How do I choose a lawn mower?
A good-looking lawn requires a high-quality lawnmower. Frequent mowing with the right mower encourages healthy grass growth and prevents the spread of moss and weeds. With tons of lawn mowers available in the market, choosing the best becomes overwhelming especially for new mowers. Here are some of the important factors to consider when choosing the best lawnmowers.
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Size of the yard
The size of your yard is the primary factor that determines the type of lawnmower to buy. Push mowers powered by gas or electricity are an excellent choice for gardeners with small to medium-sized yards of less than half an acre. On the other hand, if your yard is larger than ¾ acre, you’ll need a lawnmower that’s more capable. Riding mowers and zero-turn mowers are the ideal choices for large yards and for commercial use as well. They have wide cutting widths and a faster-rolling speed that enables them to cut large grass sections in less time.
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Lawn Mower Type
Gas-powered lawn mowers have been around for ages and remain a popular choice. While a majority of these lawnmowers use a pull cord to start the engine, the more advanced models have a start button that saves you the hassle of having to pull the cord in order to start them. These mowers have the downside of causing both air and noise pollution.
Electric lawnmowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. The main difference with electric lawn mowers is the battery type and the voltage. The higher the voltage, the powerful the lawnmower is and the longer runtime it has. For best results, look for a lawnmower with a runtime of between 30-60 minutes.
Riding mowers are majorly powered by electricity or gas. Generally, riding mowers cost more than their walk-behind siblings. They are ideal for homeowners with large-sized yards typically ¾ acre and more.
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Cutting Width
On push lawnmowers, the cutting width ranges from 10-20 inches. The smaller the cutting width, the more passes it takes you to complete the yard. However, lawn mowers with small cutting decks are easier to propel across tight spaces and sharp corners. Riding mowers have larger mower deck widths that typically range from 30-66 inches.
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Cutting Height
Gardeners prefer to trim their grass in different heights depending on the season as well as their personal preference. Look for a lawnmower with adjustable cutting height so it’s easier for you to cut the grass longer or shorter.
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Cost
Other than the initial purchase price, it’s also important to consider how economical the lawnmower is to run and maintain it. With gas-powered lawn mowers, you’ll be having added costs that include the cost of fuel, motor oil, and spark plugs.
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Ease of use
Walk-behind lawn mowers with adjustable handles make it easier for people of different heights to be able to operate them. For added comfort, these handles are padded to provide a tight and comfortable grip and prevent the formation of blisters. Other than that, most push lawn mowers are lightweight and easy to maneuver across different terrains. Some self-propelled lawn mowers have adjustable speed, so you can easily set it to your comfortable walking pace. On riding mowers, finding one with a comfortable and adjustable seat ensure that you have a comfortable riding experience.
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Versatility
Having a lawnmower that offers more than one function makes mowing much easier. Side discharge mowers throw grass clippings back to the lawn, while mulching mowers cut the grass into tiny clippings that are returned back to the lawn as mulch. Other mowers have a rear bag that collects the grass clipping for easy disposal. Well, you can find a lawnmower that offers a combination of these three abilities. While they cost more than the regular mower that has either one or two of these functions, 3-in-1 mowers provide a cleaner and neat-looking yard.
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Wheel size.
You’ll want to consider the size of both front and rear wheels depending on the nature of your yard. Lawnmowers with large size wheels are great for rough and bumpy terrains. Rugged, all-terrain wheels make it easier for you to overcome different obstacles and also make it easier for you to maneuver the mower across tight and sharp corners. Besides that, the wheels should have great traction to prevent slipping when mowing wet and slippery grass.
Conclusion
How do I Choose a Lawn Mower? We hope we have comprehensively answered this question. Before you head out to make your purchase, consider all the factors listed above then narrow down your lawnmower options depending on both your needs and the needs of your lawn. This makes the selection process quick and simple for everyone.
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