Comparison AL-KO Highline 46.8 SP-A vs AL-KO Highline 46.5 P-A edition

The minimum cutting height provided by the lawnmower — that is, the smallest height of grass that can remain after the passage of the machine. It makes sense to pay attention to this indicator mainly in cases where the lawn is planned to be cut as short as possible. In addition, the lower the minimum height (with the same maximum), the wider the height adjustment range of this model.

The maximum cutting height that the lawn mower can achieve is the maximum height of grass that can be left after the machine has passed.

This parameter is relevant mainly for those cases when you want to leave the grass on the lawn relatively long. In addition, lawn mowers with high cutting heights have a wide range of mowing adjustments.

The cutting height adjustment method provided in the machine.

— Synchronous. Adjustment carried out "in one movement" — as opposed to the manual described below. In traditional lawn mowers, it is usually carried out by a lever that changes the height of all wheels at the same time; in other units, not the wheels, but the cutting tool itself, can be adjusted in height. Anyway, synchronous adjustment is much more convenient than manual adjustment, and for some devices (for example, robots and riders, see "Type") this is generally the only technically possible option. However, in classic mowers, such a system complicates and increases the cost of construction.

— Manual. The meaning of this type of adjustment depends on the type of device. So, for trimmers, this is almost the only possible way by definition: in them, the cutting height is regulated by how high the operator holds the working nozzle. In lawn mowers, manual adjustment means that you need to separately adjust the height of each axle, and even each individual wheel. Such systems are simpler and cheaper than synchronous systems, but less convenient to use.

The area of the site for which the lawn mower is designed. It cannot be argued that this parameter is critical when choosing a device, these are only manufacturer's recommendations and are very conditional. However, they are more than justified and generally show the available front of work based on the heating of the motor, the capacity of the tank or battery, and other factors that affect the duration of work.

Possibility of work of a lawn-mower in the mode of a mulching.

Mulching is the chopping and automatic spreading of mowed grass over the site. This is one of the most convenient and at the same time practical methods of vegetation disposal. So, it does not need to be collected, and the resulting coating (mulch) performs a number of useful functions: it fertilizes the soil, reduces its heating and evaporation of moisture in hot weather, and also keeps the top layer loose.

Note that some lawn mowers allow you to use a nozzle purchased separately for mulching. However, such models are not included in this category: mulching in our catalog is indicated only for models that support this function out of the box.

- Self-propelled. In self-propelled lawn mowers, the engine rotates not only the cutting tool, but also the wheels of the lawn mower; thus, the user does not need to push it in front of him - it is enough just to set and control the direction of movement. This is convenient, but such models are more expensive than non-self-propelled ones. This is due not only to the complexity of the design, but also to the fact that such devices require more powerful engines - after all, power must be divided between the cutting nozzle and the chassis. For the same reason, a self-propelled unit will be less productive and efficient than a non-self-propelled analogue of the same power. However, some types of lawn mowers are by definition self-propelled - in particular, these are heavy professional models that would be difficult to push with your hands, as well as mini tractor riders(see "Type").

- Height adjustable handle. Possibility of height adjustment of the lawn mower handle, which allows to optimally adjust the device to the height of the user. This feature is especially useful for short or, conversely, tall people - by default, lawn mower handles are made for medium height, and it would be inconvenient to work with the unit without height adjustment.

- Piano wheels. The lawn mower has special, so-called. caster wheels (similar to th...ose used, for example, in supermarket carts). These wheels automatically turn in the direction of movement of the device, which significantly reduces the turning radius of the lawn mower and increases its maneuverability. At the same time, it is worth noting that this design is usually used only for the front wheels, while the rear ones remain rigidly fixed to the axle. So moving such a structure sideways still does not work.

- Flushing fitting. The presence of a fitting in the lawn mower for connecting a garden hose; usually such a fitting is located on the deck and is designed for a standard connector used in hoses. In accordance with the name, this function allows you to rinse the deck and blade of the unit, removing grass residues and other contaminants from them: just connect the hose, turn on the working nozzle and give water. This is much more convenient than removing the deck and washer blade by hand - especially when it comes to a heavy professional mower or rider (see "Type").

- Cup holder. The presence of a cup holder in the design of the lawn mower - a specialized stand for glasses and relatively small bottles. Such a stand usually has a characteristic recess where a container with a drink for the operator is installed. Often, cupholders are made in pairs, they are placed on a separate panel between the tubes of the handle of the unit. There are coasters in traditional lawn mowers and riders (mini tractors).

Type of drive provided in the self-propelled lawnmower (see "Features"). This moment is indicated depending on which wheels the thrust from the engine is output to.

— Rear. The classic version used in the vast majority of self-propelled devices. Such popularity is due to a number of advantages. Firstly, the rear wheels are located behind the cutting system, and when moving, they ride on already cut grass. Secondly, the main part of the weight in classic design lawn mowers falls on the rear wheels; and if the bag is used at the rear of the machine, then the centre of gravity is even more shifted back. However it is believed that such devices are less manoeuvrable than front-wheel drive; however, in most cases, this moment is not decisive, in addition, the design often provides for various tricks that make it easier to turn.

— Front. It is believed that front-wheel drive gives the lawn mower better steering. And mini tractors of this design are also less likely to get stuck in streams, puddles and other similar places: a front-wheel drive unit can slip through a difficult section by inertia, so that the front wheels catch on hard ground, while a rear-wheel drive machine is more likely to “sit down” with the drive wheels in sticky earth. On the other hand, in general, this option is less suitable for lawn mowers than rear-wheel drive — primarily because the drive wheels have to move on uncut grass (the only exception is some riders in which the cutting system...is mounted in front of the machine). In addition, for reliable traction with the ground, the centre of gravity of the device must be shifted forward. This is especially difficult to achieve if a rear-mounted bag is used to collect grass: as it fills, the weight shifts from the front axle to the rear, which in some cases can lead to loss of traction. As a result, front-wheel drive is extremely rare, mostly in bagless models and/or with the engine shifted noticeably forward for proper weight distribution.

— Full. In this case, full means 4-wheel drive at once. Its main advantage is its excellent cross-country ability: the unit “clings to the ground” with all four wheels, and the likelihood that they will all get stuck at once is extremely low. In addition, the design may provide specific features that further increase cross-country ability — for example, a differential lock. On the other hand, all-wheel drive is expensive both in itself (due to the complexity of the design) and in operation (due to high fuel consumption). The only exceptions are small electric robotic mowers (see "Type"), but they are produced in relatively small numbers — most 4x4 models have gasoline engines and are manually controlled. In light of all this, it makes sense to pay attention to this option only when you have to work on a vast area with difficult terrain, with which a “single-drive” unit cannot cope normally. But buying an all-wheel drive model for a flat lawn in front of a private house is hardly justified.

Model of the engine installed in the lawn mower. The main performance data of the engine is usually indicated in the general data for the unit. However, knowing the exact name of the motor, you can find more detailed information on it — from specific data to reviews and reviews. Also, data on the engine model can be useful when searching for spare parts or consumables.

The diameter of the front wheels of the unit. For more information about this parameter, see "Rear wheel diameter" — everything written there is true in this case. We only note that the front wheels relatively rarely have their own drive, so the diameter for them is not as important as for the rear ones.