-party products, the coolest and most popular. American Briggs Stratton motors.
For eight years I’ve been using a mower with such an engine, it’s so carefree that even without proper winter storage it powers up for the first time in the beginning of the season, and all I had to do was to clean the filter and change the oil. My mower died a death. in its ninth year of use I ran over a sledgehammer in the tall grass, but otherwise it would still work.
The main recommendation: don’t be lazy to find out about the engine of your future lawnmower, well-known names like Kawasaki are known to everybody, but there are also good ones, like Kohler.
Drive
Nowadays, self-propelled mowers are very common. This is a very useful feature, because the mower weighs an average of 30kg and not every dacha owner will be happy to push such a thing in front of him. It is important to bear in mind that in this case some of the engine power will be used to drive the wheels. A mower without a drive will be more manoeuvrable, but you’d better choose one that weighs less, no more than 25kg.
Working width
This parameter affects the performance of your mower and varies somewhere between 40-50 cm, but might be more or less. The wide mower will not fit everywhere. Well, one more important factor: the wider the working width, the bigger the mower’s body, the more powerful the engine should be, the heavier and more expensive it is.
Where to put the grass?
Lawn mowers usually have two types of ejection: to the back and to the side. Side discharge is optimal for mulching, that is, if you prefer not to collect the grass, but crumble it into organic matter for fertilization. Reverse ejection is ideal for working with a grass catcher box. It is best when the mower has both types of ejection, if there is only a throwback, then make sure that the mower has a cover that covers the ejection, otherwise without a grass catcher box everything will fly at you.
Mowing height
Plots are different, so a height adjustment is a must. If the lawn is flat and well-groomed, the height is less; if there are bumps or the grass is high, the height should be higher, otherwise the blades of grass will touch the ground or mow in clumps or the engine will not cope. An adjustment of 25-75 mm is sufficient.
Autostart
Push-button start is a welcome bonus, but not a necessity. This complicates the design a little bit, in addition it is necessary to roll the battery with you additionally. The main thing is to remember to take it off in winter and store it in a warm place.
Comparative table of the best gasoline mowers
Extensive functionality, including mulching, side discharge and rear discharge, yet easy to operate.
Husqvarna LC 153 9613100
Equipped with quality, reliable and low-noise BriggsStratton engine, the volume of grass catcher bin is 56,6 l.
Ryobi RLM46175Y 5133003671
Powered by a Japanese Yamaha engine, easy to start, not too noisy, mulching function present.
There is a variator, allowing to change the speed in the range of 3-4,5 km/h in different working conditions.
Side discharge, mulching, grass catcher box and rear discharge), with quiet engine, big wide wheels and different adjustments of the working elements.
Weighs about 31 kg, quiet, easy to operate, the grass is not torn, equipped with a mulching function.
Equipped with strong and reliable BriggsStratton engine with reduced noise level, solid features, large fabric grass catcher box with fill indicator.
One of the most powerful machines with a Japanese engine, mulching function, extra-large textile grass catcher bag (88 liters).
FAQ
You can mow with a gasoline lawnmower when it’s raining hard and the grass is wet?The gasoline mower can be used when it’s raining and to mow wet grass, unlike an electric mower.
Which lawn mower is better to buy for the country: gasoline or electric??It all depends on the size of the dacha and the mowing conditions. For a small area that is rarely mowed, the power of gasoline models may be excessive. But for an extensive dense lawn is better still to splurge on this machine.
Lawn trimmer looks like a handle, at the end of which the cutting element is fixed. Lawn mower. it is a large device on wheels, the cutting element is located at the bottom of the body. You don’t have to carry it behind you, you only have to push (or pull) it, which makes it much easier to use. There are self-propelled models, where the motor simultaneously with the cutting element drives the device itself, the user only needs to control the direction of movement.
