There are lots of reasons to buy a lawn mower. Most likely the most obvious one is that it will let you keep your lawn looking neat and tidy. Mowing your lawn frequently moreover helps to put it on the market healthy expansion and can prevent weed problems.
There are a lot of lawn mowers to make a choice from to be had available on the market. How do you know which one is the best for you?
Proper right here are a few things you wish to have to remember when in search of the best lawn mower in your yard. At first, you wish to have to decide what type of mower you need. There are corded electric mowers and battery-operated mowers for smaller to mid-size yards; most are lightweight and blank to transport. Then there are gas-powered mowers highest imaginable fitted to larger yards; some are push, some are self-propelled, and a couple of are the usage of mowers.
Power and maneuverability are necessary problems. Is your yard small and flat? Get a push corded or battery-powered mower. Is your massive and hilly? Get a self-propelled battery or gas-powered mower or if the yard may well be very, very massive, get a the usage of mower.
There are a variety of problems to consider when making a lawn mower achieve. Will have to you take care of your software, it will ultimate 10 to 15 years even with commonplace use, so this can be a number one, long-term achieve. Proper right here’s what you wish to have to be told about lawn mowers and a list of our favorites.
Basics to be told about lawn mowers
- Most lawn mowers are rotary mowers. A rotary mower is a motor mounted on a casing (known as a deck) below which rotates a propellerlike blade commonly18 to 24 inches long. The blade rotates horizontally to the ground. The motor is powered by means of electric power or gasoline.
- Rotary mowers may also be push mowers–you push the software, or they are able to be self-propelled–the wheels are grew to transform by means of power from the engine. Self-propelled mowers are maximum frequently two instances as pricey as push mowers. Using mowers are very massive rotary mowers, with a seat for the operator and an excessively massive blade underneath.
- Electric mowers may also be corded or cordless. Electric corded mowers are plugged into an outlet by means of a prolonged open air extension cord. Battery-powered mowers are powered by means of a rechargeable battery that can run for roughly 45 to 60 minutes on a worth.
- Gasoline-powered mowers are driven by means of each a two-cycle or four-cycle engine with a median power of 3 to 4 horsepower.
- The horizontal blades of a rotary mower rotate at fast speeds. The blades are housed within a deck or casing that helps to keep grass and other units from flying away for the reason that mower cuts.
- Deck period essentially determines how huge the blades will decrease, that is the swath of the decrease. Decks range from 18 to 70 inches huge. The wider the deck the larger the path or swath of the decrease. Smaller decks are easier to transport on the other hand require additional passes to cut the lawn.
- Rotary mowers can discharge grass clippings once more into the lawn or proper right into a bag. Small grass clippings (from popular mowings) may also be allowed to drop once more into the lawn by the use of an aspect discharge chute and no longer the usage of a bag. If clippings are thick or clumpy the clippings should be accrued in a bag or raked off of the lawn. Bagged and collected lawn clippings must be disposed of or composted.
Types of rotary lawn mowers
Walk behind rotary mowers
- A walk behind or walking rotary mower is the most typical type of rotary mower. Walk behind mowers may also be pushed or self-propelled. The motor on self-propelled mowers turns the blades and drives the wheels.
- The reducing peak on most rotary lawn mowers may also be adjusted.
- Some rotary lawn mowers have flip-over handles; the ones mowers do not want to be grew to transform spherical at the end of each and every pass; the deal with simply flips over.
- Some rotary lawn mowers may also be reworked into mower-mulchers that decrease the grass clippings really nice and drop them proper right down to the soil where they act as mulch that decomposes and returns nitrogen to the soil. (If you do not decrease your lawn regularly it is upper to bag long grass clippings moderately than mulch them; long clippings typically generally tend to mat and clump.)
- Walk behind rotary mowers many times have two basic bagging designs: (1) rear bagging, by which the grass clipping are discharged proper right into a bag that hangs from the handles of the mower behind the software; and (2) side-discharging, by which the clippings are discharged onto the lawn or proper right into a side-mounted bag.
Using mowers, often referred to as lawn tractors
- Using mowers are self-propelled mowers that the operator sits on and drives with a guidance wheel, lap bar, or levers. The ones mowers are used for large lawns of 3/4 acre or additional.
- There are two kinds of the usage of mowers: (1) rotary sorts have the blade housing (mower deck) underneath the seat; (2) front-cut mowers have the blade housing in front of the seat; this sort of mower may well be very maneuverable and can decrease underneath fences, bushes, and timber.
- The width of the cuts of the usage of mowers typically ranges from 26 to 42 inches.
- A grass catcher–canvas, metal, or plastic container–trails along behind the mower.
