Which lawn mower is best for a summer cottage?

In the age of total automation, mechanical lawn mowers have not lost their relevance. For work on a small, flat and well-groomed area, it is advisable to use a manual unit. Its main element is the drum cutting mechanism, which is driven by the rotation of the wheels. Such mowers are inexpensive, they do not need to be connected to a power source, they are silent, compact and safe. If you purchase a grass catcher for them, mechanical models can compete with motor ones in terms of ease of use. All this is true if the lawn is not overgrown, and also provided that enough attention has been paid to the choice. Which manual lawn mowers have won the appreciation of users - our rating will tell you about this.

Fuel lawn mowers

Until recently, gasoline devices were the most common among summer residents and owners of large territories. Indeed, a fuel-powered lawn mower is highly powerful and productive. It makes it easy to mow even the largest lawn. At the same time, you are not tied to an outlet and can move freely around the area. However, such models also have significant disadvantages:

• costs associated with the purchase of fuel and oil;
• the need for regular expensive maintenance;
• harmful emissions into the atmosphere;
• high level of noise and vibration during operation;
• significant weight of equipment that requires great effort to move.

Purpose and functions of lawn mowers

Any lawn mower is a wheeled cart on which a rotating blade with aerodynamic blades is installed.

The cart is most often equipped with four wheels, and the front ones can be piano wheels, that is, rotary, but there are models that have 3 or even 2 wheels.

The bottom of the cart is made in the shape of an inverted bowl (deck) with one or two holes for the exit of mowed vegetation. This shape is needed to increase the efficiency of the upward air flow created by the aerodynamic blades of the knife.

When the mower moves over the grass, the deck presses down the vegetation, which is why it is impossible to cut the green mass evenly without the help of a powerful air flow, so you need a deck that looks like an inverted bowl and an aerodynamically shaped blade that works similar to a propeller.

When the blade meets grass, it not only cuts it, but also partially loses its rotation speed, so
the larger the cutting width, the more powerful the motor that rotates the blade must be. If you plan to use the mower for mowing tall or thick grass, then the power should be much greater.

The chassis with the deck is made of various metals or polymer materials - metal structures can more easily withstand torsional loads, including those encountered while driving over rough terrain, while plastic ones are much lighter and cheaper.

Since lawn mowers are used in different areas, each of them has several cutting height modes, which can be changed in one of the following ways :

• rearrange the wheels into special holes in the mower body (chassis);
• place the wheel axles in one of the slots on the chassis;
• change the position of one or more wheels using a system of levers controlled by one or more handles.

Any mower is equipped with a handle with which it is rolled around the area and directed in the required direction. Some mowers, usually the cheapest ones, are equipped with a handle that does not have normal height adjustment, so it is almost impossible to adjust it to an operator whose height differs from average.

In addition, some lawn mowers are equipped with self-propelled wheel drive, due to which the operator has to strain less to move them around the site, because such devices do not have to be pushed manually, they can simply be guided.

What types of lawn mowers are there?

The range of lawn mowers is large - battery-powered, electric, petrol... And prices range from 15,000 rubles to 1,000,000. What exactly do you need?

The choice of model and type of lawn mower depends on the size of your lawn:

Lawn mower selection criteria

Why is it important to consider the size of the lawn and the presence of trees on it, for example? The area of ​​the lawn is the first thing to take into account. If your plot is ten squares, then it is better to choose an electric lawn mower. Of course, when a power source is available. If the lawn is more than fifty square meters, then it is better to choose a gasoline one. It is convenient to level the grass if there are plantings on the site.

The soil structure and slope also determine an important characteristic of the tool, such as smooth running. For flat areas, a machine on wheels is suitable; for a lawn with uneven surfaces, a trimmer is suitable.

When choosing a lawn mower, you must “tailor” it to your needs. Although devices are sold without the ability to adjust the height of the handle. However, if you decide to consider options with adjustment, you can also make a mistake with the mode. Electric lawn mowers for the garden are the most suitable option.

When choosing, you need to pay special attention to the dimensions and convenience of the lawn mower for those who will use it. Some buyers do not take these factors into account at all, and then it turns out that using gardening tools is completely inconvenient - for some it is high, for others it is low, their hands are suspended. Others complain about the heaviness of the lawnmower. This is true in a sense, for example, the Hyundai L5500S model weighs more than forty kilograms. As a result, buyers use a lawn mower only on special occasions, when they need to get the lawn in order for a holiday or the arrival of guests, and the rest of the time the tool is not in demand. But the electric AL-KO Classic 3.82 SE, for example, is much lighter - 13 kg.

