First Lawn Mower Buying Guide. What is lawn mower
First Lawn Mower Buying Guide
You’ve bought your first home. Congratulations! For as much fun as being a homeowner is, though, it’s not without its responsibilities. Chances are you now have a yard to take care of and keep pretty, which is why picking out a lawn mower to suit your needs is incredibly important. Here’s my lawn mower buying guide to help inform your decision.
| LawnChick.com is reader supported. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. |
Pain Now, Less Pain Later
The type of mower you pick determines whether lawn care will be a drag or an easy, delightful task.
If your decision is 100% based on price, or if you pick a mower that isn’t right for your yard, then you’ll have to work harder every other weekend during the time of year that weekends matter most.
But if you invest in a good mower now, and choose the best mower for your property, you’ll hardly notice the task.
Hopefully as you read this lawn mower buying guide, this point will be the main take-away you leave with. Buying a lawn mower is a long-term investment, so don’t think short-term when you make the decision.
Three Factors That Guide The Decision (for pretty much everyone)
The three factors that are most important when picking a lawn mower are your:
The type of yard you have will guide you toward which type of mower to get initially.
When you buy a shirt, you choose one that fits. The same is true with mowers.
Is your new yard small, or is it large? For small, flat yards, like the kind found in more urban areas, a walk-behind self-propelled, push, or reel mower is perfect.
If your lawn can double as a golf course on weekends, though, you probably need to invest in a riding mower.
So, What Works for Your Yard?
The size of your yard is probably the biggest deciding factor you’ll need to consider when considering the advice in this or any other lawn mower buying guide.
You need to pick a mower that can contend with the size of your yard.
A walk-behind mower is perfect for small yards, but if you have hills, or even a modest incline you’ll want to invest in a self-propelled model that can handle the terrain.
If your yard is big, think of the purchase for what it actually means long-term. Investing more in a solid riding mower is, in essence, buying back your time on every weekend for the next 5 years.
How much more would you pay for that? I know I’d pay quite a bit, but we all have a budget we’re working within, and if you can’t buy new, check out my used lawn mower buying guide.
Riding mowers, like the lawn tractor or commercial-quality zero-turn mower, are sturdy and can mow up to 4 ½ acres of land easily.
However, they’re also very expensive.
You can find one on sale at your local box store for 1,800, but most high-quality models go for upwards of 3,000.
Best Electric Zero Turn Mower
The Zero Turn Mower I Recommend
Once you try this electric zero turn mower from Greenworks you’ll never look at battery powered tools the same way again.
- Mows up to 2.5 acres in a single charge.
- Fully charged in 90 minutes.
- Equivalent power to 24 HP gas engine.
- Quiet, no fumes, and faster than competitors (8 MPH max speed).
Save 10% on your order with promo code LAWNCHICK
Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Buying Guide
The walk-behind mower is the most common, and it’s also the most diverse. These will typically cost 300 to 900, but that price is incredibly variable. Nice models can go well over 1,000 or as low as 100. Their standard deck-width is 22-inches.
Reel Mowers
The reel mower is a manual mower. It is a set of horizontal blades that turn as the wheels turn. It cuts the grass by manpower alone, and you as the homeowner put in all the muscle to cut your lawn.
If your lawn is small and level, they’re perfect. Inexpensive, reliable, quiet, and a joy to use (on flat lots), reel mowers are usually only about 100, like this high rated one on Amazon.
If you can get away with spending so little, go for it.
Electric or Gas-Powered Push Mowers
The next step up are motorized push mowers. These are either gas or electric, and the motor turns the blades to cut the grass.
Electric Mowers
Electric mowers are further split between cordless and corded.
Cordless electric mowers use batteries to power them, which is great for many users, but if you have a large yard you may not be able to mow the entire lot on a single charge. EGO makes a nice self-propelled model.
Corded mowers avoid the risk of running out of power, but they make you drag a cord around (I’m not a fan … I hate dragging a cord around the carpet when I’m vacuuming and don’t want to do it on my lawn).
Gas Mowers
Electric mowers overall tend to have weaker motors than gas powered mowers, and that’s why I chose a gas powered mower for my home.
But that’s a personal choice and if you want something quiet and eco-friendly, go electric.
