Should you Choose a Petrol Lawn Mower?
In this article, I will be going through the different Petrol Lawn Mowers available on the market helping you decide the best petrol lawn mower for you and to suit your needs!
Should you Choose a Petrol Lawn Mower?
When it comes to lawn care and maintaining a neat and tidy grassland Petrol lawn mowers are a great option. These garden tools are portable easy to use and efficient.
Petrol lawn mowers have and remain an incredibly popular choice for gardeners countrywide. Using petrol frees you from the cord of the electric model and gives you the power and runtime needed to cover large areas with minimal effort.
Depending on your field of work, petrol lawn mowers are used in numerous large scale lawn care jobs in certain locations such as a park or stately home. At a certain size of field, it becomes inefficient and extremely difficult to use a battery powered lawn mower. This will change as time goes on and there are already massive strides being made in the development of this technology.
However its worth noting the cordless lawnmowers are making big strides to catch them up in terms of power and runtime. Petrol still has its benefits and for a lot of larger scale jobs it remains the best option.
ITS Tool Expert – Top Petrol lawn mower picks
Choosing the Best Petrol Lawn Mower can be a tough ordeal, especially with all the brands, types of lawn mowers available nowadays. To make it easier here are our top 3 choices picked and rated by an ITS Expert.
GREAT FOR GARDENING PETROL LAWNMOWER
STIHL RM 248
OUR EXPERT RATING:
If you’re a first time buyer, or looking to get a new petrol mower the Stihl RM 248 is one of the best bets for an easy to use Lawn Mower.
TOP FEATURES
- Cutting Width: 46cm
- Max Cutting Height: 25-75mm
- Cutting Mechanism: Hi-Lift Blades
- Cutting Steps: 5
- Cutting Adjustment: Central
- Noise Max: 96dB(A)
HEAVY-DUTY PETROL LAWNMOWER
MOUNTFIELD SP51H
OUR EXPERT RATING:
This self propelled mower, drives the rear wheels meaning there is no need to push and therefore requires minimal effort.
TOP FEATURES
- Cutting Width: 51cm
- Max Cutting Height: 90mm
- Cutting Mechanism: Metal Blades
- Cutting Steps: 5
- Cutting Adjustment: Central
- Noise Max: 97dB(A)
MAKITA’S CHOICE PETROL LAWN MOWER
MAKITA PLM4815
OUR EXPERT RATING:
This Lawn Mower is a breeze to use, the self propelled motor and aluminium wheels make this a really comfortable experience.
TOP FEATURES
- Cutting Width: 46cm
- Max Cutting Height: 80mm
- Cutting Mechanism: Hi-Lift Blades
- Cutting Steps: 6
- Cutting Adjustment: Central
- Noise Max: 94.3dB(A)
Petrol Lawn Mowers REVIEWS
This list of hand-picked, expertly tested lawn mowers includes our top 5 picks with vital information to help you decide the best petrol lawn mower for you. With these reviews, you can expect the following questions to be answered;
- Does the lawnmower mulch? – Mulching lawnmowers cut blades of grass and organic material into fine strands allowing for easy decomposition, this mulch is then a perfect fertiliser for your lawn. Mulching isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – some don’t like the “messy” appearance for the week or so after cutting the grass. But mulching is most definitely one of the most efficient ways to cut grass.
- What is the cutting height range of the lawn mower and how many cutting steps does the lawn mower have? – Knowing the range of your lawn mower helps you choose the desired grass length – want a longer grass finish? go for a higher cutting height.
- How loud is the lawn mower? – The lower the sound the happier the neighbours.
- What is the carrying capacity of the lawn mower? – Bigger capacity, fewer trips and less hassle.
- What is the blade diameter of the lawn mower? – The larger the blade size, the faster you’ll cut the lawn!
5. STIHL RM 248 PETROL LAWN MOWER
MOST COMFORTABLE LAWN MOWER TO USE
- Mulching: No
- Cutting Steps: 5
- Sound Profile: 96dB
- Basket Capacity: 55L
- Cutting Steps: 5
- Cutting Diameter: 460mm
- Cutting Height: 25mm-75mm
ITS Expert Notes
The mower is controlled thanks to a soft grip handle which allows for longer working. The handlebar can fold down when you’ve finished to reduce the amount of space it takes up for better storage.
