Whether you are new to cutting grass or you have been doing the chore for years, it can be cumbersome to buy new lawn equipment. Purchasing a lawn mower can be quite a challenge as there are so many good ones to choose from.
This article will provide some tips on how to purchase a brand new lawn mower.
Size of the garden
The first question when you decide to buy a lawn mower is the size of your garden or lawn. The medium garden would be the size of a tennis court, everything bigger is a big garden and everything smaller is a small garden. A small garden would be mowable with either a hand push or electric mower. Medium and larger lawns might need a motor but with a large garden the awkwardness of an electric wire trailing behind you could steer you towards a cordless electric or petrol machine. For huge gardens you’ll need a riding mower.
Another method is to check the specifications on the lawn mower and there you can find a recommendable square footage for which this lawn mower is designed for.
Budget
Before making an investment in lawn equipment, it is important to determine if you have the budget to do so. Determine if you have the funds to purchase a new mower and if so, how much you have to spend. This will help you in deciding which type of mower to get and how many features you can reasonably afford. We advise you to buy only respected brands because cheap lawn mowers will surely be more expensive in the long run.
Propulsion
There are several propulsion types for lawn mowers available and the type of propulsion is connected with the size of the lawn. The electric lawn mowers are designed for small lawns because they are limited with the length of the power cord. Cordless lawn mower are much better because you don’t have to worry about power cord all the time, but it’s rather frustrating that you have to charge the batteries all the time. Cordless lawn mowers are good for small and maybe for medium size lawns but they are not practical for bigger lawns. Gas powered lawn mowers can be used for every size of the lawn and they’re the most commonly used lawn mowers. Gas powered lawn mowers produce a little bit of noise and smoke but they’re by far the most efficient lawn mowers.
Type
Lawn mowers can be divided into several categories:
Push mowers are mowers that doesn’t have their own drive but instead you have to push them. They’re great for those who don’t have a large lawn. Keep in mind that mowing the lawn can be quite a workout and will take a great deal of effort depending on the size of your yard.
Self propelled or walk behind lawn mowers use the power of the motor to push themselves so you don’t have to push them in order to mow. They are far better solution then push mowers because you don’t have to use your muscles to push the mower.
Riding mower or lawn tractors are great if you have a yard larger than an acre. A riding mower can cut your grass in a short amount of time and can manage a large yard. They are basically small tractors designed specially for mowing. Because of their size and capabilities, they cost a lot more than push mowers. You can sometimes get great deals when you consider buying them in used or second-hand condition. The Old Homestead Farm can help you find used riding lawn mowers for sale under $500 for those that are on a tight budget but still wants to own a riding mower. They also provide additional tips on what to look out for when buying used gardening equipment.
Robotic mowers or mow-bots are basically small robots that mow grass within a wired perimeter. You simply set the provided wire which acts as a fence and the robotic mower cuts the grass within and you sit back in the shade with a cool drink.
Features
After you have determined the type of lawn mower you want to purchase as well as how much you can reasonably afford to spend, you will want to take a look at features such as the following:
Folding handle is extremely useful for storage in winter months and you should always look for a mower with folding handle.
Electric starter is very useful because you can start your mower with just a push of a button. That is great for gas powered lawn mowers because you don’t have to pull the cord to start your mower.
Variable speed is a great feature if you have trees and bushes in your garden. You can adjust the speed of a self propelled mower for your needs and your pace.
Brake blade clutch system is a must have feature because you can stop the blades from rotating without turning off the mower. This is extremely useful when you need to move obstacles or cross paved parts of your garden.
Mulching feature comes in handy if you don’t want to collect grass clippings. The grass is mulched and it’s used as a fertilizer for your lawn.
Wash out fitting is a feature for those who take care of their lawn mower but don’t have the time to clean it manually every time. You just simply connect the hose and turn on the water and watch as your mower clean itself.
Tall rear wheels is a very important feature for smaller gardens and gardens with lot of obstacles. Tall rear wheels offer much better maneuverability then small wheels. Also tall rear wheel offer much better traction on self propelled mowers.
Reviews
Before you make a purchase, be sure to check reviews about various lawn mowers so that you know what to expect. You can find lawn mower reviews on sites like Tools around the house. After you have read reviews and understand the pros and cons of the models you are interested in purchasing, you will be able to make a well informed decision on which is the best model for your needs and budget.
I thought it was really helpful when you explained that it is important to determine how much money you have to spend when you are getting a new lawnmower. I would like to purchase a new lawnmower because my current one requires a lot of energy to push it. It seems like it would be a good idea for me to go online and to look at some of my options so that I can figure out how much I want to spend.
It was really nice how you explained the three types of lawn mowers, but what caught my attention was the push mowers and how you said that it is the perfect choice for those with small lawns to maintain. We do have a fairly small lawn, but my mom was adamant that we care for it properly. Now that I need a lawnmower to cut the grass as well as other supplies, I need all the advice that I can get. I’m glad I came across this article and learned a few good tips. Thank you!