Best Petrol Lawn Mowers For A Striped Lawn

Best petrol lawn mower for lawn stripes that have a rear roller

Best Petrol Lawn Mower For Lawn Stripes

A great petrol lawnmower for creating lawn stripes features a robust rear roller that effectively flattens the grass to produce distinct stripes, a reliable engine for steady power output, and precise cutting blades to ensure a neat finish, all contributing to a beautifully manicured, professional-looking striped lawn.

My Favourite Petrol Lawnmowers for Lawn Stripes (Rear Roller)

  1. Best for Smaller Lawns – The Hayter Spirit 41 Petrol Mower, with its compact design and rear roller, is perfect for achieving precise stripes on smaller lawns with ease.
  2. Best for Medium Lawns – The Hyundai HYM480SPR Petrol Mower is designed for medium-sized gardens, offering a rear roller for professional-looking stripes and self-propelled convenience for effortless mowing.
  3. Best for Larger Lawns – The Hayter Harrier 56 Petrol Mower is the ideal choice for larger lawns, featuring a wide cutting width and a sturdy rear roller to create striking lawn stripes over expansive areas.
  4. Best Overall Value – The Cobra RM40SPC Petrol Mower delivers excellent value, combining a rear roller for beautiful stripes, self-propulsion, and a competitive price point, making it a smart choice for cost-conscious gardeners.

Creating a striped lawn is a great way to achieve that traditional English lawn that so many people strive for. But what many people aren’t aware of, is that having a good lawn mower for the job can make things far more straightforward.

In this guide, we will be looking at some of the best petrol lawn mowers for a striped lawn and giving you all the advice you will need to help you choose the right lawnmower for you.


My best picks at a glance:

Below are some of the best mowers for a stripped lawn appearance, along with links to full reviews detailing their pros and cons.

Lawnmowers that Make Stripes for Small to Medium Lawns

 

Lawnmowers that Make Stripes for Medium to Large Lawns

 


How To Achieve A Striped Lawn

One of the most important things to remember when creating a striped lawn is that not only is this aesthetically appealing, especially on a level lawn, but it can also contribute to the overall well-being of the lawn. This is essential if you are looking to maintain a year-round healthy, flat and great looking lawn.

To achieve a striped lawn, like those you see on the golf course or in the gardens of your favourite hotel, you will need a petrol lawn mower with a rear roller. Without this, the blades of grass cannot be pushed down and bent in a way that will give the effect of stripes on the lawn.

Why Is A Striped Lawn So Desirable?

Petrol Lawn Mowers For A Striped Lawn

All over the UK, professional and private lawns are being given the striped treatment, and for many people, this is purely an aesthetic thing. Of course, there is no doubt that a striped lawn looks incredible and will indeed be the envy of your neighbours.

Furthermore, a lawn like this gives the appearance of being professionally managed; everyone will know that your gardening knowledge is superior.

But, keeping up with the Joneses aside, having a striped lawn means that you are not only cutting your lawn, but also rolling the soil, keeping it level and ironing out any bumps. In order to achieve stripes the lawn cannot be cut too short, this is a good thing because you should only ever mow 1/3 of the total length of the grass to keep it healthy.

When cutting the grass with a petrol lawn mower with a rear roller you tend to be more methodical as you want to achieve straight lines in opposing directions. This means that you are not going to miss any areas and will avoid scalping any bumps in your lawn.

Things To Consider When Choosing the Best Lawn Mower for Stripes

As with all garden equipment, it is essential to look at certain factors before you commit to buying a petrol lawn mower for a striped lawn. Understanding these will give you the confidence that you have purchased a piece of equipment that will suit your lawn and your needs.