And while you can get a gas-powered push mower, I’m of the mindset that if you’re going gas you may as well consider …
Self-Propelled Mowers
A self-propelled mower, on the other hand, powers itself (you just steer).
That means that instead of having to muscle your mower around your property, the wheels of your walk-behind mower are propelled by the engine. You may have to do some light pushing, but for the most part you’re just going for a walk and steering a bit.
If you have a small yard, or a mid-size yard with some hills this type of mower is what I recommend, but there are some nuances and particular considerations within this category.
Front-Wheel Drive
The front-wheel drive mower is the least expensive, typically, of the driving mowers. The propulsion is at the front, which makes them perfect for level yards. They are easily navigable and can maneuver around obstacles, like wheeling around corners or shrubs.
Rear-Wheel Drive
Rear-wheel drive mowers are more complicated, but if your yard is hilly, they’re a lifesaver. The rear propulsion carries the weight of the engine and doesn’t risk the front wheels losing traction while pulling. They work against the gravity dragging them down the hill to help you control your mower. It’s a good choice for hilly yards.
All-Wheel Drive
There is a growing trend of all-wheel drive mowers for people with the steepest, most unforgiving lawns. These mowers have the best propulsion and ease for the user, but they also tend to be the most expensive of the walk-behind mowers.
Zero-Turn Lawn Mower Buying Guide
The zero-turn mower is a fantastic, more maneuverable mower for lawns that are just too large to mow by foot.
They’re smaller riding mowers with caster-wheels for better navigation, and offer the driver an un-obstructed view of the terrain as they mow.
Steering is done using two lap bars over the riding seat that act as throttles. Each bar controls one side of the propulsion, so if you propel on one side and not the other, it makes a smooth turn.
The deck of a zero-turn mower ranges from 32-inches to 60-inches wide.
Zero-turn mowers also tend to have stronger engines and hydraulic transmissions that make them particularly popular for commercial use.
Their reliability does make them pretty pricey, but the improved performance is very much worth the cost if your lawn is large, flat, with a number of garden beds, trees, and other obstacles to maneuver around.
Models by brands like Toro, Ariens, or Honda are incredibly reliable, and the mid-range options deliver more than enough quality for most lawns.
Riding Lawn Mower Buying Guide
Riding lawn tractors and other riding mowers are more traditional in their steering mechanics since most riding mowers have a steering wheel and brakes.
Lawn Tractors
Similar to the zero-turn mower, riding lawn tractors have blade decks from about 42-inches to 54-inches in width. For large properties this is great because you can take fewer trips to mow the same amount of land.
The biggest variety in riding mowers is in their engine capabilities.
Basic models use lever-operated gear transmissions while high-end models use a pedal hydrostatic transmission.
Both riding mowers and zero-turn mowers have either single-cylinder or V-twin motors.
Rear-Engine Riding Mower
If you don’t want to spend the dough for a quality lawn tractor, a smaller, budget-friendly option is the rear-engine riding mower.
These are smaller than the lawn tractor or zero-turn, but still offer impressive capabilities for a standard homeowner in the suburbs.
They have smaller decks, about 30-inches to 33-inches wide, and their price tag reflects their more limited power and mowing capacity.
These riding mowers typically fall within the 1,200 to 2,400 range.
Most Trusted Brands
Making sure you get a quality mower in many cases comes down to picking a quality brand, and avoiding lawn mower brands that have a bad reputation.
Honda and Toro offer great mowers for home users and can be found at all standard hardware stores. Personally I use a Honda self-propelled mower that’s a beast and I would never trade in.
Craftsman is also a trusted brand, though it’s sold primarily at Ace Hardware, so if you don’t have an Ace near you that could be tough to buy and service.
John Deere and Husqvarna are higher-end brands and tend to have to match their quality.
However, you can get more options in choice by paying attention to which engine is in the mower. For instance, Briggs Stratton create quality engines, and many brands of mowers use them, even if it’s not a name-brand that you recognize right away.
Common Accessories Features
There are some supplemental things to consider when choosing a mower for extra functionality. You can purchase a number of quality accessories for your mower, but in my view the features your mower has out of the box is the most important consideration.
So consider first: what are you going to do with the grass clippings?
