Maintaining a beautiful lawn requires a lot of work, so having the right tools is essential to keeping your yard healthy without breaking your back. Trimming the grass manually with a scythe is not going to cut it — it’s time to invest in a lawn mower.
However, with so many alternatives on the market, it can be pretty difficult to choose the right option for the job. To help you out, in this article, we’ll delve into the world of cylinder and rotary lawn mowers, examining their differences and helping you decide which one is the best fit for your lawn needs.
Read on and get ready to learn everything you need to know about these essential lawn care tools!
What Is A Rotary Lawn Mower?
Before we get started, it’s important to define our terms. Let’s begin with the rotary lawn mower, the most common type of grass-cutting device on the market.
Rotary lawn mowers are predominantly used in domestic gardens. They rely on a horizontally spinning blade to cut the grass and are suitable for most types of lawns.
Rotary mowers can handle longer grass and uneven surfaces, making them ideal for larger gardens with a lot of topographical variety. The blades of rotary mowers are typically designed to be self-sharpening, which reduces the need for frequent maintenance.
There are two main types of rotary lawn mowers — the push mower and the self-propelled variety.
As the name suggests, push mowers rely on the gardener to steer them across the lawn, while self-propelled mowers have a motor that drives them forward without the need for manual effort. The latter type is ideal for large properties with a lot of obstacles or inclines, as pushing a heavy lawn mower up a hill can be a workout in itself!
Rotary lawn mowers come in both gasoline and electric versions, but the latter tends to be a better choice due to its low emissions and less noisy operation. With an electric rotary lawn mower, you’ll be tethered to a power outlet or generator, whereas a gasoline-powered model can travel across your property with much fewer restrictions.
What Is A Cylinder Lawn Mower?
Cylinder lawn mowers use a cylinder of blades that spin against a fixed sharp edge to give a clean cut. They are perfect for lawns with a smooth, flat surface and short grass. Cylinder mowers are often used on bowling greens and golf courses, where a perfectly manicured lawn is required.
Cylinder lawn mowers look quite different from rotary mowers, having a much more vertical design and often featuring a roller on the back of the machine. The roller provides stability for the mower and also enables it to create striped patterns on the lawn, adding visual appeal to your garden.
Cylinder vs Rotary Lawn Mowers
When it comes to choosing between a cylinder and a rotary lawn mower, there’s no clear-cut answer. The best type of lawn mower for you will depend on your particular gardening needs and preferences.
Precision
If you’re after a perfectly manicured lawn, a cylinder mower is the way to go. The rotating blades give a clean cut that’s ideal for creating a striped lawn. On the other hand, rotary mowers aren’t as precise and may leave a rougher finish. It makes them a better choice for gardens where functionality is more important than aesthetics.
Suitability
Next, it’s essential to consider the type of lawn you have. Cylinder mowers are perfect for flat, smooth lawns with short grass. At the same time, rotary mowers are more versatile and can handle longer grass and uneven terrain. They’re the best choice for larger gardens with lots of terrain variety.
Maintenance
Cylinder mowers require more maintenance than rotary mowers, as their blades need to be sharpened and adjusted regularly. Conversely, rotary mowers are easier to maintain and feature self-sharpening blades, reducing the amount of maintenance required.
Ease of Use
Regarding ease of use, rotary mowers are generally the better choice. They’re easier to maneuver and require less physical effort than cylinder mowers. They’re also more suitable for gardens with lots of obstacles or inclines.
That being said, a cylinder mower might be the better choice if you have a smaller, flat lawn due to its lower weight and compact size.
Cost
The cost of a lawn mower will depend on the type, size, and features you choose. In general, cylinder mowers are more expensive than rotary mowers. This is due to their precision cutting abilities and the fact that they have more moving parts, which makes them more complex (and therefore more expensive) machines.
Another factor that can influence the price is the brand. Some manufacturers, such as Honda and John Deere, are known for their high-quality lawn care products and tend to charge a premium price.
If you are on a strict gardening budget, you can opt for one of many cheaper options on the market that can do an excellent job of cutting your grass.
Key Takeaways
- Rotary lawnmowers are the most common type of grass-cutting device on the market. They rely on a horizontally spinning blade to cut the grass and are suitable for most types of lawns.
- Cylinder lawnmowers use a cylinder of blades that spin against a fixed sharp edge to give a clean cut. They are perfect for lawns with a smooth, flat surface and short grass.
- When choosing between a cylinder and a rotary lawn mower, there’s no clear-cut answer. Rotary mowers are more versatile and can handle longer grass and uneven terrain, but cylinder mowers offer a precision cut that’s perfect for creating a striped lawn. Rotary mowers require less maintenance than cylinder mowers, but they’re more challenging to maneuver due to their weight and size.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it — everything you need to know about cylinder and rotary lawn mowers. Both types of mowers have unique advantages, so it’s essential to consider your lawn care needs before making a decision.
No matter which type of mower you choose, remember to research your options carefully to find the best possible model for the job. Not all lawn mowers are made equal, and investing in a quality machine will make your life a lot easier in the long run.
Make sure to read reviews and compare prices before making your final decision. Your perfect lawn mower is out there; you just need to find it!
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Enamored with the world of golf Jack pursued a degree in Golf Course Management at THE Ohio State University. This career path allowed him to work on some of the highest profile golf courses in the country! Due to the pandemic, Jack began Inside The Yard as a side hustle that quickly became his main hustle. Since starting the company, Jack has relocated to a homestead in Central Arkansas where he and his wife raise cattle and two little girls.