How To Achieve A Striped Lawn
  • It is important to check the width of the rear roller since some are not the same width as the mower itself. In this instance, you will be required to overlap each stripe more on every pass as a way of ensuring that you achieve neat and aligned stripes.
  • There are many self-propelled lawn mowers out there, and some of these models use the rear roller as a way of driving and powering the mower. If you are using a ribbed rear roller, this can mean that you are able to get a better grip; therefore, the mower will be much more stable and perform better in damp conditions. A variable speed self-propelled petrol mower will also further add to the control and stability of the mower.
  • Edging the lawn using a rear roller mower can be something of a dream, thanks to how easy it is to mow the edge without falling into the flower bed. If you have had trouble in the past with getting your edges looking their best, it is wise to source a full-width roller with no rear wheels.
  • It is essential to decide what type of rear roller will benefit you the most. For example, if you have the need for tight turns, a Hayter roller can make things much more manageable. These rollers are split into two parts, making up one large roller. In addition, these two parts counter-turn meaning that when it comes to changing direction, things are a lot more straightforward. Those with a smaller lawn may find this advantageous.
  • If you have a garden that has gotten a little out of control or features a lawn which is bumpy and uneven, a roller mower may not be the right option for you. These mowers have been designed to work best on level ground with relatively well-controlled lawn growth. If your lawn is very long and neglected, it may be worth trimming it first on a higher setting to begin with and creating the stripes further down the line.
  • The design of the petrol roller mower should be taken into consideration. For example, you can buy a four-wheeled electric or cordless mower with a rear roller that is attached to a spring. These are not as good as a two-wheeled petrol mower with a rear roller. The reason for this is that the former does not put as much weight down onto the grass, therefore, giving an inferior result.

Alternatives

If you don’t want to purchase a lawn mower with a fitted roller, there are universal rollers which can be easily attached to most models. This is great for those who wish to experiment with a striped lawn before committing to buying a petrol lawn mower with a rear roller, but there is a downside. Universal rollers tend to be much bulkier and can stick out from under the machine. This makes walking along with it much more difficult and clumsy.

Furthermore, you can get your hands on a standalone roller which can be filled with water or sand, but these don’t tend to be as good as the fitted rollers you see on many modern petrol mowers. Naturally using a standalone roller means that you are having to repeat the job and doing it twice, and of course, there is the addition of extra storage space for these accessories.

In some cases, you will see lawn mowers that feature a striping mat as opposed to a roller, this essentially does the same job but not nearly as well. You won’t be able to achieve the same result as a roller and the stripes will not last as long, meaning that you will have to repeat the job more frequently.

All in all, whilst buying a petrol mower with a rear roller may be an investment, in the long run, it is the most advantageous option.

Why Should I Choose A Petrol Lawn Mower For A Striped Lawn?

Best Petrol Lawn Mowers For A Striped Lawn

There are a vast number of corded and battery operated roller mowers, and these are great for convenience and ease of use. However, since achieving a striped lawn is best done with something heavier, a petrol mower is usually the best option.

By nature, these petrol lawn mowers are far heavier than their electric counterparts, owing to the addition of the large engine. This weight will help you in creating a much more vibrant striped lawn. Furthermore, this will mean that your stripes will last much longer, meaning that you achieve your stiped lawn with less effort and on one pass.

Of course, a petrol lawn mower will also see you through from the beginning of the mowing session to the end, whereas a battery-powered machine may require charging or battery replacement partway through the cut.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Fixed rear roller on a petrol mower delivers more reliable and longer-lasting stripes
  • Produces a traditional British striped lawn
  • Self-propelled and variable speed options available
  • Hard-wearing steel decks
  • Greater stability with the integrated rear roller
  • Cut over the edge of the flower bed with no scalping
  • Levels your lawn whilst you mow
  • Longer mowing times suitable for larger lawns
  • Split roller models available for improved manoeuvrability
  • Does not require additional storage space for accessories
  • Superior power
Cons
  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Maintenance of petrol mowers is generally higher compared to electric mowers
  • Petrol mowers with a rear roller are not suitable for neglected lawns

 


Click here if you would like to see a helpful guide to buying a petrol lawn mower complete with full reviews. 


FAQs

Do All Lawn Mowers Make Stripes?

If you’re looking for a petrol lawn mower that will leave you with a striped lawn, then you will need one that is fitted with a rear roller. There are many products on the market with this feature but without it, it is not possible to get that striped effect. That said, it is possible to purchase a separate roller kit and attach this to your existing mower.

What Grass Is Best For Striping?

While all types of grass can be striped, there are some that will work much better with your rear roller. Cool season grasses such as bluegrass, rye and fescue work particularly well as they are more flexible. If you attempt to stripe warm season grasses like zoysia (rare in the UK), you’ll find that the blades pop back up more quickly owing to their stiff nature, removing the striped effect.

Does Lawn Striping Hurt Grass?

