How to Choose your Next Lawnmower

The lawn mowing season is most definitely in full swing, and now you have to get the mower out more regularly maybe you’ve been thinking about getting a new machine. But where should you start? What do you need to think about? Let our guide help you out.

A new lawnmower can be a potentially hefty investment, so it’s not one that you want to make without really considering what you are after. We’ve put together a quick guide to some of the things you might want to weigh up before you buy. 

Lawn size

One of the primary things to keep in mind when choosing a mower is the size of your lawn. Some of this seems obvious; small mowers are better for smaller lawns, while bigger mowers are better for larger lawns. However, his is not the only consideration. If you have a large lawn with lots of curved borders or flower beds you may find a very big mower is difficult to manoeuvre. So keep that in mind.

Your budget

As a rule you should buy the best lawnmower you can afford but be realistic. If your garden is particularly small, so your mower is unlikely to get heavy usage, you probably won’t need a top-of-the range machine.

Push or powered?

This will largely depend on your fitness level and the size of your garden. While most people will opt for a powered mower, if you are fit with a small lawn, a push mower can be a cost-effective solution.,

Cylinder, rotary or hover?

Cylinder mowers use blades set on a cylinder at the front of the mower to cut the grass. These are well-suited to ornamental lawns when you want to keep the grass cut very short. They are best for very level lawns, and they tend to require more maintenance than other mowers. Cylinder mowers with a roller will give your lawn that formal striped look.

Rotary mowers feature a single rotating blade that sits between the mower’s wheels. Rotary mowers are easier to use on long or damp grass than cylinder mowers, so if you are the type of person who likes to leave their grass a while between cuttings, this might be for you. This type of mower is also OK to use on uneven ground.

Another option for uneven ground is a hover mower.  These mowers float on a cushion of air, which makes them lighter and easier to manoeuvre. 

Type of fuel

If you’ve decided on a powered mower, you then need to consider what sort of fuel you want to use. Your choices are electric mowers, battery-powered mowers, and petrol driven mowers. If you plump for an electric mower with a cord you will want to make sure that you are able to reach every part of your lawn.  You should also choose a mower that has an RCD fitted as this will protect you if you cut through the mower cable. If you use an extension lead, it should be suitable for outdoor use.

Battery or rechargeable mowers remove the restrictions that a cable creates, however you will need to check that a charge will allow you to complete mowing your lawn. You’ll also need to make sure that you charge your mower in advance.

Finally, petrol mowers. These are the most powerful, and consequently the most appropriate for larger gardens. They tend to be heavier and do require very regular maintenance. You will also want to establish whether you would prefer a manual start – where you generally pull a cord or turn a key – or an electric start, which just requires the push of a button. Some manual start mowers can be tricky to get going.

What else to consider

Other things to think about when choosing a mower include how big your grass collection box needs to be, or whether you want a grass collection box, how much the height of the cutting blad or blades can be adjusted and how big the cutting area of the mower is.

You may even want to consider whether a ride-on or robot mower is right for you.

Whatever kind of mower you choose in the end the results you get will largely be dependent on the underlying health of your lawn. So if you haven’t already, contact All Green Lawn Treatments to have your lawn health assessed.