Lawn mowers allow you to maintain a large area with grass in a tidy condition, which allows adults to rest on it, play with children, or use it as a landscape design. Unlike a trimmer, a lawnmower can save a given cutting height and process huge areas for a small amount of time. But taking into account the various features of the grass area, its varieties and terrain, as well as other operational aspects, the choice of such a device should be made with full knowledge of the matter. This article will help prepare the buyer for this.
Content:
The best lawnmower manufacturers - which company to choose
If you are too lazy to understand the features of lawn care equipment, you can buy goods from proven manufacturers:
- AL-KO;
- Bosch;
- Patriot;
- Skil;
- Einhell.
But it is desirable to at least see the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of models from famous brands in ranking the best lawn mowers. To choose a lawnmower yourself, understanding all the key nuances, we explore the material further in this article.
The principle of operation and the device lawn mowers
Lawn mowers are used to tidy and even cut grass. They allow you to keep a given height, unlike the trimmer. Driving on wheels to some extent unloads the operator. Such garden equipment can handle large areas in a short period of time.
Lawn mowers are used to care for the territory of enterprises and educational institutions, to maintain green areas in the beautiful state of the city, or to maintain fields for sports activities. They are used in cottages and cottages to make a personal plot look good.
The work of the lawn mower is carried out by moving around the site on wheels (independently or with the help of riding by the operator). The lower part of the garden equipment (deck) is equipped with rotating knives that are started from the engine.
The height of the cutting elements can vary, which allows to simulate the state of the grass. The beveled material is thrown to the side or collected in the compartment. The mulch function means that the mechanism grinds the stalks and covers the ground with them to prevent weed growth.
Cutting elements are of two types: drum and rotary. Both grab stems well and perform a cut. In electric and petrol models, only the rotor is possible.
The lawn mower device includes the following elements:
1. Deca with knives;
2. Carter;
3. Power unit;
4. Fuel tank (gasoline model);
5. Cutting height adjuster;
6. Chassis;
7. Collector;
8. Handles for the direction and movement;
9. Controls (starter handle, gas bracket).
Lawnmower Types
Mechanical
Rotation knives tied with torque from the wheels. Used drum type knives. While moving the device, the grass is cut, which was under it at that moment. When you stop the action is terminated.
Often used two-wheel model. It is distinguished by its economy as its cost and lack of fuel costs. Suitable for young energetic people and work in small areas (cottage, garden).
Advantages:
- small weight;
- acceptable cost;
- steel case;
- reliable design with long service life;
- saving on fuel and electricity;
- cutting range 40 cm.
Disadvantages:
- only suitable for physically fit people;
- can leave gaps when dissimilar grass.
Rechargeable
They have four wheels and rotating knives, where the motor runs on battery. The capacity of the latter allows servicing areas of no more than 600 m2, after which it needs recharging. Many models are compact and feature mulching. Suitable for the care of a dacha without electricity or the territory of kindergartens, sanatoriums.
Advantages:
- quiet work;
- compact size;
- energy saving battery (36 V);
- light weight, convenient for transportation;
- average cutting width (about 40 cm).
Disadvantages:
- designed for small areas;
- battery capacity not more than 4 A / h;
- no self-propelled models.
Electric
Large range of power, as garden equipment powered by the network. A variety of parameters for height and width of mowing. High performance allows you to use them in the gardens near the house or areas in front of the facade of buildings. If the possibility of connection allows, it is used in sanatoriums and recreation centers, parks.
Advantages:
- models with a grass collector;
- various weight (from 12 to 25 kg);
- powerful;
- a variety of cutting width;
- large height modeling range;
- environmentally friendly work.
Disadvantages:
- there are very expensive models;
- there is always a limitation of wire length;
- It is difficult to work in a combined area (shrubs, trees, statues).
Gasoline
The rotation of the knives is provided by the internal combustion engine. Models differ in the increased weight because of the power unit and fuel tank. Equipped with a rotary type of knives. Fully autonomous and suitable for use in parks, sports fields, green areas around the stadiums.
Advantages:
- large cutting width;
- high performance;
- powerful engines;
- steel housing;
- mulching;
- suitable for spacious areas;
- self-propelled models do not require movement efforts;
- adjustment of maximum height up to 90 mm.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- big weight;
- additional fuel costs;
- large size, inconvenient for transportation;
- noise from work.
Robotic
The device is similar to a flat vacuum cleaner and is programmed separately, taking into account haircut zones and landscape. Its launch is carried out through the remote or from a smartphone. It works on battery. The buttons on the front panel can be locked from children.
The device independently moves, turns and cuts off a lawn. This is possible with the help of a system of pegs and a strained wire around the perimeter, which “tells” the head of the lawn and the trajectory of movement to the head unit.
Advantages:
- quiet work;
- does not require supervision;
- cutting range in height 20-80 mm;
- control from your phone or remote;
- variety of programs;
- protection from children.
Disadvantages:
- high price;
- designed for small lawns;
- narrow cutting width (17 cm);
- plastic case;
- The battery lasts for 90 minutes.
Lawnmower selection options
Cutting width
This indicator directly affects performance. The range of lawn mowers can vary from 17 to 57 cm.
1. For spacious lawns, wide capture values are needed, and for small lawns under windows, a model with 25–30 cm of mowing strip is sufficient.
2. If it is required to mow a combined area with paths, bushes and decorative figurines, it is easier to go around them and look after the grass lines between them on a narrow model.
Maximum and minimum cutting height
The maximum value that the device knife can leave in height is 37-120 mm.