- Using mowers may include choices related to a snatch, automated transmission (hydrostatic energy), regulate panel, guidance wheel or levers, diesel engine, engine get right of entry to for maintenance, and four-wheel guidance.
- A rear-engine the usage of mower is many times a lot much less powerful than a front-engine the usage of mower and maximum frequently has a smaller reducing swath, maximum frequently a maximum width of 30 inches).
Nylon string mowers often referred to as trimmer/mowers
- This is a massive string trimmer on wheels that can be electric, battery, or gas-powered.
- The ones mowers use spinning nylon cords moderately than metal blades to cut grass.
Self-operating robotic or “smart” mowers
- Robotic or smart mowers are electric battery powered.
- They navigate within a cord perimeter or a programmed perimeter.
- They do not decrease correctly over uneven terrain and they are able to be damaged by means of obstacles related to large sticks.
Reel mowers
- The other to a rotary mower is a reel mower; a reel mower has a blade that spins vertically as it is pushed or pulled. Most reel mowers do not have motors; they are pushed by means of the operator and the blade spins with the momentum of the frenzy.
Mower Professionals and Cons
Electric corded lawn mowers
Electric corded lawn mowers run on electric power. They require an extension cord –maximum frequently 50 to 100 ft long–and must be plugged into {{an electrical}} outlet. Electric mowers maximum frequently have enough power for small to medium period yards–about 1/4 acre (10,890 sq. ft) to 1/2 acre. They must be operated within 100 ft of an outlet thus use is restricted by means of the duration of the cord.
- Professionals: maximum frequently the least pricey, lightest weight, push button starts instantly, run indefinitely, no gasoline, no want to re-charge batteries, quieter, no fumes, a lot much less maintenance.
- Cons: slower mowing tempo, requires outlet and extension cord, range limited by means of the duration of extension cord, the cord can transform tangled spherical timber or other units, imaginable electric marvel.
- Tip: observe the software manufacturer’s instructions for selecting an acceptable outdoor-rated extension cord (maximum frequently a 14-gauge or heavier 12-gauge extension). Extension cords maximum frequently max out spherical 100 ft.
- Value: $100 to $300.
Cordless battery-powered lawn mowers
Cordless battery-powered lawn mowers are powered by means of rechargeable batteries. The batteries require a charging station that is plugged into {{an electrical}} outlet. Lithium-ion batteries are common; they provide the power and runtime for the average residential yard to about 1/2 acre. You’re going to almost certainly desire a 2d battery so if the software runs out of power previous than you are able to finish the duty. Most battery mowers decrease a 20- or 21-inch swath
- Professionals: can decrease a median yard (a couple of one-fifth to one-third acre) on a single value, delivery instantly–no choke or pull-cord, good mobility, maximum frequently lighter than gas-powered models, a lot much less vibration than gas models, a lot much less maintenance than gas models–no oil change or tune-ups sought after, the motor does not produce emissions, brushless motors and high-voltage batteries give long-lasting power, batteries could also be interchangeable with power equipment from the identical manufacturer, many times have lots of the choices of gas-powered models.
- Cons: worth may also be the identical or more than a gas mower, run time is made up our minds by means of the voltage and amp-hour ranking of the battery (about 30 to 40 minutes of semi-continuous mowing on a single value), battery re-charge time of about 60 minutes can slow your art work, a 2d battery manner additional worth.
- Value: $150 to $600
Gasoline-powered lawn mowers
Gasoline-powered are many times your only option for large yards (one-fourth to at least one acre or additional) where a prolonged runtime or maximum power is sought after; they are not limited by means of a cord or battery value time. Gasoline mowers are available with each 2-cycle or 4-cycle engines (from 140 cc to 190 cc). Engines may also be facet valve designs, overhead valve designs, or overhead cam designs (listed from least to most costly).Two-cycle engines require a gas-oil combination to run. 4-cycle engines run on commonplace gasoline (the oil is separate) and are necessarily essentially the most powerful. 4-cycle engines run cleaner than two-cycle engines. Gasoline mowers many times decrease a 21- or 22-inch swath and can deal with thick grass and weeds.
- Professionals: highest imaginable for heavier art work, faster mowing, large number of sizes and mowing capacities to make a choice from, art work anyplace.
- Cons: needs gasoline or gasoline/oil combinations, stepped starting procedure, heavier than most battery-powered models, noisier than battery or electric models (use earplugs or ear-muff style headsets), creates fumes, calls for additonal maintenance (commonplace tune-ups, oil changes, and blade polishing).
- Value: $200 to $1,000.