Your mower can come with a side-vent to spread your clippings across the yard. If you mow regularly, this works well, since the clippings add nitrogen into your yard as a fertilizer while decomposing, and you won’t be producing large clumps that could smother your lawn.
You can get an additional mulching function that cuts clippings smaller. My Honda mower has this function, and also has the option to bag my grass clippings, and I use both options on my yard depending upon the needs of my lawn at that time.
I can say that buying a mower with the capacity to bag your clippings can be very handy if you want to compost your grass clippings. And I use mine as a tool when cleaning up leaves in my yard every fall.
Whichever type of mower and model you decide, make sure you get the right mower for you and your yard.
Buying a quality mower that’s a good fit for your property will make a huge difference in the quality of your yard and (though it sounds trite) your life.
And after you buy your mower, learn how to properly maintain it (my spring checklist and winterization guide are a great place to start).
First Lawn Mower Buying Guide
You’ve bought your first home. Congratulations! For as much fun as being a homeowner is, though, it’s not without its responsibilities. Chances are you now have a yard to take care of and keep pretty, which is why picking out a lawn mower to suit your needs is incredibly important. Here’s my lawn mower buying guide to help inform your decision.
| LawnChick.com is reader supported. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. |
Pain Now, Less Pain Later
The type of mower you pick determines whether lawn care will be a drag or an easy, delightful task.
If your decision is 100% based on price, or if you pick a mower that isn’t right for your yard, then you’ll have to work harder every other weekend during the time of year that weekends matter most.
But if you invest in a good mower now, and choose the best mower for your property, you’ll hardly notice the task.
Hopefully as you read this lawn mower buying guide, this point will be the main take-away you leave with. Buying a lawn mower is a long-term investment, so don’t think short-term when you make the decision.
Three Factors That Guide The Decision (for pretty much everyone)
The three factors that are most important when picking a lawn mower are your:
The type of yard you have will guide you toward which type of mower to get initially.
When you buy a shirt, you choose one that fits. The same is true with mowers.
Is your new yard small, or is it large? For small, flat yards, like the kind found in more urban areas, a walk-behind self-propelled, push, or reel mower is perfect.
If your lawn can double as a golf course on weekends, though, you probably need to invest in a riding mower.
So, What Works for Your Yard?
The size of your yard is probably the biggest deciding factor you’ll need to consider when considering the advice in this or any other lawn mower buying guide.
You need to pick a mower that can contend with the size of your yard.
A walk-behind mower is perfect for small yards, but if you have hills, or even a modest incline you’ll want to invest in a self-propelled model that can handle the terrain.
If your yard is big, think of the purchase for what it actually means long-term. Investing more in a solid riding mower is, in essence, buying back your time on every weekend for the next 5 years.
How much more would you pay for that? I know I’d pay quite a bit, but we all have a budget we’re working within, and if you can’t buy new, check out my used lawn mower buying guide.
Riding mowers, like the lawn tractor or commercial-quality zero-turn mower, are sturdy and can mow up to 4 ½ acres of land easily.
However, they’re also very expensive.
You can find one on sale at your local box store for 1,800, but most high-quality models go for upwards of 3,000.
Best Electric Zero Turn Mower
The Zero Turn Mower I Recommend
Once you try this electric zero turn mower from Greenworks you’ll never look at battery powered tools the same way again.
- Mows up to 2.5 acres in a single charge.
- Fully charged in 90 minutes.
- Equivalent power to 24 HP gas engine.
- Quiet, no fumes, and faster than competitors (8 MPH max speed).
Save 10% on your order with promo code LAWNCHICK
Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Buying Guide
The walk-behind mower is the most common, and it’s also the most diverse. These will typically cost 300 to 900, but that price is incredibly variable. Nice models can go well over 1,000 or as low as 100. Their standard deck-width is 22-inches.
Reel Mowers
The reel mower is a manual mower. It is a set of horizontal blades that turn as the wheels turn. It cuts the grass by manpower alone, and you as the homeowner put in all the muscle to cut your lawn.
If your lawn is small and level, they’re perfect. Inexpensive, reliable, quiet, and a joy to use (on flat lots), reel mowers are usually only about 100, like this high rated one on Amazon.
If you can get away with spending so little, go for it.
Electric or Gas-Powered Push Mowers
The next step up are motorized push mowers. These are either gas or electric, and the motor turns the blades to cut the grass.
