Content
Lawn mowers on wheels - an indispensable tool for the owner of his own home or cottage. During the warm period of the year, active growth of grass and weeds begins. Even the simplest and most budget machine model makes gardening easier.
The main purpose of a lawn mower is to cut soft grass. The machine quickly gives even the most lush thickets the appearance of a perfectly smooth lawn.
Mower models differ in price and functionality.
Types of lawn mowers on wheels
In general, mowers can be divided into two large groups: manual and self-propelled.
The first type is suitable for processing small and medium-sized private plots. A riding lawn mower is easier to control than a regular trimmer.
Lawn mowers also have different grass catchers, which can be soft or hard. There are models in which this part is missing.
Mowers without a grass catcher are not very convenient because after mowers you need to remove the cut plants with a rake or other garden tool.
The body of the lawn mower can be made of plastic, aluminum or steel. Aluminum models are considered the most durable.
Manual lawn mowers are divided by engine type into:
- electrical,
- battery,
- gasoline,
- mechanical.
Petrol lawnmowers on wheels Suitable for medium and large areas. Manual machines are easier to operate than trimmers. This also applies to battery models. They are most often used by professionals.
Electric lawn mower on wheels suitable for a small area.
Self-propelled lawn mower can be gasoline or electric, with front or rear wheel drive.
Riders are human-controlled mowers. Outwardly, they look like small tractors. Rider models differ in design.
The engine in them is located under the driver's seat. The control is automatic, the driver only needs to direct the movement.
Riders are the most expensive models. Their advantages: ease of use and the possibility of conversion for cleaning autumn leaves and snow.
The machine can be used to care for large areas. The disadvantages of riders include high maintenance costs and large dimensions.
Principle of operation
All types of lawn mowers work on the same principle:
- The engine drives the cutting elements, which begin to rotate, cutting the grass.
- The air flow generated during rotation lifts the plants upward.
- The cut grass is pulled into the grass catcher. If it is not there, the plants are thrown out from the side or from below.
The main elements of a mower are the engine and the cutting blade. Some manufacturers equip machines with additional functions.
Advantages and disadvantages
For clarity, the advantages and disadvantages of different models are summarized in a table.
engine's type | pros | Minuses |
Electric |
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Rechargeable |
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Mechanical |
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Petrol |
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It is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages separately battery self-propelled lawn mowers and gasoline.
Their main advantage is autonomy. The user does not need to expend effort to move the machine. Both teenagers and pensioners can work with automatic tools.
And the most best models of self-propelled lawn mowers have disadvantages. They are expensive and inconvenient to work in small areas.
Petrol lawnmowers on wheels part of the fuel is spent on their rotation.
When purchasing autonomous devices, you should pay attention that front-wheel drive makes them more maneuverable. When the grass catcher is full, self propelled lawn mower wheels begin to slip on the grass due to the fact that the center of gravity shifts backwards.
For self-propelled devices, maneuverability is not of great importance.Therefore, many users prefer rear-wheel drive models.
Self-propelled petrol lawn mower, like manual, it requires regular maintenance.
How to choose lawn mower options
When purchasing a grass cutting machine, you need to consider:
- shape of the site;
- growth density and species composition of plants;
- type of relief.
After selecting the type of lawn mower, the buyer proceeds to the model range. At this stage, the technical characteristics are studied in detail.
Width and height of grass cutting
This parameter is not regulated in mowing equipment, like, for example, the height of plants. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of grass cutting width responsibly.
The coverage, and therefore the time during which the mower processes the area, will depend on it. The parameter ranges from 200 to 510 mm.
You should not take a machine with a wide cut if you will need to go around trees and bushes while mowing the lawn.
- For a plot of 1–2 acres, a model with a cutting width of 300–340 mm is better suited.
- For large areas - 400 mm.
The cutting efficiency will also depend on the type of knife. It is worth abandoning folding types: when hitting pebbles, such a knife does not fold, which gradually leads to its displacement. The folding knife will have to be constantly installed and secured.
The cutting height of the grass varies from 20 to 80 mm. For most models this parameter is adjustable.
Housing material
The machine deck can be made of aluminum, steel, or plastic. The first option is durable and lightweight, not susceptible to rust.
Aluminum retains its properties for 10 years. The disadvantage of the material is its high cost.
Steel cases are also durable and expensive.
Plastic is light and cheap, used in budget models.Due to constant vibrations, the plastic deck quickly breaks.
You need to choose the body material taking into account the area of the lawn. For small areas you can use machines with plastic decks, for large ones - with aluminum or steel.
Choosing the right wheels
Wheels - an important part lawn mowers. When purchasing it, you should take into account that for areas with hills or ravines, a model with wide wheels is suitable. If you have to work with tall grass, the mower should have large wheels. The most reliable models are those with wheels on bearings.
Reset type and additional functions
The discharge can be lateral or rear. Models with the first are suitable for mowing plants near the roadside. Rear discharge models are more popular.
The grass ends up in a special bag, which can be fabric, plastic or a combination.
- The first type of grass catcher is soft, lightweight, and easy to remove. But the tissue pores become clogged with small plants. Therefore, you need to shake the bag when using it.
- Plastic grass catchers are hard, retain their shape, and are well ventilated.
- A combination bag combines both materials. It is well ventilated and easy to clean.
The volume of the grass catcher varies from 25 to 90 liters. It is better to choose a medium size.
Additional functions of mowers:
- presence of a brake;
- wheel drive type;
- mulching;
- knife with flaps;
- double bearings on wheels.
Everyone decides for themselves which additional functions they will need and which ones to refuse. This will also affect the final price of the car.
Famous brands
Rating of self-propelled lawn mowers includes brands such as:
- Makita,
- Bosch,
- Karcher,
- Intertool.
Each manufacturer has a line of budget and expensive models. Self-propelled lawn mowers sometimes receive negative reviews.But this is usually due to a biased assessment of the site and, accordingly, an incorrect choice of model.
A lawn mower on wheels is an indispensable tool in the garden. A correctly selected model will create the perfect grass cloth. The best option for convenience is a self-propelled model. But if the plot is small or you have to cultivate the land near the house, it is better to choose a battery-powered or electric mower.
