Craftsman Riding Lawn Mower Parts Diagram Model 917.28924

Who doesn't love the smell of freshly cut grass? Only thing is, someone's got to cut it in the first place! If you like sitting out in the garden and want a tidy lawn fast, read our guide on how to buy a mower for all gardens – big and small!

Getting started

The world is divided into people who want to mow their lawn quickly and those who want a No 1 Court at Wimbledon for a back garden! However, there's a huge range now available, so there'll be a model to suit you, whatever your gardening style. For most people, ease of use is one of the key features of a lawn mower. Something light that can tackle an average size garden is fine if you mow regularly to keep grass length under control. But if you have a larger area to cover, you'll need something with more power behind it that can mow its way through damp, long and rough grass. Storage is another factor to consider. Some models come with a grass box that can be stacked on top of the lawn mower when stored away. And some compact models come with handy space-saving features like foldable handles, or they can be hung on a hook if floor space is tight.

The options

Cylinder lawn mowers

If you're a serious amateur gardener and want to create a quintessential English striped lawn, a cylinder lawn mower is the one to go for. These machines have several moving blades that cut against a fixed blade – like scissors – and can cut as close as 3/16 in, giving a clean, neat finish if you're prepared to put in the man hours and mow your lawn frequently. However, they can only be raised to about 1in, making them less effective on longer or rougher grass. Most machines have front and rear rollers that will produce the striped lawn, but a model with rollers will be heavier as the roller needs to have enough weight to 'iron' the grass flat.

?Rotary lawn mowers

Rotary lawn mowers are the best option for a family lawn. They use a fast-moving blade that acts like a scythe, making them suitable for longer grass. A typical lawn with surface imperfections, shade, trees, roots, kids and animals running around, will look greener and healthier if cut at or above 1in. Most models come with a grass box to collect the clippings and some models compact the grass for less emptying. For a classic striped finish, choose a lawn mower with a rear roller. Most models are electric mains-powered, though you can buy petrol rotary models and rechargeable cordless rotary mowers.

?Hover lawn mowers

Hover lawn mowers are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, and best for smaller gardens, uneven surfaces and banks. They float easily on a cushion of air and can cut in any direction, making them ideal for awkwardly shaped lawns. They come with metal or plastic blades, though metal will give a cleaner, sharper cut first time. If you want the job done fast and aren't too fussy about a quality finish, a hover mower is a good option, but they don't usually come with a grass collector – possibly not ideal if you have children or pets in the garden.

Petrol lawnmowers

These are ideal for larger gardens and longer grass, with no need to trail a cable as you mow. They're more powerful, so get the job done a lot more quickly, but they can be noisy. If you have a large lawn and find pushing a petrol lawnmower hard work, opt for a self-propelled version.

?Robot lawnmowers

If you have a large lawn and don't want the faff of mowing it yourself, you could splash out on one of these smart robotic mowers which are battery powered and will mow your law to a pre-set schedule. The mower works by sensing a perimeter wire around the lawn and the mowing within that space. In between cuts it sits in a charging station. Robot lawn mowers are also worth considering for the less able.

Things to consider

Power

Electric – Electric lawn mowers are measured in watts. A higher wattage means more power and a better performance. You'll need an outdoor electricity socket to power your machine.
Petrol – Oil and fuel are needed to ensure the smooth running of all petrol lawn mowers.
Battery – Using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you should be able to get enough battery life to cut two small lawns with one charge, you won't need to worry about electric cables, and they're quieter than petrol mowers.
Push – If you've only got a small patch of lawn, why fork out on a motorised machine? Think of it as a free work-out!

?Grass collection box

Grass collecting mowers help to keep the grass clippings in one place. Some models compact the grass cuttings for less emptying.

The capacity of the grass collection box is measured in litres. A larger capacity saves numerous trips to the compost heap. Look out for mulch and side discharge for feeding nutrients back into your lawn.

Non-grass collecting mowers are lightweight, making them easy to carry and store away. They often simply mulch the grass back into the lawn, where it acts as a natural fertiliser.

?Mulch

Lawn mowers with a mulch option allow you to recycle the clippings back into the lawn to help feed it. A side discharge feature also enables clippings to be discharged out of the back or the side of the mower.

?Cut height

This can be adjusted for the length of the lawn. A wide cutting range is useful if you have to cut more than one lawn of different qualities, or different heights at various times of the year. Raise the grass mowing height in times of stress: high temperatures, drought, water logging and Winter. If you're cutting when it's wet, drag a hosepipe over the lawn first to try to squeeze off the dew or raindrops.

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Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/a656774/how-to-buy-the-best-lawn-mower/

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