Electric Mowers
Electric mowers are further split between cordless and corded.
Cordless electric mowers use batteries to power them, which is great for many users, but if you have a large yard you may not be able to mow the entire lot on a single charge. EGO makes a nice self-propelled model.
Corded mowers avoid the risk of running out of power, but they make you drag a cord around (I’m not a fan … I hate dragging a cord around the carpet when I’m vacuuming and don’t want to do it on my lawn).
Gas Mowers
Electric mowers overall tend to have weaker motors than gas powered mowers, and that’s why I chose a gas powered mower for my home.
But that’s a personal choice and if you want something quiet and eco-friendly, go electric.
And while you can get a gas-powered push mower, I’m of the mindset that if you’re going gas you may as well consider …
Self-Propelled Mowers
A self-propelled mower, on the other hand, powers itself (you just steer).
That means that instead of having to muscle your mower around your property, the wheels of your walk-behind mower are propelled by the engine. You may have to do some light pushing, but for the most part you’re just going for a walk and steering a bit.
If you have a small yard, or a mid-size yard with some hills this type of mower is what I recommend, but there are some nuances and particular considerations within this category.
Front-Wheel Drive
The front-wheel drive mower is the least expensive, typically, of the driving mowers. The propulsion is at the front, which makes them perfect for level yards. They are easily navigable and can maneuver around obstacles, like wheeling around corners or shrubs.
Rear-Wheel Drive
Rear-wheel drive mowers are more complicated, but if your yard is hilly, they’re a lifesaver. The rear propulsion carries the weight of the engine and doesn’t risk the front wheels losing traction while pulling. They work against the gravity dragging them down the hill to help you control your mower. It’s a good choice for hilly yards.
All-Wheel Drive
There is a growing trend of all-wheel drive mowers for people with the steepest, most unforgiving lawns. These mowers have the best propulsion and ease for the user, but they also tend to be the most expensive of the walk-behind mowers.
Zero-Turn Lawn Mower Buying Guide
The zero-turn mower is a fantastic, more maneuverable mower for lawns that are just too large to mow by foot.
They’re smaller riding mowers with caster-wheels for better navigation, and offer the driver an un-obstructed view of the terrain as they mow.
Steering is done using two lap bars over the riding seat that act as throttles. Each bar controls one side of the propulsion, so if you propel on one side and not the other, it makes a smooth turn.
The deck of a zero-turn mower ranges from 32-inches to 60-inches wide.
Zero-turn mowers also tend to have stronger engines and hydraulic transmissions that make them particularly popular for commercial use.
Their reliability does make them pretty pricey, but the improved performance is very much worth the cost if your lawn is large, flat, with a number of garden beds, trees, and other obstacles to maneuver around.
Models by brands like Toro, Ariens, or Honda are incredibly reliable, and the mid-range options deliver more than enough quality for most lawns.
Riding Lawn Mower Buying Guide
Riding lawn tractors and other riding mowers are more traditional in their steering mechanics since most riding mowers have a steering wheel and brakes.
Lawn Tractors
Similar to the zero-turn mower, riding lawn tractors have blade decks from about 42-inches to 54-inches in width. For large properties this is great because you can take fewer trips to mow the same amount of land.
The biggest variety in riding mowers is in their engine capabilities.
Basic models use lever-operated gear transmissions while high-end models use a pedal hydrostatic transmission.
Both riding mowers and zero-turn mowers have either single-cylinder or V-twin motors.
Rear-Engine Riding Mower
If you don’t want to spend the dough for a quality lawn tractor, a smaller, budget-friendly option is the rear-engine riding mower.
These are smaller than the lawn tractor or zero-turn, but still offer impressive capabilities for a standard homeowner in the suburbs.
They have smaller decks, about 30-inches to 33-inches wide, and their price tag reflects their more limited power and mowing capacity.
These riding mowers typically fall within the 1,200 to 2,400 range.
Most Trusted Brands
Making sure you get a quality mower in many cases comes down to picking a quality brand, and avoiding lawn mower brands that have a bad reputation.
Honda and Toro offer great mowers for home users and can be found at all standard hardware stores. Personally I use a Honda self-propelled mower that’s a beast and I would never trade in.