Using lawn mowers
Using mowers are highest imaginable suited for very massive yards or estates where an extended run time is sought after. Using mowers are frequently known as garden tractors.
- Professionals: decrease two or three times faster than push mowers, massive mowing decks–42- to 48-inch swath and up to 72 inches, most can bag, mulch, and side-discharge clippings, accept moderately a large number of implements related to sell off carts, lawn aerators, fertilizer spreaders, lawn rollwer, tillers, seeders, snow throwers, front loaders, and backhoes.
- Cons: create exhaust emissions, requires necessarily essentially the most cupboard space, and requires commonplace tune-ups, oil changes, and blade polishing, bagging kits and other extras may also be pricey.
- Types of the usage of mowers: (1) zero-turn radius mowers (ZTR) are controlled by means of a few levers, pushing one forward and the other rearward causes the mower to turn in place; blank to transport spherical obstacles; zero-turn mowers are well-suited for hilly homes; worth more than most garden tractors; truly helpful for lawns greater than two acres; (2) front-engine and rear-engine riders are controlled by means of a guidance wheel, decks are narrower, about 30 inches, rear-engine mowers are maximum frequently more cost effective than zero-turn radius mowers and front-engine mowers..
- Value: $2,200 to about $8,000
Lawn mower buying tips
- Electric corded or battery-powered rotary mowers are correctly suited for small lawns which can be mowed frequently.
- Gasoline-powered rotary mowers can decrease tall or tricky grasses; they are heavier accountability than electric or battery-powered mowers.
- Two-cyle engines are smaller and lighter than four-cycle engines. Two-cycle engines are upper for hilly terrain because of they weigh a lot much less.
- 4-cyle engines are additional surroundings pleasant than two-cycle engines.
- Push mowers are many times more cost effective than self-propelled mowers.
- Self-propelled mowers are helpful for hilly areas or for many who to search out it tough to push.
- Self-propelled mowers may also be (1) front-wheel energy–highest imaginable for level ground; you are able to push down on the deal with to reduce traction on the front wheels and pivot into and out of corners; (2) rear-wheel energy–highest imaginable for uphill and sidehill mowing; the rear wheels do not lose traction going up hill, and (3) all-wheel energy–highest imaginable for difficult and uneven ground.
- All-wheel energy self-propelled mowers offer the best traction on slopes, followed by means of rear-wheel energy. Front-wheel energy models are highest imaginable suited for flat lawns.
- Self-propelled mowers are a better choice than push mowers (electric or gas) for large yards.
- Some gasoline-powered mowers have push-button virtual ignitions instead of pull-cord starters.
- Ensure that the mower does not let the blade spin mechanically at start-up; it is best that the blade is engaged by means of the operator. Ensure that the blade engagement lever or button is modest to use.
- Some mowers may also be fitted with attachments related to leaf shredders. Attachments are regularly add-on purchases.
- Security features to seek for include: a rear deflector, which is a hinged flap on the rear of the mower that stops flying rocks and sticks from hitting the operator; a deflection guard at the grass-clipping discharge opening; an exhaust software and muffler transparent of the grass catcher.
- Turning radius comparison is necessary (a lot much less is highest).
- A washout port makes it easier to scrub the ground of a mower after each and every use. A washout port allows you to attach a hose connection to the ground of the software for cleaning; you do not need to tip the software.
- Some models have a vertical-storage design that shall we the deal with fold down so the mower may also be tipped once more and stored vertically towards a wall.
Lawn mower choices to consider when buying
- Ensure that the mower has an outstanding enough engine for the lawn you can be reducing, tall grass or wet grass. Engine sizes will range from 140-cc to 190-cc; higher numbers are additional powerful. Upper engine capacity is necessary for those who get a the usage of mower and plan to haul a cart or use a snow blade or thrower.
- Ensure that the mower is comfortable to deal with; ensure that the walk-behind mower deal with may also be set on the correct peak for you; make sure that a the usage of mower seat is comfortable.
- Deck levers imply you’ll be able to control the reducing peak. Ensure that the reducing peak adjustment works simply and easily; some mowers allow for the reducing peak to be adjusted by means of a single lever.
- Electric delivery models have a built-in battery and starter motor that do away with the want to pull-start the mower. {The electrical} delivery may also be flipped to instantly stop the engine. (Electric delivery models can worth an additional $100 additional.)
- A serve as known as blade brake snatch (BBC) or blade override software (BOS) will imply you’ll be able to stop the blades to empty the collection bag without turning off the software. (This feature can worth an additional $100.)
- Some self-propelled mowers are available with hydrostatic transmissions; the ones use hydraulic fluid and are the smoothest operating and most costly. The other is a belt-and-pulley software.
