Whether you’re looking at a house, office, or building, you’re going to notice the landscaping. A lush, green lawn which is evenly cut and well-trimmed finishes the look of any location.
Different terrains, grass types, lawn sizes, and other considerations have led manufacturers to produce dozens and dozens of lawn mowers, with a wide range of features and options to choose from.
While all these choices can be overwhelming, the level of competition among manufacturers means that you – the consumer – will come out the winner. There are a few models out there that combine cost-effectiveness with high performance, in every category of the mower.
There are a few major categories of mowers you should be familiar with. These are manual reel, gas push, self-propelled, electric, cordless, and ride on. Popular companies to select from include John Deere, Husqvarna, Toro, Lawn-Boy, Honda, and Troy-Bilt, among others.
In the past non-riding lawn mowers had a maximum speed of 3mph, but today they get up to 5 mph, making them easier to push, and getting the job done faster. The heights on these mowers can also be adjusted to meet the operator’s proportion, helping to eliminate awkward angles. Some models will even mulch your clippings for you. And as an added bonus, they have become more environmentally friendly, with gas-powered models using cleaner engines, and electric mowers now available.
Table of Contents
Manual reel mowers definitely have a few well-known drawbacks. These include not working well on uneven lawns, an inability to get close to raised edgings or to handle long grass or weeds – which means you have to do additional trimming.
Small twigs can get caught in the blades, and, of course, they can’t mulch leaves. And if your lawn has any slopes, you’re in for some pushing. However, there are still some lawn types that can easily mowed using this type of mower, as well as other benefits.
For flat lawns of a smaller size, up to about 1/3 acre, a reel lawn mower doesn’t represent much exertion. They work well on short grass and have the added benefit of low noise. Plus, they don’t throw up much debris, which make them a good choice for those who suffer from allergies. Reel lawn mowers are also more environmentally friendly due to a lower consumption of gasoline.
These are the reasons why manual reel mowers continue to be a popular choice. The best mower for you depends on your variety of grass. Reel lawn mowers with five blades are intended for use on upright grasses (rye, fescue and tall fescue, and similar varieties). However, if your grass is the bent, creeping kind – such as Zoysia, Bermuda, or Centipede – you’ll want to purchase a seven-bladed reel mower.
A majority of professional reviewers find that five-bladed reel motors with a cutting adjustment that allows for a high maximum height are the best choice, citing the fact that cutting your grass too far exposes it to heat damage. This is an important factor in the favorable reviews surrounding the 20-inch Scotts Green Classic (also sold under the name Scotts 2000-20, approx. $140), as this model offers a 3-inch maximum cutting height. The width is perfectly adequate, similar to many other reel motors, so you don’t sacrifice cutting area for cutting height. It does weigh around 30 pounds, but it is equipped with a second set of wheels on the rear, making it easier to push, on even ground at a minimum.
To adjust cutting height on the Scotts Green Classic, there are two levers; there is also a shrub bar located at the front, preventing low bushes from becoming stuck in the blades of the mower. The blades themselves generally require sharpening only once a year, sometimes every two years, and there is even a home sharpening kit available for purchase (approx. cost: $12).
Also available is a mesh grass catcher (approx. $20); however, this feature has gotten dim reviews by users at Amazon.com, for its loose fit and inability to catch the cuttings cleanly. A complaint from a few users is that the handle is not sturdy enough, and isn’t long enough to be used comfortably by taller operators. Also, both the wheels and the gears are constructed of plastic.
Despite these moderate drawbacks, the Scotts Green Classic has been overall well-received thanks to its even results and overall user-friendly design. At Amazon.com, over 400 users gave this mower a positive rating, similar to the results you can find at HomeDepot.com.
The Scotts Green Classic, as well as some models for the Craftsman and Great States brands, are manufactured by the American Lawn Mower Company. These ALM models, although they come in at smaller widths of 18 and 16 inches, get better reviews, thanks significantly to their reduced breadth and therefore lesser weight. Simply put, they are less work to push. A range of prices on these models can be found in stores, because they are available in multiple grades and maximum cutting heights.