Craftsman is also a trusted brand, though it’s sold primarily at Ace Hardware, so if you don’t have an Ace near you that could be tough to buy and service.
John Deere and Husqvarna are higher-end brands and tend to have to match their quality.
However, you can get more options in choice by paying attention to which engine is in the mower. For instance, Briggs Stratton create quality engines, and many brands of mowers use them, even if it’s not a name-brand that you recognize right away.
Common Accessories Features
There are some supplemental things to consider when choosing a mower for extra functionality. You can purchase a number of quality accessories for your mower, but in my view the features your mower has out of the box is the most important consideration.
So consider first: what are you going to do with the grass clippings?
Your mower can come with a side-vent to spread your clippings across the yard. If you mow regularly, this works well, since the clippings add nitrogen into your yard as a fertilizer while decomposing, and you won’t be producing large clumps that could smother your lawn.
You can get an additional mulching function that cuts clippings smaller. My Honda mower has this function, and also has the option to bag my grass clippings, and I use both options on my yard depending upon the needs of my lawn at that time.
I can say that buying a mower with the capacity to bag your clippings can be very handy if you want to compost your grass clippings. And I use mine as a tool when cleaning up leaves in my yard every fall.
Whichever type of mower and model you decide, make sure you get the right mower for you and your yard.
Buying a quality mower that’s a good fit for your property will make a huge difference in the quality of your yard and (though it sounds trite) your life.
And after you buy your mower, learn how to properly maintain it (my spring checklist and winterization guide are a great place to start).
Lawn Mower Dimensions: Understanding Mower Sizes In Detail
Lawn mower dimensions comprise the machine’s length, width, and height and the width of its deck, which encompasses the cutting blade. Before you go out and buy a mower for effective lawn care, you need to know how big it is and whether it will even fit in your toolshed.
This article will discuss the dimensions of different mowers in detail and see how much land they cover. You also get to find out how mowers with larger dimensions fare compared to those of smaller dimensions.
- What Are The Different Lawn Mower Dimensions?
- – Dimensions of Riding Type of Mowers
- – Dimensions of Zero-turn Mowers
- – Size of Push Type Mowers
- – Size of Electric Mowers
- – Dimensions of Reel-type Mowers
- – Elevate the Deck
- – Measure the Diameter
- – Check the Deck Shell
- – Larger Mowers
- – Smaller Mowers
What Are The Different Lawn Mower Dimensions?
The different lawn mower dimensions you should know are the riding type of mowers, the dimensions of the zero turn mowers, and the different sizes of the eclectic of push types. over, you should also know the dimension of the reel-type.
Lawn mower dimensions depend on the type of mower you own, which, in turn, depends on the overall size of the lawn. Riding mowers and lawn tractors have an average cutting width between 36 and 54 inches, whereas the standard push lawn mower width is around 16 to 30 inches.
– Dimensions of Riding Type of Mowers
Riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors are gigantic mowers that are well-suited for large-sized lawns, parks, gardens, farms, etc. This is because their cutting decks are wide enough to mow large sections of grass in a short amount of time. These mowers are around four feet tall and six feet long from front to back, making them ideal for cutting grass across land that is around one to four acres in size.
For a riding type of mower, the average range of dimensions of the mower deck is around 36 to 42 inches. Most companies sell this mower with a standard deck size of 42 inches. Tractor-type mowers are slightly bigger, and their dimensions range from 42 to 54 inches.
One of the most popular examples of these mowers is the John Deere S120. It is classified as a tractor by the company and is around 44.5 inches tall and 54 inches wide. With a cutting deck width of 42 inches, it boosts a powerful engine making it a beastly machine able to mow down grass within minutes.
– Dimensions of Zero-turn Mowers
A Z-turn mower is upgraded to the standard riding mower but has a much better-turning radius. It is no surprise, then, that its dimensions are similar to that of riding-type mowers. Regarding your average zero turn mower dimensions, its width and height are around 48 inches, and its length is around 72 inches. These are big machines and need a proper parking spot to keep them when not in use.
Z-turn mowers come with a variety of size options for their decks. What you must be keen about is how it depends on the size of the area you aim to mow with this mower, which means that you can opt for a customized deck of your choice.
over, a lawn that is one to two acres in size will do just fine with a standard 36 to 42 inches wide deck. The deck needs to be at least 42 to 54 inches wide for a lawn between three and four acres large.