1. To keep tall, neatly trimmed stems in beautiful condition, you need a lawnmower with a 70-90 mm index.
2. For sports lawns, where the grass is specifically designed to pass through it and falls, it makes sense to purchase garden equipment with a minimum cutting height of 12 to 35 mm, which allows low shearing of stems, within 20-30 mm
3. If the grass variety itself assumes a small height (a carpet lawn under the window), then a parameter of 12-15 mm is sufficient.
Collector
To save time, in some models there is a collection box - a tank that is connected to the pipe ejection of bevelled material. This tank can be plastic or rag. In the latter one can clearly see when it is filled (in a bloated form).
1. To care for a small lawn in the country grass collection is not needed.
2. Processing the spacious areas in front of the enterprise, or maintaining the playing field in good condition, will require a quality bag. This will reduce the overall time of the clipping procedure and allow you to immediately use the field for the main task.
Mulching
Some models not only cut grass stalks, but also grind them into small pieces and throw them on the ground. Such an eco-friendly layer falls on the ground and closes the sunlight for small weeds, which favorably affects the lawn itself.
The function will be useful when using high grades of grass that are not intended for walking (in front of the building, between trees and shrubs). For a sporty low lawn, mulching will create a “felt” that you will need to shovel for a proper view of the green zone.
Self-propelled or not
The engine of the lawn mower is able not only to rotate the knives, but also to transmit torque to the wheels, which causes independent movement of the entire device. The operator is only required to set the direction.
This is practical for heavy machines used in large areas. A function is also needed for older people who are contraindicated loads. To care for the lawn in the country or in a small area in the park, you can do without a self-propelled unit.
Square
The characteristics of the lawn mower indicate the area for which the resource of garden equipment is calculated. It can be from 150 to 2500 m2. To use a device that does not conform to the territory in the lower direction, is fraught with rapid breakdown of key nodes. It is necessary to choose a lawnmower with a small margin.
1. To give 100 m2, the model is suitable for 150-200 m2.
2. To handle a park of 1000 m2 you need a lawnmower, designed for 1200 m2.
Weight
The amount of force applied by the operator to move it (in the case of non-self-propelled models) depends on the mass of the device. Weight can be from 6.4 to 60 kg.
1. A large mass of the apparatus is also bad for the ground. If it is soft, then the soil will be tamped and sagging. Loading the machine into the ground affects performance. Therefore, lawn with frequent irrigation requires lightweight models.
2. If on the site often there are branches (nearby trees grow and regular abscission occurs), then light lawn mowers will immediately lift up when hitting an obstacle, therefore, models from 20 kg are purchased here.
Power
The power of the power unit affects the quality of the cut of thick stems and the speed of the entire work. High rates give a clean lawn without gaps.
1. If the grass variety is very thin and the area is small (up to 400 m2), then you can buy equipment with a small figure of 0.9-1.1 kW.
2. For varieties with stiff stems in a vast area, a 1.4-2 kW power unit is required.
In the petrol versions, this is displayed in horsepower:
1. “Weak” models matter up to 3 hp;
2. More productive from 4 to 7 hp
Rotation frequency
Another performance indicator is the rotational speed of the knives. Regardless of the cutting width and power, the number of turns made determines the speed of the work.
1. 2500 rpm is enough for a small suburban area.
2. On large areas, using parameters 3000-4000 rpm.
type of drive
As in the case of the car, the type of drive mowers affect the handling.
1. Rear-wheel drive is more suitable for flat spacious lawns, where the movement is carried out in a straight line.
2. In combined areas with shrubs, paths and statues, only front-wheel drive is able to provide the required maneuverability.
Wheel size
1. The same diameter of the front and rear wheels allows you to freely move garden equipment in open areas.
2. If it is necessary to frequently change the direction of movement of the device (detour of obstacles, uneven edges of the lawn), then you need to choose models with enlarged rear wheels that will allow you to maneuver faster.
Which lawn mower to choose
1. To care for the territory of the kindergarten, you need a battery model with a cutting width of 33 cm, mulching (in areas where children do not run), designed for an area of 200-400 m2. Required collection box. It will be convenient to manage with a mass of 10-13 kg.
2. Adults to the country have a mechanical version with a cutting width of 30 cm, a mass of 6 kg, a minimum cutting height of 12 mm and a maximum of 40 mm. Her resource must be registered on 400 m2. A collection box is desirable, as an option, attached as needed.
3. To care for a spacious lawn in front of the building facade, an electrical apparatus with a cutting width of 46 cm and a large height adjustment from 12 to 90 mm is required. Engine power 1.8 kW, weight 27 kg, mulching, collection box, area index 1000 m2.
4. To cut grass in a combined park with bushes, paths and statues, you need a manoeuvrable 2.5 hp petrol model, with a cutting width of 40 cm, front-wheel drive, or rear and large wheels designed for an area of 1,400 m2, 35 kg in weight and a grass collector.
5. For sports fields (football, for golf) you need a lawn-mower on gasoline with a self-propelled device and a cutting width of 56 cm, 4 hp, an area of 2200 m2, mulching and weighing 40 kg.
6. Provide good care on the lawn in front of the cottage will be obtained using a robotic version with a cutting width of 28 cm, designed for an area of 600 m2, weighing 10 kg, mulching and a battery of 4 A / h. Cutting height 15 mm.
How much does a lawn mower cost
1. Garden equipment for the care of the territory of kindergartens and schools will cost 12,000-32,000 rubles.
2. Mechanics are estimated at 2500-6000 rubles.
3. Caring for a lawn in front of the facade of the building will require you to pay from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles.
4. A model for a combined park costs 20000-30000 rubles.
5. Sports field shear devices for 30000-45000 rubles.
6. The robotic lawnmower costs 90000-190000 rubles.
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