Shop By Category | Useful Information / Buying Guides 1.Lawnmowers
2.BrushCutters and Strimmers
3. Hedge Trimmers
4. Blowers
5. Chainsaws
6. Chippers and Shredders
7. Spreaders and Sprayers
1. Lawnmowers
Buying advice
Practically any mower will cut your grass. But you'll get better results with less effort if you choose a machine based on your lawn size, mowing preferences, and budget
Mowing options range anywhere from £50 manual-reel mowers to tractors that cost £2,000 or more. If you have a small yard, a manual-reel or electric walk-behind mower is probably fine. Petrol-powered walk-behind mowers are appropriate for most lawns up to about a half-acre. If your lawn is larger, you might appreciate the ease and speed of a ride-on lawn tractor.
Compared with cars, petrol-powered lawn mowers produce a disproportionate amount of air pollution. Mower emissions have made today's petrol-powered mowers cleaner than old ones--something to consider if you're now using an older mower.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Manual-reel mowers are still made by a few companies. Major brands of electric mowers include Black & Decker and Bosch. Of all brands, Craftsman sells the most petrol-powered walk-behind mowers. Other less expensive, mass-market brands include Castel, Al-Ko Machines, and Honda,Hayter. Pricier brands, traditionally sold at outdoor power-equipment dealers, include Honda, Husqvarna, John Deere, Lawn Boy, Snapper, and Toro. Several of those brands are now available at large retailers.
Which type is best for your lawn? Here are the basics about each to help you decide:
Manual-reel mowers. Pushing these simple mowers turns a series of curved blades that spin with the wheels. Reel mowers are quiet, inexpensive, and nonpolluting. They're also relatively safe to operate and require little maintenance other than periodic blade adjustment and sharpening. On the downside, our tests have shown that cutting performance is typically mediocre, and most can't cut grass higher than 1 1/2 inches or trim closer than 3 inches around obstacles. Some models have cutting swaths just 14 to 18 inches wide--another drawback. Consider them for small, flat lawns a quarter-acre or less.
Price range: £50 to about £600.
Electric mowers. These push-type, walk-behind mowers use an electric motor to drive a rotating blade. Both corded and cordless versions start with the push of a button. They produce no exhaust emissions, and, like reel mowers, require little maintenance aside from sharpening. Most offer a side or rear grass catcher, and many can mulch--a process where clippings are recut until they're small enough to hide unobtrusively within the lawn. But electrics are less powerful than gas mowers and less adept at tackling tall or thick grass and weeds. What's more, their narrow, 18- to 19-inch swaths take a smaller bite than most gas-powered mowers at 21 inches. Both corded and cordless electrics have other significant drawbacks. Corded mowers limit your mowing to within 100 feet of a power outlet--the typical maximum length for extension cords. Cordless versions, while more versatile, weigh up to 30 pounds more than corded models and typically mow just one-quarter to one-third acre before their sealed, lead-acid batteries need recharging. Both types of electrics are mainly suitable for small, flat lawns of a quarter-acre or less.
Price range: corded, £80 to £125; cordless, £200 or more.
Petrol-powered walk-behind mowers. These include push mowers and self-propelled models with driven wheels. Most have a 4.5- to 6.5-hp four-stroke engine and a cutting swath 21 or 22 inches wide, allowing you to cover more ground with each pass, and handle long or thick grass and weeds. All can mow as long as there's fuel in the tank. But petrol mowers are relatively noisy and require regular maintenance.
Most petrol mowers provide three cutting modes: bagging, which gathers clippings in a removable catcher; side-discharging, which spews clippings onto the lawn; and mulching, which cuts and recuts clippings until they're small enough to settle and decompose within the lawn.
Consider a push-type model for mowing relatively flat lawns of about a quarter-acre or for trimming larger lawns. Choose a self-propelled model for hilly lawns or lawns of a half-acre or more. You might also choose a self-propelled mower if you mostly bag clippings; a full bag can add 20 or 30 pounds to the mower's weight.
Price range: push-type, £80 to £200; self-propelled, £300 to £800.
How to Choose
You'll see lots of competent choices for mowing the typical quarter- to half-acre lawn. Here are the most critical points to consider as you shop:
Pick your power. Petrol-powered mowers continue to perform best overall, especially in long or dense grass. Self-propelled models are best for larger or hillier terrain, while lighter push models are fine for smaller, flatter lawns or for trimming. On the downside, gas models of both types are relatively noisy, create exhaust emissions, and require periodic tune-ups. Most also require pull-starting.
Electric mowers are quieter and create no exhaust emissions. They also free you from fueling and engine maintenance, and start with the push of a button. But even the best corded electric mowers aren't as powerful as gas models. Cordless models free you from the tether and tangles of a power cord. But they're pricey and have limited run time before their batteries need recharging.
Manual reel mowers are another clean and quiet option, since they rely solely on people power to move their spiral-shaped mowing blades. Most models are relatively inexpensive (about £75 to £150). But some can be hard to push. And those in past tests couldn't match a power mower's cut quality.
Pick your mowing mode. Most walk-behind mowers can mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings. But as the Ratings show, not all mowers handle all three modes equally well. Choose a model that scored well in the mowing mode you use most. If you bag most clippings, you'll probably prefer a self-propelled mower, since a full bag can make push types a handful, especially uphill.
Check the drive control. Most self-propelled mowers have two controls: a blade-engagement bail you must hold against the handlebar and a bail for adjusting the speed. Some new models now use a short lever that allows you to engage and vary ground speed by squeezing it with the right hand.
Those we tested worked well. But some levers can be stiffer than others--a potential problem for some users, since all require constant pressure to keep the machine moving. As with all controls, see if you can try such levers before buying.
Don't get bowled over by big names. You'll find a Honda engine on even more non-Honda walk-behind lawn mowers this year Al-Ko and other brands use Honda's premium image to give their machines some added cachet. These newer engines aren't the commercial-grade versions that made Honda's reputation for durability, however. While those we tested performed well, so did the more-plebeian Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh engines on many other machines.
Don't count horses. High horsepower is another rallying cry at the store and online. Many of the mowers we tested now have up to 7 hp on tap. But mowers with at least 5.5 hp performed just as well overall as higher-horsepower models.
5. Chainsaws:
Things to keep in mind when buying a chain saw:
Safety. Using the correct techniques when you work makes your work a great deal safer and easier. Ask your Husqvarna dealer for Husqvarna’s material on chain saw techniques. Be sure to use approved protective clothing.
The first question you should ask is whether to saw will be used professionally or for private use. This will determine which type and size of saw you should choose.
Weight and engine size. Remember that a light saw is easier to manoeuvre if you’re not too experienced. But don’t choose too small an engine: more power gets the job done faster, even if you’re just sawing wood!
Size and hardness of the wood. Select a bar length based on the size of the trees. The stronger the engine, the longer the bar you can combine it with.
Ergonomic engineering and design. Low vibration levels in the handle, a slim, well-balanced saw body and a high centre of gravity are welcome features, even if you only use the saw for part of the day. Good ergonomics can be just as important as low weight!
Safety features. Efficient kickback protection is a requirement in most countries, but how easy is it to replace a chain catcher stud that has been broken off?
Do you work in winter? Winterization, for instance with heated handles, makes work more efficient and comfortable.
Is the saw easy to maintain and service? Good access to the air filter and spark plug, and chain tensioning from the side, save time and effort.
Service. Regular service by a professional Your saw will appreciate regular service by a qualified professional. Your qualified servicing dealer can provide additional advice and tips regarding your chain saw purchase.
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