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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LAWN MOWER – A HUNT FOREST GROUP GUIDE
How to Choose the Right Lawn Mower – A Hunt Forest Group Guide
Choosing a lawn mower should be simple, right? You’ve got grass. It needs cutting. Sorted.
Well… not quite. These days, there’s a mower for almost every kind of lawn – small, big, sloped, wild, stripey, ornamental, paddock-sized… and then there’s the question of who’s doing the mowing – you, a team of professionals, or (plot twist) a robot.
At Hunt Forest Group, we’ve been helping people in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and the Isle of Wight find the right mower for years. Whether you’re a homeowner with a tidy garden, a contractor managing huge commercial grounds, or someone who’s frankly had enough of mowing and wants a robot to take over – we’ve got something that’ll suit you, your lawn, and your lifestyle.
Here’s a handy guide to help make sense of it all. Let’s get stuck in.
Mower Types – What’s the Difference?
When you’re choosing a mower, it’s not just about size and power. The type of mower makes a massive difference to how quickly and easily you can get the job done — and how much you’ll enjoy doing it. Here’s a breakdown of the four main types we offer at Hunt Forest Group:
WALK-BEHIND MOWERS
Good for: Small to medium gardens, homeowners, tight spaces
These are your classic mowers. You walk behind and guide them as they cut. Great for precise work and smaller lawns. Available in push or self-propelled versions, and in battery or petrol.
Pros: Easy to store, affordable, perfect for detail work.
Cons: Can take time and effort, especially on larger lawns.
Ride-On Mowers / Lawn Tractors
Good for: Medium to large gardens, estates, paddocks, professional use
Sit on, turn the key, and go. These are proper time-savers for big lawns. Some come with accessories – collectors, mulching decks, trailers and more. Great all-rounders for homeowners or estate managers.
Pros: Comfortable, powerful, saves time.
Cons: Needs space to store, higher starting price.
Husqvarna Automowers (Robotic Mowers)
Good for: Pristine finish with minimal effort – maintaining a large gardens or looking after a private estate.
They mow for you. Once set up, Automowers quietly trim your grass around the clock. No noise, no clippings, no effort. We handle the installation, servicing, and support, so it’s a hands-off solution that really works.
Pros: Zero effort, very quiet, smart controls.
Cons: Requires setup and installation. Works best in open spaces – dense trees or heavy canopy can interrupt GPS and affect performance.
Zero-Turn Mowers
Good for: Professionals, sports grounds, estates with trees or obstacles (Smaller models for Large Gardens)
These look a bit like go-karts – and drive like them too. Zero-turns can spin on the spot and cut at high speed. If you’ve got loads of lawn with flower beds, trees, benches and paths, this is the machine to dance around them.
Pros: Ultra-fast, highly manoeuvrable, built for pros.
Cons: A bigger investment – and not the best choice for steep slopes. Rear-weighted design can affect grip and stability on inclines.
Terrain & Access – Don’t Skip This Bit
Narrow gates, tight turns, awkward patches? You’ll want a compact model with good manoeuvrability.
Hilly or uneven ground? Self-propelled or ride-on with good traction (4WD options exist).
Obstacles like trees, flower beds, trampolines? Consider a zero-turn or an Automower – they’re built for tricky navigation.
SMALL LAWNS (up to 500m² / 0.12 acres)
Think postage-stamp gardens, or neat front lawns. A compact battery-powered walk-behind mower will do the trick here. Something quiet and easy to store.
MEDIUM LAWNS (500m² – 1500m² / up to 0.5 acres)
Now you’re in to battery or petrol territory. A self-propelled mower makes life easier on bigger or slightly sloped gardens.
LARGE LAWNS (1500m² to 3000m² / up to 0.75 acres)
This is where things start to get interesting. Ride-on mowers and small zero turns come into play. Faster, more comfortable, and a real time-saver.
