We trial the top rotary, cylinder and hover lawnmowers to find the best lawnmower for your lawn
It is hard to know where to start when buying a new mower, and with so many types to choose from including rotary, cylinder and hover, petrol and electric, it’s just as difficult to figure out which one of the many lawnmowers is best for your lawn and garden. With many miles of mowing under my belt, and four acres to mow at our magazine home garden Stockton Bury, I know and love my lawnmowers. There really are lawnmowers out there for every situation, and I plan to make the selection process easier for you with this guide. Before you head out to buy a new mower, answer these questions. How big is your lawn? What standard of lawn do you have? What standard of lawn do you desire? Do you have access to an electricity supply in the garden? What storage do you have? And finally, what is your budget?
Once you have established the answers to all these questions, you should be able to disregard a few options. The truth is, most gardeners can find a sensible use for more than one mower. I mainly use a petrol rotary, as I don’t have electricity in all parts of the garden, and many of our slopes are steep and awkward, which would make cables hazardous. On the main formal lawn, a cylinder mower is used, and for very steep banks, a hover makes light work of them.
Which Lawnmowers are Best For You?
A cylinder mower has cylinder blades positioned at the front, and can have anything from six to 10 blades (the more blades, the finer the cut). A rotary mower has one blade under the lawnmower’s body. A hover mower has one revolving blade, but floats on a cushion of air. With hundreds of lawnmowers on the market, you have more choice – especially when it comes to rotaries. Flymo has the hover market pretty much all to itself, and Allett is a leader in the cylinder market. When it comes to rotary lawnmowers, you will need to compare price, weight, quality and size of engine (some are far more powerful than others), noise levels, comfort, size of grass collector, starting techniques and other accessories – many now double up as a mulching mower. Over the past few months, I have been using one mower of each type, and I share my findings here. Whatever you decide, make sure that your chosen mower is well serviced, and treat it with respect, as it is a long-term investment.
Electric hover – Flymo Ultraglide
The new Flymo Ultraglide offers easy mowing at a very reasonable price. It is light enough to carry (12kg), offers a generous 15m lead, and best of all, it is so easy to set up – press the ‘go’ button, and you’re off. Perfect for those with a small lawn, or those new to gardening – no harder to use than a household vacuum. The handles fold down for easy storage, and the cable is neatly held on the arm by hooks. The 1800w motor is quiet, and the collection box holds 30 litres. The clear top to the grass box is a great idea. Offers four cutting heights ranging from 13-32mm, and you can raise the cut with one finger. Cuts right up to or over lawn edges. It is easier to glide it from side to side rather than up and down.
RRP: £159.99. For your nearest stockist, visit www.flymo.com/uk
Petrol rotary – Viking MB 655 VM
The Viking MB 655 VM is a good-looking mower that will cut through even the roughest grass. This lawnmower offers mowing and mulching in one, which means you don’t even have to collect the grass. You can set the drive speed to suit your pace, which is brilliant. The 21in rotary has a sturdy Briggs & Stratton 750 series engine, and the cutting height ranges from 30-85mm. The 75-litre grass box is easy to remove. The mower weights in at 44kg, and it stores well, as the handles fold flat. A real workhorse. You will pay more for petrol rotaries like this than electric, but they should last longer.
RRP:£995. For your nearest stockist, visit www.vikingmowers.co.uk
Electric rotary – Cobra MX46SPE
The new Cobra MX46SPE is a self-propelled lawnmower, and offers the ability to mulch and collect grass. You can select a side or rear discharge. Offers cutting heights between 25-75mm, and has an 1800w motor. The cutting width is 46cm and the grass collector is 60 litres. The 15m electric cable is generous, but to my mind, it needs a way to keep the cable tidy when in store, and I would have appreciated a larger clear window into the collection box. The top casing of this mower is plastic, which makes it lighter to manoeuvre than most petrol versions.
RRP: £259.99. For your nearest Henton & Chattell Ltd outlet, visit www.cobragarden.co.uk
Petrol cylinder – Kensington 20K
Prepare to be amazed by the Kensington 20K. If you want to be playing croquet on your lawn, then this is the mower for you. Allett lawnmowers are the choice of many professional groundsmen. In fact, this is more than just a mower, as extra attachments can be purchased – lawn brush, aerator, dethatcher and scarifier. The scarifier is truly amazing. Boasts a four-stroke petrol engine (98cc Kawasaki). It is recommended for lawns up to 350 sq m, and with three models in the range, you have a choice of three cutting widths (14in, 17in and 20in). Traditional looking, easy to start and comfy to use, with a wonderful sound, this model weighs 54kg and has a 70-litre grass box.
RRP: £1,249. For your nearest stockist, visit www.allett.co.uk/dealers
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