Petrol Push Rotary Lawnmowers
Push Petrol Rotary Lawn Mowers
As the most popular type of lawnmower available in the UK, the basic petrol rotary lawnmower is also the most versatile being able to cope with just about any type of domestic lawn including bumpy ground, weeds and longer grass. Unless you require the highest quality finish (see the cylinder lawnmowers), a rotary lawn mower is the best choice for all round performance and easy maintenance.
The petrol rotary lawn mower is available in two basic types - push and self propelled. The basic push rotary lawnmower requires you to physically push the machine around the garden. Depending on the physical ability of the user, this is fine for smaller lawns. A self propelled lawnmower requires no pushing and will take the effort out of large lawns and sloping gardens. Both self propelled and push rotary lawnmowers offer the option of a rear roller for the striped lawn effect.
The most basic petrol push rotary lawnmowers are available for around £100 - £200 with many models being powered by the tried and tested Briggs and Stratton 3.5HP Classic or 4HP - 4.5HP Sprint engines. Other engines include the Emak OHV (which can be found on the excellent value Victus entry level lawnmowers), and the 122cc OHV found on the MTD steel deck rotary lawnmowers.
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Lawnmower Blade Height Adjustment
All lawnmowers feature a cutting blade height adjustment system. This may be located on each of the four wheels, only on two wheels, or on more expensive models, via a single lever. You can expect a cutting height range of around 20-80mm on most lawnmowers; the highest setting should be used on rougher, bumpier terrain or when the grass is particularly long.
Grass Collection
Rotary lawnmowers use the airflow generated by the blades to force the grass clippings into a rear collection box. As the grass clippings become trapped, excess air is released through the sides of the collection box which will be either solid plastic or mesh fabric. Plastic collection boxes will last longer whilst fabric will collapse down for easier storage. The larger the grass collection box, the fewer trips to the compost you’ll have to make.
A rear discharge deflector will allow you to operate the mower without the collection box in place. Obviously this means the grass clippings will remain on the lawn, however this isn’t a problem during dry weather. There are also specially designed mulching lawnmowers for recycling clippings back into the lawn surface.
Lawn mower Blade Sharpening
Rotary mowers use a single flat blade bolted to the underside of the lawnmower housing (deck). Unlike a cylinder mower which severs the grass in a clean scissor like action, the blade on a rotary lawnmower uses speed to cut through the grass stems.
Regular rotary blade sharpening is vital to prevent a lawn condition known as ‘brown tip’ whereby the lawnmower tears the grass rather than cuts cleanly. In reality though, all rotary mowers will cause this condition to some degree due to the way they cut the grass.
Excessively blunt rotary lawnmower blades will cause premature engine wear and can pull clumps of grass out of your lawn. Cylinder lawnmowers on the other hand cut the grass much more cleanly but are only suitable for non-bumpy lawns and relatively short grass.