A well-maintained lawn increases happiness, curb appeal, and property value. Achieving it requires the right tools, and for many homeowners, their significant yard maintenance tool is their lawn mower. It’s important to choose the right machine for your specific yard, and with that in mind, here are four tips that will help you do that.
Understand the Lawn Mower Types
There are four core types of lawn mowers to consider: push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and zero turn mowers. Push mowers are the basic and affordable option. They’re great value if you have a small yard but require a lot of effort if you have a midsize to large lawn. Self-propelled mowers don’t require nearly as much effort. They’re a great option if you have a bigger yard or even if you have a small yard with uneven terrain.
Riding mowers are the more expensive option up front, but they can be well worth it over the years if you have a substantial yard. They’re excellent for other yard maintenance tasks as well. If you’re considering a riding mower and have multiple obstacles in your yard, then you may want to look at a zero-turn mower. They do cost a bit more but are much easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
Front, Rear, or All-Wheel Drive
Self-propelled mowers are by far the popular choice. They strike a great balance between cost and convenience. If you go this route, you’ll have three choices when it comes to the drive layout. Front-wheel drive is good for yards that are mostly flat, and this drive layout makes it easy to work around obstacles. You’ll probably want to go rear-wheel drive if you have to do uphill and side hill mowing. If you have to do a lot of uphill or sidehill mowing or have rough terrain, spend a little bit more for all-wheel drive.
Two or Three Function
A two-function mower bags and mulches. Mulching is recommended because it’s healthier for the lawn. Bagging is a nice option to have particularly when cutting tall grass. A three-function mower bags, mulches, and side discharges. Side discharging is unrivaled for utility mowing. This includes mowing tall weeds and non-turf grasses and when cutting a lawn down in stages.
Know the Maintenance Before Purchase
Maintenance requirements can vary greatly between not only types of lawn mowers but makes and models. Some require a great deal, so you’ll want to factor in the additional time and costs into your decision. If you’re purchasing a push or self-propelled mower and don’t need a large engine, you may want to look into a model that requires no oil change.
Maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn begins with choosing the right lawn mower for your property. Don’t purchase more than you need, but avoid skimping as well. The extra money to get what suits your property is well worth it as this is an investment that will pay dividends for many years to come.
Published by: Martin De Juan