Comparison of gasoline and electric lawn mowers

Both types have positive and negative sides. A number of factors are taken into account to help you choose the right model.

For mowing a large field (more than 15 acres), a fuel-powered unit is suitable. Electrical equipment is not so powerful and is tied to the network. Pulling the cable along its entire length is ineffective. Therefore, it is recommended for cutting an area of ​​about 5 acres. If the area is 10-15 acres, then it would not hurt to take into account other factors: frequency of use, speed, location of power sources.

Next, let's look at performance. Here, fuel units have an obvious advantage. At the same time, they are usually heavier and larger. Therefore, it is also recommended to plan the territory, terrain features and the presence of additional objects (flower beds, trees, shrubs, etc.) that need to be avoided.

In terms of durability, classic fuel-powered engines are also ahead. They last an average of 10 years, others - about half as long. With proper care, service life increases.

Gasoline mowers are inferior to electric mowers in terms of maintenance and efficiency. Electric mowers require virtually no maintenance, and resources are cheaper. The equipment itself is also more affordable.

Gasoline mowers require regular maintenance, replacement of components, and use of oil. Gasoline, like the equipment itself, will cost more.

And in terms of comfort, current-powered specimens come first. They are easy to manipulate, do not require maintenance, are cheaper, there is no noise or smell of burning fuel during operation, and they are light in weight.

Electric lawn mower: the best models

Let's look at the most convenient options in this category. Which lawn mower is better to buy - gasoline or electric, the store will definitely help you with your choice. Moreover, in different cities and stores the assortment can be very different; you need to choose on the spot.

Here are a few models that are consistently in demand:

1. MTD SMART 32 E. Durable, although plastic, and easy to use. The knife cuts efficiently, the cutting width is 30 cm. The engine has a power of 1 kilowatt. 28 liter grass catcher. Weighs a little more than 10 kg. The advantage is manual adjustment on each wheel.
2. Honda HRE 330 A2PLE. “Honda” high-quality engine, 27 liter container, impact-resistant case. Lightweight, easy to manage.
3. Gardena PowerMax 37 E. Accurate results on overgrown, large areas. Not self-propelled. You can see the grass catcher filling up. The grass can be thrown back or collected in a reservoir. There is a mulching option. Easily and accurately mows around bushes. The handle folds down for easy storage.
4. Viking ME 443.1. Not self-propelled, maneuverable and with a folding handle, grass catcher - a little more than 20 kg.
5. MTD 48 ESP HW with steel body. Quiet and maneuverable, made from steel, a durable and reliable lawn mower.

Features of choice

To ensure that the device mows the grass in your dacha as efficiently as possible and is easy to use, let us dwell on the features of choosing a lawn mower. Which lawn mower cuts and performs better?

1. If you have a small area with lawn grass, it is advisable to opt for small equipment with high cross-country ability and average engine power;
2. To simultaneously mow the grass, collect it in a container and mulch, buy a powerful lawn mower;
3. Pay attention to the popularity of the model manufacturer: high-quality models may cost more;
4. Check the controls and performance of the model before purchasing: the presence of extraneous sounds during operation, when mowing, excessive engine noise, body defects and inappropriate functionality - all this should alert you;
5. If the area at your dacha is small and uneven and there is little grass, it makes sense to purchase a battery-powered model for carrying.

Also remember that gas emissions from mowing and heavy weight are sometimes better than an underpowered mower model. Therefore, initially, do not spare money and buy a suitable device.

How to choose a gas, electric or battery-powered lawn mower is now clear. All that remains is to decide what will work and mow better, and buy the device.

Battery and petrol mower: main differences

The main difference that gives rise to other distinctive features is the engine type :

• battery mowers have an electric motor;
• for gasoline engines - an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Electric motors come in two types: brushed or brushless. The former are a little cheaper, the latter are more reliable and economical. You will find more detailed information on these types of electric motors, as well as methods of powering them, here (Manual) and here (Rating of self-propelled ones).

Electric motors are powered by lithium-ion batteries, capable of delivering a current tens of times greater than their rated capacity, so to determine the maximum power of the engine, it is not the capacity, but the battery current that is used.

To do this, use the formula P=UI, where:

1. P – maximum motor power in peak mode.
2. U – battery voltage.
3. I – maximum battery current (usually 10–25 times higher than capacity (C).

At the same time, the maximum current and power are conditional parameters, because for some reason manufacturers do not indicate them, which is why users have to calculate them themselves.

In addition, much depends on the condition of the battery and engine, so on the same model it can vary by 2-3 times. Another factor is the possibility of installing power supplies with different capacities or voltages ; in this case, the maximum current is individual for each model.