It is impossible to trim the grass to one length with a trimmer: in any case there will be differences. Lawn mower allows you to level the lawn to a single length (usually from 3 to 7 cm, the user chooses the desired length of the lawn). Lawn mowers are most often used on large and flat sections of grass, as they cope worse with mowing in hard-to-reach places than grass trimmers.
Depending on the power source, the following types of lawn mowers are distinguished: electric, battery-powered, gasoline and mechanical. In this rating, we will consider only the first three types of device.
Rating of top 10 according to KP
Bosch ARM 37
Budget model of a well-known brand opens our rating. This model runs on electricity, which limits its use at long distances from the outlet. However, it allows you not to worry about the availability of gasoline or the completeness of the charge.Durable plastic body, cutting height adjustment, 40-liter grass collection container make this mower one of the best options for the care of small areas around the house.
Features
Lightweight and compact lawn mower. ideal for compact lawns. Manoeuvrability is one of its main assets: it can mow lawns in every shape and size effectively. This model is battery operated which means it doesn’t require a permanent connection to the mains.The mulching function is an added advantage: Grass cuttings can be immediately shredded inside the machine and distributed on the lawn as a natural fertiliser. The grass combs on the edges of the lawn are easily and effectively mowed.
Features
Champion petrol lawn mower with wide reach. Powerful and efficient option for medium sized lawns. No electricity required.With its power, this lawn mower efficiently handles rough grass and uneven surfaces. Can remove an ant hill from its path and will not break when it hits the ground or rocks. Mulching feature helps convert grass into a natural fertilizer and distribute it over the area. However, there is no additional container for the cuttings.
Features
Handy cordless mower is suitable for small areas. The battery charge can be insufficient for large areas of use. the claimed mowing area is 250 square meters, but in practice this depends on the length of the grass, its succulence, and the battery status at a given time.Very lightweight model with a hard grass catcher box, good for small areas. Easy battery replacement and low cost allows you to swap batteries as needed while mowing.
Features
This model is a good choice for uneven terrain. Self-propelled, with a powerful enough motor and wheels, it goes over any bump. However, there can be problems with operation on soft ground: Due to its weight, it can leave wheel marks on the grass.
This model is easy to assemble and start, the initial assembly does not take more than 20 minutes. However, it is difficult to maneuver because of its weight, so it is not suitable for owners of sites with complex shape.
The features
Domestic made model is cheaper than its many analogues, but it mows the grass well. May have some problems with especially thick grass or uneven terrain, but overall it is an excellent choice for small and flat areas.
Line power means you don’t have to worry about recharging the battery, but you don’t have to worry about moving it far from the power source. In addition, the cable must be constantly monitored, so it does not get under the blade of lawnmower.
Characteristics
Stylish-looking model, powered by a power cord. The lawnmower has a roomy and rigid tank for the cuttings, it also comes with mulching inserts.
Is a manoeuvrable machine that anyone can handle, but is a bit heavy for hilly terrain. Stones and tough twigs can easily dull the blade, and the plastic housing might crack.
Features
Another Champion brand representative in our selection. This is a self-propelled model with a soft grass catcher box. The mower is easy to drive and requires little effort to roll forward. However, manoeuvrability is lower than other models, so it is not suitable for difficult lawns.
Mows thick grass and weeds. Two ways to throw the grass: to the side or into the grass catcher box. A separate advantage is the self-wash function, just attach a hose and turn on the mower for a few minutes, after which it will be clean and ready for storage.
Characteristics
Petrol lawnmower has a metal housing. It copes with mowing grass on uneven terrain, large wheels allow it to pass over almost any unevenness. Although the great weight makes it hard to push on uneven ground. The Makita PLM4626N is a good choice for medium-sized plots. The brand is known for its reliability and rare breakdowns.
The features
Self-propelled lawn mower makes mowing a medium-sized area easy. High mowing weight is compensated by the fact that you don’t have to push it, but to control the mowing direction. Large wheels allow you to easily negotiate obstacles and uneven terrain.No mulching attachment included, but it can be purchased and installed separately. Several ejection options let you choose the one best suited to your needs.