EXTRA-LARGE LAWNS (3000m² and up / over 1 acre)
This is where the big kit earns its keep. Ride-on mowers and zero-turns are built for speed, comfort, and maximum efficiency. When you’ve got acres to manage, these machines save you time and effort, without cutting corners.
MASSIVE AREAS (multi-acre estates, parks)
Time to bring in the professionals. Larger Lawn Tractors and Zero-turns for speed and manoeuvrability.
Don’t forget Servicing, Spares and Support
Here’s where Hunt Forest Group really stands out.
We don’t just sell the mower and wave you off, we’re with you for the long haul. From full workshop servicing to blade sharpening, winter maintenance, and genuine John Deere parts, we’ve got everything covered.
But the real difference? Most of our servicing happens on-site. That means less hassle, less downtime, and your machine stays where it works best…. with you.
If something goes wrong, our trained technicians are ready to help. We carry the parts. We know the kit inside out.
Need a service plan? No problem. Not sure which fuel to use, or how to store your battery over winter? Just ask we’re here to help.
Need help choosing?
Truth is, every garden’s different. So is every customer. Pop into one of our showrooms, give us a ring, or drop us an email. We’ll walk you through the options and help you find the mower that feels right for you.
Whether it’s a no-fuss push mower for the back garden, a top-of-the-range diesel ride-on, or a fleet of Automowers for a golf course – we’ve got the tools, the parts, and the people to keep you cutting.
Each type has its strengths, and what suits one person might drive another round the twist. If you’re unsure, pop in for a chat or a demo – we’ll help you test out the options and match you with the right mower for your setup.
Warranty Information
* Stihl: All machines in the current STIHL range are covered for a period of 2 years** from the date of purchase by the Owner, when used for the designed purpose of that product by Domestic Users. John Deere: Up to 3 Years Warranty for X100 and Z300 Series Lawn Tractors. By getting your machine serviced by a participating authorized John Deere dealer according to the maintenance schedule specified in the operator’s manual, the participating authorized John Deere Dealer will extend your statutory warranty to 3 years or 120 hours (X100) or 200 hours (Z300), whichever comes first.
Here at STIHL, we understand that choosing the best chainsaw for you is a big decision and there are many things to consider. Are you looking to save time when chopping firewood? Or save money pruning your own small trees around the garden? We understand that chainsaws can be daunting if you’ve never even used one before, let alone owned one. As the No. 1 petrol chainsaw manufacturer in the world, STIHL knows a thing or two about chainsaws so check out our chainsaw buying guide below.
What are you cutting?
The most important thing to consider is what you will be cutting. Will your saw be used to prune small branches from larger trees or shrubs? Will it be used to fell small trees in the garden? Or will it be used to saw your own firewood, turning the bigger logs into a perfect size for the wood-burner?
If you know you need to get through larger branches, the best chainsaw for you may be one with a bit more power. But if the timber you are sawing is smaller, then one of our lighter weight or cordless models will be ideal. Although it may be tempting to think bigger is better, we would always suggest that you use the lightest saw for the job in hand. The bigger saws can be considerably heavier so we suggest leaving the very large saws to the professionals!
Cordless Chainsaws
Our cordless chainsaws are some of the lightest in our range. The MSA 60 C-B and MSA 70 C-B are part of our AK System of cordless tools and are perfect for cutting branches or sawing firewood. You will get approximately 100 cuts of 10cm x 10cm from one battery charge with these saws depending on the softness of the timber. The batteries in both of these saws are interchangeable between the other tools in the AK System so you can pop the battery straight into a blower, grass trimmer, mower or hedge trimmer when you’re done.
If you need to chop larger logs and branches or even fell small trees, then the MSA 160 C-B and the MSA 200 C-B are worth considering. Part of the AP System, alongside over 25 other battery-powered tools, these two saws offer more power than the AK range but with the same cordless benefits.
Petrol chainsaws
The final option in our chainsaw buying guide is our petrol models, starting with the MS 170, which is a great entry-level, small chainsaw for homeowners. Petrol saws are a good value option for those with larger gardens or smallholdings.