You can install a deck that is as wide as 54 to 72 inches for lawns larger than four acres, and this would be according to your need and adjustment. You cannot get decks this large in a riding-style mower or a tractor-style one.
On the other hand, a good example would be a cub cadet Ultima ZT1 mower that is the same size as a tractor-type mower but comes with a much wider deck that cuts wider stripes of grass.
– Size of Push Type Mowers
Push mowers naturally tend to be smaller in size than ridden ones. Gas-fueled engines power these mowers because they come in all sizes and shapes. What you must know is that the average dimensions of the gas-powered push-type mowers manufactured in the US are 36 inches tall and 60 inches long, this is their basic given. On the other hand, the average mower deck size for these is around 21 inches, but you will find mowers with widths.
Usually, when a gas-powered mower is fitted with a large deck, it is engineered to be a self-propelled mower. The extra weight that a larger deck adds makes a mower difficult to push manually.
As a result of this, if you are out on the hunt for the right push-type mower with a deck of larger dimensions, it’s best to look for one that is self-propelled, so that you get the most out of it. Considering these dimensions, these mowers are better suited for lawns less than one acre in length.
– Size of Electric Mowers
Many electric-powered mowers are built on the same dimensions as that gas-powered ones. With a height of around 36 inches, a standard width of 18 inches, and a length of 60 inches, they are more energy efficient and often self-propelled.
Of course, you get to choose the dimensions of the deck yourself, and it comes with that option and specifications. Which means that you can get a decent-sized deck with an electric-powered mower if you are willing to pay a large sum.
Remember that the given and the average dimensions of these mowers are bound by the ground surface area they can cover. If you own a corded mower, then there is no point in using a very large deck because of the mower’s limited movement.
For these, a smaller deck naturally makes more sense, if you think about it. Even if these lawnmowers are cordless, they need to cover more ground than an equally-sized gas-powered mower.
A practical solution is to purchase two batteries and keep them charged whenever you mow your lawn. The dimensions and the mower features make these machines suitable for most small-sized yards in the US.
– Dimensions of Reel-type Mowers
Lastly, we have the reel-type lawnmowers that many of you might have inherited from your parents and still works perfectly. These small and manually pushed mowers are only suitable for some large areas because of the hard work involved by the person pushing them. Their small dimensions make sense as they are 36 inches tall but only 24 inches long.
The cutting width of the deck can only be about 14 inches wide in this case. You can find slightly wider decks but don’t expect them to be larger than 16 or 18 inches. These mowers do not work through any engine, so that you will be the sole power pushing them ahead. A reel mower with big dimensions will be challenging to cut grass with.
How To Measure Mower Deck Dimension?
To measure mower deck dimension, all you must do is to elevate the deck, and take out the mower check. Then, you must measure the diameter of the circle, afterward, you should check the deck shell, make sure you consider the anti-scalping rollers, regarding the dimension.
It helps to know the dimensions of a mower’s deck, and you need to learn how to measure it. These dimensions are always given in the manual specifications, but it still doesn’t hurt to check on your own.
– Elevate the Deck
In the case of a riding lawn mower, you will need to elevate the deck before it can be measured. There is a lever near the control panel that you can push to elevate the deck easily.
Take out your mower jack, a measuring tape, and wheel chocks. The wheel chocks will ensure that the rear wheels stay in place and do not start rotating. If you don’t own wheel chocks, wood blocks would also help. Once the mower is secure, push the jack under it right in the center and use it to lift it at least six inches.
– Measure the Diameter
Once you have clear access to the deck, it is time to measure it. The decks for smaller mowers can be easily accessed simply by turning them over. Measure the circle’s diameter for a circular-shaped deck to find its dimensions.
– Check the Deck Shell
You must know that the deck shell on either side, the chute, and the anti-scalp rollers tend to add extra width to the cutting edge. As you do so, you know has the measurement of the decking shell.
Unfortunately, most manufacturing companies do not allow you to change the dimensions of their mower decks per your preference. If you want to buy a particular mower model, you will have to make do with the dimensions you are being provided.
