Gardening glossary

Fuel / power sources

Battery

As well as being environmentally friendly, battery powered garden equipment can be much quieter than engine powered products and offer the user freedom of movement without lengthy cables.

Mains powered / electric

Electrically powered garden machinery is deal for small and even medium sized gardens. Environmentally friendly with no need to pre-charge, this option can be ideal for many people.

Two-stroke

Petrol and oil mix engine. These types of engines do not require separate oil tanks, making them easier to maintain. However, you must ensure you keep the fuel mix correct, otherwise your engine will seize.

Petrol

Four-stroke cylinder petrol engine lawn mowers are ideal for larger gardens and longer grass. They’re more powerful, so they get the job done a lot quicker. Petrol engines require engine oil and regular servicing.

Engine ignition start types

Recoil / pull start

A pull cord is used to start the engine. These are most common in lawn mowers with small engines.

Push button / key start

A key or push button is used to start the engine. Electric starts also have a recoil option so you can always use your lawn mower even if the battery is flat.

Lawn mower features

Push propelled

A push mower is propelled by a person walking behind and pushing it forward. They are more cost effective and suitable for smaller lawns.

Self propelled

Self propelled mowers feature a system that enables the mower to propel itself forward without you having to push it. This means less effort, ensuring mowing is easier and less tiring. If you have slopes, uneven terrain, or a health condition and want to avoid straining yourself, then a self-propelled mower is ideal for you.

Variable speed

A great benefit of variable speed is that it allows you to go slow if you’re working close to obstacles such as trees or plants, and go faster when you’re mowing out in the open. It is also useful to allow different people to operate the mower at difference speeds to suit their pace.

Grass box

A big grass collector saves numerous trips to the compost heap. A large grass box is particularly important for large gardens. Some grass boxes have an indicator to tell you when they are full.

Grass box indicator

An indicator on a grass box which allows you to see when the grass box is full.

Height adjustment

This is where one or more levers controls the grass cutting height, allowing you to cut your lawn to the height you prefer.

Mulch

Lawn mowers with a mulch option allow you to recycle the clippings back into the lawn to help feed it. The grass clippings left behind by a mulching mower essentially function as lawn fertiliser, as if you were applying compost to the lawn.

Side discharge

A side discharge feature enables grass clippings to be discharged out the side of the mower where they can be lifted by a vacuum or a lawn mower later if required. This feature is useful for cutting longer grass which doesn’t need lifted, such as a paddock or field.

Rear roller

Rear roller mowers have a roller instead of the rear wheels to give a striped effect. This is most pronounced with the heavier petrol mowers. A roller also makes it easier to balance your mower when you cut over lawn edges.

Ride-on mower features

Height adjustment

This is where one or more levers control the grass cutting height allowing you to cut your lawn to the height you prefer.

Mulch

Lawn mowers with a mulch option allow you to recycle the clippings back into the lawn to help feed it. The grass clippings left behind by a mulching mower essentially function as a lawn fertiliser, as if you were applying compost to the lawn.

Grass box

A big grass collector saves numerous trips to the compost heap. A large grass box is particularly important for large gardens. Some grass boxes have an indicator to tell you when it is full.

Side discharge

A side discharge feature enables grass clippings to be discharged out the side of the mower where they can be lifted by a vacuum or a lawn mower later if required. This feature is useful for cutting longer grass which doesn’t need lifted, such as a paddock or field.

Battery charger

An attachable battery charger comes with the tractor to ensure you keep the battery well charged when not in use. When you take your lawn mower out after the winter, ensure you fully charge the battery before use.

Hydrostatic

The hydrostatic transmission holds pre-set constant speeds even on hills and over uneven terrain. Clutching is totally eliminated! Auto-drive: forward and back pedal.

Manual

An automotive transmission consisting of interlocking gear wheels and a lever that enables the driver to shift gears manually.

Tow bar

This indicates that the machine has a towbar and is capable of towing various accessories.

Headlights

Headlights are a good safety feature to help you be seen by others if you’re cutting along a grass verge by a road, or if you have a hectic lifestyle and find yourself cutting the lawn late in the evenings – headlights will help you see the grass ahead.

Grass trimmer / multi-tool / pole pruner features

Bump feed

When bumped off the ground, nylon line feeds out.

Easy start engine

Effortless and reliable starts are ensured by the pull force reduction system.

Comfort controls

Controls are designed to be comfortable and easy to use.

Strimmer head

Line is released from the cutting head by manually pulling and turning the spool with the trimmer engine stopped. The strimmer head can be used to cut various types and lengths of grass depending on size of nylon used.

Brush cutter

Allows you to keep grassy areas and garden beds under control.

Hedge trimmer

Turns your strimmer into a long reach hedge trimmer.

Pole pruner

Pruner for reaching those high branches safely and with ease.

Pole extension

Allowing even more reach while standing on the ground.

Portable edger

Allows you to keep grass under control, weeds under wraps and soil in its proper place. A portable edger can also be used for edging along paths and flowerbeds.

Hedge cutter features

Single blade

A single blade is featured on the machine. Lighter and ideal for tops of hedges and facing hedges.

Double blade

More suitable for shaping hedges and allows increased flexibility.

Swivel handle

A swivel handle is a movable handle which allows increased flexibility when cutting.

Blower / vacuum features

Air speed

The speed of the air of the model. The faster the air speed, the more powerful the suction or blow function.

Blow

This function allows you to blow leaves and garden debris together for collection.

Vacuum

The vacuum function sucks leaves and garden debris up from your garden.