To operate your petrol chainsaw you need a mix of petrol and engine oil to power and lubricate the engine. The recommended mix is 1 part engine oil with 50 parts petrol. You can find a guide to mixing fuel on our website or why not download the STIHL App which has a simple fuel mix calculator (just search for STIHL in Google Play or the App Store).
Alternatively, you could consider STIHL’s pre-mixed fuel, MotoMix, which is a combination of premium non-ethanol, high-octane motor fuel and our highest quality STIHL HP Ultra oil.
Additional Features
For those of you that want your chainsaw to work just that little bit harder for you, many of our models include additional features, indicated by the letters at the end of their model names. Here’s a quick guide to these features below:
C = The letter C at the end of a model name (for example, in the MS 181 C-BE) denotes that the saw is a Comfort model. This means the chainsaw has additional features designed to make it more comfortable to use.
E = E stands for Ergo Start, which is STIHL’s innovative technology designed to make starting a petrol saw easier. For those of you who are interested, the secret is an additional spring between the crankshaft and the starter rope rotor. But the most important part is that the saw is easier to start! You could also consider a cordless chainsaw if this is particularly important.
B denotes the STIHL Quick Chain Tensioning system which makes it very easy to tension the chain. Simply release the sprocket cover and turn the thumbwheel to set the optimum tension. You should never operate a saw with a loose chain, however, no tools are needed to tighten the chain on any of the saws with a B in their model name so it couldn’t be easier to ensure safe working
All of our cordless saws also have the Quick Stop Super brake feature which means that the chain will stop automatically as soon as you take your finger off the throttle. This makes for safer operation of the saw.
Chain – how does it work?
STIHL saws, bars and chains are designed to work perfectly in unison to create the perfect cut. STIHL chains are made from steel and every cutter is inspected by hand. If you look at a chain, you will be able to see the sharp cutting tooth and the flat depth gauge. As the chain goes around the bar, the cutting tooth shaves off little chips of wood. The size of the chip that is removed is the same size as the space between the depth gauge and cutting tooth.
Maintenance
Maintenance of your chainsaw is essential, particularly with regards to keeping your chain sharp. At best, a dull saw chain will cut inefficiently; at worst, it can cause your saw to kick back out of the wood, which can be dangerous. Your dealer can sharpen your chain for you, or you can use our sharpening tools to do it yourself at home. In particular, the 2 in 1 EasyFile makes the job just that – easy! The design of this nifty little tool means that you can sharpen both the cutting tooth and the depth gauge at the same time, which significantly reduces maintenance time.
Safety first
Although technology improvements (such as the mandatory addition of a chain brake to all saws) have made using a chainsaw much safer in recent years, you should still always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). STIHL’s chainsaw trousers have protective patches on the thighs, which are filled with fibres. If a saw cuts through the top layer, these fibres are pulled out by the chain and bung up the sprocket to slow and stop the chain.
We also recommend a helmet with face visor or eye protection, gloves and chainsaw boots. If you’re starting from scratch, we appreciate this seems like a lot of kit! But having seen some of the more questionable videos on YouTube, we are keen that all STIHL chainsaw users are fully protected. Don’t forget that PPE is not the only thing to consider – safe operation of your saw is the best protection against accidents so please do read the safety manual thoroughly before starting.
Feel the chainsaw
So you’ve done your research but nothing beats actually feeling the weight of the saw – you need to be confident that you can control the saw so you should always visit your dealer and discuss your options with them.
For more information on any of the Stihl Chainsaw range call into any of our showrooms or to browse our current Chainsaw offers visit our online shop here: Stihl Chainsaws
At STIHL, there are battery-powered tools for every task, so whether you’re a home gardener or a professional user, you’ll be sure to find the right tool for the job. We offer four different ranges of cordless power tools, but how do you know which range is the one for you? You don’t want to buy a domestic machine for a professional application! Take a look at our guide to make sure you invest in the right STIHL tools for you.