The manufacturer of the Green Classic mower, American Lawn Mower Company, also makes manual reel mowers under the Great States and Craftsman brand names. The narrower 16-inch and 18-inch models actually get higher ratings — partly because they’re lighter and easier to push than 20-inch-wide reel mowers. Prices at various retailers vary partly because these mowers are made in different grades, with different maximum cutting heights. At approx. $120, the Craftsman 37619 (*est. $120) appears to be the best of the 18-inch models, with a cutting height of up to 3 inches, as well as an extra set of wheels on the back.
The 16-inch Great States 415-16 (also sold under the name American Lawn Mower 1415-16, approx. $85) suffers from a limited cutting height of 2.25 inches. While changing the cutting height is a bit more difficult than other models, its narrow width makes it ideal for wiggling into tighter spaces. Also, its weight – less heavy than other models – makes it the right choice for some owners, as well as its minimum cutting height, as low as 0.5 inches.
Now then, if your lawn is composed of a denser bent grass (like Centipede, Zoysia, or Bermuda), the experts all recommend reel mower with seven blades. A good choice American Lawn Mower’s 16-inch model, the 1705-16 (approx. $90). Since these grasses are tougher, they do benefit when cut low, so the ALM 1705-16 allows you to select up to a 2.25-inch cutting height. This mower comes in at around 27 pounds. Basically identical to the ALM is the Great States 705-16 (approx. $95).
For lawns which do well when mowed extremely short – even as low as 1.8 inches – many reviewers are recommending the Brill Razorcut 38 (approx. $250), which replaces the also well-received Brill Luxus 38.
The blades on this German-made mower are set only a hairsbreadth away from the guard. Thanks to this design feature, the Razorcut 38 not only extraordinarily quiet when compared to other reel mowers, but also reduces the need for sharpening to once every several years. Not only that, but the collapsible handle also comes down twice, making storage a snap, and the mower as a whole is user-friendly and cuts superbly (though, as with any manual reel mowers, it is not for cutting tall grass or other plants). At Amazon.com, one reviewer even states that the family’s youngest child (at six years of age) can push this mower.
Drawbacks discovered by the reviewers at Which.com include, precisely, its feathery 17-pound weight – the wheels have a tendency to drag or slide along – that is, not execute a clean turn – which causes jumps in the mow. In addition, the adjustment of the cutting height – somewhat awkward – as is the carrying of the mower. The grass bag (optional), while “reasonably efficient” doesn’t manage to catch all the clipped grass. There are also a few quality-control concerns.
Task Force reel mowers, made in Taiwan and sold at Lowe’s, receive quite poor ratings from users at the Lowe’s website. For example, the 20-inch Task Force 26153 (approx. $140), while it includes a grass catcher and has a maximum cutting height of 2.75 inches, has very low ratings for quality. The 16-inch Task Force 26143 (approx. 100) receives even more dismal ratings.
Like most lawn owners, you probably love the look of an evenly-cut and carefully-trimmed yard – but you probably do NOT love all the work involved in doing the cutting and edging manually. If that is the case, you should consider learning more about zero turn lawnmowers. These mowers are capable of turning 180 degrees without going beyond its own body length – in fact, it can make a full 360-degree circle without leaving a gap in the middle.
Originally, zero turn lawn mowers were designed for industrial uses, due to their outstanding maneuverability. This feature allowed golf course maintenance and other landscapers to get right next to and move around obstacles without the need to stop in trim.
In fact, these mowers, with their ability to turn back around on themselves, have a lot in common with a bulldozer or even a tank. While tanks and bulldozers have treads which control their movement, whereas a zero turn lawn mower has rear wheels, the principle governing the movement is the same: by controlling the direction and amount of drive power which each wheel receives, the movement of the machine changes accordingly.