Gasoline engines operate on a four-stroke circuit, due to which the piston transfers the combustion energy of the air-fuel mixture to the crankshaft one at a time, so the main kinetic energy is stored and smoothly released by the heavy flywheel.

This design ensures high engine reliability and relatively low fuel consumption.

However, unlike an electric motor that does not require maintenance (with the exception of brushed models), a gasoline engine requires annual maintenance, which includes :

• Change of oil;
• cleaning the air filter;
• carburetor cleaning;
• Cleaning and, if necessary, adjusting spark plugs.

All further differences between these mowers lie in different power supply and engine control systems. In gasoline engines, there is a gas tank (energy source) and a carburetor, which not only prepares the air-fuel mixture, but is also a kind of internal combustion engine controller.

Battery available:

• battery (energy source);
• controller that changes the engine operating mode;
• a gearbox that reduces too high speeds of the electric motor and increases torque.

Battery devices

The main purpose of cordless lawn mowers is to trim grass on well-kept lawns, which is caused by the limited battery charge, because the more grass to be cut, the higher the energy consumption , which means the less area can be processed.

At the same time, on most mowers the thermal mode of the engine is designed for uninterrupted operation from only one set of batteries, so installing a second set, especially under increased load, can lead to engine overheating.

All this determines the scope of application of battery devices - either full mowing of relatively tall grass in a small area, or trimming in a large area. However, this does not mean that battery mowers are worse than gasoline mowers, because they are designed to solve different problems.

The advantages of battery models are:

• light weight;
• no loud noise during operation;
• absence of unpleasant and toxic exhaust;
• absence of toxic and flammable liquids (gasoline and oil);
• there is no need to flush the carburetor and other similar actions, after which you have to thoroughly wash and ventilate the room for a long time;
• many models from well-known manufacturers operate on standard batteries of one line or another, so you can only buy a mower without a charger and battery, which significantly reduces the cost of the device;
• If the house has battery equipment from the same manufacturer and line, then you can take several sets of batteries with you, thanks to which you will be able to cope with a noticeably larger volume of work, but you will need to ensure sufficient cooling of the electric motor.

Such devices also have disadvantages.:

• very low ratio of real capabilities and price;
• Battery mowers cannot be used for cutting grass in large, neglected areas;
• limited continuous operation time, and even at minimum load it rarely exceeds 1 hour;
• dependence on the electrical network, without which it is impossible to charge the battery;
• When mowing thick grass, there is a high risk of damage to the battery, because at maximum current it is very easy to overshoot the safe discharge value and the energy source will go into a state of deep discharge, in which it irreversibly loses capacity, which means the maximum current drops.

Gasoline mowers

The main purpose of gasoline mowers is to mow grass in well-groomed and neglected areas where 220 V mains electricity is unavailable.

Gasoline engines do not have the limitations of battery electric motors, so even in high power mode they can operate for many hours with short stops to empty the grass catcher and refuel with new fuel.

Most gas mowers have noticeably more powerful engines than cordless models, so they can handle tall, thick grass better.

However, an increase in engine power leads to a strong increase in the weight of the device, so some powerful models are intended for use only by physically well-developed people, because it is difficult for a small, weak person to push a mower weighing 30–60 kg around the area .

Therefore, the ratio of self-propelled and non-self-propelled devices among gasoline lawn mowers is much higher than among battery-powered ones.

A further evolution of gasoline-powered self-propelled machines are tractors and ride-on mowers that do not have to be pushed or steered by hand; instead, the operator sits in a seat and controls the movement of the mower using levers or a steering wheel.

However, these devices can also be used to trim well-kept lawns, so they can easily replace battery-powered models. However, due to the design features, they are very noisy and not environmentally friendly, because during the operation of the internal combustion engine, complex toxic and unpleasant-smelling substances are formed. Not a single manufacturer of such equipment has been able to avoid this, so potential buyers perceive this as a necessary evil.

Here are the advantages of gasoline mowers:

• there are no engine power limitations caused by battery voltage and current;
• copes well with any grass;
• can work for many hours without overheating even in high power mode;
• do not need access to an outlet.

Here are their disadvantages:

• much heavier than battery analogues;
• they make loud noise, which neighbors don’t always like;
• emit toxic, foul-smelling smoke;
• work requires toxic, flammable liquids with a pungent, unpleasant odor, which leave difficult-to-remove stains on clothes;
• require regular maintenance, which involves partial disassembly and treatment with toxic flammable liquids;
• require annual oil changes and air filter cleaning.