4. MOUNTFIELD SP51H PETROL LAWN MOWER
IDEAL FOR SMALL, MEDIUM GARDENS
- Mulching: Mulching Plug
- Sound Profile: 97dB
- Basket Capacity: 60L
- Cutting Diameter: 510mm
- Cutting Steps: 6
- Cutting Height: 22mm-80mm
ITS Expert Notes
This self propelled mower, controlled from a comfortable handle, drives the rear wheels meaning there is no need to push and therefore requires minimal effort. This is particularly useful over both rough terrain and slopes.
3. MAKITA PLM512N2 PETROL LAWN MOWER
HIGH QUALITY MULCHING LAWN MOWER
- Mulching: Yes
- Sound Profile: 95.1dB
- Basket Capacity: 55L
- Cutting Steps: 5
- Cutting Diameter: 510mm
- Cutting Height: 25mm-70mm
ITS Expert Notes
The specialist blade holds grass clippings inside the mower so that it can cut them down to fine pieces. These quickly settle on the lawn adding to the growth health and well-being of your lawn.
On the side, there is a chute to exit clippings when the grass is either too wet or long to effectively mulch properly.
2. MAKITA PLM4626 PETROL LAWN MOWER
IDEAL FOR SMALL – MEDIUM GARDENS
- Mulching: No
- Sound Profile: 95dB
- Basket Capacity: 60L
- Cutting Steps: 4
- Cutting Diameter: 600mm
- Cutting Height: 25mm-75mm
ITS Expert Notes
Really well built and sturdy with the steel cased body and high quality parts. It has 1 lever to adjust the height. The lever does all 4 wheels at once. Effortlessly cuts the grass extremely evenly.
1. MAKITA PLM4815 PETROL LAWN MOWER
GREAT LAWNMOWER AT GREAT PRICE
- Mulching: No
- Sound Profile: 94.3dB
- Basket Capacity: 70L
- Cutting Steps: 6
- Cutting Diameter: 460mm
- Cutting Height: 30mm-80mm
ITS Expert Notes
Providing an excellent finish, this mower comes with a solid, weather and stain resistant aluminium deck along with long life aluminium wheels. Featuring a top of the range Briggs & Stratton 675 ReadyStart 190cc 4-stroke engine and variable speed control to adjust the walking speed.
Choosing the Right Engine And Accessories For Your Lawn Mower
Types of Petrol Engines: 2-Stroke vs. 4-Stroke
When it comes to petrol engines for lawn mowers, you’ll typically encounter two types: 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines. But what’s the difference, and why does it matter?
The 2-stroke engine is a compact powerhouse. It generates power with every rotation of the crankshaft, combining the intake and exhaust strokes into one swift motion. This simplicity means the engine is lighter, more affordable, and easier to maintain. However, it tends to be noisier, produces more emissions, and may require a fuel-oil mixture.
On the other hand, we have the 4-stroke engine, which operates through four distinct strokes: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. These engines are quieter, more fuel-efficient, and emit fewer pollutants. While they may be pricier upfront and require occasional oil changes, their reliability and performance make them a popular choice among lawn care enthusiasts.
Essential Accessories for Petrol Mowers: Fuel Cans, Funnels, and More
Petrol Cans: These sturdy containers are designed to safely store and transport fuel. Look for cans with spill-proof caps and a capacity that suits your mowing needs. Trust us, having a reliable petrol can is a game-changer when it comes to convenience and avoiding messy spills.
Funnels/Pouring Spouts: A trusty funnel is a must-have companion for your petrol can. It helps you pour fuel into your mower’s tank with precision and minimal wastage. Look for funnels with wide openings and long spouts for easy handling.
Spark Plugs: These little wonders ignite the fuel-air mixture, keeping your mower’s engine running smoothly. Over time, spark plugs can wear out, affecting performance. Regularly inspect and replace them as needed to maintain optimal engine efficiency.
Air Filters: Just like we need clean air to breathe, your lawn mower needs clean air to perform at its best. Air filters prevent dirt and debris from entering the engine, ensuring a longer lifespan and smoother operation. Clean or replace your air filter regularly to keep your mower humming.
Check out the products in this article
In The Mood For Garden Content?
If you’re sprucing up your Garden Tool Kit feel free to have a read of our Pressure washer article here. You’ll also need a wheelbarrow to get rid of all of that mulch!
The Best Petrol Lawn Mowers Of 2023
The Best Corded Electric Lawn Mowers Of 2023
What an informative article on choosing the right petrol lawn mower! The detailed breakdown of top picks and their features makes it easier to find the perfect fit. I’m curious though, between the 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, which one would you recommend for someone looking for a balance between performance and environmental impact?
Hi! If you’re concerned about the environmental impact, perhaps check out our article on cordless lawnmowers! All of the power but with far less of a footprint