Electric Lawnmowers
Electric lawnmowers are the most popular type of mower in the UK today. They offer good value for money and are ideal for the majority of small gardens. Being lighter than petrol lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers are easy to push and are a firm favourite amongst less agile gardeners. Another major advantage with an electric mower is the quiet operation.
As with petrol machines, electric lawnmowers are available in two basic variations: Rotary and Cylinder.
Electric rotary lawn mowers employ a flat blade bolted to the underside of the mower. The blade is housed by a plastic (or metal) enclosure called the deck. The blade spins in a rotary fashion and cuts through the grass. Rotary mowers are the most popular type of electric lawnmower in the UK.
Take a more detailed look at electric rotary lawnmowers.
Electric cylinder lawnmowers cut in a completely different way to rotary mowers. They have two types of blade and cut the grass in a scissor action. A electric cylinder mower is a good choice for formal lawns where a high quality finish is required. Only buy a cylinder mower if your lawn is free from bumps and dips as they are designed for use on level ground.
Explore cylinder electric lawnmowers in more detail.
Cordless battery powered lawnmowers offer the convenience of an electric lawnmower without the associated drawbacks caused by the power cord.
Cordless battery powered lawnmowers.
When to choose an electric lawnmower over a petrol powered lawnmower.
- You have a small lawn that would not require the power offered by a petrol mower.
- You can run a power cord easily to all parts of your lawn.
- You do not allow your lawn to grow longer than a few inches.
- You don’t want to pay more than you have to for a lawnmower.
- You are looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to a petrol lawnmower.
- Peace and quiet. Electric lawnmowers produce lower noise levels than petrol models.
Are electric lawnmowers easy to maintain?
Yes they are. The blades will need sharpening occasionally and the machine will need cleaning from time to time. That's basically all you will need to do. In contrast, a petrol lawnmower will need regular servicing, i.e. oil changes, filter replacement etc.
Are electric lawnmowers suitable for everybody?
An electric mower is suitable for the vast majority of gardeners. The deciding factor is the size and accessability of your lawn. Elderly gardeners may prefer a self propelled lawnmower, although the vast majority of electric lawnmowers are light and easy to handle.
Disadvantages of electric lawnmowers
The two biggest drawbacks of an electric lawnmower over a petrol mower are:
The electric power cord. This presents the biggest drawback with electric mowers. You do have to take great care and keep your eye on the power cord at all times as it is all too easy to mow over it. You should always use an RCD with any electric garden machinery.
Power. Electric machinery is generally less powerful than petrol powered. This won’t pose a problem if your lawn isn't too big (up to tennis court size). A basic electric lawn mower is about half as powerful as a basic petrol lawnmower. For larger lawns, consider a petrol powered mower.
