Mulching lawn mowers: what it is, types and rating

Mulching lawn mowers are becoming more and more common every day. Thanks to them, you can not only mow your lawn, but also fertilize it at the same time, which will only benefit it.

Mulching is based on the principle of reusing the cut grass. It occurs during the mowing of the lawn: the grass gets inside the mower, where the utility knives grind it into a fine dust-like substance, which then returns to the lawn to the roots of the plants in the form of fertilizer through a special nozzle on the side of the mower. This helps the water to stay in the soil longer, delivering nutrients to it and regulating the temperature of the earth. Also mulch grass covers the ground with a dense layer, thereby inhibiting the growth of weeds and other harmful plants.

Before using a mulching lawnmower, you need to understand how it consists and what elements are present in it:

• motor;
• barbell;
• attachment for fishing line or universal knives;
• regulation system;
• mulching nozzle;
• tank;
• starter;
• transistor;
• belt mount;
• chopper.

Mulching is a process that has a large number of advantages, but at the same time also disadvantages that must be taken into account during work.

Pros:

• helps to save money and time on plant feeding;
• saves you time, since you no longer need to constantly monitor the condition of the collection box;
• mulching gives an environmentally friendly fertilizer for the lawn without chemicals, from this the state of the lawn coverage will noticeably improve, and the soil itself will not suffer;
• mulch perfectly retains moisture in the soil, preventing it from evaporating. That is why it will be possible to devote less time to watering the lawn;
• you do not have to pull out weeds yourself, because the mulching layer interferes with their growth.

Mulching has only one drawback - if it is used excessively, the process of lawn rotting can begin. Because too thick a layer of mulch will block the flow of sunlight and oxygen to the roots of plants.

Some people think that shredded grass is like a carpet, that is, it covers the lawn densely, thereby harming its aesthetic appearance. But this will not happen, since finely broken mulch is located between the blades of grass and it is very difficult to notice it from a distance. It lays down in a thicker layer only when the mower is slowing down. Beneficial insects and microorganisms that live in the ground will process the cut grass into pure humus, which, with water, will enter the soil to the roots, thereby improving the condition of the plants.

This type of lawn mower has many advantages.It is comfortable to use, completely eco-friendly, even a child can cope with the control of an electric mower, and the noise level that they emit is minimal. All these advantages will bring you pleasant working hours in your garden. But this species also has its drawbacks. Electric mowers quickly overheat, which is why they are not durable, completely dependent on power sources. Also, do not forget that moisture is the main enemy of electrical appliances, so you will not be able to mow wet grass. Also, another disadvantage of such lawn mowers is the cord, which must be constantly connected to the network.

In caring for large areas, the mower is an indispensable tool. Such devices are autonomous, capable of working for many hours in a row. Powerful motors will provide good results in a short amount of time, coping well not only with grass, but also with reeds, weeds and even short bushes. Often they are equipped with cooling systems, which will keep all the internal parts intact. Also, a big advantage of gas mowers is that you can work with them on wet grass, and the absence of any wires will protect you from accidental electric shock.

Here are collected the best lawn mowers with detailed descriptions, which have the most optimal price-quality ratio of the work performed.

• country of origin - France;
• type of power supply - electric motor;
• average cultivation area - 100 sq. m;
• weight - 16 kg;
• blade capture area - 236 mm;
• bevel height - 324 mm;
• discharge of cut grass - lateral section;
• wheel drive type - front;
• number of wheels - 4;
• mulching option - present;
• warranty period –2 years;
• number of cylinders - 2;
• type of piston motor - two-stroke.

It is a handy, compact, self-propelled garden maintenance tool at a very attractive price. The body is made of durable plastic that can withstand pressure up to 25 kg per square meter. see Fitted with a foldable handle where all device controls are located. Its small size, on the one hand, is convenient, but because of this, you had to sacrifice power, you can only process a small area of ​​the lawn up to 100 m2. The mower has an ultra-fine mulching mode, which will accelerate the flow of nutrients into the soil. Pairs of wheels of different diameters evenly distribute the weight of the device, thereby eliminating the risk of damage to the grass cover during operation.

• country of origin - China;
• type of power supply - electric motor;
• average cultivation area - 1 sq. km;
• weight - 27 kg;
• blade capture area - 367 mm;
• bevel height - 354 mm;
• discharge of cut grass - back section;
• wheel drive type - rear;
• number of wheels - 4;
• mulching function - optional;
• warranty period –2 years;
• number of cylinders - 2;
• type of piston engine - four-stroke.

