Buying a Lawnmower

Lawns look a cut above the rest when they are freshly mowed. You can make mowing easier and more enjoyable by ensuring that you buy the right lawnmower for your circumstances. 

There are many factors to consider when buying a lawnmower – the size of your lawn, grass condition, the terrain, the mowers ease of use and of course, budget. Think about how many hours the lawnmower will operate and how many different people may use the mower.

Now, how do you choose one lawnmower over the other? 

Electric Mowers

Electric mowers are perfect if you have a small to mid-sized lawn. They are lightweight, manoeuvrable and easy to handle. These mowers are cleaner with no use for oil and fuel but do rely on 230 volt power supply and a 10 to 15 metre power lead. 
  
TIP: Do not be tempted to run excessively long power leads as this will put extra strain on the electric motor which will cause overheating and poor performance.
 

Petrol Mowers

Petrol mowers are suitable for all conditions and show improved performance over electric and cordless type mowers. These mowers will operate in nearly all terrain and grass conditions with little limitation.  
 

TIP: If your lawn is quite wet or you are in a coastal area, consider choosing an aluminium body lawnmower as it will not be prone to rusting like steel body mowers can.

Rotary Mowers
Traditional rotary mowers are suitable for all lawn types, sizes and conditions. A good quality rotary mower will last for many years so select one you feel comfortable with, one that is safe and can be serviced to maintain its longevity.  

Other important features to consider are:

Engine: select an engine that is easy to start, not too noisy, large enough for the job and is a reputable brand with good consumer warranties.

Mulch or catch: gives you the ability to use both features subject to grass conditions. Use the mulch to save time if the grass is dry and not too lush.

Chip, Mulch or catch plus more: If you are a keen gardener or have pruning waste and branches to dispose of, consider a chipping mower.

Just mulch: there are some mowers that are dedicated mulching mowers. These save you time by not having to empty the catcher. They also provide a smooth groomed finish when used correctly.

Self propelled lawnmowers or ride on mowers: good if you have a large lawn to mow.

TIP: Rotary mowers do come in regular contact with hard objects so consider selecting a blade system that has swing back technology to avoid potential engine damage.

TIP: Four stroke engines are the most popular engine of choice as they are low emission, quieter, smoother to start and use standard 91 fuel so there is no need for pre-mixing. However, don't forget the oil! This goes in the engine sump, separate to the fuel.

Cylinder Mowers

Cylinder mowers with rollers provide a bowling green type finish with designer-like stripes. They are very strong and robust mowers that will last many years if looked after. They do not suit all terrains and require a good quality grass for a quality finish. They have vertically rotating blades that spin clockwise which forces the cut grass forward into a large catcher. Available in electric, petrol powered or hand pushed models with a variety of cutting widths. 

TIP: If you have stalky type grass then a cylinder type mowers is not recommended as it bends stalks down as it propels forward and won’t cut cleanly.

Hover Mowers
Although they don’t achieve as good a quality cut as other types of mowers, hover mowers are light weight and ideal for quickly mowing small to medium sized gardens. They’re very easy to handle over uneven surfaces, banks, or between flowerbeds. Hover mowers have rotating blades that float over the surface, keeping your lawn neat and tidy.

Additional Information

Catcher
You are going to need a catcher if you want to avoid raking up grass after you’ve mowed the lawn. Look for a catcher with handles located in a way that it is easy to detach, hoist up, and empty into a bin. Also select a catcher that has large air vents that direct dust and dirt away from the operator.

TIP: Bigger is not always better with catchers. A full catcher of wet grass can be almost impossible to carry. 
 
Mulcher

If you’re looking for a great way to nourish your grass while you mow, consider a model lawnmower with a mulcher. These process cut grass in to mulch which is then spread over your lawn. This saves you time because you can mow nonstop as there is no catcher to empty.

TIP: When mulching don't cut lawn too short. Leave at least 1/3 of the total grass length behind to mulch into. If cut is too low, the mulch will build up on top of lawn. 
 
Handles
Upturn handles are curved to allow for better ergonomics and easier pushing. Look for low vibration soft or PVC handle grips. 

Other things to note regarding handles:

·         Do they fold down for easy storage or transportation?
·         Do they adjust to a height that suits the operator and if not, are the handles long enough?
·         Are the throttle controls in reach and are they easy to read?
·         Do they have a one piece lower handle which offers more strength than separate stub designs?

Cutting Height

Ensure the mower gives you multiple height positions that can be adjusted by a single hand lever (as apposed to individual wheel adjusters that can take several minutes to adjust). Make sure you test height adjustment and its ease of use before you buy a mower.

Safety

Lawnmowers can be dangerous and should be operated by adults only in a safe environment. All mowers sold in the New Zealand market need to be tested to comply to the test standard AS2657-1985. This standard specifies requirements for the construction and design of powered rotary lawnmowers, together with appropriate test methods for qualitatively assessing the robustness of the cutting means and their means of attachment.

If you take the time to ensure that you buy the correct lawnmower for your circumstances, you'll find that mowing will be easier and your great lawn will make your neighbours turn green with envy.