Guide to Buying Your
Next Lawnmower
Do you hate mowing the lawn? You're not alone. Many people
dread this chore, especially if they're using an old, outdated
mower to complete the task. The good news, though, is that
the newer mowers that are available make cutting the grass
fairly painless--and sometimes even enjoyable. You just
have to pick the right lawn mower. So to help you, here
is our handy shopper's guide.
1)
A good guideline to remember is that you need a 20 - 22
inch mower if you have less than half an acre to mow. If
you a half to three-quarters of an acre, you should go with
a 21 - 22 inch mower range, but with more horsepower.
If you have more than three-quarters of an acre, you need
a riding lawn mower.
2)
If your lawn has hills on it, buy a self-propelled mower
that has high wheels. Otherwise, pushing the mower up the
hills will be quite a task.
3)
If you have trees on your property that "leave"
a lot of "leaves," then consider buying a mower
with a bag on the rear, to help keep the lawn tidy.
4)
If you can afford it, consider buying a mower with some
of these features, as they will make the chore of cutting
the grass much easier:
- A
mulcher: This is a feature that will cut all grass clippings
and leaves into tiny pieces, allowing them to be dispersed
on the lawn as fertilizer. This keeps you from needing
to bag the clippings, and instead uses them for a constructive
purpose
- A
rear bag: This will collect all of the grass clippings
in a bag (hence the name) in case you don't want to use
them as fertilizer. This way, there's no need to
rake up the grass. Also, the bagger will prevent a build-up
of grass around trees and fences. This will give your
lawn a much nicer, cleaner look. Also a rear bag makes
the mower more maneuverable than a mulcher.
- A
Side discharge: This is another way of dealing with
grass clippings. In this case, they are forced out from
the lawn mower and back onto the lawn. This is for
people who don't mind raking or the discharge from the
side.
- Convertible:
No, this doesn't mean you have a retractable roof. It
means you can convert the mower from a side-discharge
feature to that of a rear bagger. This way, you
can bag the clippings, mulch them, or disperse them with
the side discharge, as you see fit.
When
you go shopping for your lawn mower, you'll find some that
are already completely assembled, and others that you'll have
to put together yourself when you get it home. Obviously
the easiest option is to buy one already assembled right in
the box. This way, all you have to do is take it home, add
gasoline, and start cutting. However, these generally cost
a bit more, so you'll need to decide if the convenience is
worth the extra cost.
Finally
you'll need to choose what kind of engine you want. For instance,
an overhead valve engine will create a clean, cool operation
that is extremely fuel-efficient. A dual clean air filter
will give you twice as much protection and extend your engine's
lifespan. Finally, a Compact V-Twin engine will reduce vibration
and help your mower operate more smoothly.
Armed
with this information, hopefully you'll be better prepared
to buy the right mower. And hopefully by doing so, cutting
your grass will be less of a chore and more of a positive
experience. |