Choosing a mower

The owners of summer cottages and private buildings sometimes need to improve their territory from grass overgrowth. And if an ordinary lawn mower can cope with mowing a neat lawn, then more powerful special equipment will be required for dense thickets. Let us dwell in more detail on the device of mowers and their main varieties.

Our great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers also used hand tools for mowing grass. Most agricultural work today is done with mechanical devices. The mowing procedure is no exception. Modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of special equipment for this operation.

The mower is a powerful and reliable machine used for mowing dense vegetation. Such devices are the best option for harvesting hay, and the owners of private houses, summer cottages, they are in demand when clearing the adjacent territory from excess vegetation if the capacity of a conventional lawn mower is not enough.

All mowing tools can be divided into several categories.

Such mowers for hay are widely used for mowing tall vegetation, weeds and small shrubs. The rotor includes several sharp disc blades that rotate continuously. The unit is suitable for work on flat areas, free of stones and stumps over 3 cm in height.

Front-mounted mowers are also called segment mowers, they can be single-bar, double-bar or fingerless. Such products are in demand when making hay. Their steel knives do not rotate, but are attached in 2 rows, tightly adhering to each other - during operation, they move in different directions.

Petrol trimmers are ideal for cutting short grass in a relatively small area. The main functional element is a cord or fishing line 3-4 mm thick. They have a sophisticated design for long-term use. They run on fuel.

The petrol models are considered powerful and reliable. This machine can be used on uneven areas overgrown with tall grass. The device is able to quickly and easily cope with several hectares of area. Among the disadvantages are exhaust gases and considerable noise during operation. However, the exceptional endurance of the aggregator and its high performance fully cover all these disadvantages.

Electric models work silently, they are distinguished by environmental safety and compactness, combined with endurance and high efficiency. This technique cannot be used on a mobile basis, since it operates from the mains. The operator has to constantly look for a power source and make sure that the cord does not get under the blade. The kit usually includes a battery, it can work autonomously for 15-20 minutes. These mowers will be the best choice in a limited budget.

Battery mowers are very popular. They are used for the maintenance of small lawns with a grass height within 10 cm.

Battery-powered mowers are lightweight, highly maneuverable, exceptionally productive, reliable and durable. Typically, the battery has enough charge for 45 minutes of continuous use - enough to get rid of grass in small areas. After 2-3 hours of recharging, the unit can be reused. Other advantages include ease of switching modes, environmental friendliness and no noise during operation.

Mechanical devices are designed for mowing in small areas. Mowers are used on level areas without large stones, snags and stumps. Mechanical models do not need fuel or other power sources, they work by applying the physical force of the operator.

The body of such units is made of metal or plastic, the wheels are fixed on ball bearings or a sleeve bushing. The cutting part includes knives placed on a special field and one fixed blade. At the moment when the user starts pushing the device, the rotation of the spinning wheels is started with its subsequent transfer to the shaft. In the process of advancing, the grass falls under the static knife and is cut off with spiral blades. All cutting surfaces used are self-sharpening.

Manual mowers do not have a special drive, so you need to promote them yourself. This requires a significant investment of time and effort. However, the price of such models is much lower than any other product. That is why they are used for mowing small areas.

Self-propelled models usually have an impressive mass - from 50 kilograms or more, they are distinguished by their bulkiness. As a rule, they are equipped with a motor, the power parameters of which are comparable to a scooter or moped. These mowers are equipped with large wheels with pronounced treads. In general, the design of the unit ensures smooth movement and high mowing quality. Moreover, all products are easy to use, which is why such a model has become one of the most common among our compatriots.

Tractor attachments are suitable for use on flat areas. The segmental tine mower is driven via the PTO shaft. In this device, the cutting surfaces are parallel to the ground. Most often, such mowers act as an addition to agricultural machines of various types.

Such a mower easily copes with mowing grass of any degree of hardness. The powerful engine has a long service life, which ensures long-term operation. The wheels are provided with a ribbed tread, which gives maximum traction. The option of using attachments is provided.

The mower works well in areas with tall and dense grass. The cutting blade is of high quality, moves oppositely, thus reducing vibration and, accordingly, increasing the comfort of service. The wheels do not slip on mud, remain stable on slopes and do not leave any trace at the same time.

Pros:

• copes with herbs of all types;

• high adhesion of wheels to the ground;

• high level of comfort at work.

No cons were identified.

This unit has become widespread in the preparation of hay, in addition, for the processing of the adjoining territories of private dwellings. It is used for cutting forage crops, weeds and lawn grasses. The mower is equipped with a powerful motor, therefore, practically does not require the application of physical forces of the operator during work.

Pros:

• ease of use;

• high motor power.

There are no downsides.

The device includes 2 knife blades, they move towards each other and provide an exceptional mowing quality. Work surfaces are fixed with a floating connection. The blades are made of high quality steel, which ensures a long service life without wear. The mower is equipped with a handle, for the convenience of the operator, it can be moved. If necessary, it can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally.

On the Russian market, this model is the only one that has a system of double movement of cutting blades. This mower can be used in large areas, except for swampy areas. In addition, agricultural wheels provide good grip on the ground, so even on loose areas and on soils after rain, there are no problems with the use of equipment.

Pros:

• high quality of the cutter bar;

• exceptional engine power for mowing even the thickest and tightest vegetation;

• anti-vibration system.

Mowing machine made in Germany.

Pros:

• powerful engine;

• button for adjusting the number of revolutions;

• the possibility of autonomous shutdown in case of collision with an obstacle;

• overload protection system;

• pendulum arm of knives that reduce vibration.

The shroud is wrapped to protect the drive from dirt and dust. If necessary, a longer deck or blade can be installed instead of the cutting blade. The handle is adjustable in 3 positions, it is possible to set the optimum cutting height in a stepless way.

The mower is designed for mowing grass in large areas. Powered by a 4-stroke diesel engine. The mower moves in a reciprocating manner, the working width is 115 cm. It can be used in overgrown areas and in orchards, since it can mow grass of any height and density. There is a wide selection of additional cutting units for use in other agricultural purposes, thanks to which the mower acquires the qualities of a universal unit.

The Schumacher hay mower is very popular among the owners of summer cottages.

The simplest solution will be the mounted model, it will allow you to cope with the thickest and tallest grass. Front-mounted mowers, which allow not only mowing, but also laying cut grass, are in demand when harvesting forage.

Choosing a self-propelled or hand-held tool is much more difficult. The following criteria must be considered here:

• features of the mowed grass - bushes, tall grass, hay or weeds;

• relief - plain or hill;

• capture size;

• motor power;

• tool resource.

The speed of work directly depends on these parameters. It is important that it exactly matches the characteristics of the cultivated area. The features of the cutting tool are of no small importance - they affect the efficiency of the mower and the convenience of working with it.

When choosing special equipment, you need to give preference to products from well-known manufacturers. Japanese, Polish and Czech mowers are expensive, but they are much more reliable and durable than others. In the budget segment, Chinese products are sold, although they do not last long. Somewhere in the middle are Russian-made mowers, their price and quality level correspond to the average marks.

The anti-vibration system will be a big plus. It reduces the level of vibration transmitted to the operator's hands. This is especially true when working with the device for a long time.

In conclusion, note that for work on plots of land with an area of ​​up to 10 acres, a conventional manual gasoline trimmer will be quite enough. It is easy to operate. If the grass is mowed in areas of a larger area, it is worth giving preference to professional trailed models that work together with a tractor or walk-behind tractor.