For us, this is the rear engine rider of favour. These are dedicated mulch mowers, articulated, so with very tight (not quite zero-turn) turning circles and the cutting deck out at the front so that you can get the cutting unit into so many more places. Trees, obstacles, artistically shaped beds to go round? – It’s a doddle with one of these. When you have something this easy to use, manoeuvrable and efficient it becomes a travesty to sell the manual option where, every time you want to change gear, you have to stop forward motion, take your hand off the steering wheel, change gear and set off again.

We’ve looked at similar options on the market. We’ve demonstrated these Husqvarna machines alongside where the other options have been used, and when used at the same time, have been both faster and more efficient in the finish of cut. They excel at what they do – but it comes at a price. The range starts with a compact version, the baby, with a 34” timed deck and goes through from a 37” all the way up, to professional diesel versions with 60” decks, all non-timed with a rear discharge facility for longer grass, the larger ones also having the option of alternative tools to put on the front in place of the cutting deck, like flail mowers and powered brushes.

There has been the introduction of two grass collecting models in the mid-range at the 3-series level, one of which is 2-wheel drive and the other 4-wheel drive, with decks available in 40”/103cm and 44”/112cm. These are high-specification Riders with ACTech™ collection system with anti-clog auger and huge collection capacity. Powerful twin cylinder engine with Turn Key start, empty bag and function (grass collect or mulch) select mode all from the seat.