An Introduction To Bosch
This German company was started by a person named Robert Bosch in Stuttgart back in the late 1800s. In those days, Bosch was known under a rather different name; the Workshop For Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering. The remit of the company was to create innovative new products and this is something that has stayed with the brand all these years later. This innovation is evident in the products and some of the best mowers I have seen come from this brand.
While Bosch may be a globally recognised establishment today, it didn’t get that way overnight. In the early days of the company, it looked as though success was imminent but the First World War saw that success pushed back. Fortunately, by this point, Bosch already had a pretty solid base over in the USA, which many would agree is as good as conquering the global market.
By 1914, despite having as much as 88% of its business operating abroad, WW1 began and a crash in foreign sales occurred. But this wasn’t going to stop the determined company and even though the American portion of the company had already been bought out, Bosch had a plan.
Robert Bosch rebranded what was left of the company and the beginning of the Bosch we know and love today was in motion. By the 1990’s, the company had faced its fair share of turmoil but with the fall of the Iron Curtain, the company was able to establish bases in many more European countries.
While some of the garden tools were manufactured in the UK, in Suffolk, the factory there has since closed with much of the manufacturing now happening on the continent in Hungary. That said, Bosch’s research and development team are still operating on British soil.
The Range Of Bosch Mowers
One of the greatest things about the Bosch lawn mower range is there is a good degree of versatility and the company prides itself on making mowers for all situations and needs.
It’s beautifully easy to choose a Bosch lawn mower since their range comes in three subcategories; the EasyRotak, the UniversalRotak and the AdvancedRotak. While each mower boasts the same quality and performance, the three ranges provide different numbers of features, so whether you are looking for something simple to maintain the lawn or a mower that’s a lot more complex, you’ll find an option with Bosch. The name of the mower make it easy for you to choose, for example, the Bosch AdvancedRotak 36-750 is broken down as follows:
- AdvancedRotak = Advanced range to include ErgoSlide handles (fully adjustable) and ProSilence (quiet operation)
- 36 = 36volt range of batteries
- 750 = Designed for lawns up to 750m²
There is also an older range of mowers and you’ll typically find that their names refer more to the deck size than anything else, so again choosing one that suits your needs is pretty straightforward. For example, the old Bosch Rotak 32R features a 32cm cutting deck and the “R” denotes that this model comes with a rear roller for creating a striped lawn.
Back to the newer models, there are several differences between the Easy, Universal and Advanced mowers including the deck size, weight, size of the grass box and more importantly what features they boast like, Ergonomic handles (ErgoFlex and ErgoSlide), Quieter operation (ProSilence), one-touch height adjustment and blades that collect the leaves (LeafCollect). With cutting widths ranging from 31cm to 44cm, these mowers are suitable for lawns between 550m² and 850m².
While the UniversalRotak comes with a smaller 40L grass collection box, its larger brother, the Advanced Rotak features a 50L grass collection box, demonstrating its ability to work on larger lawns. Moreover, the increased number of features on the Universal and AdvancedRotak such as more choice where cutting height is concerned and rear rollers make these mowers ideal for more challenging mowing chores and demanding customers.
Another thing that is evident with Bosch is that this is a company that keeps up with the demands of the modern client. While corded mowers are still very much part of day to day life, cordless models, due to the enhancements in battery technology, are becoming hugely popular and this is something that Bosch delivers perfectly on.
Take, for example, the new CityMower 18 which is a cordless mower using 18v batteries that can be shared with other 18v tools from the manufacturer. Bosch also gives its clients options when it comes to battery power with a number of products available. However, it is worth pointing out that when different batteries are supplied with certain mowers, this alters the name of the product.
To put it in the simplest terms, where the UniversalRotak 36-550 comes with a single 4.0Ah battery and works on lawns up to 550m², its cousin, the UniversalRotak 36-560 comes with two 2.0Ah batteries and covers up to 560m². There is no difference in the mowers themselves as each has the same functions, it’s merely the difference in batteries that sets them apart from one another. And just to make things a little more interesting, you can also buy this and other machines in the Bosch range without any batteries at all (bare tool). Very handy if you already have Bosch tools with batteries in your shed or garage.
Are Bosch Mowers Any Good?
But much more than convenience, the Bosch mower range offers tools that are comfortable and easy to use. Many of the mowers feature Bosch’s unique ErgoFlex handles which are designed to reduce strain and back pressure on the user meaning that mowing just got a whole lot easier. Moreover, a lot of these models feature the ErgoSlide handle which is fully adjustable to suit your height.
In terms of cut and performance, I have been overwhelmed by the results that Bosch mowers produce. With a range of cutting widths, you will certainly find something that suits your garden, but furthermore this range comes with sharp, effective blades and a cut to edge design minimising the work you need to do after mowing. The Bosch mowers are quiet thanks to the ProSilence feature that we see on most models and with additions like leaf collection blades and a unique single button height adjustment mechanism, everything is so easy that mowing stops feeling like a chore.
Advantages Of Bosch Mowers
- When registering your Bosch mower, you will be rewarded with an extended three-year warranty.
- The build quality of these mowers is second to none.
- Depending on the model you choose, the Bosch mower range boasts some advanced features that are ideal for people with more complex mowing needs. For example, mulching plugs can be purchased separately for some models.
- A lot of the Bosch range uses power share batteries with either 18v or 36v options. Provided you use compatible tools, you have the advantage of being able to use batteries you already own.
- The customer service and support is excellent and while the company now manufactures over in Hungary, spare parts are still very easy to come by in the UK.
Disadvantages Of Bosch Mowers
There really aren’t many drawbacks to purchasing a Bosch lawn mower, although you might notice that the price is significantly more than some other brands. This is down to the fact that Bosch pride themselves on using quality components in their mowers and are well built, this naturally comes at a cost.
Want to buy British? Well it is a shame that the mowers are no longer manufactured here in the UK but, the good thing is that they’re still being produced within the EU and not all the way off in China.
Which Is The Best Bosch Lawn Mower?
All of the Bosch lawn mowers are excellent and I am confident that anyone trying one for the first time will be pleased with the results. That said, which one you personally prefer will depend on your needs and the size and condition of your garden.
For this reason, it is always important to do your research and work out what features you might need. I realise that this can be a little overwhelming so I put together a tool you can use to find the perfect lawn mower for you; if you’re not sure where to start, give this a go!
Best Cordless Bosch Mower
Best Electric Bosch Mower
Conclusion
With humble beginnings more than 130 years ago, Bosch is a company that has gone from strength to strength, even in the face of adversity. If it’s quality you are looking for then Bosch is an excellent brand to go for and with such a versatile range of mowers, there really is something for everyone.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
