How to choose a push lawn mower: cordless, electric or petrol

For a small or medium lawn a cordless lawn mower is the most convenient choice: no cable, no fuel mix, little maintenance. In the collection you will find voltages from 18 to 54 V and cutting widths from 37 to 48 cm (330-510 mm cutting capacity on the product sheets). If the lawn is large or you have no socket to recharge from, look at the petrol models, with engine capacities from 125 to 224 cc. The wider the machine body, the fewer passes you make, but the more it weighs and the harder it is to manoeuvre between flower beds and trees.

Types

• Cordless lawn mower. Electric motor powered by one or more batteries; they are the most numerous in the collection: from 18 V models to 2x18 V, up to 36, 40 and 54 V, like the Kärcher LM 530/36 lawn mower. Many are brushless, meaning with a brushless motor, which needs less maintenance. One example is the Gi 44 P cordless lawn mower with battery and charger included.
• Electric lawn mower. Runs on mains power: no run-time problems, but you have to manage the cable.
• Petrol lawn mower. Petrol engine, suited to large areas and long jobs. Oil and fuel must be checked before use.
• Self-propelled lawn mower. The wheels are driven by the engine and you only have to steer. It makes the difference on large lawns, on slopes or with a full grass bag. Check on the product sheet whether the model is self-propelled: the name is not enough to tell.
• Push-only lawn mower. Moves forward only by your own effort: lighter and simpler, suited to small areas.
• Spare blades. The collection also includes blades, to be replaced when the cut becomes ragged.

Lawn mower, lawnmower, grass cutter and mower are different names for the same family of machines: you will find all of them on the product sheets.

How to choose for the job

On the product sheets the stated category is domestic use: these are machines designed for gardens and green areas of normal size, not for intensive maintenance of large areas. If you have to cut for hours every day, ask our technicians for advice before choosing.

Features to look at

• Cutting width. From 37 to 48 cm in the collection. A greater width saves time, but makes the machine bulkier and heavier.
• Voltage (V). You will find 18, 20, 36, 40 and 54 V. More volts generally means more power available for tall, dense grass; 18 V is enough for regular cuts of small lawns.
• Battery capacity (Ah). From 2 to 6 Ah: this is the fuel tank. 2 Ah suits a small lawn; with 5-6 Ah or with two batteries you work longer before recharging. Check whether the battery and charger are included, because many product sheets also sell the machine body only.
• Engine capacity (cc). For petrol models, from 125 to 224 cc. It indicates engine power: the upper end is for thick grass and large lawns.
• Cutting height. Adjustable from 18 to 110 mm depending on the model, with ranges such as 28-75 or 30-110 mm. A wide adjustment range lets you cut low in spring and higher during the dry summer.
• Weight. From about 9 kg for the smallest models up to about 30 kg. It matters above all if you have to load it into a car or carry it up stairs.

Common mistakes

• Buying the bare machine body without battery and charger. Always check what is included.
• Choosing the maximum width for a garden full of flower beds: you lose more time manoeuvring than cutting.
• Underestimating run time. A small battery on a large lawn forces you to stop halfway through the job.
• Cutting wet grass or with stones and branches still on the lawn: the machine clogs and the blade is damaged.
• Cleaning the blade with the engine running or with the battery in. First switch off and remove the battery or the spark plug cap.

Frequently asked questions

Cordless or petrol: which lasts longer?

A petrol engine refuels in a minute and has no run-time limit as long as you have petrol. The battery runs down, but with a second spare battery you can cover medium lawns too. For very large areas petrol is still more practical.

What cutting height should I set?

It depends on the season and the grass. With a range such as 30-110 mm you can cut lower in spring and raise the setting when it is hot. Never cut too short in a single pass.

When is self-propulsion worth it?

When the lawn is large, on a slope, or when a full grass bag makes the machine heavy. On small areas a push lawn mower is enough and weighs less.

How do I mow on slopes?

Across the slope, walking forwards, with dry grass. Before touching the blade, switch off the engine and remove the battery.

If you want to compare the available models, go to the Push lawn mowers collection and request a quote or ask the AMES technicians for advice.