Do you know that Lawn Mower is one of the important tools you will need to maintain a lawn?
Nothing kills the joy of a sunny day like the wrong type of lawn mower.
Fortunately, the opposite is true. The right type of lawn mower can help make cutting the lawn a good experience.
The lawn is often the largest area of the garden so having a quality lawn mower is what is vital to maintain the size of grass on your lawn.
However, shopping and finding the right type of lawn mower can be a challenging task.
There are different types of mowers in the market and you may also find the jargon confusing.
Moreover, the models get more expensive, but add-ons will make it even harder to buy one.
Keep on reading.
Types of Lawn Mower
There are different types of lawnmowers. Let’s discuss them as follows:
Cylinder
Cylinder lawn mowers tend to have cylindrical blades that rotate vertically at the front of the mower.
They cut against the fixed blade at the bottom and the cylinder will have multiple blades, three or more at best.
Moreover, cylinder lawnmowers are best to use in case you have a flat lawn and you want to keep a short and well-manicured lawn.
They can either be electric, petrol-powered, or push mowers.
Rotary
Rotary lawnmowers have a single blade that rotates horizontally underneath the mower, like the propellers of a plane.
Also, these types of lawn mowers are one of the most versatile types and will also cope with most types of grass.
Hover
Hover lawn mowers will hover above the ground, thus making them easier to push and adept at mowing uneven surfaces.
Moreover, they are a good choice for unusual-shaped lawns and are cheaper than other types.
However, it is important to note that hover lawn mowers are not always suitable for large gardens. They can either be electric powered or have rotary blades.
Learn more about Leftover Grass Clippings: What to Do here.
Lawnmower Power Options
Different lawn mower power options available in the market are:
Electric Lawnmowers
In most cases, you can find a lawn mower that is powered by electricity.
This is the best choice in case you have a small and medium-sized garden. These tend to be smaller, cheaper, and easy to store type.
However, it is important to make sure to check the cable as it will allow you to mow to the end of the garden before you buy.
Cordless Lawnmowers
Cordless battery-powered lawn mowers tend to be hassle-free garden mowers.
They have the benefits of an electric mower, however, you do not need to worry about the cable.
It is important to note that these types of mowers can be more expensive than electric models due to the presence of batteries in them.
Modern lithium-ion batteries are lighter and will last longer than traditional nickel-cadmium versions.
However, they are more costly than traditional ones.
Petrol Lawnmowers
These lawnmowers are the best choice in case you have a large garden where using a cable will be unsuitable.
They are, however, a bit more expensive but much more powerful and faster at cutting.
Moreover, they are easy to use or maneuver around large objects.
Bear in mind that petrol lawnmowers will need servicing like car engines and you will also need to check and top up the oil.
Push Lawnmowers
This type of lawn mower is generally a small cylinder that you will simply need to push with your muscle power.
Furthermore, these types of push lawnmowers are not suitable for larger or sloping gardens or you may also find it difficult to push.
Other Factors to Consider
Some other factors to consider when buying a lawn mower are:
Self-Propelled
Some electrical and petrol lawn mowers tend to be self-propelled.
This means that you do not need to push them, you will simply need to steer them in the right direction.
Moreover, it makes mowing easier, especially if you have a large lawn and heavy machines.
Some models even come with adjustable speeds, so you can set it to a comfortable walking pace.
Grass Box
Experts generally advise collecting grass clippings rather than leaving them on the lawn.
It is important to note that most lawn mowers will collect clippings in a box at box.
There are, however, better than mowers that leave you to rake them up afterward.
In case you have a medium or large lawn, look for a high-capacity grass box that will cut down how often you need to stop mowing and empty the box.
Mulch Mowers
You can also get lawn mowers that chop up grass clippings very finely and push them into the lawn as mulch.
Experts, in some cases, also call them recycling mowers.
This mulch helps to add nutrients back into the lawn.
The fine shredding will help the clippings break down quickly so that they do not smother the rest of the grass.
Mulching mowers tend to be expensive, however, a good choice if you do not have a place to dispose of grass clippings.
Cutting Width
The cutting width of the lawn mower refers to how wide a stripe the lawnmower will cut.
A larger cutting width will help reduce the time you spend mowing the lawn.
The following is a guide using the lawn sizes:
- Small lawn: 300mm cutting width.
- Medium lawn: 350-400mm cutting width.
- Large lawn: 400mm+ cutting width.
Cutting Height
This refers to how high the grass with be when you cut it. Most lawn mowers tend to have adjustable cutting heights and you simply need to move the blades up and down.
Moreover, this will help you to dictate the height of the grass and leave it longer in autumn or during dry periods.
Also, cutting height ranges are often 20mm to 60mm.
Rear Roller
When you want the striped lawn finish you will need a lawn mower with a rear roller.
The heavier the mower and its roller, the longer the stripes will last. Rear rollers also allow you to mow right up to the edge of your lawn.
Mowing Edges
In case you have lots of lawn edges, it is worth looking for a model that can help you cut right to the edge.
In most cases, cylinder blades or versions with rear rollers are better. Any mower with inset front wheels or a grass collection comb is also a good option for mowing edges.
Robot Lawn Mowers
These are becoming more common today as the technology is getting better and can recognize obstacles and lawn edges.
Furthermore, these are more affordable, but still not cheap.
You can use Robot lawn mowers if you really hate mowing your lawn.
Also, you will need to set up the robot to lay a perimeter wire and leave the mower to get on with cutting.
Mowing Technique
Now that you understand various factors about a lawn mower, you need to sort out the mowing technique as well.
A great-looking lawn will need a regular mowing regimen that will encourage the grass to develop fine leaves.
Moreover, it will also help to keep the growth lush and dense and stop the weeds and moss from spreading.
However, the single biggest mistake you could make when cutting the lawn is too low.
This is known as ‘scalping’ the grass and can seriously weaken it.
For normal lawns with getting wear and foot traffic, you will need to keep the grass around 5cm high.
In the case of ornamental grass that you do not use often, you can go as low as 2.5 cm.
It is important to note that you should always remove leaves and grass clippings after mowing and feed the lawn in spring and autumn with special lawn fertilizer.
Make sure to choose the right one, as spring feed will help encourage leafy growth and autumn mixtures will help build stronger roots.
Conclusion
A lawn mower will not work for you but will make maintaining your yard easier and more efficient. You can find a number of options available in the market and make a selection depending on your needs. These include the lawn size and terrain, performance, battery, capacity, and more.
It is important to note that in recent years, many manufacturers have introduced the latest technology. With different battery-powered mowers that are more eco-friendly than gas models, most are well-suited for yards of a quarter of an acre or less and perform better than gas models. While some models can even mow a half of an acre on just one battery charge.
Whether you have a tiny patch of grass or an area of lawn, you will need a capable lawn mower. You can have a mower with features like mulching, side discharge, bagging, ease of use, and maneuverability. You can also find the model that will save you money, time, and effort. Before buying a lawn mower, make sure to consider factors like push vs. self-propelled, yard size, washout port, electric sort, folding handle, wheels, and interchangeable battery.
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