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AL-KO Silver 470B review

Catcher/mulcher lawnmower. Priced at $499.

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CHOICE Expert Rating

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What is the CHOICE Expert Rating?

CHOICE Expert Rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by our industry experts in the CHOICE labs.

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Good points

The product's best features and benefits

Bad points

Drawbacks or issues you need to know about
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Drive type View more details.

Push: The lawnmower is pushed manually.

Self-propelled: The motor also drives the wheels to make pushing easier – useful for large lawns or hilly areas. These are usually single-speed but some allow you to select between two or three speeds.

Push
Cut type View more details.

Catcher: No mulching option.

Catcher/mulcher: Can be used in either mode.

Catcher/mulcher
Recommended View more details.

We recommend petrol mowers with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 85% overall, and at least 75% for ease of use.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of: cutting score – catcher (25%), cutting score – mulcher (25%) and ease of use (50%). For catcher-only models, the overall score is made up of cutting score – catcher (50%) and ease of use (50%).

Grass cutting score – catcher View more details.

We test lawnmowers for cutting short- and medium-length grass with a catcher, and long grass without a catcher. Our testers also rate the appearance of the grass after the short and medium-grass tests.

Grass cutting score – mulching View more details.

We test lawnmowers that have a mulching mode on short and medium length grass, and rate them on cutting performance and the appearance of the lawn afterwards. 'NA' or 'Not applicable' means that model has no mulching mode.

Ease of use score View more details.

This score rates the lawnmowers based on: vibration through the handle bar, ease of pushing and manoeuvring, handle comfort, convenience of controls, ease of adjusting the cutting height, catcher convenience, and power source.

Vibration score View more details.

How uncomfortable the handles are to hold based on the amount of vibration.

Pushing score View more details.

How difficult the mower is to push and manoeuvre.

Handle score View more details.

How easy the handles are to use and grip.

Controls score View more details.

How easy the controls are to use, including pull levers, pull bars and safety switches.

Height adjustment score View more details.

How easy it is to adjust the cutting height of the mower.

Starter score View more details.

How easy the mower is to start. Key start engines are typically easier to start rather than the pull-cord models.

Catcher score View more details.

How easy the catcher is to attach and detach, the opening, and type of material it's made from.

Noise at 7.5 metres (dB) View more details.

Noise measured at a distance of 7.5m.

Noise level at user's position (dB) View more details.

Noise measured at the operator's ear level.

Closeness of cut to a vertical edge (mm) View more details.

How close the mower's cutting circle can get to an edge, at the front, right and left of the mower. Measured in mm.

Year tested View more details.

The scores between tests in different years are not always strictly comparable due to the need to use different testing sites. However, the test method is same, so a model that performs well at one test site would be expected to perform similarly at a different site.

Pre 2019
Brand reliability score View more details.

These scores are taken straight from our brand reliability survey, but do not add to the overall score and refer to the brand only, not that particular model. "Not available" means we received fewer than 50 responses for this brand, which is not enough to be statistically significant.

Satisfaction score View more details.

These scores are taken from our product reliability survey and do not add to the overall score. They also refer to the brand, not a particular model. We ask owners to tell us what they think of the products they own, then give each brand a satisfaction rating so you can see what people who already own this brand of lawnmower think of them. "Not available" indicates we received fewer than 50 responses, which isn't enough to be statistically significant.

Warranty View more details.

Some models have different warranty periods for different components.

2 years
Price View more details.

Recommended retail price at time of testing.

$499
Origin View more details.

Where the manufacturer claims it was put together.

Main body material View more details.

Steel; durable but can be more prone to rusting.

Alloy; can be more expensive but tends to be more rust-resistant and may be lighter.

Plastic; lighter and won't corrode, but may not be as durable.

Steel
Starter toggle location View more details.

All petrol mowers can be started via a pull cord mounted on the handle or motor body. Some also have electric ignition, which makes starting easier. Look for the key start filter to narrow those down.


Handle
Motor View more details.

The brand of motor installed in the lawnmower.

Briggs & Stratton
Cutting positions View more details.

Number of cutting positions. A higher number offers greater versatility.

7
Lowest cutting height (mm) View more details.

The lowest height of the cut the mower can achieve. Ranges from 8–45mm.

30
Highest cutting height (mm) View more details.

The maximum cut height the mower can achieve. Ranges from 34–110mm.

70
Width of cut (cm) View more details.

The width of the cutting blades – the wider the cut, the fewer passes needed to mow the lawn.

46
Weight (kg)
29
Website
alkogarden.com.au
Wash nozzle View more details.

Lets you clean the underside of the mower without turning it on its side.

No
Quick release handle View more details.

The handle can be quickly and easily folded for storage, or in some cases for adjusting its height.

No
Rear deflector View more details.

Deflects clippings and debris to one side so they don't fly straight back at the user. Useful if you want to want to mow without mulching and without the catcher.

No
Key start View more details.

The mower is started with a key, toggle or button rather than a pull cord.

No
Self start
No
Snorkel for air filter View more details.

Air is drawn into the motor at a distance via a snorkel, reducing the amount of dust drawn into the air filter and extending the life of filter and motor alike.

No
Chipper View more details.

A mode or optional attachment that lets the mower operate as a chipper for shredding small branches.

No
Extra chute View more details.

Whether the mower comes standard with an extra side chute attachment.

Yes
Fuel tap
No
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