Useful Tips

HOW TO CHOOSE A LAWN MOWER - which lawn mower to choose electric or gasoline

There are three types of lawn mowers:

  • Wheeled mowers that drive on grass. They are electric and gasoline.

  • Devices that are worn during mowing are trimmers. They are equipped with a petrol or electric engine.
  • Riders are lawn mowers that "drive" us during the mowing process, or on which we ride on the lawns.

Electric lawn mowers: sensitivity to the details of the device is the key to their efficient and long service.

How to choose an electric lawn mower

And we will talk about the first type of lawn mowers - electric wheeled, although much of what will be discussed later in this material will be true for gasoline devices. Compared to gasoline-powered machines, electric lawn mowers make less noise during operation. In addition, do not forget about environmental issues: go out of town to breathe in the exhaust again? No, thank you!

When purchasing an electric lawn mower, there are some nuances to consider:

  • the density and composition of the grass you are going to cut;
  • the shape and size of the "experimental" site;
  • terrain relief.

Having decided on the nuances, you will know exactly what details you need to pay special attention to when choosing an electrical apparatus.

The main thing in organizing lawn mowing is regularity: the grass must not be allowed to grow up to the waist, otherwise we will lose its original softness. After mowing, rare and tough stems will remain, through which the earth shines through. It will take time to evenly overgrow the grass again.

It is important not to "miss" the grass in the spring. Somewhere in early May (let's take Victory Day as the mark), the grass is just growing up. But it would be better to do her first mowing, otherwise she will make a magic jump in her height. In one week, the greens will grow up to your knees, and in the spring the sod is very dense, the grass is fresh and juicy, saturated with spring waters ... As a result, you will mow for a very long time and painfully.

Makita ELM4612: mows high, wet and thick weeds

And an electric wheeled lawnmower cannot “take” grass up to its waist, unless you remove the grass collection box and raise the mower “on its hind legs”. But this will be quite an extreme option, and excessively laborious: to transport a reared lawn mower, you need extraordinary strength. If you miss the moment, then it is better to take a scythe and, like our ancestors, go ahead, through the dew with a song.

The lawn mower is designed for mowing lawns, but don't worry if you haven't purposefully planted the grass. You can give your site a beautiful look by mowing down the natural flora, whether it be even dimples or nettles. If you do this regularly, the mown area will be attractive: the weeds will disappear and the ground will be covered with mowing-resistant grasses - bluegrass, clover and others, depending on the composition of the soil on the site.

The advantage of a natural lawn:

  • it does not require maintenance, since the composition of the grass is independently regulated,
  • the lawn adapts to the climatic conditions.

Lawn mower: how to choose

Consider the components of an electric lawn mower. What you need to pay special attention to when choosing a garden "hairdresser".

Grass collector

It is good if there is a large grass catcher. Even if there is not a large area under the lawn, it is extremely inconvenient to run around with an overflowing grass box to empty it. If you do not live in a country house all the time, it is easy to miss the mowing time and let the grass outgrow. In this situation, a large collection of herbs will be needed all the more.

Bosch Rotak 43: the roomy grass catcher

There are two types of collectors:

  • hard: it is more convenient to pour grass out of them;
  • soft: it is harder to rake the mowing, it is crumpled by the fabric sides.

Some models are equipped with mulching function. What does it mean? Grass, being under the deck, lingers there, then is crushed and thrown onto the lawn. The mulching process requires a high power motor. Adherents of mulching mowing argue: it is useful for the lawn. Mulch is an additional nitrogen fertilizer. But the method is only good for mowing short grass. Otherwise, heaps of mulch will rot for a long time.

There are mowers with the function of side discharge of the cut grass. The greens should be thrown to the side immediately after cutting, without crushing, as in the mulching process. You will have to take a rake and remove the cut grass at the end of mowing so that bald spots do not appear on the lawn.

Take care of where you will put the grass in advance. Create a compost heap at the end of your plot (preferably in the shade). Over time, the rotted grass will become a fertilizer and subsequently heal your flower garden or vegetable garden - the cycle of substances in nature.

Soundboard

The body or deck is the part of the mower that encloses the knives. Decks are made of three types of material:

  • aluminum: deck in this case is the most optimal, but at the same time the most expensive option; aluminum is resistant to rust, lighter and stronger than steel, and the manufacturer's warranty for such decks is about ten years;
  • steel: it is durable. The cost of such lawn mowers is much higher. But at the same time, you will not be able to completely avoid problems - steel, as you know, corrodes;
  • plastic: used in lightweight, inexpensive models. When a powerful electric motor vibrates, the plastic quickly deteriorates.

If your lawn is small, there is no need to chase powerful, expensive and large electric lawn mowers, such as those with an aluminum deck. Even plastic will serve you quite conscientiously in a small area of ​​the territory.

