In this guide we'll take a look at the best petrol lawn mowers for large gardens.
What Is The Best Petrol Lawnmower?
In my opinion, this Hyundai Self Propelled Electric Start Mower wins the best petrol lawn mower thanks to it's effortless cutting and amazing value for money.
This self-propelled mower has rear wheel drive and 4 speeds to take the effort out of mowing. It also features an electric start meaning you can rely on it every time. The cutting height is easily adjusted from 25 mm to 75mm and there are several cutting options: rear discharge, side discharge, collect and drop and mulching. The item includes a mulching plug and side discharge chute.
This machine produces a nice even cut and the 70-litre grass collector has a grass level indicator to let you know when to empty it – which isn't very often! The mower has a cutting width of 51 cm making it ideal for medium to large lawns. The deck can also be simply cleaned by connecting a hose to the deck cleaning connection.
This petrol lawnmower has an amazing range of features for the money and is the best petrol lawn mower for the money.
This Hayter Harrier Petrol Lawn Mower is a very high-quality petrol model that makes light work of large, sloping or bumpy gardens. The build quality is excellent, exactly what you would expect from the Hayter brand, and the high gloss black paint finish makes it look very classy. The cutting deck is high quality aluminium for lightness and strength.
This mower starts first time without any need for priming, thanks to the electric key technology. It also includes a charger for the starter battery. However, it can also be started manually with a pull cord if required.
The mower is self-propelled meaning no heavy pushing. The variable speed can be easily set with a simple lever and at its fastest, it is really quick, perfect if you want to get the job over and done with as soon as possible. The variable speed is also handy when you want to slow down in order to manoeuvre around flower beds or other features.
The adjustable cutting heights mean you can trim your lawn to the perfect length, from 13-60mm. It also leaves nice stripes in its wake. The grass box is large and easy to remove. This machine comes with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty for extra peace of mind.
I found this mower gave a superb cut even on uneven grass that was long and slightly damp. When using the grass box, the grass was collected evenly, and the box was large enough that it didn't need emptying too often.
This machine is quite heavy, however as it features self-propulsion it is still very easy to use. You might just need a hand getting it back in the shed.
This is a beautiful, quality lawnmower that will make tackling even the largest and most awkward gardens, including areas such as orchards and paddocks, a breeze. Although it's a little on the pricey side, this machine is the best petrol lawn mower on the market thanks to its incredible build quality and performance.
This Honda HRG 466 Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower is another mower that takes the effort out of mowing large and uneven gardens. It's a really powerful machine that easily copes with uneven and sloping lawns, tussocks, bumps and long, damp grass.
The steel cutting deck is specially treated to resist corrosion. The cutting width is 46 cm. One of the features of this machine is the intelligent blade design which means that if you hit an obstacle the blade will twist rather than snap.
The mower is easy to start and light to use. The cutting height is easily adjusted to eight different settings. It is very manoeuvrable around curved beds and other features and produces a nice even cut. This machine collects clippings neatly effectively and the large collection box takes ages to fill. I was pleased with how efficient and economical in petrol consumption this machine was.
A sturdy, powerful mower that would be ideal for heavy domestic or light commercial use.
This Murray EQ500 Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower features a reliable, powerful and easy to start Briggs & Stratton 140cc 500E Series petrol engine. It is self-propelled making it very easy to use and it offers a great range of cutting heights from 29mm to 92mm.
The deck is made of durable steel and the cutting width is 46 cm. It comes with a 60-litre grass collector that is easy to fit and remove. The collector works well, catching every blade and filling up evenly.
This mower starts well, and I have every faith in the quality of the Briggs & Stratton Engine. The machine is light and manoeuvrable but still copes well with uneven lawns, slopes and damp grass. It produces an excellent, clean and even cut.
This mower offers excellent quality for the price and would be suitable for medium and large gardens. For the money it's a great option to choose if you are looking for the best petrol lawn mower for your garden.
This mower is also powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine, this time the 300 series OHV 4-stroke engine. It starts first time, reliably, and is light to use and easy to manoeuvre. The self-propulsion makes mowing light work and the 44 cm cutting width means this is suitable for medium to large gardens. The cutting height is easily adjusted from 20-70 mm with a simple lever and the unit includes a 55-litre grass collector.
This Mountfield Self Propelled Petrol Rotary Lawnmower is a well-built machine that is powerful enough to make light work of mowing medium sized gardens. It cuts well and is also very well priced.
This Yard Force Push Rotary Petrol Lawnmower also features a Briggs & Stratton engine. It has a high-quality steel deck and a cutting width of 41 cm. This machine is hand pushed rather than self-propelled, however, it is quite light to use. The cutting height can easily be adjusted from 25mm to 75 mm with a simple lever and the unit includes a 45-litre collection bag.
This mower was easy to start. The machine has a prime bulb which you push slowly three times to deliver the correct amount of fuel to the carburettor. Then simply pull the starting cord and it starts first time.
The mower cuts well and collects grass clippings nicely. It is powerful enough to produce a great cut even on long, damp grass. The unit is quiet and efficient and offers great power even at low speeds. It is also an attractive machine with a nice black, gloss paint finish that looks likely to stay looking good for a while.
