This could really
do with a section on its own but I'll try to give you a few basic
details. Basically there are three types of mower. These are:
Cylinder mower
- A cylinder mower has a cylinder of 3 or 4 blades that spin against
a bottom blade and cut with the same action as scissors. They come
as a basic push along mower with a wheel on either side (sidewheel
mower) or with a heavy roller at the back and smaller rollers at the
front. The more blades that are in the cylinder, the better the cut
they give. This type is the best for formal lawns and will put stripes
on the lawn if it has a roller. They are obtainable as push along,
electric or petrol and rechargeable battery.
Wheeled Rotary
mower - this type of mower has a spinning metal or plastic blade
under a cowling and is ideal for cutting longer grass. Although most
models you have to push along, the more expensive models are self
propelled. They do not give as clean a finish to the lawn but some
of the top end models do have a roller and will give a stripe effect.
They are available in electric and petrol.
Hover Mower -
These are basically a rotary mower but they do not have wheels or
rollers - they hover on a cushion of air. Unlike the other types there
is no height adjustment on them. They are suitable for cutting longer
and rougher grass or grass on an incline such as bankings. These again
are available as electric and petrol versions although the petrol
tend to be expensive.
The type of mower
you purchase will depend entirely on what type of grass you have and
where it is situated.
If you have a fine
lawn you will definitely be going for a cylinder type. Rougher grass
you may go for a rotary. Electric mowers are a bit easier to use,
you just plug them in and away you go, providing you have an electricity
supply, if not you will need a petrol or battery model, but consider
how much lawn you have to cut, the battery models will only last a
short period before they need recharging. Petrol mowers will need
the engines servicing at least annually, and, unless you are a mechanic
will have to be taken to a service agent. Electric models will require
a lot less maintenance.
One other thing
to consider when buying a mower is if whether they pick up the cuttings
or just leave them on the ground.
And one last thing
to consider, all mowers have moving parts and can be dangerous but
there is a further thing to keep in mind - electricity is dangerous
as well. If you do decide to purchase an electric model ALWAYS make
sure that it is plugged into an RCD socket so that f you do happen
to run over the cable, you will not suffer from an electric shock.
This
tool, usually called a half-moon because of its shape, is used to
cut straight edges on the lawn. As you will probably only do this
job once every year or two, the job can be done just as good with
a spade and a piece of planking.
These are useful
for cutting areas that are difficult to reach with a mower such as
edges against walls or around ornaments. They are available as battery
operated, electric or petrol models. Some can even be converted into
edgers for trimming the edges of lawns.
Aerator
This
tool is for aerating the lawn. It works by taking a plug of soil out
which, when you have done the whole area, is filled with sand. This
allows air to the root system.
A
variation on this theme are the lawn sandals. The idea is that you
wear them on your feet while walking on the lawn, mowing for example,
and they spike the grass.
Sickle / Scythes / Grasshooks
Try
them out when you buy to test for comfort. One point to look out for
is if whether they have rubber stops between the handles. These can
make the shears a lot less tiring to use and will stop a lot of the
vibration going along your arms.