When you use your petrol lawn mower to create a striped lawn, there’s no concern that you’re damaging the grass. The good news is that mowing in different directions like this can encourage healthier grass growth. However, it is important to make sure that you mix up the direction as constantly mowing in the same direction will cause the top blades to bend over and deprive those underneath of sunlight.

How Long Do Lawn Stripes Last Using A Petrol Lawn Mower?

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to mow and restripe your lawn once every two weeks. Although at the height of mowing season, you may need to do this every week. It’s important to change the direction of the stripes at each mow to ensure even sunlight distribution across the entire lawn. The good news is that petrol lawn mowers at the best at producing defined and long-lasting lawn stripes, due to their heavy weight, compared to their electric and cordless counterparts.

How Long Should A Petrol Mower Last?

A good quality petrol lawn mower should be robust and durable with many products lasting up to and beyond ten years. However, this is largely based on the maintenance they receive. If you want your mower to last as long as possible, it’s important to take good care of it. If you don’t, even the very best petrol lawn mowers may give up after just a few years.

Are Petrol Lawn Mowers Any Good?

Generally, petrol lawn mowers are a great choice for people with larger gardens or who want something a little more powerful. Out of all the lawn mower types, they are often considered to be the most efficient and deliver an excellent performance. That said, you must keep in mind that these machines require much more detailed maintenance and so you must be prepared to provide this, unless you want your mower not to last as long as it should.

Are Petrol Lawn Mowers With A Rear Roller Any Good?

Some of the best petrol mowers with a rear roller will be powered by the roller itself. This roller is sometimes ribbed to provide superior traction, particularly on slopes and damp grass. The roller can also be split into two parts, to allow for the mower to turn on the spot. Ensure that the roller covers as much of the cutting width as possible as this will save you having to overlap too much on each pass. Another benefit of a petrol mower with a rear roller is the ability for it to cut over the border, reducing the amount of trimming required and preventing scalping the edges of the lawn.

Are Petrol Mowers Easy To Use?

A lot of people worry that petrol lawn mowers are challenging, especially for new users. But the good news is that modern manufacturers are doing everything they can to make sure that these lawn mowers are as user friendly as possible. For example, a lot of petrol lawn mowers now come with an electric start feature, which means no more struggling with a recoil pull cord start. Moreover, a lot of petrol lawn mowers have a self-propelled drive, which makes them much easier to manoeuvre around the garden.

Can You Mow Wet Grass With A Petrol Lawn Mower?

It’s always best to cut your grass when it is dry especially if you are looking to create even stripes as the grass will be lighter and easier to manipulate. But if you absolutely must mow wet or damp grass then a petrol lawn mower is the best option as there’s no risk of mixing water and electricity, which can be incredibly dangerous. You should, however, keep in mind that mowing wet grass is much more difficult and may result in clumping. The best approach is to make sure that your mower blades are as sharp as possible.

How Do I Choose A Petrol Lawn Mower?

When choosing a petrol lawn mower for a striped lawn, the first thing you will need to look for is that the mower has a rear roller. Aside from this, you will want to check out things like the power and cutting width and compare these with the size of your lawn. Since petrol lawn mowers come with a whole host of features, you’ll need to work out which best suit your needs.

Do Petrol Mowers Need Oil?

Petrol lawn mowers work using a combustion engine which has moving parts. These moving parts must be lubricated in order to work smoothly. If they are not, they will create friction which can cause the engine to overheat. For this reason, if you own a petrol lawn mower, part of the maintenance involves regular oil top ups and replacements.

How Often Should A Petrol Lawn Mower Spark Plug Be Changed?

A key part of maintaining your petrol lawn mower is replacing the spark plugs. These parts are there to ignite the fuel and air within the engine cylinders and must be replaced for every 25 hours of mower use or at the end of every mowing season, whichever comes first.

How Do I Know If My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Is Bad?

If your lawn mower simply won’t fire up or you are finding it more difficult to get it going then this could indicate that there is a problem with your spark plug. Alternatively, you may notice that the fuel doesn’t last as long as usual or that your lawn mower dies halfway through the mow. You should always consider using a fuel additive, which not only makes starting the engine easier but also preserves the life of the fuel.

 

 

Lawnmower Product Expert, Reviewer and Author at EasyLawnMowing.co.uk | 01284 615144 | info@easylawnmowing.co.uk | Website | + posts

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.

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