Are you looking for a lawn mower, but are baffled by what seems to be an endless variety of lawn mower types?
Well, here are some tips to help you understand and eventually select the one that’s right for you.
scissor action
These are those big usually steel mowers that you push around.
In terms of technology, they would have been familiar to our ancestors a century ago. As you push the mower, a rotating blade rotates along a rotating horizontal axis. Then simply cut the grass with a scissor-like action.
advantages
Close control cut. Many perfectionists swear by these mowers, saying you can’t get a better finish.
cons
They are usually quite heavy and require some lung and muscle strength to move. Perhaps not practical for large areas unless you can afford to have the ‘staff’ do it for you!
They can also be difficult to turn easily and get a cut close to an edge.
Gasoline engine ‘powered’ scissor actions
These were some of the first powered mowers. They’re pretty much the same as the first category above, except you don’t need to push them up and down.
advantages
The unit saves you effort.
cons
It can be a bit difficult to get close to the edges and even heavier to turn.
rotary mowers
Here, a rotating blade (metal or plastic) rotates on a vertically positioned drive shaft. So the cutting blade is at 90 degrees to its drive axis. Another aspect of the technology is that the mower does not have wheels, as it floats on a cushion of air.
They are usually electrically powered.
advantages
They are usually very easy to maneuver in all directions and with little manual effort. They can work reasonably well on slopes.
cons
Electrical cords can be restrictive and cumbersome, perhaps even dangerous if you’re not using a circuit breaker. Although they are easily pushed, in larger areas they may require some resistance. Some argue that the mowing action tends to drag and tear the grass and makes it difficult to achieve a prestigious end result.
Ride-On Rotary Mowers
Typically powered by gasoline, they are very popular with people who have limited mobility/strength or a yard area that is so large that it makes a “walking” mower impractical. They often resemble a small tractor and come in all shapes, sizes, and power combinations. They need to be driven.
advantages
Minimum physical effort required even in large areas.
cons
It can be expensive, depending on the model selected. Bigger engines, transmissions and hydraulics can mean more things to go wrong. As the rotary mower is often positioned in the center of the vehicle for stability, it can be difficult to get close to the edge of the grass (eg against a wall) to make a cut.
Some can also be a bit slow in terms of maneuverability and turning radii etc.
Sit on front-mounted mowers
On these devices, the rotating mower blade is mounted in front of the vehicle and that means it can be much easier to get closer to the edge of a grassy area.
advantages
Good access to the edges.
cons
They can be more expensive and are not ideal for uneven terrain or slopes.
Sit On Zero Turn Mowers
Zero turn mowers were once considered highly specialized and priced accordingly, but in recent years they have become much more affordable.
Essentially, they are usually vehicles with ‘shopping cart’ type 360 degree wheels at the front and that means they are exceptionally manoeuvrable.
advantages
They turn easily and can get into difficult places with ease.
cons
They can be a bit more expensive, and again, they’re not always ideal for inclines and uneven terrain.