Choosing a lawn mower for a summer residence

Nowadays, few people think of using an ordinary hand scythe if it is necessary to get rid of dense vegetation. What can we say about lawns - a wonderful decoration for any summer cottage or country house. In order to achieve perfect vegetation cover, you need to devote a lot of time and attention to it. Modern technology will help a little to facilitate the care of it, we will compare the two most popular types of electric and gasoline mowers and figure out which one is better to buy for you.

Each manufacturer offers a huge number of its varieties, so it will be useful for each owner of a plot with a lawn to figure out how to choose a lawn mower for a summer residence correctly, taking into account all the basic characteristics and operating rules.

How to choose a lawn mower for a summer residence and at home - expert advice

Read also:

1. The best gasoline lawn mowers
2. Best Electric Lawn Mowers

Very good electric and petrol-powered lawn mowers can be found in the tool range of the German brand KRÜGER. This manufacturer offers users functional, high-quality and, what is most interesting, inexpensive devices that perfectly cope with the tasks of processing the site.

Kruger lawn mowers are equipped with many additional features that increase the convenience and safety of operation. For example, thermal protection of the engine, telescopic handle, height adjustable, soft start system. Both Kruger lawn mowers have a large grass catcher that cleans in a couple of minutes. The petrol lawn mower also has a mulching function. Without a doubt, the devices of the German manufacturer deserve special attention of users.

Types of lawn mowers

What lawn mower to choose: their variety is huge, you should consider the features of the operation of each unit:

• Electrical
• Gasoline
• Mechanical
• On battery
• Trimmers
• Raiders
• Robots

Electrical

The electrical unit is designed to work in a small area, since they operate from the power supply network, therefore, the range of action is significantly limited. The set may include a container for collecting grass. The newest models are equipped with additional functions such as adjustable cutting height.

Gasoline

Among the gasoline options, you can probably find the best lawn mower as they are considered the most common. It is not tied to electricity, so it has an unlimited range. Most devices have additional functions such as mulching and discharge of cut vegetation.However, you can choose a simpler option if you want to rarely use the equipment and not overpay when buying.

Mechanical

The mechanical model works on a drum basis. It is equipped with scissors with sharp blades. During the movement, pressure is exerted on the scissors and the grass is cut, which is just between the two blades. The mechanical lawn mower is divided into two types, depending on the type of cut:

• Contact - cutting grass is carried out due to the interaction of the upper and lower knives;
• Non-contact - a small distance remains between the blades, thanks to which the cut is thinner.

The only drawback is the need to apply force, so this model should be chosen only for a small area.

On battery

Battery-powered technology combines some of the advantages of gasoline and electric units. So, from the first type there is mobility, from the second - ecological cleanliness. However, there is not enough power in battery-powered devices. They are suitable for medium height dry grass areas. On average, a full battery charge is enough to cover an area of ​​235-245 m².

Trimmers

The trimmer is a hand-held lawnmower. During operation, it must be secured to the shoulder using a special strap. It is the ideal device for mowing vegetation in hard-to-reach areas. Of course, an even cut is out of the question. It is recommended to choose this model in addition to a more powerful and functional lawnmower, and it is intended, as a rule, for uneven surfaces and tall grass.

Note! If you want to achieve a level lawn, then a trimmer is not the best option in this case. It can be used as a supplement to more powerful equipment or used in difficult areas.

Raiders

Raiders work like a tractor and are applicable in areas with a large area. Customer reviews indicate that their main advantage lies in versatility, since with the help of a tractor lawn mower, you can not only mow the lawn, but also remove snow in winter, cultivate the soil, spread fertilizers and much more.

Robots

The last type is a robot, although its use in a summer cottage is impractical for several reasons. Firstly, the robot is intended for large areas and is most often used in hotel areas. Secondly, such models are very expensive.

How to choose an electric lawn mower

Choosing the right electric lawn mower will help you to significantly reduce the financial costs and time for caring for the vegetation in the country. In order not to be mistaken in your choice, carefully study the main parameters and technical characteristics of the model in question. You should also first determine your expectations regarding the operation of the device.

