All the subtleties of choosing a lawn mower

In modern reality, we are gradually moving away from the "grandfather" methods of caring for grass around the house or in a personal plot using a scythe. Now there are many types of special equipment designed for these purposes - from trimmers and scythes to lawn mowers. The latter are designed for mowing grass on a relatively flat surface, have good performance and are suitable for large areas.

It is very difficult for an ordinary consumer to choose a lawn mower from a large number of offered types. In this article, we will consider the types of lawn mowers for certain parameters and help you find the best option for your land.

Types of Lawn Mowers

Any owner can make a beautiful lawn in his country house, near an apartment building or around a large mansion. The stumbling block, if you choose from a variety of lawn mowers, is the size, landscape and distance from the lawn house with grass.

An important role is played by the type of drive mechanism. Gasoline or electric lawnmowers are either direct-drive or belt-driven. A belt-driven device has less efficiency (more fuel or electricity is spent on its operation), makes a lot of noise during operation, but it has a budget price and repair is easier.

By the type of engine used in the operation, lawn mowers are divided into gasoline and electric. Also, manual models without an engine are used, intended, for example, for giving with a small lawn area, many irregularities, shrubs, etc.

Petrol

Units with engines running on gasoline are usually used for cultivating land with an area of ​​7 acres or more. Good motor power is important for large areas of grass mowing - in utilities, for servicing recreation areas, adjacent territories of large mansions, etc.

If the engine power is higher than 7.5 - 8 horsepower (hp), then the lawn mower equipped with it will quickly mow the grass over a vast area of ​​over 20 acres. Usually, a unit with drive wheels (it moves independently) and a center of gravity on the rear wheels for maneuverability of movements is selected to handle such a section.

Lawn mowers with semi-professional engines of medium power (5 to 8 hp) are best used for sections from 10 to 20 acres. The cutting width in such devices is about 50 - 53 cm.

For small areas (up to 10 acres), a unit with a household engine of about 3-5 liters is suitable. from. The mowing width of such a lawn mower is from 40 to 43 cm, but the price will be lower than in previous species.

Advantages of a lawn mower with a gasoline engine:

1. Unit mobility (there is no binding to the power cable, like electric ones).
2. Great power.
3. Good stamina.

Disadvantages:

1. A lot of weight.
2. Noise level.
3. The presence of emissions of gasoline combustion products.
4. Expensive maintenance and repair.
5. High cost.

Please note: when using devices equipped with a powerful engine, special care is required. Hitting hard objects in the knives will not stop the engine from working, but will tighten these objects, which will provoke the bending of the knives and shaft.

When buying a mower, you should pay attention to the brand of engine. Usually, manufacturers install motors from well-known Japanese manufacturers. If the name of the engine matches the name of the mower, most likely this is the Chinese version, which will not work so economically and durable.

Electric

Electric mowers are designed to maintain a land area of ​​up to 7 acres, since there is a binding to the power cable. The electric motor power is limited due to a 220 V mains supply. The device must be selected depending on the area of ​​work. For a small area (2 to 3 hundred parts), an engine with a power of up to 1 kW is suitable, and a lawn mower with a powerful motor, more than 1 kW, will process a larger area.

There are also lithium-ion battery mowers; they have the advantage of mobility. More expensive models are equipped with two batteries. While one is charging, the other can be used. Battery models cost more than mains powered units.

The advantages of electric mowers:

1. Light weight.
2. Easy engine maintenance.
3. Budget cost.
4. Differ from gasoline in the smaller sizes.
5. No harmful emissions during operation.
6. Good maneuverability.

Cons of electrical engineering:

1. Limitation of mowing area due to the distance from the power source.
2. Inability to work in dew or after rain for safety reasons.
3. The inconvenience of operation in inaccessible places due to the power cable.

Tip: It is recommended to choose a portable electric lawnmower (trimmer or electric mowing machine) for an uneven section of a summer residence with tall grass. You can also use the non-engine technology option for small areas, which will save you money when buying a lawn mower.

How to choose

The choice of equipment depends on the financial capabilities, the appropriateness of buying an expensive and powerful model, the physical data of the person who will operate the lawn mower, the amount of work and other factors. First of all, you need to determine the type of lawn mower (gasoline or electric engine), and then select the model according to the parameters.

Kinds

Units for mowing grass wheeled and tame (carried in hands). Portable there are 2 types - moto and electric braids, trimmers. The difference is in the cutting tool. Trimmers are usually equipped with fishing line as a tool; they are cheaper and lighter in weight. Braids are heavier than trimmers, and gasoline is more powerful. There are braids equipped with a knife and fishing line.

