Mechanical lawn mowers: description, advice on selection and operation

The power lawn mower is a convenient and simple solution for garden maintenance. A simple device allows even a person with minimal experience to cope with its maintenance. It is worth considering how it works, what is the difference between a manual drum mower for grass and other models, what are the operating rules and what should be considered when using it for the first time. Mechanical lawn mowers have many advantages, are not limited by the length of the wire and are completely environmentally friendly. They are chosen to create the perfect English lawn. But what should you pay attention to when choosing, how to make a decision? The rating of the best lawn mowers and reviews of owners who have already tested this mobile and maneuverable technique in business will help to figure it out.

The power lawnmower is a simple solution that does not use a motor to drive the knives.

For areas with large elevation differences, mowers are produced with large wheels. The working drum is driven by the rotation of the wheels, stopping and maneuvering in this case is not difficult.

The basic principle of a power lawn mower is a sequence of actions that looks like this:

1. the operator pushes the equipment forward;
2. the wheel shaft starts to move together with the knives fixed on it;
3. the grass is captured inside the device and cut;
4. waste is thrown into the grass catcher or on the ground;
5. the cycle repeats.

Mechanical lawnmowers have controls for adjusting the speed and height of the cut grass. The main guide - a metal rod on which the handle is attached - is in the hands of the operator. Inside the drum of the device there is a set of interlocking or non-interlocking knives, with a gear connection, attached to a wheel drive. The number of cutting elements depends on the lawnmower model. Usually there are 4 knives, and moving inside, they create a cut of grass, by analogy with large scissors. The rotation speed of the mechanism is 4–5 times higher than the movement of the wheels. Sharpening of cutting elements is done at right angles - this is enough to cut grass of various heights, fight stems and leaves without hammering the drum.

A mechanical mower has advantages that other types of devices do not have. There are several obvious benefits worth noting.

• Low invasiveness. A mower with a closed working unit eliminates the risk of injury during its operation. Such devices are optimal for caring for public areas or objects where there are children and animals.
• Lack of noise. The equipment does not make noise during operation due to the absence of a motor. It can be used in places where it is forbidden to work with a motorized mower.
• No negative impact on the grass. After processing, the lawn does not change its color, it remains bright green, without yellow stems.
• High environmental safety. The technique does not harm the environment, there are no harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
• Minimum care requirements. You can carry out work without wasting time on maintenance.
• Light weight. The average weight of a lawn mower does not exceed 6 kg, it can be easily lifted even by a person with disabilities.
• Profitability. No need to spend additional funds to pay for electricity, gasoline, oil.
• Availability of opportunities for collecting herbs. The technique with a grass catcher is not often found, but it can be installed additionally on most models.
• Affordable cost. Mechanical lawn mowers are much cheaper than any analogues, while doing the job more efficiently than trimmers and hand scythes.

Not without its drawbacks. Power lawn mowers can work on small, flat areas of the lawn. But for a park or a spacious garden, they will not work. The mowing frequency in this case will also be quite high - when the level of 3-5 cm is reached, it will have to be cut again. It will not be possible to understand with the help of a mechanical mower and with the improvement of areas heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs.

By the type of their design, all mechanical models of lawn mowers are divided into manual and spindle models.

Drum-type manual mowers are a cylinder, inside which there are working knives, it supports changing the speed mode, you can choose a convenient pace of movement. They are versatile, demonstrate fairly high performance, and have higher performance.

Spindle lawn mowers are designed to work on level, flat terrain. The design provides for a spindle knife that starts work with the wheels offset. To work with such a technique, it is recommended that the transverse-longitudinal movement of the technique on the lawn. In this case, it is possible to achieve an even and accurate mowing of the stems to a given height. Spindle lawn mowers can be contact or non-contact. In the first case, the cutting blades interact with each other in the apparatus. In non-contact versions, knives are used that do not collide with each other. Their action is similar to the work of garden shears; working with the device requires a uniform application of efforts, adherence to the selected speed of movement.

Consider the top manufacturers of power lawn mowers.

A brand that has earned the trust of consumers due to the reliability and performance of its equipment. The brand's models are distinguished by the highest mowing range, they cope with cutting stems up to 20 cm in height. The price range for Husqvarna lawn mowers is 6-8 thousand rubles. The most popular options are 54 NovoCut and 540 Novolette.

The brand produces lawn mowers worth about 6,000 rubles, spindle type, with contactless cutting elements. The optimal area of ​​the site for working with them is from 200 to 400 m. Steel knives do not require additional sharpening, they always remain sharp. Gardena 330 Classic stands out among the models.

A brand for non-contact power lawn mowers. The not very high quality of the cut is compensated by the confident operation of the equipment even on difficult terrain. AL-KO 112663 Soft Touch 38 HM Comfort stands out among the popular models.

The brand manufactures medium power lawn mowers with large blade widths. The models are designed to handle up to 250 m² of floor space. The favorable price of the equipment allows you to successfully compete with more well-known brands. Mini version available for small lawns.

The brand specializes in the production of power lawn mowers in the middle price range. The technique does not have a mulching function, a grass collector - the cut off stems are ejected onto the ground. The mowing range is small - up to 32–34 cm. The advantages include low weight of the structure and high reliability.

