A $7.5 million settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit in Canada against eight major lawnmower manufacturers that alleges they conspired to make their products sound more powerful in order to justify charging customers more money.

An image from the class action website where consumers can make their claims - thought to be worth $15 to $55 per mower

The Canadian broadcaster CBC reported that the settlement includes hundreds of thousands of mowers under at least 39 brand names, purchased in Canada between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2012 and includes petrol-powered walk-behind or riding mowers, labelled at 30 horsepower or less.

The suit alleges Briggs & Stratton, Electrolux, Honda, Husqvarna, John Deere, Kawasaki, Kohler, MTD, Tecumseh and Toro mislabelled their products to show a higher horsepower rating than what was actually contained in the lawn mower.

Jonathan Foreman, a partner with Harrison Pensa, the firm representing the class action told CBC News that it is still not apparent how many people or organisations may be eligible to make a claim.

"You will have some people like landscaping companies, for example, who would buy multiple mowers," he said. "Then you'll have consumers and homeowners who might buy one and keep it for as long as 10 years."

Indviduals and organisations have until May 22, 2019 to file a claim ranging from $15 to $55 per mower, by filling out an online form on the class action's website.

The court has appointed a third party to receive and review potential claims, which could take up to a year to be paid after the claims deadline.