Choosing the Right Mower - The Features

Get the right mower for the job – which works for NZ grass and climate?

What material should my mower be made of? 

The material your mower’s made from – the cutting deck or body –  is a key consideration. As a rule, it will be steel, an aluminium alloy, or some sort of plastic. But here again, you do tend to get what you pay for.

The quality of the material used, and the engineering, has a huge bearing on durability –  and the last thing you want is a mower that literally falls apart after a year or two.  

Honda engineers its mower bodies from high-quality alloy, steel and polymer – and each of these materials has its own unique properties.

Alloy

Alloy is considerably lighter than steel, and doesn’t rust. This allows built-in deck cleaning systems, where you can just plug in a hose and rinse it out . Alloy also absorbs noise more than steel does, so it’s a little quieter in operation.

Steel

Steel is very durable and can handle plenty of scrapes and bumps and impacts ­– basically it’s bullet-proof, and that’s why commercial users love it. However, steel can be susceptible to rust. Honda’s steel mowers are powder-coated to protect them from rust, with some mowers featuring stainless steel components for increased durability across the lifetime of your mower.

Plastic / Polymers

Plastic bodies are much lighter than steel and aluminium, and don’t corrode, but durability can be an issue. Honda uses an advanced polymer material that is extremely durable and UV resistant.

What cutting height adjustment do I need?

The height of the cutting deck determines the closeness of the cut, and so the length of your lawn when you’ve finished mowing it.

It’s something you want to be able to adjust easily, and precisely.

Honda mowers give you between 6 and 11 ( up to 11)  different cutting height options, depending on the model.

More height settings simply enables greater mowing precision ­– you can really dial in the finish you want to achieve.

What blade type and how many blades do I need for my mower?

But the finish really starts with the blade system – and this is somewhere design and engineering again makes a huge difference.

Single blade mowers can be pretty effective, but multiple blade mowers are objectively better – it’s a bit like shavers, really.

Blade design is critical to performance, with Honda’s twin blade and 4 blade (disc) systems engineered to produce a superior cut, giving your lawn a smoother, more refined finish.  

They also produce much finer clippings – which enables more effective mulching.

Is a mulching mower worth it for returning nutrients to NZ lawns?

You may want to catch every single blade of grass you cut, and turn it into compost. But mulching is on trend too, and  a popular feature of (most) Honda mowers. A mulching mower naturally recycles your grass by re-cutting the clippings – chopping them up even more finely, and feeding these super-fine clippings back into your lawn, providing it with nutrients.

Mulching also prevents weeds from growing and can also improve drainage. So it’s good for your lawn health, and also lightens the workload – because when you mulch there is less weight to push and fewer stops to empty the catcher.  In fact, you don’t have to use a catcher at all.

Honda mowers also allow you to adjust the mulch-to-catch ratio – this means you can adjust the amount of grass being mulched as you cut. This feature gives you fine mulching control from mow to mow, depending on the health and height of your lawn, and the time of year.

Do I need a push or self-propelled mower?

Don't mind a little exercise? Then push-only models are a good choice. These mowers are generally lightweight and less expensive. But, if you have a large property or it’s a bit hilly, a self–propelled mower will make the job easier and save you some energy too. Honda’s range of self-propelled mowers allows you to adjust the mower’s speed to the most comfortable walking pace. Self-propulsion, honestly, can be a game changer. And a legs, arms and back saver.

How easy is it to start?

You’ll obviously want a mower that’s easy to get going. Battery models turn on at the press of a button. If you’re going for petrol, look for a mower that has a high-mounted pull start – something like Honda’s ‘first time, every time’ One Start system here.

How easy is it to get it serviced?

Another really important thing, and one many forget about, is the after sales support available. Some mowers are very easy to buy, but very difficult to get serviced, or repaired – particularly some of the ones you’ll find in big box hardware stores. When you choose a Honda lawnmower you’ll have the backup of the nationwide Honda Outdoors dealer network for full service, all original parts, and Honda’s warranty protection.

Should I buy a cheap mower or invest in a more expensive model?

Look at your next lawnmower as a long-term investment . As with many things, well… you do tend to get what you pay for – in terms of terms of performance and ease of use, and the reliability and lifespan of the mower itself. Paying a bit more upfront for a premium quality mower will ensure you’re not back in the hardware store with your credit card out, this time next year.

You won’t regret it.