How to increase mowing speed on small lawns

[TullioK]

My garden is split into three lawns, approximately 50 m² each and split on differently levels requiring moving the mower down steps between them. I'm currently using a small old electric hovering Flymo (30 cm blade, 1150 W motor) which does seem an appropriate tool given the limitations, it is nimble and easy to move up and down steps. The problem is it takes me the best part of an hour to mow the three lawns, emptying the grass collector between 3-8 times depending on the grass length.

I expect a large push mower could mow this amount of grass in about ten minutes if it weren't for all the obstacles, so I'm wondering what type of mower would be a good in between. I've looked at the new Flymos, they sell one with a 36 cm blade and 1800 W motor, but will it really save me that much time? The new models also look less robustly made than the older ones.

I'm assuming push mowers wouldn't be a good option because my lawns are so small they require a lot of turning, but I'd be happy to hear otherwise.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

 

[securespark]

IME, the fag is having to stop and empty the thing frequently.

How much roomier is the grass collector on the new machine?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Get a mulching mower.

Andy

 

[scbk]

Post some photos of the garden. Is there no way of making ramped sections between the lawns so the mower doesn't have to go up and down the steps?

 

[foxhole]

Walk quicker.

 

[TullioK]

Post some photos of the garden. Is there no way of making ramped sections between the lawns so the mower doesn't have to go up and down the steps?

Not easily, and one of the lawns is in front of my house so I take the mower through the garage.

Has anyone got experience of using a hover mower vs a wheeled mower of a comparable size and price? Would I be right in assuming that the wheeled version cuts better or faster? They seem to have different style blades, perhaps because they don't need to hover. If they do cut better then I might see if I get on better with one of them, if they're similar then I don't see what the advantage is compared to a hover mower..

Thanks again

 

[TullioK]

Walk quicker.

Haha! I have tried! With varying results

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Get a mulching mower.

Would that be a goat, or a sheep Andy?

 

[TullioK]

Would that be a goat, or a sheep Andy?

My other half would probably be quite keen on that idea. However I'm sceptical it would save time in the long run

 

[scbk]

Not easily, and one of the lawns is in front of my house so I take the mower through the garage.

Has anyone got experience of using a hover mower vs a wheeled mower of a comparable size and price? Would I be right in assuming that the wheeled version cuts better or faster? They seem to have different style blades, perhaps because they don't need to hover. If they do cut better then I might see if I get on better with one of them, if they're similar then I don't see what the advantage is compared to a hover mower..

Thanks again

Wheeled mowers are faster over longer distances (straight runs), in a small area the turning slows you down.

I've never got on with hover mowers, would much rather use a strimmer, which would be faster than a wheeled mower in a small/odd shaped area.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

If emptying the collection box is the real time-consuming bit, how about not collecting at all?

 

[Mottie]

Cut it more often and don’t bother collecting it.

 

[nickjb]

You'd save a huge amount if time not mowing it, or at least mowing it less. Let some of go a bit more wild. You can mow paths where you walk. Much better for wildlife and less work for you, win-win

 

[blup]

My garden is split into three lawns, approximately 50 m² each and split on differently levels requiring moving the mower down steps between them. I'm currently using a small old electric hovering Flymo (30 cm blade, 1150 W motor) which does seem an appropriate tool given the limitations, it is nimble and easy to move up and down steps. The problem is it takes me the best part of an hour to mow the three lawns, emptying the grass collector between 3-8 times depending on the grass length.

I expect a large push mower could mow this amount of grass in about ten minutes if it weren't for all the obstacles, so I'm wondering what type of mower would be a good in between. I've looked at the new Flymos, they sell one with a 36 cm blade and 1800 W motor, but will it really save me that much time? The new models also look less robustly made than the older ones.

I'm assuming push mowers wouldn't be a good option because my lawns are so small they require a lot of turning, but I'd be happy to hear otherwise.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

Not a big area to mow if youre reasonably fit, the ability to push a petrol mower at different speeds is an advantage imo, especially with lower weight and manoeuvrability. Some outstanding battery mowers coming onto the market but still very expensive.

Blup