Petrol Lawnmowers
Petrol Lawnmowers
For all round versatility and power, petrol lawnmowers represent the sensible choice for the majority of lawns. There are arguments in favour of both petrol and electric lawnmowers, but your choice will ultimately depend on the the size and terrain of your garden and how often you mow your lawn.
Petrol or Electric?
Electric lawnmowers are designed for maintaining small lawns up to half a tennis court in size. Any larger and you’ll be better off with a petrol powered machine. Petrol machines are built to withstand more prolonged use and offer total freedom of movement. Electric machines are connected to the power supply which will restrict movement and introduce the risk of cutting through the power cable. Petrol mowers can deal with longer grass and weeds where an electric mower may struggle.
Petrol lawnmowers also have their disadvantages. They are noisier and heavier than electric mowers plus they produce exhaust fumes. Maintenance and running costs, although not expensive, are more than those associated with electric mowers. Engine oil, air and fuel filter replacement, blade sharpening, - all tasks that need to carried out at regular intervals.
Petrol Lawnmower Types
Petrol Rotary Lawnmowers
Rotary lawnmowers are the most popular type for UK conditions and are available as either manual push or self propelled. Push petrol rotary lawnmowers will produce a decent finish if the blades are kept sharp and rear roller models will produce a smart striped finish. Self propelled petrol lawnmowers are self-driven and help reduce the physical effort required to maintain large lawns and sloping gardens.
Cylinder Lawnmowers
Cylinder lawnmowers cut the grass in a scissor action, producing a fine finish on well maintained lawns. Although they may look old fashioned, cylinder lawnmowers are the machines of choice for ornamental lawns, greens, cricket pitches and tennis courts. If your lawn is uneven or bumpy, avoid a cylinder mower and choose a rotary mower instead. Most cylinder mowers are self propelled and incorporate a rear roller for the striped lawn. Bigger, more powerful machines such as the Atco Royale also offer the option of a a ride-on seat. Depending on the size of your lawn, you can choose between both petrol and electric cylinder mowers.
Petrol Hover Lawnmowers
For awkward lawns and sloping areas, a petrol hover lawnmower provides an excellent alternative to the conventional wheeled rotary mower. Compared to electric hover lawnmowers, petrol machines are much more powerful and capable of dealing with long grass and vegetation. Unlike some electric models, petrol hover mowers do not feature grass collection boxes.
Mulching Lawnmowers
A petrol powered mulching lawnmower is designed to deposit the grass clippings back onto the lawn surface. This is a cheap, environmentally friendly way of returning nutrients to the lawn. Bear in mind though, if there are weeds growing on your lawn, it’s better to remove the clippings to prevent the weeds from spreading. Also, leaving the clippings on the lawn surface during wet weather can smother the lawn and lead to increased worm activity. If you do decide to purchase a mulching lawnmower, it might be worth getting a model that offers the option of grass collection.
Lawnmower Discount Voucher Codes
Before you buy your new lawnmower, check the MowerBuyer discount voucher codes page for a choice of savings at some of the best UK garden machinery suppliers.