STIHL AI LINE – CORDLESS TOOLS FOR SMALLER GARDENS
The AI Line is STIHL’s range of battery-powered tools for use by homeowners with smaller gardens. These products are extremely lightweight and have straightforward handling, making gardening jobs easy to complete.
There are 3 products in this line of battery-powered tools:
The BGA 45 cordless leaf blower
The FSA 45 cordless grass trimmer
The HSA 45 cordless hedge trimmer
Each of these machines has a built-in battery with a port on the tool itself to charge it. You do not need to purchase a separate battery or charger with these tools.
THE STIHL AS SYSTEM – CORDLESS TOOLS FOR GARDEN CHALLENGES
The AS System tools are compact, light and easy to handle. They are designed for quick and efficient garden maintenance at home.
We’re always adding new tools to this range and there are some great products for garden challenges:
The GTA 26 garden pruner
The ASA 20 powered secateurs
The STIHL HSA 26 shrub and grass shears
The HSA 30 and HSA 40 hedge trimmers
The FSA 30 grass trimmer
The SEA 20 vacuum
These products are powered by a replaceable AS 2 battery. This battery is charged using the AL 1 charger. AS System tools have a slot for inserting the battery directly into the machine.
THE STIHL AK SYSTEM – CORDLESS TOOLS FOR MEDIUM-SIZED AND LARGER GARDENS
The AK System tools are impressive machines with a flexible range of applications for medium-sized and larger gardens. From mowing the lawn to cutting firewood, they are ideal if you want to tackle almost any type of job in your garden.
This range is expanding all the time and there are a wide range of cordless tools in this system:
The MSA 60 C-B and MSA 70 C-B chainsaws
The KMA 80 R KombiEngine
The HTA 50 pole pruner
The BGA 57 and BGA 60 leaf blowers
The SHA 56 leaf blower and vacuum
The FSA 57 , FSA 60 R, FSA 80 and FSA 80 R battery-powered grass trimmers
The HSA 50 and HSA 60 hedge trimmer and HLA 56 long-reach hedge trimmer
Eleven different cordless lawn mowers with different features depending on what you need
The RLA 240 lawn scarifier
These products are powered by one of three interchangeable AK batteries, either the AK 10, AK 20 or AK 30, which slot directly into the machines. The batteries are all the same size so are interchangeable in the machines although, with certain tools, we do recommend the higher capacity batteries in the range to get the full power. For example, you should always use the STIHL AK 30 battery with the MSA 70 C-B chainsaw otherwise the performance will be reduced.
Some of our AK System machines are sold as a set with the battery and charger. In this case, buying the tools as a set is slightly cheaper than buying the items separately.
When you buy any AK tool, it should always be clear whether they are being sold with a battery and charger, but if you aren’t sure, just ask. If you already have an AK battery and charger, you may just want to buy the tool only, and all of the tools in the range can be bought on their own.
THE STIHL AP SYSTEM – CORDLESS TOOLS FOR LARGE GARDENS AND PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS
The AP System tools are powerful battery-powered machines with long working times, outstanding handling and useful comfort features. This extensive system has a wide range of products with interchangeable batteries. AP System tools are suitable for professional users but are also useful if you have a large garden that you want to maintain yourself. If you are using STIHL AP System tools for professional work, you’ll receive 2 year’s professional warranty on your machine as well (subject to product registration and annual servicing).
These products are powered by interchangeable STIHL AP batteries or AR L backpack batteries. The backpack batteries are designed to give the longest run times for professional use. Both types of batteries can be charged using the AL 301 or AL 500 fast charger. AP System tools either have a slot for inserting the battery directly into the machine or a socket for a connecting cable that can be connected to an AP battery in a battery belt, or to a backpack battery.
AP System tools are sold without a battery or charger. These must be purchased separately. Each AP System tool has a recommended battery and charger which provides the best balance in the tool, but larger capacity batteries can still be used with them for longer run times.
To browse our range of Stihl battery machines, visit us in branch or online at www.huntforest.com