To explain: imagine both rear drive wheels have the same amount of drive force applied to them. The mower will simply go straight forward. But, if the drive force on one wheel is decreased (causing drag), the mower will turn in the direction of that wheel. To cause the mower to make a complete half-circle turn, we now modify direction – one wheel should continue turning forward, and the other should go backward, causing the mower to make a complete turnaround.
Usually, a zero turn lawn mower’s two rear wheels are linked to a hydrostatic transmission. This apparatus is what converts the engine’s power into hydraulic pressure. This pressure, obviously, is what propels the mower, driving the wheels. Older zero turn mower models were equipped with a pair of levers controlling speed and direction. Now, zero turn mowers might be controlled with a joystick, handlebars that function similar to a motorcycle’s, or a steering wheel (providing additional control).
As zero turn lawn mowers were originally designed for heavy-duty usage, as mentioned above, they were built to be extremely reliable. Manufacturers of this kind of mower state that their hydraulic pumps rarely present problems.
If you are interested in purchasing a zero turn lawn mower, you simply must commit to maintaining it, as you would any other mower, by keeping the engine tuned up and the mower deck clean. If you are willing to put in the right amount of care, and pay out the (considerable) purchase price, a zero turn lawn mower’s convenience, performance, and durability should give you many years of beautiful lawn – no trimming required.
If you have an expansive lawn, you know that lawn care can take up a lot of your valuable time, as well as be a rather tedious task, especially if you don’t have the right equipment. If you are looking to optimize the time you spend maintaining your lawn – that is, make the chore both easier and speeder – you may want to consider purchasing a riding lawn mower.
Large riding mowers are usually associated with landscaping and lawn maintenance companies. This is logical, considering the number of clients – the idea is to mow as many lawns as possible in any given day. It also makes sense because many homeowners who hire professional landscapers or lawn care companies have large estates. However, these mowers have become increasingly popular among owners of large lawns who are trying to find time for other, more important tasks.
A hefty cost is usually a major stopping block for individuals who would otherwise like to purchase a riding mower. However, the fact is that although the initial expense is significant, buying this type of mower is really an investment that will pay for itself over and over again, both in time and energy saved. In fact, they are such an asset that even owners of smaller-sized lawns find them a good choice, thanks to the increased comfort.
In addition, riding lawn mowers have seen a significant reduction in cost over the years, putting them well within the reach of many homeowners. Many features that were once just optional and cost extra, are now being included as standard on many models produced by the major manufacturers. A bit of research is all that is necessary to find out which make and model have the right combination of features (and cost) to meet your needs and preferences.
For example, as you evaluate your options, you should take into consideration the surface of your lawn. Does your lawn have an even, or irregular surface? Are there obstacles to navigate? A very important consideration is slope – if your lawn is hilly or has an overall incline, it is crucial to carefully research consumer reviews to be sure that the motor on the mower you are looking at can handle your degree of incline.
Reputable lawn mower manufacturers you may want to research include Honda, Toro, and John Deere Again, if you are in the market for a new lawn mower – do not automatically discount the riding motor option, thinking that it is too costly or just not necessary. You may find that the benefits of owning a commercial mower may be far greater than the effort required to save up for the initial expense – and that your mower will more than pay for itself over time.
Riding mowers are definitely a convenience. They make mowing your lawn a lot easier and faster, and can be fun to operate, as well. And if you have a large property, or own a commercial landscaping business, they are a logical choice. Zero-turn mowers, such as those manufactured by John Deere and Murray, are especially convenient. These come with mulching decks, to save you money on fertilizer. You can also purchase an optional landscaping rake, which will let you scoop up debris.
However, for most homeowners, a simple walk-behind push mower is going to do the job, and do it quite well. Most lawns are small enough to be easily and evenly mowed using one of these machines. However, you shouldn’t just buy the first mower you see on sale. There are a few things you’ll want to consider.
First is if you should buy a gas or electric walk behind mower. There are more models of gas mowers to choose from on the market. You should keep in mind that these mowers are noisier and obviously produce more pollution than their electric counterparts.