Powerful lawn mower (1800W) from China. Its body is made of durable polymers and aluminum alloy. This combination will protect the internal systems of the device from external damage, and the covering protective enamel will prevent the plastic from cracking and fading. On the bottom of the device is a 30 cm long stainless steel knife. Such a blade will cope not only with grass, but also with different types of weeds and even small branches. The design provides for the function of installing a mulching nozzle, which will help rationally dispose of the grass when mowing the lawn.

• Country of origin - Germany;
• type of power supply - electric motor;
• the average area of ​​land cultivation is 1 sq. m. km;
• weight - 23 kg;
• blade capture area - 245 mm;
• bevel height - 453 mm;
• discharge of cut grass - on the left side;
• wheel drive type - full;
• number of wheels - 4;
• mulching option - present;
• warranty period –2.5 years;
• number of cylinders - 4;
• type of piston engine - four-stroke.

This lawn mower has a powerful motor and a cable that can be extended. This allows large areas of the garden to be treated. The body, although plastic, is strong, withstands pressure up to 50 kg per square meter. cm. All internal parts, as well as the wheel connections, are made of the highest quality stainless steel, so rust and erosion are not scary to this device. An additional advantage is the compactness of the device and its foldable handle. This allows the Stiga Combi 48 ES to fit comfortably in a closet or even in the cramped trunk of a car.

• country of origin - USA;
• type of food - gasoline engine;
• average cultivation area - 1 sq. km;
• weight - 24 kg;
• blade capture area - 345 mm;
• bevel height - 546 mm;
• discharge of cut grass - lateral section;
• wheel drive type - rear;
• number of wheels - 4;
• mulching option - present;
• warranty period –1 year;
• number of cylinders - 2;
• type of piston engine - four-stroke.

This powerful rear-drive self-propelled lawnmower is designed for the maintenance of large lawns. The powerful 5-horsepower petrol engine will provide a quick cut of the grass, and the rubberized wheels with a grooved pattern will significantly reduce the pressure of the machine on the grass. The body is made mostly of steel, which increases the strength and weight of the device. For a more accurate mowing of the lawn, there are 7 levels of mowing height, which will help you to closely monitor the process and achieve the result you intended.

• country of origin - Japan;
• type of food - gasoline engine;
• average cultivation area - 2 sq. km;
• weight - 46 kg;
• blade capture area - 754 mm;
• bevel height - 689 mm;
• discharge of cut grass - lateral section;
• type of wheel drive - present;
• number of wheels - 4;
• mulching option - present;
• warranty period - 1.5 years;
• number of cylinders - 3;
• type of piston engine - four-stroke.

A heavy, powerful machine, the merits of which are rightfully considered its 10 horsepower engine and a blade knife with 4 sharp blades made of an alloy of aluminum and titanium. Although outwardly it looks clumsy, thanks to the functional wheels of different diameters, it copes well with cutting grass on uneven surfaces. Also, the device can be completely customized for yourself. It has a fully adjustable handle, wheels, mulching attachment and knives. It is worth noting the absence of a speed variator, therefore, on a flat surface, the device accelerates strongly, which can result in uneven cutting of the grass.

Before buying, clearly define what area you will be working on. This means that the larger the area to be treated, the more powerful the engine will be required. Also, the power can depend on the condition of the grass and on its hardness. Pay special attention to the material from which the body of the device is made. This is very important as the chassis is the unifying element of all control points. Based on the fact that the material of manufacture should be as strong as possible, it is better to choose such materials.

• Resistant polymers - this material is versatile, as it is very light, cheap and strong. It can be easily cleaned, but it is also waterproof, which is especially important when working with an electric mower.
• Metal - is the most reliable material for lawn mower bodies. The heat absorbing properties will prevent the internal mechanisms of such a mower from overheating. But metal has two drawbacks - high price and rust, which can only be dealt with by painting and applying protective enamel.

At a gardening store, take some time to check the wheels. Check that the bearings are installed on them. Such a small part will increase the durability of the device during operation, as well as reduce the level of friction, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the device. Also, don't forget to look at the wheel covers. It is better to choose well rubberized with a grooved pattern, because such wheels will not push through the lawn and damage the structure of the grass.

In the next video, you will test a lawn mower with mulching function.