Petrol or electric mowers?

The summer season is inevitably associated with the difficult choice of buying a lawn mower. For many people the problem will be whether to choose a traditional petrol mower or bet on a device powered by electricity

In practice, both types of equipment have advantages and disadvantages. The choice of one of them should be made after analyzing our needs.

Petrol mowers. What’s in their favor?

Deciding on a petrol mower, we buy probably the most common equipment. Such devices are often valued for their durability – it’s not uncommon for petrol mowers powered by a combustion engine to work without any major complaints (apart from the fact that they generate a lot of noise and have a negative impact on the environment). This is because as a rule, for their construction they choose slightly more solid elements, if only when it comes to the housing.

Where will petrol mowers perform well?

The domain of such devices is, above all, mowing very large lawns. In addition, they are ideal for large planted areas, irregularly shaped lawns and uneven surfaces. The working time here is much longer than for e.g. cordless mowers, while the engine power is much greater. In addition, petrol mowers are more difficult to turn on, for example for small children, which is a useful safety feature for parents.

The biggest disadvantages of petrol mowers

First of all, they are more difficult to use. You’ll spend more time maintaining the equipment, but you also need to know how to prepare the right quality fuel mixture. You have to get the right ingredients beforehand. It is also not always possible to start the equipment with the first pull of the cord – this is a problem especially with older models.

These devices are also harmful to the environment, but also not very friendly to the immediate surroundings. They generate both exhaust fumes and noise much greater than that created by electric motors. In the case of a petrol lawnmower, we are talking about the results of 100 dB – electric motors generate sounds up to a maximum of 70 dB.

Who needs an electric mower?

First of all, using an electric mower is simple and relatively clean. We do not have to get dirty with oils, just put the cable into the plug and the device works. We already know that it does it relatively quietly, so the likelihood of complaints from neighbors is much lower. As a rule, these devices are also relatively lightweight and can be easily guided over the lawn.

When to choose an electric mower?

First of all, it’s an option where lawns are not too large and have regular shapes. It’s also good that there aren’t too many plantings that can make it difficult to mow the lawn where there’s power through a cable

Why might choosing an electric lawnmower be a mistake?

First of all, it will be a bad option when you want to mow an irregular terrain, with many plants planted and still quite far from the house. Then, the only rescue can be the purchase of an extra-long extension cord.

It’s not a good idea to use an extension cord if you’re mowing an area without electricity. In addition, the power of such devices is usually lower, as is the durability of the housing.

A compromise option: Will a battery-powered lawnmower pass the test?

An alternative may be to purchase a battery-powered mower. These can be purchased separately or in sets that use a single battery. This combines the cordless nature of a petrol mower with the environmentally friendly performance of an electric model. What’s the catch? Unfortunately, one battery is certainly not enough to mow an entire lawn. It’s a good idea to equip yourself with high-capacity batteries with fast-charging capabilities.

Main photo: Daniel Watson/unsplash.com