What Lawn Mower Should I Buy?
Apr 05 '01
The Bottom Line Try to spend some time with friends or family and ask for the chance to use their mowers. Try different types if you can. To help you in your decision.
The first year I was out on my own as a single parent, I realized mowing the lawn had now become my job. I hadn't even thought about it till that first spring had come, and I actually looked at the grass. This was over 2 years ago. Now I think nothing of the fact of going out and doing the yard work, mowing the lawn or using the trimmers. It is all second nature to me now. Here are some guidelines I used when buying my first lawn mower. In hopes of helping out someone else in the awful dilemma of how to choose which to buy.
What types of Lawn Mowers are available?
There are several types available, starting with your average push mower. Today's models are not as heavy to push as the older ones, which were made of heavy cast iron and hard to maneuver at times. The newer ones offer an easier approach for removing in and out of sheds, in some cases can be picked up over the fence and offers easy cleanup as well. If you like the exercise and don't have any problems with getting a full exercise, and also have a smaller lot, more on the square type, then this mower could be for you. They are not real expensive. You can get some really great sales at some of your local stores. Check around to see what brand might suit your needs or wants.
Push-type Corded Electric
These machines do not require any maintenance of gas or oil. Yet they still offer good power as the ones that do. In some cases, again depending on what type or model you choose to buy. They offer a lot less of the noise compared to the gas mowers. Your only downfall on these may be the cord is just not long enough. Most electric mowers come with a 100-foot cord. Now you can always use extensions. The shorter cord will vary depending on the brand mower you buy. Now this is great if your lawn is maximum of 100 feet or within this footage. Not everyone likes to fumble with extension cords and the like. Some models also have a preventive measure for the cord. These are a lock that helps in the prevention of cord pullouts. Which means basically, that you don't rip the cord from the machine, because you're extending the cord way beyond its limits.
Electric Cordless Push-Type
Now here is a cool lawn mower. No more cords with this type. Instead they come with a built-in time limit. Of course with this you have a battery that will need recharging every so often. Depending upon your usage. These type mowers are best suited for smaller lawns that can be cut within 30 minutes or so, or approximately one third of an acre or less.
Now keep in mind also, you are going t have some tricky areas that you need to get the mower into. Do you want a push type mower or one that you can sit and ride? That depends upon you and your choice of how you want to manage your lawn care. Some will use all the tools, like trimmers and others to maintain a high level of lawn care. Some just would rather push the mower into every corner and let it go. Which in any case it is your choice.
Gas powered or Electric
In my experience, not only being the one to mow my own lawn now, but from other experiences such as being with others as they did so, I have learned the gas mowers will allow you to cut your lawn at just about any time given, of any day. No need to worry about the height of your grass, the wetness of your grass, nor the fact you have very thick grass. You can just mow it down. But on the other hand, they will chomp badly at any new grass you have coming in. So be gentle when mowing the new grass.
Some gas mowers will require the person to be the pusher of the machine, and some have engine propelled, where as they will require less for the person using the mower. You can also be given the choice of engines to choose, some are healthier for the environment.
Electric mowers seem to handle differently. It is best to use the electric mowers when your grass in dry, so forget the morning cuts. Also they tend to have difficulty in high or thick grass. So you have to mow much more often.
With these two facts about these two types of mowers, you really have to make a decision based upon you and your lifestyle, and what type of lawn you own, or will be caring for.
Other Considerations
Just about all your mowers come with blade adjustment. Some choices may be from 1 inch to 3 ½ inches. Some mowers will offer a one-time pull of a lever that will change all the wheel settings for you; some will offer a lever for each wheel. And there are some that do the front two wheels, or the back two wheels. Make sure to get the mower of your choice that will offer many options. Options that will be easy for you to maneuver.
There are other options that may be of importance to you, like grass catchers. These are the bags that will hold all the clippings, and will need to be emptied often. Self propelled engines; the ones that don't require much push from the user may have an option of front or rear wheel drive.
There are some great names out there for mowers: Toro, Lawn-boy, as well as some newer ones on the market such as Personal Pace & Easy Stride. Now also keep in mind with purchasing a new mower, that any maintenance that your mower may require can be given to you by your retailer. They should have available information on everything from parts to servicing. On a side note, don't let the job of choosing a mower get the best of you. It is rather painless and simple. Catered to your needs of how much you want to spend, your size of lawns to care for, and the options that suit your needs. If you have the chance, spend some time with friends or family and ask for the chance to use their mowers. Get comfortable using different types if you can. This can help you in your decision.
My choice is the gas mowers. I get more power, although I have more maintenance to my mower. Which I like this, it always keep in tune with how my mower is operating. I like the ability of pulling out the mower and mowing the lawn when I want to. There are times I can't wait till another time to do this job, if I get up early and I want to go out and cut the dew-wet grass I can. I have the all wheel adjustment for my blades and I also have a grass catcher. This suits me fine, and I get a full workout each and every time and on some days, I get some sun tanning too!
In NJ, our local Home Depot is offering very good sales on mowers. Prices vary from $259- $469, from Scotts brand to John Deere.
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