lawnmower advice

adamadamant · April 2018

I need a new lawnmower and wondered if anyone had experience of one which does a good cut right over to the edge of the lawn/flowerbed - no walls, just beds around. I am trying to avoid doubling up on equipment and effort and am hoping to avoid a strimmer. I currently have a flymo which collects cuttings, and this is better for the edges than my old four-wheeled lawnmower which used to fall into the bed, but then the flymo doesnt clear the lawn in the same efficient way - it shoots bits out.

Both types have a tendency to slightly scalp the lawn at the edge. Any recommendations gratefully received

Papi Jo · April 2018

Hi @adamadamant,
I have the same question and am looking forward to an answer.

glasgowdan · April 2018

Any mower with a rear roller.

It's still good to have a strimmer to do the vertical cut around beds, but you can always do that with edging shears instead if you've not got a busy life

Bluebaron · April 2018

To many variables.
what size garden?
how much you want to spend?
do you want stripes?
petrol or electric?

adamadamant · April 2018

100' by 30', about £300, either petrol or electric, no preference on the stripes. I was more interested in finding out if there is a particular model or design that others have found which successfully allows the cutting blade to go right up to the edge of the lawn without the whole thing tipping into the flower bed and damaging the edge of the lawn. But perhaps you need to edge separately for a 'proper job' anyway!

plant pauper · April 2018

If you find the Holy Grail please let me know. I spend so much time in one of my b****y flower beds that I'm doing away with it!!!! My mower weighs more than I do so there's a slight issue there too.

It is ably assisted by, not only a sloped lawn but also a hump where the whole thing is moooooving downhill into said flower bed!
I think it's a miracle I need!

glasgowdan · April 2018

Again... a roller mower!

KT53 · April 2018

Find a specialist garden machinery supplier in your area and speak to them. Bottom line though is as glasgowdan has said - rear roller. Any wheel can drop over the edge, and probably will unless you have absolutely straight borders with edge support.

UpNorth · April 2018

as has been said...rear roller types. i'd also be inclined to go petrol regards the size. they don't really take much maintenance if you are happy to tip it on it's side and empty oil/replace oil once a year...so much more convenient than wires.

adamadamant · April 2018

Thank you all for sage advice. I was a little foxed by the rear roller bit as I couldnt figure out how this would help mechanically, but three of you have now said so, and I'm on board. I also will take KT53's advice re a specialist. Many many thanks

Nollie · April 2018

My current Einhell* petrol mower, not roller type, is great for my bumpy, sloping, weedy grass (which in no way could be described as a lawn) with an optional power assist that chunters up the slopes with a little light steering. But no, it doesn’t get close enough to my curved raised border edges or the base of stone walls which I have to constantly strim and hand weed. I wondered, wouldn’t the blade guard would stop you getting really close anyway even if rollers type? Would you have to have a flat, borderless border, if you know what I mean, for it to work?

Eventually, I would like to lay a line of pavers/setts between walls/border edging and grass so the mower could just skim over the edges of the pavers to keep everything neat without constant strimming and hopefully help keep the grass/weeds out of the border too.

* with Briggs and Stratton 450 series 125cc motor.

lawnmower advice

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