Hand Push Lawnmowers - Which one for a small back garden

NewBoy2

I have a back lawn about 25 foot by 10 foot that has bits taken out for wild flowers.

Does anyone have any experiences with hand push mowers please.

I would like one like me....simple and reliable.

BenCotto

There’s a round up here on the GW website but, typical of their reviews, the crude scoring system means there’s little to choose between first and last.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/lawn-mowers/best-push-mowers/

Interestingly, the lowest scorer from GW, the Husqvarna Novocut64, was the highest scorer in Which reviews of manual lawnmowers and the only one they awarded ‘Best Buy’ status

JennyJ

I think the main difference is whether you prefer the grass box on the front or on the back. I find on the back much better for getting to the edges without the grass box pushing into the border. Check the height adjustment suits you (min, max, how easy it is to change), cut width (bigger if you have larger areas, but smaller can be better for manoeuvrability if you have any small areas) and weight (If like me you'd need to lift it out of the shed and over a border). Also more blades gives a better cut, but that's not covered in the review mentioned above so perhaps they're all much the same these days. Also bear in mind no cylinder mower handles long grass well, or uneven surfaces.
I have A Bosch ahm38g which has done the job fine for something like 15 or 20 years (can't remember exactly when I got it) but it's recently started slipping a bit and needs a new pawl pin which we've ordered. The cog mechanisms are plastic but are showing no real signs of wear. 

Nanny Beach

Got a metal Qualcast, woman was taking it down the tip. I don't like the grass box which is plastic, the previous one I had with metal box was better design. So I mow every 3 or 4 days and Don't bother with the grass box,and leave the clippings.i don't have a small garden I also use it to cut the grass verge 

Nanny Beach

Jennyj keep hold of that we bought a new Bosch recently electric)it's rubbish plastic flimsy, German tech we thought it's made in China,!!

gjautos

I have a spear and Jackson push mower. Think it was from argos. Its great, the box is on the front, which I find easiest as it doesn't get in the way of your feet! Also being on the front i use it to gently push plants out of the way so i can cut the edges. Its easy to push and lightweight

JennyJ

Mine actually looks very similar to yours @Nanny Beach , except for the branding and being a bit wider. Black plastic grass box that goes on those hooky bits at the back. I do use it because I generally only cut once a week. Work doesn't leave me as much garden time as I'd like

@gjautos , I'm quite short so the mower is probably further away from my feet than yours ('cos you can't make the handle shorter). Something to take into account when choosing.

gjautos

@JennyJ I think you probably get used to the grass box whether it is on the front or back. The handles are non adjustable on mine too, its probably a common theme for push mowers. It's on a pivot though so your actual height isn't an issue. I used to have a petrol mower but I confess I find a manual push mower much more enjoyable to use.

B3

This thread has got me thinking that a push mower might be a  handy addition to our electric one. Had a look online. Like most garden tools, I think it's something I'd like to meet in person before deciding.

JennyJ

Yes, mine has a pivoting handle, but for a shortie like me the handle is at a shallower angle than it would be for a taller person, pushing the mower itself further away from my feet, so there's plenty of room for the box. Before my current mower I had a small electric one (given to us when we first moved in) that had the box on the front and I found it awkward and clumsy, but each to their own.

gjautos

@B3 mine was a present from my wife🤣. I remember spending a Christmas morning putting it together and the kids looking at me like I was total idiot for being so excited!!