How to choose your perfect lawnmower

How long will it take?

As a guide for each mower we have calculated an approximate time taken to cut the sizes of lawn it is best designed for. We have based this on the average walking pace or the pace of the mower it is a self-propelled/ride-on.

A second consideration is the size of the grass collection bag, the smaller the bag the more this will need to be emptied.

We have used 200m² for the small lawn, 650m² for the medium lawn, 2,000m² (approx. 1/2 acre) for the large lawn and 4,000m² (approx. 1 acre) for the extra large lawn*.

* Based upon the maximum speed provided by the manufacturer.

Cutting height

Mowing height is a compromise between getting the superb-looking lawn you want and allowing the grass enough leaf to be healthy.

Different weather and seasons can change the optimum cutting heights, however, these details are a guide based on lawn use.

1. Ornamental lawns with no ryegrass: 10mm to 20mm

2. Low-use lawns with or without rye: 20mm to 40mm

3. Heavy use rye grass: 25mm to 50mm

What size is your lawn?

Our lawnmowers are designed for all sizes of lawns from a townhouse garden to fields of several acres.

If you’re lucky enough to have a square or rectangular lawn, measuring its area is simplicity itself. Measure the width and the length and multiply the two together. This gives you your area. If the shape is relatively simple and made up of separate squares or rectangles, you can measure it by breaking it up as shown in the diagram to the right.

If your lawn is more complicated than that, we suggest that you use a piece of graph paper to help you measure the area. Measure the width and the length of your garden at various points and draw an approximation of the shape of your lawn to scale.

Hand-propelled mowers

Hand-propelled mowers provide a cost-effective solution mainly for medium size lawns. You may however want to consider a self-propelled version which can be purchased for just a small additional cost and will save a lot of time and effort.

1.

Stretch a long tape measure taut from end to end along the line of the fence.

Measure out the position for each post and mark it by pushing a stick into what will be the centre of each post hole.

Cutting Width: 41cm
Engine: Webb DVO130 132cc petrol engine
Grass Collection: 45 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/25-75mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Small: 12 mins Medium: 38 mins Cutting height: 25-75mm

£199

4.

Erect the last post the same way, checking it is vertical and supporting it with props.

Run two lines between the top and bottom of these posts, along the line of the fence.

Rest the other posts loosely in their holes.

Top lawn care tip

Never cut more than a third of the blade of grass off in one go. Cutting more than this can stress the grass. You should gradually reduce the grass length over a number of weeks to reach the desired length. Cutting the grass too short, and too fast, can lead to disease and weed infestation.

Self-propelled mowers

A self-propelled mower carries its own weight for you most of the time, all you’ll need to worry about is steering your mower in the right direction. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a perfectly flat lawn If your lawn has hills and dips then a self-propelled mower will offer you a significant benefit.

Cutting Width: 41cm
Engine: Webb DVO130 132cc petrol engine
Grass Collection: 65 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/25-75mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Medium: 24 mins Large: 74 mins Cutting height: 25-75mm

£229

Cutting Width: 46cm
Engine: Webb DVO173 173cc petrol engine
Grass Collection: 45 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, side discharge, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/25-75mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Medium: 21 mins Large: 66 mins Cutting height: 25-75mm

£259

Cutting Width: 46cm
Engine: Briggs & Stratton 500E Series® Engine
Grass Collection: 65 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, side discharge, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/20-90mm, 8 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Medium: 21 mins Large: 66 mins Cutting height: 20-90mm

£349

Cutting Width: 51cm
Engine: Webb DVO173 173cc petrol engine
Grass Collection: 65 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, side discharge, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/25-75mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Medium: 19 mins Large: 59 mins Cutting height: 25-75mm

£319

Cutting Width: 51cm
Engine: STIGA 166CC petrol engine
Grass Collection: 60 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/22-80mm, 6 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Small: 9 mins Medium: 30 mins Cutting height: 22-80mm

£419

Cutting Width: 51cm
Engine: Honda GCVx170 auto-choke, petrol engine
Grass Collection: 60 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/22-80mm, 6 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Medium: 19 mins Large: 59 mins Cutting height: 22-80mm

£499

Cutting Width: 53cm
Engine: Honda GCVx170 OHV auto-choke
Grass Collection: 70 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/25-77mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Galvanised steel

Medium: 18 mins Large: 57 mins Cutting height: 25-77mm

£729

Cutting Width: 53cm
Engine: STIGA 166CC, petrol engine
Grass Collection: 70 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, side discharge, rear discharge
Cutting Height: 1 lever/25-77mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: TBC

Medium: 18 mins Large: 57 mins Cutting height: 25-77mm

£519

Top lawn care tip

In hot summers and drought conditions with little or no rain, lawns can turn brown and stop growing. Although this looks serious, the grass will green up once the rain returns. Close cutting in dry weather can weaken the grass and make it more vulnerable, raise the mower height and let the grass clippings fall back onto the grass as a mulch to hold in moisture.

Ride-on mowers

The speed at which ride-on lawn mowers can mow the lawn is one of their main advantages over stand-behind mowers. If you have a large or extra large lawn the savings on both time and effort can be significant.

Cutting Width: 98cm
Engine: STIGA ST 350 Petrol Engine
Grass Collection: No collection
Grass Discharge: Side discharge
Cutting Height: Manual lever, 25/80mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Large: 11 mins Extra large: 22 mins Cutting height: 25-80mm

£2,199

Cutting Width: 84cm
Engine: STIGA ST 350 petrol engine
Grass Collection: 200 litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, rear discharge
Cutting Height: Manual lever 25/80mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Large: 13 mins Extra large: 26 mins Cutting height: 25-80mm

£2,499

1.

Stretch a long tape measure taut from end to end along the line of the fence.

Measure out the position for each post and mark it by pushing a stick into what will be the centre of each post hole.

Cutting Width: 92cm
Engine: STIGA ST 600 petrol engine
Grass Collection: 300litre collection bag
Grass Discharge: Collecting, mulching, rear discharge
Cutting Height: Manual lever 30/90mm, 7 positions
Deck Material: Steel

Large: 12 mins Extra large: 23 mins Cutting height: 30-90mm

£3,999

4.

Erect the last post the same way, checking it is vertical and supporting it with props.

Run two lines between the top and bottom of these posts, along the line of the fence.

Rest the other posts loosely in their holes.

Top lawn care tip

Many people know that it’s important to feed their plants but not many know the same is true of your lawn. Spring is a great time to feed your lawn once the soil starts to warm up, the nutrients in lawn feed help thicken and green up your lawn. In summer you can apply a liquid feed which quickly helps green the lawn up, ready to show off to your friends and family.

Autumn is often a time when we forget about our lawns but in fact, it’s a crucial time to feed. Feeding in autumn helps protect the grass from harsh winter weather.