Here's How to Choose a Lawn Mower
When buying a lawn mower, most homeowners consider price, features and brand, but the most important aspect to consider is the type of lawn you have and the amount of energy you’re willing to exert. Each lawn mower has different features for different reasons. Here are some tips on how to make the perfect match between your lawn and lawnmower!
Manual Reel Mower
This old-school lawn mower is the perfect choice if your lawn is very small and flat and if you’re looking to burn a few extra calories! Since this mower has no engine, it is quiet, low maintenance, light weight and an added bonus, environmentally friendly. It cuts grass cleanly and it is very smooth to roll, giving you an overall, nice even cut. Be sure to walk briskly over your grass to get the best results.
Electric Mower
Electric lawn mowers create zero emissions and are quiet and dependable. They are efficient for cutting 100 feet from the power source, but are typically less powerful than gas mowers. This mower is not the best choice if you have tall, thick grass.
Battery Powered Mower
Battery Powered lawn mowers do a great job on cutting lawn up to 3000 square feet. They have all the same advantages of a corded electric mower, just without the cord!
Walk behind Self Propelled Mower
If you have an uneven terrain or slope, you should probably consider a Walk behind Self-Propelled Mower. The engine powers the wheels, so all you have to do is steer. Front wheel drive models pivot easily for cutting around obstacles and rear wheel drive models are perfect for cutting uphill. Majority of these mowers are variable-speed that allow you to adjust the speed to your preference.
Gas Mower
Gas lawn mowers are more powerful than an electric and reel lawn mower and are the most popular lawn mower option. They have 4 cycle gas powered engines and can easily mow tall grass and tough weeds. They work well on hilly lawns because they have more power and are available in self-propelled models. One thing to keep in mind with these mowers is that they are louder and create emissions.
Ride on Mowers
Riding mowers are best for lawns over half an acre. They make cutting a large lawn quick and efficient. They’re very comfortable to ride, while also being able to cut almost any terrain. Just like cars, ride on lawn mowers come in a variety of different models. You can get the most basic model made just to cut grass or the luxury model that cuts grass, but also has the option of adding a snowplow on it in the winter - an all season, win-win situation!
Bagging VS Mulching
After you’ve cut your grass, you must decide what you would like to do with your grass clippings. If you like a clean kept appearance for your lawn, consider a bag that attaches to the rear or side output of your lawn mower. One important consideration using this method is that since bagging produces larger grass clippings, these are not ideal to use to add nutrients to your lawn.
On the flipside, if you want to cut your lawn while also adding nutrients, you should consider using a mulch mower. They have a specialized blade that cuts the grass into fine pieces and then recycles them back onto your lawn. The grass clippings sit on the lawn, which helps the grass retain moisture and puts valuable nutrients in your lawns soil.
If you want a mower with flexibility, you should consider a 3-in-1 mower. This consists of mulching, bagging and side discharge all in one!
Mower Shopping
Picking the right lawn mower is easy when you know what you need. Be sure to consider all the above aspects before you head out to make a purchase. Pay close attention to all the different features the lawnmower has. Does it have an electric charge? If so, this acts as a turnkey on lawnmowers. Does it have a small deck size? If so, this means smaller cutting width. You should also consider how many passes it will take to complete your lawn with each model you may potentially buy.
So, before you get your heart set on a new mower, make sure you know what kind is best for your particular lawn and the strengths and weaknesses of each. All of these are very important considerations that can either making grass cutting a chore or a treat!