Lawnmowers are a necessary part of lawn care, but they can also be a bit of a mystery with a huge range to choose from. If you're new to lawnmowing, or if you've just never had to think about them before, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. 

In this article, we'll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about lawnmowers. We'll cover topics like the different types of mowers, how to use and maintain your lawnmower, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

So whether you're a seasoned lawnmower pro or a complete novice, this article is sure to have something for you. Let's get started!

What type of lawnmowers are there?

The type of lawnmower you buy will depend on the size of your lawn, the type of grass you have, and your budget.

• Walk-behind petrol mowers are the most common type of lawnmower. They can be relatively inexpensive and easy to use. However, they can be difficult to push on large lawns or hills.
• Self-propelled petrol mowers are more expensive than walk-behind mowers, but they are easier to push. They are a great option for large lawns or hills.
• Ride-on mowers are the most expensive type of lawnmower, but they are also the most powerful. They are a good option for large lawns with lots of hills, or for more professional use across large areas. Some machines also have a range of attachments to turn your ride-on mower into a small garden tractor for pulling trailers, water bowsers or snow ploughs. 
• Battery mowers are becoming more popular, as they are quieter and produce zero emissions during use. However, they can be more expensive than petrol-powered mowers as an initial purchase, but save money long-term. 
• Robotic mowers are a fairly new entry into the garden machinery world, but are becoming more and more popular with consistent mowing times, the ability to work via GPS and a huge time-saving, giving you your weekends back! 

For more details on the different types of mowers available, click here to read our detailed breakdown from our team of expert staff. 

General mowing questions

• Which lawn mower is best for hills?
  A selp-propelled mower will work for reasonably gentle inclines. On slopes greater than 35^o it is recommended to use a hover mower or banks mower, both are specifically designed for working on slopes and banks.
• Which lawn mowers makes stripes?
  Mowers that have rear rollers will give you a more defined stripe, they are also useful if you have a lot of borders around your lawn at a lower level, as they prevent the rear of the mower dropping and scalping the lawn. Hayter Mowers have been the go-to for rear-roller mowers for years and years, and you can shop their full range with here HERE
• Which lawn mower is best for long grass?
  There are many machines designed for working with long grass. There are specific machines, rough grass cutters, sicklebar mowers etc. Some other mowers have a side or rear eject option aswell has collection or mulch. 
• Will a lawn mower pick up leaves?
  Yes in small doses. If you are using a collection model it is possilble to collect your leaves. If soley collecting and not cutting the grass, you can put the mower on its highest cut setting allowing for more airflow and giving a better collection. 
• Are lawn mower bags universal?
  Each manufacturer designs bags specifically for their models, they are individually sized and have different ways of attaching to the machines. You can contact our spare parts department if you need support in finding a replacement by clicking here. 
• Are lawn mower blades universal?
  No, each manufacturer designs blades specifically for their models. We have a range of spare blades available online HERE
• Can lawn mower engines get wet?
  Petrol machines can get wet, although it is recommended to keep them under cover when not in use.

Fuel & oil questions

• Does a lawn mower take engine oil?
  Yes, but only 4-stroke petrol Lawnmowers require engine oil. This is in a separate sump to the fuel, and the type of oil depends on the engine of the machine. 
• Where do you put lawn mower oil?
  Most petrol mowers have two tanks. One for petrol & one for engine oil. These should be visibly marked on each of the caps with either a fuel pump or oil can, plus the oil will have a dip stick on the cap as well.
• What lawn mower oil to use?
  There are different grades of oil for different engines. Please refer to the instruction manual of the machine to identify the correct oil for that mower.
• Can lawn mower petrol go bad?
  Yes, modern day fuels from the pump have a high proportion of Ethanol which can cause issues with the machine if left in the mower for longer than a couple of weeks. See our article "Ethanol & its effects", written by our knowledgeable WGM workshop foreman. 
• Will lawn mower start without oil?
  Some engines will start without oil, however others have a built in cut off switch in the Sump. Never run your machine without oil and we strongly would advise checking the oil level prior to every mow. 
• Can lawn mower air filters be washed?
  Possibly, depending on the material. Foam filters you are able to wash and re-use; filters made of paper are only able to be gently brushed but it is better to replace when needed. 
• Can lawnmowers be used with any other fuel except petrol? 
  Petrol is the standard fuel for 4-stroke engines, however there are a range of long-life fuels available. Although slightly more expensive than fuel from petrol pumps, they have a range of additives to extend the life of the fuel over a period of years, rather than a period of days. They will also run cleaner through your engine and potentially reduce future servicing costs. Stihl Moto4Plus, Husqvarna Power4 and Aspen 4 are some of these available fuels from us. *Please note fuel cannot be ordered online, and must be purchased in-store with us in Winchester, Liss or Sunningdale.

For more information on E10 fuel from UK petrol pumps, click here to read an insightful article written by our workshop foreman on our WGM website, regarding fuel for garden machinery.

Lawnmower blade questions

• Will a lawn mower start without its blade?
  It will start however naturally it won't be able to cut.
• When do you replace or sharpen lawn mower blade?
  Your mower blades will need to be replaced when they are blunt. The way to see if they are blunt is when you are mowing and it appears to be tearing rather than cutting the grass. Sharpening can only be done a certain number of times before the blade needs to be replaced. If the blade as been hit or damaged the blade will need to be replaced as an damage can compromise the integrity of the blade.
• Where do you sharpen a lawn mower blade?
  Most lawnmower dealers offer a sharpening service. We offer this service at our service centres in Winchester, Liss or Sunningdale. 
• Can lawn mower blades be straightened?
  No, once a blade has been bent it will have compromised the integrity of the metal, weakening the blade. 
• Which lawn mower blade do I need?
  To make sure you get the correct blade for your machine, you would need to refer to the manual or speak with a registered dealer with the make, model and serial number, and they will be able to identify the blade requried. We also have a range of spare blades available online HERE if you already know what you are looking for.

Lawnmower servicing questions

• Where is a lawn mower caburetor?
  This will depend on the machine in question. Usually it is located on the engine block. Please refer to your owners manual.
• Where is a lawn mower air filter?
  This will depend on the machine in question. Usually it is located under a cover on the oposite side to the exhaust. Please refer to your owners manual.
• Where is a lawn mower spark plug? 
  This will depend on the machine in question. Usually it is located on the engine block. Please refer to your owners manual.
• Where is lawn mower fuel filter?
  Not all mowers have fuel filters, but for those that do it will be located along the fuel line.
• Why will my lawn mower not start?
  There are many reasons why a machine may be not starting; a common cause is poor or old fuel. (See our article "Ethanol & its effects", written by our knowledgeable WGM workshop foreman). If you are unable to resolve the issue contact a registered dealer for your machine. 
• Where do you service a lawn mower?
  Most lawnmower dealers will have a servicing department. We have three service centres at our Winchester Garden Machinery stores, located in Winchester, Liss, and Sunningdale.
• When to service a lawn mower?
  It is recommended to service your machines on an annual basis. Most manufaturers now stipulate annual servicing during the warranty period; if this is not carried out and a fault occurs during its warranty period, there is a chance this would not be covered by the manufacturers warranty if it has occurred due to lack of maintenance.

We hope that has covered some of the questions you may have regarding lawnmowers. If you have any further queries, you can browse our blog further here for other articles and helpful posts from our experienced team. You can also contact us here.