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Home > Home & Garden > Articles > I need a new lawnmower but don t know what sort to chose. Are there any general rules

I need a new lawnmower but don t know what sort to chose. Are there any general rules

01:00 Tue 08th May 2001 | Home & Garden

A.� There are two basic considerations which will dictate what sort of mower is best for you. First is the size of your lawn. Second is whether you want it to look like the a bowling green, with the extra effort that entails, or are you happy with a more informal lawn that the kids can romp about on to their hearts content.

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There are two basic types of mower, cylinder mowers and rotary mowers. Basically rotary mowers, which includes the hovers, cut with a scything action while the cylinder type have rotating blades which cut against a cutting bar like a pair of scissors or shears. The latter are more precise while the former are generally quicker to use.

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If you don't mind doing the legwork then a lawn of up to 60 square metres (75sq yards) is manageable with a hand-pushed cylinder mower. Anything bigger will require a power mower. They come in different widths of cut, from 300mm for a lawn 400 square metres (500 square yards) to 600mm for lawn 1200 square metres (1500 square yards). They can be powered by electricity, petrol or attached to the back of a small tractor.

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Q.� When should I start using it

A.� If you haven't already started, start now. The grass should now be growing strongly and you need to get on top of it before it gets to long. If you let it grow too high cutting it can traumatise the grass, and, if your blades aren't razor sharp you risk ripping it up rather than cutting it. It is worth checking how sharp the blades of your cylinder mower are and get them sharpened if necessary or replace worn blades on hover and rotary mowers.

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Q.� How often should I do it

A.� Try and do it at least once a week. Start with the blades on a high setting and gradually lower them. Giving your lawn a regular trim promotes thick, strong and even growth, reducing bald patches so giving weeds and moss less chance to take hold.

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By Tom Gard

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