CUTTING WIDTH TO PUSH OR NOT TO PUSH MATERIAL MATTERS The wider the cutting width of the mower you use then the quicker you will cut your grass. For example, if your lawn is 20 metres wide then you will have to go up and down it around 38 times with a 53cm mower compared to 49 times with a 41cm mower. The 53cm mower will also have a larger grass collector, so unless you are mulching the grass, you will also have to stop less often to empty the grass collector. So the 53cm mower will be around 30% quicker to cut your grass. The larger mower will, however, be heavier and harder to turn and manoeuvre around obstacles as well as being more expensive. Hand propelled machines have to be pushed to make them move forward, the motor or engine’s sole function is to drive the cutter blade. Self propelled models have a transmission so they require less effort to use; just engage the drive and the mower will move forward. Some self propelled models also have a variable speed control, so you can adjust the speed to best suit your own pace or the conditions. The chassis, or cutter deck, may be made of polypropylene, steel with a powder coated paint finish, or hybrid galvanised steel/aluminium. It houses the blade and determines the working width, from 34cm to 53cm. Polypropylene is lightweight and maintenance free. Steel is more robust and hard wearing. Galvanised steel has a zinc coating to prevent rust. Aluminium does not rust but has to be forged rather than pressed and this can limit the deck shape. 5 6 7 DISCOVER MORE, VISIT www.mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk 7