Some people try to put their DIY hats on and install larger or smaller-sized decks independently. We encourage you to do something other than this. Not only is there a risk of damaging delicate mower machinery by accident, but the process itself could be more manageable. The amount of time and energy this would require is not worth it.
What Are the Significance of Deck Dimensions?
The mower can be large or small, and this size is responsible for accommodating the dimension of the cutting deck. Usually, people prefer larger mowers and cutting blades because they mow faster and cover much larger ground quickly. In reality, mowers with smaller dimensions fare much better in several aspects.
– Larger Mowers
The larger the mower, the more chance of tire tracks developing in the grass. This is an inevitable consequence that people will smaller mowers do not have to deal with.
When the ground is uneven with slight dips and mounds, a smaller mower with a deck less than 20 inches wide will be able to follow these contours much better than a larger one. A larger-sized mower will ride over these spaces and leave behind patches of grass.
Another reason bigger mowers do not give an even cut is that they have multiple blades, and all of them indirectly connect to the engine, which tends to divide the engine horsepower. There is only one blade in single mowers, which is also connected directly to the mower. This property enables these mowers to give a very neat trim to the lawn grass.
– Smaller Mowers
Another major perk of smaller mower dimensions is that they are convenient to store when not in use. You cannot just park mowers outdoors like a car. Finding a large enough storage space for tractors and riding ones is always a hassle, especially during the long winter months.
You will be surprised that a small-sized deck creates a better vacuum to lift the grass blades to cut it. The grass cut by small mowers will be neater and more uniform than a riding one can ever hope to achieve.
Conclusion
Before you go on a mower-buying spree, here is a brief recap to keep in mind.
- The average deck dimensions of lawn tractors and riding-style mowers are around 36 to 54 inches and are best suited for grass spread over several acres.
- Z-turn-type mowers are the same size as riding-type mowers but can work with specially designed fabricated decks of much larger sizes.
- Reel-type mowers are the smallest, with dimensions ranging from 14 to 20 inches.
- The only benefit of using a mower with big dimensions is that they mow grass faster, whereas smaller mowers cut grass much more finely.
The information in this article will be very beneficial whenever you decide to upgrade your old mower for a new one. The next time you are researching the dimension specs of various mowers, do not hesitate to come back to this article anytime.
What is a Mulching Lawn Mower and How Does It Work?
Are you perplexed by the many different lawn mowers on the market? Mulching lawn mowers are a popular option for homeowners today because they offer multiple ways to get rid of your grass clippings.
What is a mulching lawn mower?
A mulching mower is a machine where the blade and mowing deck are designed to chop the grass multiple times before the cut grass goes back into the lawn. Side discharge mowers direct the grass to the side, and using a bag attachment directs the grass clippings into the bag.
Among these three types of mowers, only the mulching mower leaves you with finely cut grass cuttings, which provide fertilizer and shade for the soil. You may hear this kind of mowing called “mulch mowing.”
How does a mulching mower work?
Mulching mowers aren’t different from other mowers in most ways. In all lawn mowers (push mowers, ride-on, etc.), you need lift so the grass stays vertical while the mower blade cuts.
Mulching mowers not only create a stream of air that directs the grass up into the mower blades, but once the grass is cut, the clippings hit the blade multiple times before they go back onto the lawn. This is in contrast to other mowers which direct the clippings out the side or into a bag.
This is by design, of course. Mulching blades use curved edges to generate this extra cutting action and generally have more surface area devoted to cutting.
Mulching blades are sometimes called “all purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because you can use them to mulch, bag, or side discharge. Standard blades are called 2-in-1 blades because you can use them to either bag or side discharge the grass.
Can I use my current mower to recycle my grass clippings?
Yes. Contact your local lawn mower retailer (or your mower manufacturer) to ask if you need a conversion kit. These mulching kits may include a plate (AKA mulching plug) to close your discharge opening (or bag opening) and a new blade. Or, you may only need a new blade.
Both push and ride-on mowers can recycle grass clippings back into the lawn. Close your discharge chute or remove the bag and voilà. However, a mulching mower blade does a better job because the pieces are smaller and will break down more quickly in the lawn.
How to use a mulching mower
In short, use it just as you would any other mower. Here are a few lawn care tips to make sure your mulching mowing sessions are a success:
- Don’t mow when it’s wet. The mower might not be able to cut the grass blades as finely due to the extra weight and tendency to clump. Also, the underside of your lawn mower will be covered in wet grass.
