Working stroke
The lawnmowers in Australia are divided into self-propelled and non-self-propelled. Self-propelled lawn mowers weigh much more and are equipped with a powerful motor that drives the knives and wheels. You are supposed to direct the mower. Sometimes, there is a feature to turn the blades off without stopping the motor. This is crucial when working in places with difficult terrains, such as crossing gravel paths.
Non-self-propelled lawnmowers work by being pushed in front. These are usually lightweight, compact, and low-powered models suitable for small plots of five to eight acres. Lawn mowing professionals recommend using non-self-propelled models because they can handle young lawns more gently. The major challenge with self-propelled lawn mowers is the high cost when compared to non-self-propelled ones. But you can mow the grasses in the garden with an area of between 20 and 30 acres. If you have problems with the spine, it is better to buy a self-propelled lawnmower, and you will get tired quickly.
Lawnmower body
When buying a lawnmower in Australia, you need to pay attention to the body material from which it is made. Inexpensive electric or power-driven lawn mowers are made from polypropylene. This material can crack at low temperatures, fade in the sun, is soft, and does not resist mechanical stress. However, some manufacturers create special plastic for the production of housings for garden equipment. Compared to ordinary polypropylene, such plastic is impact-resistant, non-toxic, has increased wear resistance, and does not damage when in contact with oils, gasoline, does not fade, etc.
The cases of more expensive models are made of steel. When buying such a lawnmower, pay attention to the fact that the steel is galvanized and the paintwork is not damaged. This is because such housings are susceptible to corrosion. The steel case is heavier than the plastic one, but it is not afraid of mechanical stress, hence being very durable. The most expensive premium models are made of aluminum. Such lawn mowers are strong, lightweight, stable, and does not require special maintenance.
Transmission
In a self-propelled lawnmower, the motor power is changed by belt or direct drive. Using a gear reducer, dispensing takes place on the drive wheels. Lawnmowers are equipped with a clutch that prevents the mower from moving when the motor is started. The clutch control is located on the central handle of the mower.
The more expensive premium models use the hydrostatic transmission found in scooters and cars. This transmission allows you to easily and smoothly change the mower’s speed by pressing the control lever. So consider the transmission when buying the lawnmower.
Lot type
Lawnmowers in Australia are not universal gadgets and are not suitable for every site. If there are many obstacles on the site, more than three to five per hundred square meters, the lawnmower will not work efficiently. These obstacles include trees, shrubs, flower beds, and other landscape design elements. It is also important for the lawn mowers to have a relatively level lawn with no noticeable pits and bumps.
Suppose there are bumps on the grass that might hit the mower blade and cut them off. If your site is on a slope, you need a mower that can work on it. Some models in Australia can handle slopes up to 25-30%. These are mowers with large wheels, developed tread, and special studded attachments. Such models do not slip even on difficult sections.
For the lawnmower to orient itself, a special wire must be laid along the perimeter of the lawn, along which the mower will determine the boundaries of the site. Some models first mow the perimeter of the yard, moving directly along the wire. The knives in these models are located outside the wheelbase, as close as possible to the edge of the lawn. This allows you to mow the grass around the edges fully.
Knife
Most models of lawnmowers use a two-blade metal knife as a cutting tool, which is mounted on the motor shaft. The knife is usually made from steel or aluminum, as well as other alloys. In collector mowers, the knife performs an additional function by creating a strong vortex that lifts the grass and moves it into the collector. The surface of the treated lawn most often has irregularities and differences in height.
When working on uneven lawns, the cutter knife may hit the ground. From this, it can become dull or even break down and damage the motor shaft. Therefore, manufacturers attach the blade with hollow bolts or a special hub, protecting the motor shaft. More expensive models are equipped with a knife brake, which automatically disengages and stops the knife when it hits an obstacle. In some models, the knife control is placed on the central handle. This enables the operator to stop the cutting knife himself if necessary.
Lawnmower size and cutting width
The larger the lawn, the larger the lawnmower you need to choose, since it is the size of the lawnmower that determines how much area you can mow in one go. If you own a large garden and want to trim more than 1000 square meters of grass, experts recommend choosing a lawnmower with a mowing width of at least 50 cm. And a medium-sized lawn of up to 500 square meters, a mower with a mowing width of 40 to 45 cm can do better.
If the lawn is very small, then a lawnmower with a small mowing width will do the job best – about 30 cm on average. It should also be in mind that a lawnmower with a narrow mowing strip is not enough for a small lawn because in a relatively narrow yard with a small lawn. Also, the mower will be difficult to operate, and you may not be able to tidy up small, hard-to-reach areas of the grass.
The size of the lawnmower also depends on the size of the storage space for garden tools because the mower, like any other garden equipment, needs to be stored according to the type of storage conditions for it to serve for a long time reliably.