lawnmowers

i am after treating myself to a new lawnmower nothing too dear but i was wondering wether a cyclinder or rotary was best any info much appreciated

 

Depends what you want to do with it. If you have a big area and just want to get the grass cut, go for a rotary. If you are seriously in to having a perfect lawn a cylinder is the way to go id say.

 

Yes, a cylinder mower is much better than a rotary for a high quality lawn, although they are a lot more expensive, even second hand.

Another option is to go for a rotary with a rear roller - you still don't get the clean cut of a cylinder mower, but it'll stripe the lawn nicely.

 

Hi Alan - How big is your lawn? What type of grass do you have? How even is it? What is it being used for?
Get one you can handle comfortably & consider petrol if it's a big lawn (though try to get a self propelled one (pricier), unless you fancy a workout!)
Will - I have a sloping lawn & work on several lawns which are uneven. I have found cylinder mowers to be difficult in these situations. Cylinders are great if you have an even flat surface to begin with, as I have found they have a tendency to "scalp" in uneven situations. You can still get a good finish from a rotary if, as you say it has a (heavy enough)roller - (though if you aren't bothered about stripes...) & you don't cut too short, & the blade is sharp. Also the grass mix makes a difference as well.... I don't go near hovers, but think they are ok if you have a really sloping lawn (saw a gardener at the Cosmic garden mowing the snail mound with a hover on a rope :eek: !!!)

 

I too am a cylinder fan and would contend that on uneven ground a rotary, especially a wide one, will scalp. However I will concede that if slopes are involved a rotary or hover are better. I would also add that you shouldn't order a cylinder mower until you have found a good sharpening house and promise to use it,

 

thanks for all the help have gone for a rotary lawn not big enough to warrant a good motor mower thanks anyway

 

I am also in the same situation at the moment. My lawn is that big anymore (possibly 144ft2) and isn't particularly level.

I was originally thinking of getting a cylinder mower but am no longer so sure. Having said that I do hope in the next 12 months to get the lawn level, so would it be worth getting a cylinder type anyway?

BTW I'm not bothered about stripes, I just want a nice lawn!

 

A well sharpened and adjusted cylinder mower causes less "bruising" to the grass, this results in healthier grass and a greener cut. How often do you see grass go pale after cutting? This is often the cut scar that you are seeing as the tissue dies.