Getting The Most Out Of Your Cylinder Mower
Cylinder mowers use a multi-blade cutting system to achieve a neat cut and uniform lawn. The blades protrude from a cylinder that can be moved up or down depending on the length of the grass. Electric and petrol models are widely available, and it's still possible to purchase a push cylinder mower that will ensure you get a good workout while keeping your grass short.
Cylinder mowers are often used on bowling greens and grass courts, as they do a great job of creating uniform stripes on a lawn, which is regarded as a mark of a quality lawn for both leisure and residential purposes. They are also a popular choice with those who like to keep their backyard looking its best, but as they're quite different to rotary mowers, you may be wondering how to get the most out of your cylinder mower when you take the plunge and invest in one for your yard. Here are a few tips:
Keep the Blades Sharp
The blades on a cylinder mower should not need to be replaced if they are cared for properly and sharpening them regularly will be necessary to ensure your mower provides a clean cut and doesn't create uneven cutting patterns in your grass. It's not difficult to sharpen the blades and this can be done manually in a similar fashion to sharpening a kitchen knife. Alternatively, if you want to save some time, you can use a purpose-made sharpening tool that simply attaches to the bottom of the cylinder. When you switch the mower on and the cylinder spins, the tool will sharpen the blades with no effort required on your part.
Clean The Cylinder After Each Use
It may be tempting to pack your mower away in the shed as soon as you've finished cutting your grass, but leaving the cylinder covered in grass clippings, particularly when they are damp, can lead to corrosion. Corroded parts don't work as well as they should and will impact performance, so take a couple of minutes to clean the cylinder after each use.
Choose A Model Based On Lawn Size
A push cylinder mower may seem quaint, but it will likely only be practical and enjoyable to use if you have a relatively small lawn. Petrol cylinder mowers are ideal for large lawns as they don't require a power cable and get the job done quickly. However, they tend to be more expensive to purchase than electric cylinder mowers, so the initial outlay should be carefully considered. Electric cylinder mowers have a similar price point to electric rotary mowers and come in a variety of cylinder sizes, which means you can choose a model that's suited to the storage space you have available and that is practical for the size of lawn you have.
If you'd like to find out more about cylinder mowers, contact your local gardening supply store.
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