Greater user-friendliness and efficiency  

Customers’ demands for increased ease of handling and greater efficiency is also leaving its mark on the current development of walk-behind mowers, whether these are petrol, electric or cordless models. The manufacturers of lawnmowers, taking as their motto “lighter, faster, better”, are continuing to produce new machines offering greater ease of operation, more functions and better performance despite further reductions in energy consumption as well as in noise and exhaust emission. This is particularly true of medium-grade and top-quality mowers that are primarily distributed by specialist retailers, though increasingly by garden centres and specialist garden stores as well, at least where the middle price segment is concerned. The growing demand for more clearly individualised machines is being met by customised lawnmower models, which can quickly be adapted to suit the requirements of their operators. These mowers are designed on the modular principle and are available in petrol, electric or cordless versions. The operator can choose his personal working speed even when using a mower with automatic gearing.
Petrol mowers with more powerful engines and greater cutting widths can also cut long grass. They feature central cutting height adjustment, self-propulsion and an electric ignition system. Still increasing their market share are mulching mowers, which either collect the grass cuttings or, alternatively, shred them finely and scatter them over the lawn as nutritious mulch. Multi-purpose “aerating and mowing” machines, which have a tined roller to aerate and loosen lawn thatch, have also proved their worth. The significance of motorised cylinder mowers, which can now be had at affordable prices, will probably increase. These machines with their high-quality English cutting effect are suitable above all for prestigious lawns setting off house facades, or surrounding terraces. The pusher cylinder mower provides a useful alternative. The most recent version requires less effort to operate because it has a cylinder mounted on steel bearings and a specially designed pinion drive. More models in fun segment The sales figures for rider mowers and lawn tractors, which went up sharply several years ago, are now on the decline: the high level of the last few years cannot be maintained. Nevertheless, there is an increasing diversity of models of this type of mower, which emphasises the fun side of mowing the lawn. This class of mower offers extra features…