If you do decide on a gas mower, because of the purchase price or available features, do try to remember that if you don’t mow your lawn often, you can cause damage to your mower by leaving gasoline in the engine for more than 30 days. If you are an infrequent mower, try to keep only a small amount of gas in the machine.
A great option for walking mowers are the newer electric models. Not only do these mowers save you money on gasoline, they run quiet (no disturbing the neighbors) and also save you from having to breathe gasoline fumes. They are slightly less powerful than their gasoline counterparts, but the difference is hardly noticeable.
Nearly all the well-known lawn care companies, such as Snapper, Reel, Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, and Black & Decker, have electric models on their lines. Whether you choose an electric or a gas mower, do be sure to purchase a bagger accessory to save yourself the trouble of going back to rake.
You should also keep in mind that there will likely be some tight corners or awkward obstacles in your lawn that your walk-behind mower may not reach. Leave some room in your budget for an edger or trimmer. Worx and Mantis produce quality machines and can be easily washed off with the hose.
If you take the time to carefully consider your needs and budget, you’ll be much happier with your new mower – and be more likely to use it as often as you need to keep your lawn looking as beautiful as possible.
With the economic times the way they are, you may have found that having professional lawn care professionals do the maintenance on your property is a luxury you can’t afford. But if you’ve decided to do your own lawn care, you’ll need to buy the correct equipment to do the job yourself.
Keep in mind that yard equipment is not exactly cheap; in fact, it may even equal as much as half a year’s payments to your current landscaper. A quality, durable, mid-level lawnmower can easily cost $500 and up. So what are you to do? You can’t afford to pay the gardener, and you don’t want to shell out that kind of cash.
An option that might get you through this is a push lawn mower. Yes, an old-fashioned, powered-with-your-own-two-feet, push lawn mower. While riding mowers have certainly become all the rage with anyone with a yard big enough to justify it, the fact is that a push lawn mower will not only trim both your grass and your waistline – but it will cut down significantly on your lawn care expenses. A respectable push lawn mower will run you around $75, with slightly more upscale models for $100.
Compared to the $500 you would have to pay for a gas-powered motor, as well as the gasoline you have to purchase to run it (and we all know gas is not exactly cheap these days), a push lawn mower is a real bargain, and an option you should seriously consider if you need to save money – but don’t want to sacrifice the look of your home in the process.
No one has escaped from the budget-crunching effects of increased gas prices. When you think about cutting back on your gas use, you’ve probably just considered your car – driving it less, or making it more fuel-efficient. But have you thought about your lawn mower? It also consumes gasoline, as well as creates pollution and noise. With the new models of cordless electric lawn mowers, you can both save money, and the environment.
The environmental benefits of using a cordless electric lawn mower are many. First, they are obviously cleaner. An old lawn mower can be as polluting, mile for mile, as a car. In fact, the EPA states that lawn mowers may produce as much as 5% of air pollution in the U.S.
In addition, the electricity you use is minimal – perhaps around three dollars’ worth a year. You also save money on the purchase, as cordless electric mowers are cheaper than their gas-powered counterparts. Finally, you’ll be reducing noise pollution, as electric mowers are so quiet your neighbors won’t even know you’re doing yard work.
Other benefits to owning a cordless electric mower include the elimination of tangled cords. These mowers can bag or mulch your clippings, and have very minimal maintenance needs. There are a few negative points, such as lawn size capacity (about 1/3 acre is the maximum), and grass versatility (if it is wet or very long it can strain the battery). The increased weight of these mowers can make them difficult for uphill mowing. Also, depending on the model, the battery may not hold a charge for very long, though 1/3 acre tends to be the rule.
While these downsides to a cordless electric mower are certainly something to keep in mind, they are comparable to the downsides of any mower, in any category. If you are committed to keeping the air clean and our natural resources in place – as well as keeping your lawn beautiful – you may want to both save money, and the environment, by purchasing a cordless electric lawn mower.
Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…
When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…
Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…
A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…
Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…
Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…