The wheeled version of the equipment is heavier, designed for large flat areas with low grass. When buying this type of mower it is good to pay attention to the diameter and width of the wheels. The wider and higher the wheel, the better the cross-country ability of the unit.

There are models with various types of knives:

1. Rotary (2-4 steel knives are driven by a motor in a parallel plane from the ground).
2. Drum (knives rotate perpendicular to the ground, and one blade is separately fixed, it turns out cutting alternately with rotating knives and a fixed blade).
3. Disc (the principle of operation is the same as for rotary ones, only a blade with blades is used as a cutting tool). This is an expensive, professional version of the lawn mower.

Consumers usually prefer mowing machines with a rotary type of cutting tools, as they are cheaper than disk and more productive than drum ones.

Power versus noise

The buyer wants his unit to be powerful (for speed of work) and, if possible, not very loud. An important role in this is played by the motor manufacturer. However, you need to choose between these options. The more powerful the mower, the more noise it will make. In expensive and powerful models, headphones are included to protect against noise. Some sellers of goods indicate the noise level of the device.

Electric mowers are less noisy. If you have neighbors whom it is not advisable to disturb or a small child, it is better to choose a low-power or electric version of the mower. For exploitation by a woman, a teenager or an elderly person, it is also better to choose electrical engineering.

Performance

To service large areas, mower performance is important. The option with a gasoline engine is most optimal. It will be able to work non-stop for a long time, unlike an electric machine, which requires interruptions in operation every 15 to 20 minutes to cool the engine.

Service

Ease of maintenance is an important factor when buying a lawn mower. Of course, the electric version of the equipment practically does not require additional actions, except for replacing the grass catcher (if any) and turning on the power cord. Cordless mowers require recharging after some time or switching equipment to a spare battery.

A gasoline engine, like a car, needs to be periodically checked for oil, fuel and maintenance.

Safety technology

For safety reasons, the mower must only be used in rubber boots. Care must be taken in handling the power cable so as not to damage it with a cutting tool. You can’t work in rainy weather and dew. Battery-powered units are safer to operate.

Gasoline lawn mowers have their drawback - exhaust after burning fuel. Devices with drive wheels must be carefully guided when driving so as not to overturn the mower.

Construction weight

Gasoline mowers have a heavier construction than electric mowers, making them harder to control. Keep in mind that when working with a mower, there is a strong load on the hands. If the unit will be operated by a weak man or woman, it is better to choose a self-propelled model with drive wheels.

Electrical engineering has less weight, maneuvers better, creates a more even trimmed strip.

Deck requirements

When choosing a technique, it is recommended to pay attention to that part of the body in which the blades of knives move, called the deck. Depending on the material of the deck (steel, aluminum, plastic), the service life of the unit increases and, accordingly, its price. If you have a small area of ​​land and the mower will not be used often, then you can save and buy an option with a plastic deck. Such a technique will last for a long time with reasonable operation, as the engine and the wheel mechanism mostly wear out.

Site Type Dependence

The choice of equipment depends on the size of the land and its relief. If the area is more than 5-7 acres, then it is more advisable to buy a unit with a gasoline engine. If the area is more than 10 acres, it is advisable to purchase a self-propelled lawn mower.

With small areas, it is better to work with an electric mower. In case of too uneven area planted with trees and shrubs, it is better to purchase a mower without an engine or trimmer.

Additional functions

Manufacturers in some models offer additional features in the design of lawn mowers:

1. The presence of a grass catcher (frees a working person from the subsequent harvesting of mowed grass, but there is a need to periodically shake out the container). The quality of the grass catcher can be different - from mesh material or plastic. In soft, it is easier to control the level of cut grass.
2. The function of mulching (small cutting of mowed grass, followed by ejection). It is very convenient if the grass is not wet, it can serve to fertilize the lawn, but in small quantities. When covering a thick layer of mulch, it will inhibit the growth of new grass. If the quality of the lawn is not very important for the owner, then it is better to buy a lawn mower with a mulching function.
3. The side ejection function is convenient for working near sidewalks.
4. The presence of a grass cutting regulator allows you to set the cutting height. Typically, the regulator can set several sizes of vegetation from ground level.Very handy feature when using the mower regularly.
5. Self-propelled unit (availability of drive for wheels). This technique is easy to manage, unlike non-self-propelled units. It is only necessary to direct the movement of the mower, and she moves herself.

When choosing a lawnmower for home use, take into account all the factors mentioned above and purchase the best option.