- Some mowers can mulch and bag clippings. Some mowers can mulch, bag, or facet discharge clippings. Mulching is the healthiest variety for the lawn; it return nitrogen-rich clippings to the soil. Mulching does not art work correctly where the grass is tall because of clippings typically generally tend to bunch together. A mower with an aspect discharge is highest imaginable where the lawn is tall or weedy and clippings may also be accrued or raked.
- Mowers with uniform wheel period are easier to transport. Models with larger rear wheels can negotiate uneven lawn surfaces–ruts and hard ground.
- Some mowers have front caster wheels which are extraordinarily maneuverable on the other hand do not observe correctly on bumpy ground or sidehills.
- Ball-bearing wheels are easier to push than bushing-type wheels.
- Folding handles fold or collapse requiring a lot much less house for storage of walk-behind mowers.
- In case you are purchasing a the usage of lawn mower, make sure that it has a bumper to forestall harm for those who strike a tree or wall.
- If you’re going to purchase a the usage of mower, pay further for a built-in hour meter. Hour meters tell you when required maintenance is sought after.
- A gas gauge on a mower is additional at hand than a see-through tank.
- Most sensible-back seats are additional supportive and comfortable than same old seats on the usage of mowers.
- Some the usage of mower models offer cruise regulate.
Regularly asked questions previous than buying a lawn mowers
Q: How powerful are battery-powered mowers?
A: Battery-powered mowers are powerful enough to mow a median yard of one / 4 of an acre or a lot much less on one value; some models can mow a component an acre on one value.
Q: What is the difference between a push mower and a self-propelled mower?
A: Push mowers require you to push them forward. Self-propelled mowers are pulled along by means of a drive-train hooked up to each the doorway or once more wheels. In case you are mowing up inclines, a self-propelled mower is your only option because it calls for far much less physically effort in your phase.
Q: If I make a selection a self-propelled mower, should I get a front-wheel energy or rear-wheel energy?
A: Front-wheel energy may lose traction on hills for the reason that weight of the mower is behind the doorway wheels; the burden of the grass inside the rear bag will cut back front-wheel traction. All-wheel energy mowers are available; they art work highest imaginable if the terrain has a important slope. If you choose a self-propelled mower, give a boost to to variable tempo which is in a position to imply you’ll be able to suit your mowing tempo to the lawn’s slope and grass prerequisites.
Q: Do I get additional if I spend additional on a lawn mower?
A: A dear lawn mower could be of higher prime quality. It’s going to have easy-rolling ball-bearing wheels, a long lasting composite or aluminum deck (the ones resist grass buildup on the underside of the deck), a top-quality engine, specific mulching mower blades, and each and every once more and facet discharge chute (facet discharge is valuable when the grass has grown tall.
Q: How long will a lawn mower ultimate?
A: Will have to you take care of the lawn mower and observe the manufacturer’s operating instructions, a lawn mower can ultimate 10 to 15 years. Believe a lawn mower a large achieve.
Q: How long does a lawn mower battery ultimate?
A: The rechargeable battery on {an electrical} mower should ultimate about 5 years. The battery on a the usage of mower will ultimate about 4 years.
Q: How regularly do I want to change a lawn mower spark plug?
A: Trade the spark plug in the beginning of each and every new mowing season or after about 100 hours of use.
Lawn mower coverage tips
- Be informed the owner’s guide and manufacturer’s coverage tips previous than operating the software.
- Do not remove shields, guards, and other security measures on the software.
- Add gasoline previous than starting the engine.
- Clear the mowing area of sticks, twigs, stones, pet droppings, and toys previous than mowing.
- Placed on protective gloves, goggles, sturdy sneakers, and long pants when operating the mower.
- Do not mow the lawn at evening time.
- Do not decrease the grass when it is wet or damp or when it is raining.
- Use caution when mowing hills and slopes. It is maximum frequently extra protected mowing all the way through a slope than up and down.
- Do not leave the mower unattended while it is working. Turn off the engine for those who must step away.
- Do not let children carry out the mower without close adult supervision.
- Do not let children or adults adventure as passengers on a the usage of mower.
- Keep your arms clear of a sizzling engine, exhaust manifold, or gas tank.
- Remove the spark plug when storing or doing maintenance on the lawn mower.
- At all times keep your arms and ft transparent of the mower blade despite the fact that the software is not working. Do not elevate the software by means of the underdeck where your arms may also be injured by means of the blade if it turns all of a sudden. Use gloves to deal with the blade during maintenance.
Lawn mower maintenance
Electric and battery-powered mower maintenance
- Be informed the owner’s guide and observe the maintenance time table.