Bosch ARM 37: lightweight, manoeuvrable, easy to maneuver near flower beds

Pay attention to the depth of the deck: the deeper the deck, the stronger the airflow that throws the cut grass into the collector. If it is too small, the mowing will sprinkle by or stick to the walls of the body, creating additional weight during mowing.

Grass cutting width

Cutting widths for electric lawn mowers range from 33 to 42 cm.

When choosing a lawn mower, consider the shape of the lawn and the size of your area. The larger the mowing reach, the faster you will mow. But on the other hand: when mowing grass in an orchard, you will be forced to bend around trees. A nimble and small lawn mower in this case is more efficient than a hulking machine with a wide coverage.

Black & Decker EMAX42I: Wide coverage, cuts close to curbs

  • If the lawn is 1-2 acres, a lawn mower with a grip of 30-34 centimeters is enough.
  • A wide area requires more "theater" of action, in our version - a working width of 40 centimeters.

The blade of the lawn mower should not pull out or crumple, but rather cut the grass.

We do not recommend purchasing a lawn mower with a folding knife. It quickly loosens and shifts, but does not fold when hitting the slightest obstacle - be it a bump or a pebble. The lawnmower starts to vibrate and shake, and you struggle to install and secure it.

Lawn Mower Wheels

If the lawn has an uneven surface, with ravines and hills, then buy a lawn mower with wide wheels. Such a model passes bumps more easily - the wheels do not fall off. The machine with small wheels gets tangled in the tall grass. Choose a lawn mower that has wheel bearings - this is more reliable.

Makita ELM4110: wheel bearings give stability to the mower

Grass cutting height

The grass cutting height can be adjusted in one of three ways.

  • The first is inconvenient, but the simplest: you need to screw the axle on the deck into a new hole every time you want to change the cutting height.
  • The second option is also not convenient, but you can improvise with the height of the wheels - using the lever on the wheels of the mower. Each has its own.
  • The third option is the most optimal: the mower is equipped with a central mowing height adjustment. You lightly press a lever or a button (depending on the technical side of a particular model), and your lawn mower will go up or down.

Intertool DT-2262: foldable handle, height adjustable

    If you are going to "mow" an overgrown and cluttered area, set the wheels to the maximum height - branches and stones will not fall under the knife. Bevel only the tops. Well, then, having cleared the area from the "pitfalls", you can walk around the area one more time by placing the lawn mower at a lower bevel height.

    Electric motor power

    The power of the electric motor is within 800-3000 watts. The larger the section, the more powerful the electric motor is needed, otherwise the motor will "burn out". It is important to consider under what conditions and how often you will mow. If you rarely mow the grass, and even then in a hurry, you need a unit with a powerful electric motor. A weak motor will not pick up wet and thick grass.

    Lawn mower power cable

    One of the inevitable inconveniences for all electrical models is the power cord. Wherever you go, it will drag behind the mower and cause inconvenience. To increase the maneuverability of the mower, attach an extension to the cable. The power cable must be capable of supporting the power of the electric motor - consider this point when choosing an extension cord. Buy bright, it is noticeable in the grass.

    Unwind the cord completely before mowing, even if it is wound on a spool, otherwise the cord may overheat. Plan so that the cable is already on the beveled area when cutting. During your movements, place it on your shoulder or hold it at a height.

    Safety precautions when operating an electric lawn mower

    Do not mow wet grass: God forbid it closes - it will not seem a little to you. Wear rubber shoes with spiked soles to keep them from slipping.

    Mowing barefoot is dangerous not only because of the threat of electric shock:

    • you can slip and fall,
    • stones can jump out from under the knife,
    • the mower will tip over ...

    And then - the script of horror films. God forbid!

    If something is jammed in the mower, is caught under the knife, or clippings are stuck to the mower, unplug the power cord before checking. No matter how curious the phrase in the instructions: "Do not touch the rotating parts of the lawn mower", this warning is not an empty phrase. Forget to let go of the "Start" button, freeing, for example, a knife from grass, and, I think, it is clear what this can lead to. Therefore, unplug the power cable before troubleshooting even minor faults.

    Check the condition of your lawnmower regularly before using it. Loose nuts, worn parts, or a loose knife will all fall apart, fly off, and loosen with a little extra effort - either you pushed the mower sharply uphill or hit a rock.

    Clean all parts of the lawn mower at the end of work - this will not only increase the life of your machine, but also save you unnecessary efforts during work (adhering dried grass creates a lot of inconveniences).

    • Use a scraper or brush to remove the cut grass from the blade, grass box, deck.
    • Wipe down the air intake grilles and clean the wheels.

    You can now put the mower in the utility room. Just don't push it too far - the grass grows quickly ...

    Note: "How to make a flower stand"

    Watch the video review of Honda lawn mowers

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