This mower is easy to use, lightweight, compact and very manoeuvrable making it a good choice for smaller to medium sized gardens that are reasonably flat. It offers a good level of performance for its affordable price, and I would recommend this as the best petrol lawn mower on a budget.
This 4-wheel drive self-propelled lawn mower is ideal for a large garden with uneven lawns and slopes. The engine is a Briggs and Stratton. It features a sturdy, welded steel cutting deck that seems highly durable. The cutting width is a generous 53 cm which will cut down the number of passes required on larger areas and get the job done more quickly. The cutting height can be adjusted from 25-102 mm.
This Mcculloch Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower does an excellent job of cutting even long, damp grass. It also has a mulching function which shreds the cuttings into a fine mulch for spreading on the lawn to fertilise it. The 65-litre cutting bag collects plenty before requiring emptying. It also comes with a Gardena water hose connector so that the deck can easily be cleaned with a hose.
This is a powerful and easy to use machine that would be perfect for large gardens and difficult areas including areas that are less regularly maintained. It would also be suitable for light, professional use. In my opinion this is the best petrol lawnmower for hilly gardens and is excellent value considering the quality of the build and the features it offers.
Your choice of lawnmower will, of course, depend on your particular needs. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best petrol lawnmower for your garden.
A self-propelled lawnmower uses the engine power to power the forward motion rather than you having to push it. This is great if you have a large area to mow or have uneven lawns or slopes. They also make light work of long grass, tussocky grass and damp grass. This type of mower will require a larger engine and with be more expensive, though. It may also make the mower heavier and larger to store.
A push mower will be adequate if you have a flat even lawn and rarely have to cut long overgrown areas. The blades are powered by the petrol engine but the mower is hand pushed rather than being propelled by the engine. These mowers are usually smaller and lighter and offer great manoeuvrability in small to medium gardens, especially when using them around flower beds and features.
A petrol lawnmower will last you may years, however, it may occasionally require repairs. Check that the brand you choose has spare parts available. Your lawnmower will also need regular servicing to keep it working well for years. You can do this yourself or have someone do it for you. Many lawnmowers offer a 3-year guarantee, so this is worth looking out for.
The size and quality of the engine is key to a good mower. Choose a reliable brand and make sure it is powerful enough for the job at hand. Remember self-propelled machines will require more power.
The size of the cutting deck affects how much grass gets cut at a time. A smaller deck will be suitable for smaller gardens, especially if there are features to mow around. For large gardens, a larger deck will get the job done more quickly.
Some mowers have an electric key start for a reliable start every time. These machines have a rechargeable battery to provide the starting mechanism, so you will have to remember to charge this. Most also have a standard pull start as well in case you don't have the battery charged.
Other machines have an automatic choke for reliable starting. Some models are started by priming and pulling, this means pressing a priming bulb slowly three times to deliver fuel to the carburettor and then pulling the starting cord.
Stopping to empty the clipping bag can be a nuisance. If you plan on collecting clippings, then choose a mower with a larger bag to cut down the time spent emptying.
Mowers have a variety of cutting heights usually measured in millimetres. These vary a little and some machines cut lower than others, so check this if you want a bowling green finish to your lawn. Most are adjustable with a simple lever but some are more complicated to use.
Additional features include mulching accessories and cleaning accessories. A mulching accessory will shred the clippings into tiny pieces before discharging them onto your lawn. This helps to fertilise your lawn and maintain moisture. This is an especially good feature if you often cut long grass that would go sodden and brown if left on the lawn. A hose attachment makes light work of cleaning your mower which is essential if you are going to get many years of use out of your machine.
I have recently purchased a petrol lawnmower. How do I use and maintain it to make sure it gives me many years of use?
There are several steps to using and maintaining your lawnmower. The following are highly recommended maintenance tasks that will keep your mower running and cutting well for years. You can undertake routine servicing such as filter and oil changes yourself or take your machine into a dealer. Booking your service at the end of the season is a good idea as dealers can be very busy in spring.
Always use the fuel recommended by the manufacturer and ensure it is fresh. Unleaded petrol goes stale after three months and this may make your mower more difficult to start.
Check the oil level before every use and top up if necessary.
Check all bolts and screws regularly to make sure they are not loose or missing. Check the wheels to make sure they are not loose or wobbly.
Clean the underside of the mower after each use as grass left on the metal parts can cause acids which may damage them. When cleaning and checking the machine deck always lift it up from the front. Turning the mower on its side can allow fuel to flow into the air filter which will cause difficulty in starting and excessive smoking.
Clean the cutting blades of your machine regularly and have them sharpened or replace them as necessary.
Clean the grass bag or box because if this becomes clogged it may block air flow or cause poor collection.
If your mower is self-propelled check the drive belt regularly. Take off the belt cover, remove grass and debris and check that the drive belt is in good order and properly adjusted.
Check the air filter and spark plugs and clean or replace if necessary.
At the end of the mowing season drain the fuel from the tank or run the engine to burn off any remaining fuel.
Always store the mower on a level surface. Do no lean it against a wall or hang it from a hook as this may cause oil to seep to unwanted parts of the engine.