Summary
The Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW is a self-propelled petrol mower fitted with the 173cc 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine and has a large 56cm cutting deck. This Einhell mower has 5-in-1 cutting functions including, cut & collect, mulching, side discharge and rear discharge. It boasts a powder-coated steel deck, 6 cutting heights from 25mm to 70mm, a large 80 litre soft mesh grass collection bag and larger rear wheels. The Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW is designed for large lawns up to 2,200m².
Do you have a large garden that seems like a nightmare to mow? I’d been thinking the same until I came across the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW. This is a powerful petrol lawn mower that makes it so much more convenient and easy to cut bigger lawns.
There are quite a few innovative features such as the foldable handle that moves into three positions, the single piece metal deck and the huge 80 litre grass collection bag. But none of this trumps the 5-in-1 cutting functions making this one of the most versatile mowers on the market right now.
I’d been considering all of these features along with everything else that this mower has to offer; all the usual things like a good range of cutting heights and self-propelled drive as well as other things and I concluded that this was a mower that I would be very quick to recommend to anyone. So, I have put together a Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW review to give you a rundown of everything you’ll need to know about this impressive machine.
Main Features
- Large 56cm cutting width (ideal for lawns up to 2,200m²)
- Steel deck
- Good range of 6 cutting heights (25mm to 70mm)
- 5-in-1 mowing functions including cut & collect, mulching, rear and side discharge
- 80 litre grass box
- Padded foldable handle
- Single speed self-propelled drive
- Rear-wheel drive that can be disengaged
- Larger rear wheels
- 173cc 4 stroke engine
Engine
The Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW runs on a 173cc 4 stroke engine that delivers a good amount of power (2800 W) and will easily cut through dense or thick grass without struggling. This lawn mower is designed for larger domestic lawns and the impressive power is integral to this.
With a 4 stroke engine, your mower will be putting out fewer fumes and so, while it still isn’t as eco friendly as a battery mower, it’s significantly preferable when choosing between petrol mowers.
While it’s true, the Einhell engines are not at the same level, in terms of performance and reliability as some of the higher end Honda engines for example, the engine on this Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW petrol mower is perfectly adequate for domestic use. That said, this Einhell is very good value for money and will cost half that of higher end models.
As with all petrol mowers it is advisable to maintain, service and generally look after the engine to enjoy years of trouble free starting and performance.
I also love the fact that the engine is super easy to start. There is none of the messing about that has so long been associated with petrol products. The pull cord start is conveniently located on the handle and requires no effort; just a quick tug and you’re ready to go. Please note that this mower doesn’t have an electric start option.
Performance
As I have mentioned, the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW is designed for some pretty heavy duty work. In larger gardens with varied terrain, it really comes into its own. The superior traction on the larger rear wheels means that it’ll perform well on rugged, bumpy or sloped ground.
What’s more, it comes with built in grass combs that will lift the grass before cutting, making it easier to get close to the edge. Not to mention you’ll get a far more uniform cut this way. Couple this with the Vortex technology and not a single blade of grass will be missed.
Self-Propelled Drive
At 43kg, the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW is a hefty machine, but then that is often the case with petrol lawn mowers owing to the engine. But another frequent feature of the petrol mower is that it offers convenient self-propelled drive.
The continuous forward motion means that moving the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW around the garden is done with almost zero effort from the user. You’ll just need to guide it in the direction you want to go. If you want to mix things up, you have the option to engage or disengage the rear wheel drive according to the conditions.
The single speed drive is around 3.2 mph, which is a good mowing speed, but one that some owners may find a little quick.
Features In Detail
Blade And Deck
The Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW petrol lawn mower comes with a super strong cutting deck that is made from one piece of hard powder coated steel. Not only is this an incredibly robust and sturdy design, but it also plays an important role in the air flow which is vastly optimised and easy to clean, thanks to this.
I have mentioned that this is a mower made for larger lawns and with a 56cm cutting deck, it isn’t hard to see why. It’ll do very well on lawns that measure up to 2200m². There is another 56cm older model from Einhell still available, the GH PM 56 S HW, but there isn’t a lot of difference other than slightly less power and a marginally smaller grass box. Therefore this newer model is a good upgrade.
If you want to benefit from the Einhell features but have a smaller lawn, then there are also some younger brothers to the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW including two 46cm models and a 40cm mower (see comparison table below). The great thing is that they all boast similar power aside from the GC PM 40 SP which is slightly less powerful, but does have a more versatile cutting height selection.
Handles
The handles on the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW have a lot of offer. Not only are the controls conveniently located for a more user friendly experience, but the handles are fully foldable.
They can move into one of three positions designed for when the mower is in use, storage and for cleaning. This design means that it is possible to store the mower even in smaller spaces.
All cables and cords are neatly secured to the bars to reduce the risk of them getting pinched or damaged when the handles are folded.
Height Adjustment
The Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW comes with central height adjustment and this is a welcome change from other, finicky methods that are much more time consuming. Simply move the lever to the desired setting and get on your way.