Power

Power is one of the main criteria. It determines the whole process of work and the performance of the device. Models with electric motors have power from 900 to 1800 watts. Due to these parameters, the cutting knives work at a very high speed, regardless of the complexity of the operating conditions. What power to choose a lawnmower: Don't overpay for the electric model with the highest power if you don't really need it. It is recommended to evaluate the size of your site, its relief and vegetation features.

Housing

All functional elements are attached to the body, so it must be durable and resistant to damage, deformation, and corrosion processes. In most models, the housing is made of impact-resistant plastic. Thanks to this, manufacturers managed to minimize the costs of manufacturing equipment, as well as its weight. There are also units with a steel body, but this material is prone to corrosion and has a significant weight.The body made of ordinary plastic is prone to frequent damage, in addition, it bursts under the influence of high and low temperatures.

Important! It is not recommended to skimp on the material of the case, as it plays an important role in the entire structure. Materials susceptible to corrosion, shock, deformation and other damage will quickly destroy the unit. Opt for high impact plastic, which is cheaper and lighter.

Wheels

Pay attention to models of electric lawn mowers, which have large rear wheels, they provide more maneuverability and ease of control. The larger their diameter, the more comfortable it will work for you due to the fact that the disadvantage of small wheels is that they fall into the soil and spoil the appearance of the lawn.

Noisiness

Low noise level is one of the advantages of electric lawn mowers, especially compared to gasoline counterparts. The noise figures for these models are 69-87 dB. They will not create discomfort for neighbors or people passing by, which is very good.

Watch the video how to choose a lawn mower

Drive unit

According to the type of drive, electric models are divided into two types:

1. Non-self-propelled - this includes an affordable technique, for which you need to make your own efforts. It is recommended to choose this type for work on flat areas.
2. Self-propelled - the device performs its functions almost independently - you only need to slightly control its course. The self-propelled lawn mower is divided into two subspecies - front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive models. RWD models should be preferred as they are more stable.

If you need to choose an inexpensive model, then the electric motor model needs less expensive and time-consuming maintenance.

Clean the blades regularly after use (monthly provided that you use the unit more than 4 times a month) and clean the deck after each use, this will increase the life of your device!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Lawn Mowers

Pros:

• Low noise level;
• Ecological cleanliness;
• Simple and convenient operation;
• Cheap service;
• Low weight.

Minuses:

• Dependence on power supply;
• Limited working area;
• The need to monitor the power cable during operation;
• Less power.

Best electric lawn mowers of 2020

• BOSCH ARM 34 and 37
• Makita DLM431PT2
• AL-KO 112856 Classic 3.82 SE
• DAEWOO POWER PRODUCTS DLM 1200E
• Huter ELM-1100
• HYUNDAI LE 4600S Drive
• RYOBI RLM 13E33S

How to choose a gasoline lawn mower

A gas mower, like an electric one, has its own strengths and weaknesses. However, the rating of lawn mowers cannot do without gasoline models due to their power and performance. They are distinguished by a higher cost due to their versatility. The choice of a gasoline lawn mower is advisable if you need to handle large areas of grass.

Engine and power

The engine of this device is of great importance to the job. Three types of device should be distinguished, depending on the installed type of engine:

• Household level - intended for mowing grass on a not too large area (up to 8 acres, 800-1000 W).
• Semi-professional - models of medium power used to work on an area of ​​up to 20 acres (1100-2000 W).
• Professional - powerful units for processing an area of ​​20 acres (2100-2500 W).

Housing

The body of the mower can be made of steel, ordinary plastic or impact-resistant plastic. The stronger and more reliable the case material, the longer a particular model will last, since the rest of the structural elements are attached to the case. Which lawnmower is better to buy: choose impact-resistant plastic if you want to save a little, but not at the expense of the quality of the equipment. Weight cannot be attributed to the number of advantages of these mowers due to the powerful motor.

