The Battle of the Blades

AutoMowers vs. Ride-On Mowers vs. Traditional Mowers – Which is Best for You?

When it comes to lawn care, homeowners, landowners and even greenspace professionals are faced with an array of mower options with which to achieve a beautifully manicured lawn. Choosing between a traditional mower, ride-on mower or automower can pose a challenge though as each promises the perfect balance between precision, efficiency and convenience but the question is: which one will fully meet your specific needs?

Wynand Lombaard, Product & Pricing Specialist at Husqvarna, South Africa provides some guidance on how to determine what type of mower is best to keep your lawn in tip-top shape. As with any significant purchase, budget considerations are at the forefront when making your decision, often outweighing personal preferences. According to Lombaard, “Both ride-on and automowers typically come with a considerably higher price tag than traditional mowers. However, apart from being the more cost-effective option, traditional mowers are still highly effective in getting the job done.”

He offers a comparison between the three types to assist your decision-making:

1. Traditional Mowers

• Staple of most small to medium-sized gardens. Suitable for lawns of up to 800m² on average.
• Available in both battery electric and petrol models.
• Petrol mowers excel in power and durability, are robust and can handle various terrains, including slopes and rough patches. They are also able to manage thick and taller grass.
• Battery mowers are lightweight, quiet and eco-friendly. They work well on flat to moderately uneven ground with gentle slopes and require minimal maintenance.

Drawbacks:

• Petrol mowers can be noisy.
• Traditional mowers require more time and physical effort.

2. Ride-on Mower

• Best suited for half-acre or larger lawns.
• They are designed to handle varying landscapes and uneven or rolling terrain.
• Their greatest advantage (apart from being able to sit in comfort rather than walk behind a mower) is their speed and they can mow very large areas in a very short time. In fact, no mower can compete in this regard.
• Able to mow very tall, thick or coarse grass, which is great, particularly if you have not mowed for a while.

Drawbacks:

• Less agile and unable to navigate very steep inclines.
• Higher maintenance and fuel consumption costs.

3. Automower (Robotic Mowers)

• An automower operates autonomously and mows according to a set schedule, giving you more free time.
• Most are designed to cut between a quarter and half an acre of lawn.
• They are versatile and can operate in uneven, hilly terrain and are also able to navigate slopes.
• Their mulching capability is great for your lawn and they are environmentally friendly.
• Low maintenance and operating costs.

Drawbacks:

• Lawns have to be obstacle-free.

So, in a nutshell, traditional mowers suit smaller spaces and come with features to suit every budget. Ride-on mowers conquer vast lawns, are efficient and require reduced physical effort. Robotic mowers bring futuristic ease to maintaining a manicured lawn – the equivalent of a robotic vacuum cleaner for your house.

“Ultimately, all mowers have their merits and drawbacks, but all contribute to well-maintained lawns. Choosing the right one all comes down to budget both pre- and post-purchase, land size, terrain, and personal preference,” concludes Lombaard.

If you’re in the market for a new mower, check out the Husqvarna range of mowers here: www.husqvarna.com

Source:  Husqvarna

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