How much lawn is too much lawn?
You may think all yards are about the same, but they can be very different in their upkeep and maintenance needs. That’s especially true when it comes to mowing choices.
The fact is, mowers damage more lawns than the wrong grass seed or fertilizer will ever do.
Many people think that if they pick a mower with an engine, that’s what’s best for their front yard. However, power does not always equal performance.
For example, reel mowers are the perfect choice for small yards. On the other hand, there are riding lawn mowers that can quickly and efficiently take care of your grass for larger yards.
You can also opt for options like lawn tractors if you need to clear brush or plow snow from large areas of land. This blog post is the first stop in your research. You’ll learn the best mower to pick, based on your yard size, the features that each option comes with, and how to make the best decision for your property.
Lawn Mower Types Based On Yard Sizes
1) Gas-Powered vs. Electric Lawn Mowers
Gas-powered lawn mowers are often louder and more challenging to start. They also produce exhaust fumes, which can be a safety hazard for you or your neighbors if not properly vented outside of the property line.
The best electric lawn mowers give off no emissions and give you a high-quality cut. However, you may have difficulty cutting through thick grasses with ease using the blade from an electric mower.
In many cases, you should only use an electric lawn mower for regularly maintained, manicured yards with evenly cut patches of turfgrass. Don’t attempt to use them on untamed expanses because these require heavy-duty work that only an engine-powered machine like gas models can provide.
Riding Lawn Mower
These are the most expensive types of lawn mowers. A riding lawn mower has a seat that’s adjustable to different heights so that you don't need to bend over while working on your yard. This design has a steering wheel, which allows for easy turning by pressing down with one foot.
However, a riding lawn mower may not work well in areas where there is uneven terrain or hills because it doesn’t have the near-zero turn radius that other types do.
Instead, some riding models use hydrostatic transmission rather than belts or gears which will speed up when going uphill but slow down on the descent without breaking traction as belt-driven units might.
Bagging, Mulching, or Side Discharge Attachments?
There are three types of mowing systems: bagging, mulching, and side discharge.
Bagging mowers collect grass clippings in bags for disposal elsewhere. With this system, the blades on the bottom cut through to leave an even surface while ensuring against damage to any other vegetation nearby or underneath.
Mulching uses finely chopped pieces with leaves still attached. The blade shaves off the lawn and deposits the organic material on the ground in the form of mulch.
Side discharge systems allow you to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and debris somewhere else instead of just letting them lay where they fall. The mower shoots out these materials into an area that’s away from your yard or garden, so it doesn't lie where you cut it like mulching mowers.
Push vs. Self-Propelled Gas Mowers
Push mowers are typically the cheapest option. However, they require more physical effort to use, and they can be difficult on hills or uneven terrain. However, if you're looking for a primary machine that does not need electricity, this might work best for your needs.
Self-propelled models offer an easier time when cutting grass in terms of pushing around heavy loads. However, they consume more fuel than manual push mowers.
Rear-Wheel Self-Propulsion Gas Mower
Rear-wheel self-propulsion mower types are the most popular because they’re easy to maneuver around gardens and lawns.
These machines offer a mulching blade that cuts grass into small pieces for composting or leaving as fertilizer. It also includes an extra set of blades on the side designed specifically for cutting down tall weeds like dandelions without getting them stuck in your machine's wheels.
There is also a single-row scythe under each wheel which helps cut through thicker patches of growth with ease — although you'll need to attach these before using your new machine!
User Interface and Features
With so many different lawn mowers available, it can be hard to choose between the options that will work best for your needs. In addition, various models come with all kinds of special features and user interfaces.
Some may feature a power switch or an adjustable cutting height. Others might offer things like cruise control and automatic engine shut-off in case you forget to turn off the mower.
Here are seven options your mower could come with.
1) Washout Port
A washout port sits on top of the engine housing. This positioning allows for easy drain cleaning so that you can clean all fuel sediment out before it reaches your carburetor or air filter.
