Choosing A Lawn Mower – Things To Consider
So your old lawn mower just doesn’t cut it anymore (pun intended) and you’ve decided it’s time for a new one. But how do you go about choosing a lawn mower? Start by knowing exactly what you need.
While there are many factors involved in the decision, start by looking at the big three. Look at the size of your yard, what features you want or need, and the quality of engine you require.
Do you need a riding lawn mower, or is a walk behind mower good enough. Use this rule as a starting point. If your yard is over three-quarters of an acre, then look at riding mowers. If not, a walk behind mower is likely all you need. The walk behind mower is by far the most popular. And if your yard is small, smooth, and doesn’t have a lot of hills, there’s no need to spend extra money on a lot of fancy features. However is your yard is over 1/2 an acre, then one thing you should definitely look at is a self propelled model. These mowers will move forward without any help from you. All you need to do is guide it in the right direction. This make mowing the yard a breeze.
Next you should consider the size of the mower deck and the power of the engine. A wide mower deck means you’ll cut more grass with every pass, and that means fewer trips across and back. If you add on an engine with a little extra torque, then the job is fast and simple. Here’s the key. Match the mower with the yard. If you don’t need a wider deck and more power, don’t pay for it. It would simply be wasting money.
You also need to look at the size of the rear wheels. In most cases, standard wheels are fine. But if you have a rough yard with lots of hills, large rear wheels will make the job easier.
Larger yards, those over 3/4 of an acre, may require a riding mower. Once again you’ll need to choose the deck size and engine power. Only consider higher end options if you will be mowing several acres. You’ll be saving money this way.
If you have lots of trees, shrubs and other landscape features, then consider a zero turn radius mower. With these you can basically cut in a circle without moving or leaving a space in the middle. They’re ideal for going around trees. But if you don’t have much landscaping, then save your money or use it on features you will need.
Whether you are using a riding mower or a walk behind, you’ll also need to decide if you want the mower to mulch. A mulching mower will continually cut the grass into tiny fragments by using specially designed blades. These small particles simply drop back down into the yard where they decompose and become a natural fertilizer. If you don’t mulch, you’ll have to bag and dispose of the clippings. These means having a mower with a bag or raking up the grass when you finish mowing.
Naturally there are plenty of other choices to make. Do you want an electric mower, one with a cord or without? Do you want one of the new solar powered or robotic mowers? Start by answering the basic questions first, then when you head to the dealer or look online, choosing a lawn mower will be a much easier task.