Bosch Rotak 40 Review

I'm forever trying to keep up with my neighbours who always seem to have more time to mow their lawns - but know I have a secret weapon the - Bosch Rotak 40. Mowing lawns -yeeeuch - it's so tedious. I can't remember how many lawnmowers I have had over the years in a desperate quest to make the job more bearable this Bosch was the latest in a long line!

My last lawnmower was made by Hayter - a fine looking machine that develops your biceps when starting it and pushing it. It is built like a victorian steam engine - solid looking and reliable apart from some stupid little rubber bulb which split and now the collossus won't start. It was on my quest to replace this little rubber bulb that I happened across the Bosch Rotak 40 - I was reading the rave reviews on Amazon for this lawnmower and thought I'd order one as it was the cheapest price I could find.

Bosch Rotak 40 Assembly

The electric lawnmower was relatively easy to put together - the most difficult bit was the grass box was a little bit fiddley but the whole thing only took ten minutes or so. The most difficult thing I found was adjusting the cutting length which I find a little tricky but my wife seems to have no trouble with !!

Anyway on to the cutting - the Bosch Rotak 40 is simply a joy to use - the lawnmower is so light it is simple to push even on the lower cuts. It glides across my angled front garden and cuts right onto the edges. It picks up leaves, weeds and anything on the lawn easily - it feels more like vacuuming than cutting the grass.

The lawnmower seems to cope with all sorts of grass and lengths - it even manages damp grass easily. My 5'1" missus can even manage to push it around with ease on all the cutting levels - it's simply so light and powerful.

It cuts really well - easily as good as my much more expensive Hayter - nice stripes and I don't have to use the strimmer anymore as it has this little comb thing which pulls in the grass from the corners. The grass collector works very well - the grass seems to be compacted somehow so it holds quite a lot - although perhaps the collector could have been a little bigger.

Bosch Rotak 40 Cons

So what are the cons with the Bosch Rotak 40 - well I must admit there's not much wrong with it but the grass level selector I find fiddly to adjust. The build quality is pretty good but it is definately mainly plastic so it will be interesting to see how it holds up. I find having a lead a little annnoying but you start to get used to that.

Overall no complaints - the Bosch Rotak 40 is a superb mower - does what it's supposed to do quickly and simply - mowing our medium size lawn is now more of a quick job that an afternoon of turmoil.

As for Amazon their delivery and service was excellent - the price was the cheapest I could find and I didn't have to battle my way around B&Q with a huge cardboard box.

Bosch Rotak 40 only weighs 13kgs (when you've got it out of the huge cardboard box!)

A bit about Lawns

If you really want to take care of your lawn it is vital to fertilise it. A well fed lawn will be healthier, deeper green and have less weeds that a lawn that is never fertilised.

Autumn is recovery time for turf and the best time of year to promote new growth. This is arguably the best time of year to fertilise - look for a product which contains fairly equal levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Of course promoting growth will make your lawn look better but will keep your Bosch Rotak 40 in use as well!

Caring for your Lawnmower

 

 

Whatever lawnmower you buy - taking the time to do a few little maintenance jobs can prolong the life of your electric lawnmower considerably. One of the main things to remember is never put your lawnmower away when the blades are wet. You should clean the blades after mowing your lawn - any grass cuttings attached will retain moisture and promote rust. For instance you could easily clean the blades with a hosepipe directed at them or use a screwdriver if required. After you've cleaned the mower switch it on briefly and slightly lift the back so that the blades dry quickly in the air - then you can put your Bosch Rotak 40 away carefully (of course this applies to all lawnmowers).

The blades on your Bosch Rotak 40 should also be cared for - you can buy replacements but if you keep them sharpened you'll get a consistent finish to your lawn (dull blades tend to tear the grass rather than cut it cleanly).