You’re given a choice of six cutting heights that range from 25mm to 70mm, which is about average for a mower of this size, although the lowest is only 25mm, which might be a little long for some situations.
It would have also been nice if a higher setting was available on this mower. This Einhell is designed for large lawns, so you would expect to have a higher max setting to deal with lawns that have been left to grow that much longer.
Mowing Features
One of the things that I really love about the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW is that it is so incredibly versatile. If you want a mower that is going to give you year-round cutting options, then you aren’t going to find anything quite as adept as this.
It comes with a 5-in-1 function that includes mowing, mulching, collection, side discharge and rear discharge. Everything you need to use in terms of mowing methods comes with this mower, including a whopping 80 litre grass bag that has a full indicator. No more guesswork when it comes to knowing when to stop and empty.
Grass Collection Bag
As already mentioned, at 80 litres, there is plenty of room for lots of clippings and the handy full flap indicator will let you know when it is time to empty – not that that will be very often thanks to the decent size!
The collection bag attaches securely and empties without any issues. The quality of the mesh material is good, however like any mesh grass collection bags, it is prone to damage from thorn bushes and sharp objects.
Einhell Petrol Lawn Mower Comparision Table
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Einhell Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW User Manual
Click here to access the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW User Manual
Practicalities
I love the fact that the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW comes with larger rear wheels. If you’re mowing on uneven ground this is an essential feature as it will make the mower far more stable.
But that isn’t the only thing that makes this an incredibly practical lawn mower. The Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW comes with a handy cleaning tool. We all know the pain of trying to clean a petrol mower that’s covered in stubborn grass. The cleaning scraper makes light work of this and lessens the maintenance time needed to keep your mower in good working order.
It would have been nice to have a hose wash port like on some other models, however for me this isn’t a deal breaker.
What’s Included In The Box?
- 1 x Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW
- Mulching plug
- Push bar
- Grass collection bag
- Side discharge adapter
- Cleaning tool
- 1 x cable clip
- 2 x star nuts
- 2 x screws
- 2 x washers
- Spark plug wrench
- User manuals
Pros and Cons
Should You Buy This Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW Petrol Lawn Mower?
This lawn mower is ideal for people who want something powerful and versatile as well as reliable and are on a budget. If you are looking for a petrol lawn mower that will plough through the gardening effortlessly with as little input from you as possible, you’ve likely found it in the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW. It’s great for large gardens and takes the stress out of what might otherwise be a very tasking job.
On a slight down note, although this mower performs well, that can’t be said for Einhell’s customer service here in the UK. Response times and communication can be somewhat lacking in responsiveness. This is something I have noticed over the last months with many manufactures and is simply put down to the current COVID situation.
Back to the mower itself, I wouldn’t say that this is the most complicated mower to use, so if you’re new to petrol power but don’t want to start with a basic model, the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW would suit you. With a quick start and simple to adjust cutting heights as well as easy cleaning, it’s a great introduction to the world of petrol mowers.
Conclusion
I’ve been delighted with what the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW petrol lawn mower has to offer and there aren’t many other petrol mowers that can boast the same number of features. It’s the 5-in-1 mowing that really makes the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW stand out from the crowd, and while there are others within the same family, this is by far the more diverse.
You are getting a very respectable 2 year warranty, that can be extended to 3 years at no additional cost, if registered with Einhell within 30 days of purchase.
In summary, this Einhell petrol mower will make a great purchase and will perform perfectly well for larger lawns up to 2200m².
Where Should I Purchase This Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW?
- The GC-PM 56/2 S HW petrol lawn mower is the modern and reliable helper for gardening work from Einhell’s new generation of lawn mowers. The lawn mower is recommended for use on lawns of up to 2,200 m².
- The powerful Einhell OHV engine with GT brand gearing delivers reliable power to the disengageable rear-wheel drive. For easy and effortless starting it features the Einhell quick start system with a pull-start cord on the long handle.
- The front bumper delivers precise cutting results thanks to the Vortex Technology Deck with grass comb. The 5-in-1 function of the deck provides a choice of mowing, mulching, ejecting cuttings to the side,or the rear with a deflector, and collecting.
- The high-quality metal mowing deck is designed for an optimum airflow and is made of a single piece of metal. Thanks to the clever design and special shape, the rotating blade generates strong suction which straightens up the grass before it is cut.
- The central cutting height adjustment facility with 6 settings makes it easy to adjust the working height. As a high wheeler with ball-bearing mounted drive wheels with special treads, it is the master of all terrain.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW FAQs
Does the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW have a single lever to adjust the height?
Yes, a single lever adjusts all 4 wheels.
Does the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW have an electric start option?
No, this mower is recoil start only.
Is oil supplied with this mower?
No, you will need to purchase around 0.5 litre of SAE30 4 stroke engine oil.
What speeds can the Einhell GC-PM 56/2 S HW operate at?
Single speed around 3.2 mph
Not sure about this Petrol Lawn Mower? Click here for more Petrol Lawn Mower reviews.
Want to lean more about what’s involved in maintaining a petrol lawnmower? Check out my guide 10 Simple Steps to Maintaining Your Petrol Lawnmower
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.