- Unplug the power cord or remove the battery previous than maintenance.
- Check out the power cord or batteries for harm previous than each and every use.
- Clean the deck after each and every mowing. Use a garden hose or clean material to scrub underneath the deck.
- Clean and check out the blades after each and every use. Remove blades previous than polishing them.
- Check out the {{hardware}} and fasteners previous than each and every use.
Gasoline-powered mower maintenance
- Be informed the owner’s guide and observe the maintenance time table.
- Check out the {{hardware}} and fasteners previous than each and every use.
- Check out the oil previous than each and every use. Business the oil yearly. Put off oil at a recycling center.
- Trade the spark plug yearly.
- Drain the gasoline at the end of the season or run the engine until the remaining gas is used up.
- Use a gas stabilizer for those who leave gas inside the software for long categories.
- Clean and change the air filter annually.
- Remove grass from underneath the mower deck and clean it with a clean material after each use.
- Sharpen the mower blades at least once a 12 months and change them if they are damaged.
- Steadiness the mower blades annually; see the owner’s guide for instructions.
Lawn mowers we like
About our tick list: We spend on the subject of on a daily basis inside the garden. We moreover spend a lot of time with other gardeners. Lots of the apparatus on our favorites tick list are apparatus we use or apparatus we see being used by our gardening friends. We moreover chat with product sales friends at the garden center, box store, and {{hardware}} about apparatus they are selling and recommend. Our tick list is created from apparatus everyone knows first-hand are right kind for the duty and moderately priced.
Electric corded lawn mowers
Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1Electric Corded Lawn Mower, 25022. About $165.
CRAFTSMAN Electric Lawn Mower, 20-Inch, Corded, 13-Ah (CMEMW213). About $237.
Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Lawn Mower w/Collapsible Care for, 3-Position Height Control, 10.6-Gallon Bag, and Side Discharge Chute, 14″/13 Amp. About $134.
Battery-powered lawn mowers
EGO Power+ LM2130SP 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Choose Decrease Lawn Mower with Touch Force Self-Propelled Technology Battery and Charger Not Integrated. About $483.
WORX Nitro WG753 40V Power Proportion PRO 21″ Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (Batteries & Charger Integrated). About $480.
RYOBI 20 in. 40-Volt 6.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery Brushless Cordless Walk In the back of Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with Charger Integrated.
Makita XML03CM1 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless 18″ Lawn Mower Apparatus with 4 Batteries. About $399.
Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM 48-Volt 17-Inch Mulching Walk-In the back of Lawn Mower w/11-Gallon Grass Catcher & 6-Position Height Adjustment, Integrated, Cordless, Apparatus (w/ 2x 4.0-Ah Battery and Charger). About $180
Gasoline-powered lawn mowers
Honda 663020 21 in. GCV170 Engine Just right Force Variable Speed 3-in-1 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with Auto Choke. About $530.
Snapper 1687914 21″ SP Walk Mower Apparatus, Self-Propelled. About $480.
Craftsman M105 140cc 21-Inch 3-in-1 Gasoline Powered Push Lawn Mower with Bagger. About $360.
BLACK+DECKER 21-Inch 3-in-1 Gasoline Powered Push Lawn Mower with 140cc OHV. About $455.
CRAFTSMAN 11A-U2V2791 3-in-1 149cc Engine Gasoline Powered Push Lawn Mower with Vertical Storage – Contractable Mower for Ease of Storage. About $363,
Using lawn mowers
Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic 0 Turn Using Mower. About $3,795.
Husqvarna TS 354XD (54″) 24HP Kawasaki Garden Tractor. About $5299.
Robot lawn mower
GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO The city – Automated Robotic Lawn Mower, with Bluetooth app and Boundary Cord, one in all The quietest in its Class, for lawns up to 2700 SquareFt. About $630.
Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower 1/4 Acre / 10,890 Sq. Feet Power Proportion- WR147 (Battery & Charger Integrated). About $1,041.
Husqvarna Automower® 315X Robotic Lawn Mower. About $1,799.
Reed mowers
Fiskars Lawn Mowers: StaySharp Max Reel Push Lawn Mower, Eco delightful, 18” Decrease Width (362050-1001). About $200.
Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, 18-Inch, 5-Blade. About $116.
American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower. About $89.
String mowers
BLACK+DECKER 25A-26S5736 4-Cycle Gasoline Powered 22-Inch Walk-In the back of Most sensible-Wheeled String Trimmer with 140cc OHV Engine. About $529.
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Lawn Mower, String Trimmer, Edger, 3-in-1 (MTC220). About $152.
