lawn mowers

Choosing from the different types of lawn mowers

Choosing the right mower will seriously up your mowing game, and it’s worth knowing what sets the different styles apart. Here’s a quick rundown on the main types of lawn mowers so you can see which is best for you:

• Cordless lawn mowers (also known as battery lawn mowers): These mowers offer a no-fuss, efficient, and whisper-quiet mow. The cordless mower is perfect for keeping those small-to-medium lawns manicured year-round, so you can spend more time kicking back and admiring your handiwork!
• Petrol lawn mowers: These mowers are an excellent choice for larger areas that demand extra grunt. And as they don’t need charging, they’re ready to go when you are! Petrol mowers can take longer to start than electric mowers or ride on mowers, as you need to pull on a starter cable to get them going. But once they’re going, petrol lawn mowers are powerful and long-lasting, and can easily handle large areas of grass.
• Ride on mowers: Ride on mowers are different to your regular petrol push mowers. Upgrading from a pull start to a key start is a nice upgrade, and the option of sitting back while you cut your grass is a definite bonus. They’re efficient, with wide cutting decks, so you can get your lawn done in no time. If you have a big area to mow, they’re a great investment.
• Zero turn mowers: These mighty cutters are similar to traditional ride-on lawn mowers, making it easy to whip through a large property in no time. There is one big advantage with a zero turn mower though—you can switch up directions in a flash, helping you navigate tight spaces. That means you can sit back and enjoy that freshly cut lawn in less time!

If you need some advice, be sure to visit us at your local Tool Kit Depot—we’re here and happy to help you get the most from your mower.

Your guide to lawn mower brands

Choosing the right brand of mower is just as important as choosing the right mower type. This is because each brand includes its own unique benefits and features, and may specialise in specific types of mowers for the best possible output. Here is a quick run-down of high-quality mower brands to consider:

• Makita lawn mowers: Makita focuses on blade speed and cutting width for efficient mowing. They also produce less noise and require less maintenance.
• Honda lawn mowers: Honda takes pride in producing premium mowers that are designed for superior bagging. Their specially-designed twin blades create smaller clippings, which means you can mow for longer without needing to empty the bag.
• Milwaukee lawn mowers: Milwaukee is a powerhouse brand across a range of outdoor equipment tools, and for good reason. They focus on cutting-edge designs, longevity, and adjustability for the perfect cut.
• Husqvarna lawn mowers: When you want something powerful and compact, a Husqvarna lawn mower is a great choice.
• Protect your workshop and yourself with a dust extractor, some safety glasses and other protective gear
• Victa lawn mowers: Known for their wide range of mowers with varying capabilities, there’s a Victa lawn mower to suit your engine power and deck size needs.
• Masport mowers: Masport design their mowers to meet the needs of the heaviest lawn conditions and long mowing times. This makes them a great option for commercial or acreage mowing needs.
• Metabo mowers: Metabo offers superior mower construction, with metal decks and high-quality blades—your mower will last for years to come.

Lawn mower features to consider

When you’re shopping for a top-notch lawn mower, there are certain features you should look for. Here’s what to think about to make sure you get the right gear for your yard:

• Size and power: The size of your lawn dictates the power and size you’ll need. Smaller yards don’t need much grunt, so you won’t need a huge engine. For big open spaces, choose a mower with a bit more horsepower. The type of grass you have can also affect this, with couch grass and zoysia needing 140-150CC, and buffalo and kikuyu needing 150CC plus.
• Cutting width and height:Choosing a mower with a wider cutting width equals getting the job done faster. You’ll also need to think about how you like your lawn to look, so check the height adjustability.
• Type of drive: Mowers come with different drive options, so think about your lawn size when it comes to drive. A self-propelled mower is great for sloping or large lawns, and a massive yard will benefit from a ride on mower.
• Grass disposal: Look at how the mower handles grass clippings, and if you want to bag them up or mulch them back into the lawn. Some mowers have rear or side discharge, with some having integrated mulching kits.
• Maintenance: Think about your mower’s upkeep. Things like if the blade’s easy to change, or it has a self-cleaning deck.
• Price: Finally, consider your budget. You don’t have to break the bank for a good mower, and there are solid options at every price point. Weigh up the features to see how you can get the most bang for your buck.

Choosing your mower is just the start. To keep it running smoothly season after season, regular servicing is key. For the best lawn mower service options, Tool Kit Depot has you covered, so come and chat to our team.

Lawn mowers FAQ

Is a self-propelled mower better?

A self-propelled lawn mower can be a real game-changer, especially when you’ve got a decent sized lawn. You don’t need to push it yourself, as these beauties do the hard work for you, leaving you with only the steering to worry about. This means you get to spend your energy on better things, like sitting back and enjoying your pristine lawn.

They also give you a smoother finish to your lawn as you don’t have to do any pushing and pulling.

If you’re after a mower that makes life easier and cuts down on the sweat, a self-propelled model is definitely worth a look.

What is a good zero turn mower to buy?

These mowers are an investment, so you’ll want to look for a quality brand that’ll last for years to come.

The best zero turn mower in Australia is a toss-up between Victa, Husqvarna, and EGO. Choosing a reputable brand will give you the peace of mind that you’ll have fewer breakdowns and less maintenance to keep on top of.

The right model for you will depend on your budget and your mowing needs. First, you’ll need to decide whether you want battery powered or petrol. If you do want to go electric, make sure you have enough charge to cover your entire lawn.

A good zero turn mower will also have adjustable cutting lengths. Look for a model with settings between 25mm and 100mm.

Will petrol lawn mowers cut long grass?

Petrol mowers have powerful motors, but even they’ll struggle with grass that’s longer than about 15 cm.

So if your grass is more of a jungle than a lawn, your best bet is to use a brush cutter or line trimmer to get it started. Once you’ve cut it to 10-15 cm, you can come in with your petrol push mower or self-propelled mower and finish the job. Trying to do it all with the mower may be a tempting time saver, but it’ll wear it out much faster.

For best results on long grass, sharpen your blades, and only cut off one-third of the grass’s height at a time to keep it nice and healthy. Cut in stages with a few days between so it has time to recover.

What are the best cordless lawn mowers?

When you’re looking for a quality cordless electric lawn mower, there’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Models with brushless motors are more durable, often lasting 5-10 times longer than mowers with a brushed motor.
• Higher voltage batteries mean your mower will run for longer, so you won’t have to stop mid-mow.
• Self-propelled cordless mowers are a breeze to run, so keep that in mind if you want to save your strength!
• Steel decks can be more robust than aluminium or plastic, but aluminium or plastic decks are lighter, so this comes down to personal preference.

Whatever you choose, TKD has a huge range of cordless lawn mowers Australians trust!

What to look for when buying a ride on lawn mower

When looking to buy a ride-on lawn mower, you’ll need to consider your budget, the size of your lawn, the engine power, if you need a mulching option and the weight of the lawn mower itself. If you’re mowing a larger space, you will want a ride on mower with higher horsepower to help you speed through the job, while someone who needs to mow sloped lawns will have different needs.

When investing in a ride-on mower, you want reliability and toughness so you can soar through grass for a perfect finish. Victa and Husqvarna ride on mowers are some of the most reputable on the market, and give you a wide range of power and features to suit all budgets. For example, there are Victa ride on mowers suitable for tight and small spaces, with larger grass catchers and reverse mowing operation, while Husqvarna ride on mowers come with features to make your ride as comfortable as possible, from adjustable seating and choke-less starts, to manual blade engagement on the dash.