There are many lawn mowers [http://www.hardwarestores.com.au/directory/lawn-mowers/] on the market which might get you confused if you are out there buying a mower to assist you in up keeping the garden. So before setting out on your lawn mower purchasing task, understand first the features of specific lawn mowers. This will help you identify which type of mower to buy at a hardware [http://www.hardwarestores.com.au/directory/hardware/] store.

Lawn mowers are generally categorized as either operated manually or by an energy source. The energy source of a lawn mower could either be electricity or petrol fuel.

• Manual push mowers are the cheapest type of mowers and are good to use if you have extra time to spare while maintaining the garden. They are also good to use when you want to exercise and work out while gardening.


• Electric lawn mowers are ideally used for small to medium area size of lawns. It is easy to handle and lightweight. Corded electric mowers must be used with a nearby power source. Corded electric mowers are powered using a battery pack that must be recharged appropriately for maximum use. Compared to a petrol-powered mower, electric mower is less difficult to maintain. To avoid electrical shocks, this mower must not be used in wet circumstances.


• Petrol mowers are recommended for use in larger lawns with longer grass because it is more powerful. Petrol mowers have no trailing cords so you would not worry about tripping on it. It will also not overheat when you use it on large turf areas. Although more expensive than the electric counterpart, petrol mowers are better performing. It can also be used in damp and wet conditions. Compared to electric mowers, petrol mowers are more difficult to maintain and be stored safely.

Mowers may also be classified according to the parts and features they contain and the fashion by which the cutting blades rotate.

• Cylinder Mowers use blades that rotate vertically and cut quite close for a well-maintained turf. It may come in rear rollers to provide the lawn with traditional finish; a removable box for collecting grass clippings. This lawn mower in different cutting widths is ideal to be used on level and flat lawns. There are electric-powered, petrol-fueled and hand-pushed cylinder mowers.


• Rotary mowers have blades which rotate horizontally and create a less polished cut. Larger areas or expanse of turf are ideal to be mowed with rotary mowers especially lawns with grassy and rough patches, with weeds, moss growth and sloping areas. Rotary mowers come with changeable cutting heights, removable box for grass clippings and roller for striped grass finish. Rotary mowers may be electric-powered, petrol-fueled or manually pushed.


• Hover mowers have rotating blades floating over the grass surface and keep the lawn really tidy and neat. They can be used to quickly cut the turf on small to medium area size of lawn. They are also ideal for use on uneven grass planes. Compared to other types of mowers, hover mowers do not produce a highly polished cut yet they are inexpensive, are lightweight, easy to use and keep.