- Mow often. Follow the golden rule of mowing: Remove no more than one-third of the grass blade per mow.
- Mow at the correct height. Believe it or not, this simple advice makes a big difference in your lawn. Each grass type performs best when cut at a certain height. (There are many soil and grass scientists who devote lots of time and energy at grass test plots to figure this out.)
The seasons also can make a difference in your mowing height. Some advise that you should mow a half inch taller during the hottest part of the year and mow slightly shorter for the first and last cuts of the season. (Where it snows, it may be advisable to mow as low as possible on the last mow to prevent snow mold.)
Ask your local Cooperative Extension office for the best seasonal advice.
- Consider your lawn density. A dense lawn may put extra strain on your mower. When you’re buying a lawn mower, buy one that has sufficient power for your needs. Don’t skimp in this area — you’ll regret it.
- Maintain a sharp blade. A sharp mower blade is a must. A sharp mower blade gives you a clean cut instead of a torn one, which can invite disease into your lawn. Use a file, a hand grinder, a bench grinder, or a sharpening stone attachment on your cordless drill to sharpen the blade.
How often should you sharpen your mower blade? It depends on the type of grass you have, how often you mow, and the density of your lawn. Here’s an easy test: If you look at the tip of the grass blade and it looks torn instead of cleanly cut, it’s time. If you have a dense lawn with stiff-bladed grass like Zoysia, you may need to sharpen your blade as often as once per month.
- Keep the deck clean. Hose off the clippings underneath the deck at the end of each mowing session. A buildup of gunk on the underside of the deck may prevent the clippings from circulating as well as they should.
Mulching matters
You may wonder, “So, what’s the big deal about whether I mulch grass or not?” Well, mulched clippings not only contribute to a healthy lawn but help out your local environment as well.
Cities are jumping on the bandwagon because, for one reason, grass clippings produce a lot of waste. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, a half acre lawn can generate “260 bags of grass clippings” in a single year — that’s more than 3 tons!
As you can see, it’s also in their best interest to educate homeowners on the benefits of recycling their grass clippings back into the lawn and reduce the landfill waste in their city.
To sum it all up, mulching, sometimes called “grasscycling” has many benefits:
- Saves time (no more raking fall leaves)
- Saves money (free fertilizer, no garbage fees)
- Helps protect the environment (no grass clippings in streams or landfills)
- Reduces erosion (helps keep the soil in place)
FAQ
Are there any times I should not mulch in my clippings?
Yes, there are instances when it’s best not to mulch your grass clippings back into the lawn.
—When you have a fungus : If you’re trying to recover from a fungus on your grass, don’t mulch in these lawn clippings. That would only spread the disease further across your lawn. —If you have weeds that are going to seed : It’s a good idea to bag in this instance and put the clippings in your yard waste bin. You don’t want to help your weeds redistribute their seeds for next season. —If you have too many leaves on the lawn: If you have over 50% leaf coverage, you may want to bag as you mow. Too much leaf litter and grass mulched into the lawn at one time can damage the grass. Afterward, add the mulched leaves/grass mix to the compost bin, or use the mix as winter protection for your flower beds.
Other benefits of using a mulching mower:
— No cumbersome bag to deal with on the lawn mower — No concerns about how to dispose of your grass clippings — Fertilize and mow at the same time — Avoid putting valuable nutrients and moisture into the landfill
Will the clippings contribute to the thatch in my lawn?
The short answer is no, cut grass clippings do not contribute to thatch in your lawn. Thatch is a layer of organic matter (living and dead) that accumulates between living, growing vegetation (grass) and the soil.
As long as the thatch is less than about a half inch, your lawn is fine. If it gets above that level, depending on your grass type, you may want to consider dethatching or aerating (which will inevitably remove some of the thatch). (Note: Aeration is when you pull plugs from the soil to help air, water, and nutrients circulate better throughout. This helps roots grow deeper and stronger, and you have a greener, healthier lawn as a result.)
If you’d enjoy having someone else mow and fertilize your lawn (with your grass clippings or with store-bought fertilizer), contact one of our local lawn care pros. They’ll get your lawn on the path to a greener, fuller future.
