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.