2) Electric Start
This feature is excellent for those who are looking to save time while mowing their yard. It's also helpful in cases where people experience muscle fatigue or other physical limitations when pushing the machine themselves.
3) Folding Handle
Folding handles makes it easy to store them away when you're done mowing or trimming tasks, saving lots more space.
4) Upright Storage
Lawn mowers are more difficult to store due to their size. They also require storage space for the lawn bags and oil that come with them. Upright storage can instantly minimize the space you need.
5) Uniform Wheels
Lawn mowers are all-terrain machines that help cut the grass on lawns. The wheels of a lawn mower can be either uniform or non-uniform.
Uniform wheels allow for greater top speed and better traction, but they make it harder to turn around corners because you have less control over how much power goes in any one direction.
Non-uniform wheel mowers let you get closer to objects like trees and fences than their counterparts do without worrying about running into them head-first.
6) Interchangeable Battery
Lawn mowers with interchangeable batteries are a great way to get the lawn cut. They provide convenience when it comes to charging and changing battery power, so you can always have one set up for use while charging the battery life of another unit on your windowsill.
The best part is that these mowers will usually charge in just 30 minutes or less, much faster than if you plugged them into an outlet all day long like traditional electric models.
7) Ability to Check Fuel
The best lawn mowers can check fuel levels. However, they also need a well-built engine, easy access for repairs, and an adjustable cutting height. This allows you to choose just how close your grass needs to be trimmed for it not to look like overgrown weeds or freshly cut hay.
Specialty Features
Riding Lawn Mower Feature #1: High-back Seat and Cup Holder
Riding lawn mowers are an excellent choice for people looking to save time and energy. A riding mower uses smaller gas tanks, so there’s not as much of an environmental impact when it's time to refuel your machine. They also make mowing easier with their high-back seats and cup holders.
Riding Lawn Mower Feature #2: Cruise control
Cruise control is a feature that automatically maintains the speed of the riding mower without any input from the operator.
This function can be handy on long stretches where it would otherwise take an excessive amount of time and effort for someone to maintain their desired pace while steering and downshifting continually.
Riding Lawn Mower Feature #3: Zero Turn
Riding mowers like the Husqvarna z254f offer zero-turn capabilities allowing the driver to “turn on a dime.” These zero-turn models make trimming edges and curves easier than ever. However, they do come with a higher price tag than any other type of mower.
How To Choose the Right Type of Lawn Mower for Your Yard
Step 1. Budget Your Mowing Time
Determine how much time you can spend mowing your lawn each week. This will help you calculate the number of hours it takes to complete a yard in one session. Based on the time, you can narrow down which type of lawn mower works best: gas, electric, or manual push mower?
Gas-powered machines are typically faster than other types, so they may be better if you have a tighter budget. However, they do need more maintenance such as oil changes and air filter cleanings, depending on use frequency.
Step 2. Consider Your Yard Size
The next step would be determining what size lot you have (small is up to a fourth of an acre, medium is three-fourths of an acre, and large is anything greater than that.
It’s essential to consider these numbers because yards with more oversized lots might need riding mowers with more powerful engines, while people with smaller yards may be just fine with a manual push or the best electric lawn mower you can find.
Conclusion
We all look at lawn mowing like a summer chore, but the quality and power of your mower design can make all the difference. Your experience will heavily depend on the type of lawn mower you choose and how much time you spend taking care of the site each week.
If your yard is large or has many challenging features like hills, trees, flowerbeds, or other obstacles, then gas-powered may not be ideal for more than one (messy) pass across the grass.
On the flip side, electric motors are quiet and low maintenance with no emissions. However, they require time to charge overnight before use, which reduces their appeal if you’re not someone who plans ahead.
You can also consider push reel mowers, which are convenient because there’s no electricity involved. Batteries never need charging and gas never needs feeding with this model. They also require less maintenance and are very quiet, so they're great for those with lawns near neighbors or in the city where noise can be an issue.
Weigh out these points to ensure that when you’re finished making all of those decisions, you have not only the right equipment for your lawn.