Let's take a closer look at the most current models.

One of the most expensive in its class, productive and multifunctional. The mechanical design has a cutting width of 46 cm, the grass catcher is not included in the set, it is purchased separately, there is a manual adjustment of the cutting height from 25 to 100 mm. The handle is foldable, the deck and the body are steel, there are 4 wheels with plastic disks.

A model of a mechanical lawn mower with an interesting design and reliable construction. The swath width of 40 cm is enough for processing a large area, there is a central adjustment of the cutting height in 9 levels, the grass is thrown back. The handle is height adjustable, the lightweight aluminum deck and body reduce the overall weight of the structure, 2 wheels are included.

A popular model of garden equipment with a simple and convenient design. The loop handle is comfortable for long-term work, the body and deck are made of steel. The lawnmower has 2 wheels, weighs 9.1 kg and provides a swath width of up to 40 cm, there is no grass catcher included, there are 9 cutting levels, with a cutting height range of 12–38 cm.

Practical lawnmower with 40 cm blade width and 12–42 mm cutting height. The model is suitable for working on an area of ​​up to 250 m², there is a central adjustment of the cutting height in 4 levels. The work process is facilitated by the folding handle, and the reliable steel deck and body ensure the durability of the equipment.

The compact spindle lawnmower, weighing only 9.8 kg, has a high flotation due to the use of large-diameter wheels and a single-axle design, a foldable handle makes storage easy. The model has a softening rubber bumper, it is possible to install a grass catcher. The swath width is 38 cm, which allows you to work up to 250 m², manual adjustment of the cutting height is made in 4 positions in the range from 14 to 35 mm.

Mini lawn mower with classic folding handle, steel deck and body, two wheels. The mowing height is adjustable, in the range of 12–40 mm, the swath width is 30 cm. With this technique, you can easily maintain order on a small lawn.

The budget lawnmower weighs only 7.5 kg. The model has a cutting width of 40 cm, the grass catcher is not included in the kit, but can be installed additionally. The supported height range is 25–40 mm, the parameter is manually adjusted using a support roller, the grass is dropped back. Includes folding handle, steel deck and body.

When choosing the right power-driven lawnmower, it is important to pay attention to the fact that this wireless technology can also be quite varied. Lightweight wheel mechanisms are a completely ready-made kit for lawn mowing - they do not need a long preparation, you can start working right away. There are several points to pay attention to when choosing a lawn mower.

• Dimensions of the cutting element. A small mower is more convenient and maneuverable, but the size of the strip mowed at one time depends on the width of the knife. The big one is more difficult and clumsy to control, but it is easier to cope with tall and coarse stems. Wide blades require a lot of force when working.
• Performance. For tall grass and uneven areas, be sure to choose the model with the largest number of knives and speed control. There is no need to talk about power in this case, but the difference between more expensive and cheaper models is quite large. It is definitely not worth saving on the purchase.
• Availability of options. The grass catcher technique is more convenient and efficient to use. But without it, the lawn mower is cheaper.
• Wheel sizes. If the site has a pronounced relief, you should pay attention to models with large diameter wheels. For a flat, classic lawn, you can choose a less passable technique.

All of these points will be important in making the final decision on choosing a mechanical lawnmower.

The power lawnmower allows you to use it right away, without interruption to refuel the line or pour the fuel mixture. It is quite simple to use it: you should bring the handle to the working position and start moving.

To mow your lawn quickly and easily by hand with a power mower, follow these simple tips:

• moving around the site should be measured, at the same pace, without sharp acceleration and deceleration; when turning, at least one wheel must remain on the ground surface;
• when starting the garden tool for the first time, it is worth testing its capabilities in a limited area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe area, which will help to adjust all available functions, provide adaptation to the control of non-motorized equipment;
• mechanical mowers perform best on flat areas with medium-height grass, but this does not mean that they are not suitable for tall stems, it will simply increase the number of passes through the territory; heavily overgrown areas make it difficult to pass, it will be better if its processing is carried out at least once a week;
• it is worth experimenting with the cutting height, the lawn will benefit from this, in addition, it will be possible to find the optimal stem height for a particular mixture of herbs, which can only be done experimentally;
• each section of the lawn with a mechanical mower has to be passed up to 3 times, otherwise it will not work to achieve a perfectly flat grass carpet;
• The optimal frequency of mowing a lawn with a power mower is once a week, which is enough to keep it in good condition and not spend extra effort on caring for it.

Owners of power-driven lawn mowers leave mostly positive feedback on their purchases. Buyers note the affordable cost of the models themselves, but rather high prices for additional accessories to them. For example, a grass catcher can cost almost more than the mower itself. On the other hand, there is a minimum noise level and general ease of operation of the equipment. Many summer residents actively use mechanical lawn mowers to care for the entire territory of the site, including in the space between trees.

Among the inconvenient moments is the impossibility of mowing wet grass - the roller does not get enough grip. But high stems, contrary to common misconception, such mowers cut quite successfully. In general, mechanical options for garden tools can be appreciated as versatile helpers in the country, a good addition to the usual trimmer. With the help of the mower, you can get a perfectly even cut, the same height, without defects and bald spots.

Next, watch the video with a story about drum-type power lawn mowers.