Comparison of two types of models

In order to objectively compare gasoline and battery-powered devices, we must first determine the parameters by which we will compare them.

Here is a list of these parameters:

• engine type (A – battery, B – petrol);
• maximum engine power in hp. s./kW;
• working width in cm;
• weight in kg;
• cost of thousands of rubles;
• continuous operation time (excluding technological stops for refueling or battery replacement) when mowing maximum tall grass in minutes;
• maximum grass height in cm.

In addition, we will first give a brief description of the mowers that we will compare with each other, separately battery-powered and gasoline-powered, so that there is no confusion.

Rechargeable

Here is a list of battery models:

1. Greenworks 82V (51 cm) is one of the most powerful self-propelled models with all modes of grass emission and processing. Power supply parameters – voltage 80 V, capacity 2.5–12.5 A/H, maximum current 50 A.
2. The STIGA Multiclip 47 S DAE is a self-propelled mulching mower without side discharge and grass catcher with two batteries. Energy source parameters – voltage 48 V, capacity 2x4 A/H, maximum current 80 A.
3. BLACK+DECKER CLM5448PC2-QW is a non-propelled mower with two batteries that must be purchased separately. Battery parameters - voltage 54 V, capacity 2.5 A/H, maximum current 50 A.
4. Ryobi RY36LMX51A-160 is a self-propelled battery mower with a compartment for a spare power source. Power supply parameters – voltage 36 V, capacity 6 A/H, maximum current 70 A.
5. DeWALT DCMW564N-XJ is a professional mower that can work with batteries of different voltages. The engine is optimized, so it can operate in high load mode longer than most similar devices. Battery parameters – voltage 18 V, capacity 6 A/H, maximum current 90 A (set of two batteries).
6. Gardena PowerMax Li-18/32 is a household mower for trimming well-groomed lawns, there is no wheel drive, but it comes with 2 batteries. Power parameters - voltage 18 V, capacity 5.2 (2 batteries), maximum current 70 A.

Gasoline

Here is a list of petrol models:

1. MTD WCM 84 E is a professional self-propelled mower for tall grass and large areas. The front piano wheels enhance maneuverability, and the electric starter makes starting the engine easy.
2. Patriot PT 53LSI Premium is a self-propelled universal mower with a reliable derated engine, as well as all types of grass ejection and processing, fuel tank capacity is 1 liter.
3. Caiman Ferro 47C is a self-propelled mower with a variator that changes its speed over a wide range.
4. solo by AL-KO 4858 VS Alu is a professional self-propelled mower with variable speed and an aluminum body. All types of grass processing and disposal have been implemented.
5. Viking MB 4 RT is a professional self-propelled mulching mower without side or rear discharge. Suitable for commercial use.
6. Husqvarna LC 140S is a household mower for small lawns, equipped with rear-wheel drive with a variator, so the speed of movement can be adjusted within a wide range.

comparison table

In this table we have listed all the most important parameters, so you can objectively compare them with each other:

Electric grass mower

A modern electric mower for tall grass and uneven areas is best suited for small areas.

Ikra Mogatec Erm 1000

It operates from the mains power supply. Criterias of choice:

• Land area. If the territory is up to 5 acres, you need a drum-type model - it has minimal weight and good maneuverability. For a large area (up to 12 acres), take a rotary unit.
• Power. For electric lawn mowers, it ranges from 400–500 to 1800 W. For drum devices - no more than 500 W. A rotary one will be more powerful and more productive – on average 900–1800 W. There is no need to overpay for extra power, focus on the site and its: dimensions;
• relief;
• types of vegetation.

Rating of popular models

Makita ELM3711

Lawn mower body

The material of the case determines the degree of protection of the components of the tool - the engine, wheels, grass catcher, and the cost of the device. But if you see “the deck material is plastic” in the description of the lawn mower, you should not assume that it is vulnerable and fragile. Garden tools are made using highly damage-resistant ABS plastic.

Of course, steel material has the greatest protective properties. But it greatly affects the price and weight of the device. Not everyone will be comfortable using a bulky lawn mower. Corrosion will also be difficult to avoid, especially if the surface of the material is damaged during use.

High-strength plastic will not only avoid corrosion, but it is resistant to deformation, durable, reliable and lightweight.

The impact-resistant plastic case is the most common option among household lawn mowers, gasoline and electric. And the cost is quite normal.

But there are some peculiarities when storing a model with a plastic case. For example, this material can fade in the sun or burst in the cold. So you need to store your lawnmower in a garage or shed. Although the material is completely resistant to grass juice, scratches do not affect the operation of the instrument in any way.