Wheels

It is important that the petrol lawn mower you choose has large rear wheels. This ensures good cross-country ability of the mower even on tall grass (with rear-wheel drive). Front piano wheels are considered more maneuverable. With their help, you can easily get around obstacles like trees and flower beds.

Noisiness

The excessive noise of a gasoline lawn mower is a significant drawback. If the lack of noise is important to you, then this option will not work. The noise is associated with very powerful motors, but even the weakest motor will emit a noise of 94 dB during operation.

Important! If high noise levels are unacceptable to you or your neighbors, there is no way to avoid it with a petrol mower. Even the quietest models operate at 94 dB of noise during the bevel process.

According to the type of drive, gasoline lawn mowers are divided into two categories:

1. Non-self-propelled - affordable models that move due to human efforts. Suitable for completely level or nearly level areas.
2. Self-propelled lawn mowers move almost independently and are intended for uneven areas. They are divided into rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Most of the load falls on the rear of the vehicle, so it is recommended to give preference to rear-wheel drive models.

In terms of maintenance, mowers are considered more whimsical than electric models, but they are best suited for a complex area with trees and shrubs. In addition to sharpening knives and general cleaning the device from grass, it is necessary to change the oil, spark plugs, filters (air and fuel) at the beginning of each new season, and run the engine in before starting work with a load. Break-in is carried out by starting the engine at low and medium speeds before the start of full operation of the equipment.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Gasoline Lawn Mowers

Pros:

• Mobility;
• Power;
• Large cutting width;
• More capacious grass catcher;
• Additional functions.

Minuses:

• High noise level;
• Significant indicator of weight;
• Environmental pollution.

The best gasoline lawn mowers of 2020

• Hyundai L 5300S
• Makita PLM4628N
• AL-KO 119387 Silver 46 BR Comfort
• Husqvarna LC 140S
• Champion LM4627
• Huter GLM-6.0ST

General parameters to consider in both cases

1. The deck is a structural element that covers the knives. The deeper it is, the better: when a strong air flow is generated, all the grass is collected in the grass catcher and does not crumble. The best proven aluminum deck is rust resistant and more durable.
2. Types of grass ejection - most models are equipped with a rear ejection (the cut grass falls under the feet of the person operating the equipment), a side ejection is also possible (useful when processing roadsides). In addition, the grass can accumulate in the collector or be mulched.
3. Grass Catcher - Thanks to the grass catcher, after mowing, you do not need to collect the grass on site. Instead, you only need to clean the container from time to time while treating the lawn. The grass catcher can be made of plastic or strong fabric (mesh). It is easier to clean a plastic container, but the bag is immediately visible if it is full.
4. Cutting width - the wider the cutting width, the faster you can handle cutting the grass. This indicator depends on the engine power. The average is 40-50 cm.
5. Mowing height - the ability to adjust the height of the lawn after mowing. The higher the wheels, the more modes of operation. The minimum height is 0-110mm. If you are looking for a lawnmower for tall grass, make sure that the cutting height can be adjusted from 7mm to 150mm.
6. Mulching - chopping the grass mowed by the mower and then throwing it onto the lawn for the purpose of feeding, but it should be clarified that a high-quality mulching system can only be obtained from soft and completely dry grass. In addition, an excess of such fertilizer can interfere with the growth of the lawn.

Which company to choose a lawn mower

Instead of answering the question of which lawn mower company to choose, we will give a rating of the most popular and demanded manufacturers who have proven themselves well in terms of price and quality:

• AL-KO
• Bosch
• Hyundai
• Makita

For 2020, these firms released the most successful models of lawn mowers: affordable, high-quality, functional. It is recommended to choose the model that is optimal in terms of parameters among the range of manufacturers presented in the rating.

Choosing the right lawn mower

After reading this article, you now know how to choose the right lawn mower, what its types are for, what characteristics are the most essential. The rating of manufacturers will help narrow down the search for the best lawn mower model that is right for you in relation to the size of your plot and the characteristics of the vegetation.