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I’ve just bought my first house and need to invest in a lawn mower. We have an average sized backyard and there’s also some grass out the front but my needs are pretty modest. I have no idea what to look for. Can anyone give me some advice? I’m particularly confused on the benefits/drawbacks of 2-stroke versus 4-stroke. And are electric mowers now worth considering?
Hi @Elisha007,
If you’re after something lightweight, easy to use, and that you can store indoors, I’d definitely suggest looking at the Ryobi 18V range of garden equipment. The 18V mowers and trimmers are generally lighter than their 36V counterparts, and they’re perfect for small to medium lawns. For a larger yard, you may need to pop the battery back on charge halfway through, or just split the mowing over two sessions. For example, front yard one day, backyard the next. The batteries are also compatible with the whole range of Ryobi One+ tools.
A typical 18V mower kit comes with a 4Ah battery, which gives you around 25 minutes of run time. That’s usually enough for a decent section of lawn, as long as you’re keeping the grass maintained rather than letting it grow too long. The same battery can also power the 18V line trimmer, which is lightweight but still handles tougher grasses like buffalo without much trouble.
If you’d like to finish your whole lawn in one go, you could consider stepping up to the Ryobi 36V mower, which has a longer run time (up to 50 minutes) and a slightly wider cut. It is a little heavier than the 18V but still far easier to manoeuvre than a petrol mower, and it starts instantly at the push of a button; no fuel, no pulling cords.
Another option, if you want something ultra-light, would be a corded electric mower like the Ozito 240V range. They’re very light and you never have to worry about charging batteries, but the trade-off is having to manage an extension cord while you mow.
For someone with a bad back, I’d say the 18V or 36V Ryobi kits are probably the best balance of weight, ease of use, and storage. My wife uses our 36V Ryobi mower and loves it. She finds it much easier to push than our old petrol mower and appreciates that it starts with just a trigger pull.
Let me mention @mich1972, @prettyliving and @EleventhCoastal to see if they have any thoughts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
CC: @Elisha007 ,
With regard to the corded Ozito mower that's why I'm asking for photos of the grass areas.
If the areas are fairly open I consider that is you best choice, as you start mowing say to the right the lead will generally follow on the left.
Use a good quality extension lead and please also purchase this.
Arlec Single Outlet Safety Switch.
Technically that is a Residual Current Device (RCD) with a common name Safety Switch.
Detects abnormal electrical conditions and will turn off the power much faster (shorter time period) than a power box circuit breaker.
Cheers
