The larger the blade, the more grass it will cut on each pass. It's important to choose a mower with the right cutting width for the size of your lawn.
Too large a cutting width on a small lawn and you'll struggle to manoeuvre it in tight corners, while too small a cutting width on a large lawn, and you'll find it takes much longer to cut all the grass.
Have you got a big lawn? Here's our round-up of the top five lawn mowers for large gardens. Cylinder mowers see image on right cut the grass like scissors, so leave a very good finish, which makes them ideal for manicured show lawns.
They don't cope very well with long grass or bumpy lawns, though, and very few of the hand-push models collect the grass well. They're really designed to keep regularly cut, short grass looking very neat.
Petrol lawn mowers can be very heavy, making them hard work to push around when mowing. To reduce the amount of effort involved, look for a self-propelled model as these have an extra drive which will push the mower along. Heavier mowers tend to leave the best stripes. Ready to get your new lawn mower? Head to our pick of the top five lawn mowers. Test score. Corded, cordless or petrol? Rotary or cylinder?
Robotic or ride-on? This expert guide will help you select the best lawn mower for you. Rebecca Jakeman. In this article Video: how to buy the best lawn mower Types of lawn mowers Replacement parts for lawn mowers How much do I need to pay for a good lawn mower? Lawn mower features to look out for What size cutting width do I need? What is a self-propelled lawn mower? View more links. Video: how to buy the best lawn mower Our video below offers up some expert tips on how to choose the best lawn mower for your needs and budget.
More on this Top five lawn mowers for Best lawn treatments Top five best grass trimmers and lawn edgers Which? Best Buy lawn mowers. This rear-drive Troy-Bilt mower is equipped with a wash-out port and single-lever height adjustment. Wide-cut mowers with decks that range from 28 to 33 inches are a fast cutting alternative to a inch mower. This Cub Cadet mower features both the wide-cut deck and front caster wheels. However, there are three important things to keep in mind:.
If you can live with those limitations, the EGO is a good example of the new breed of cordless mower. If you can afford it, a riding mower is the way to go. When looking at riding mowers, you'll likely come across three versions—lawn tractor, rear-engine riding mower, and a zero-turn mower.
Let's break them done one by one:. Many people start out with a lawn tractor. With a steering wheel and a front-mounted engine, these look and feel familiar. Engine size range from hp and most come with a single cylinder with step-up models having a V twin. Some fancier models also feature engines with electronic fuel injection. When it comes to transmissions, less expensive models tend to be lever-operated gear transmissions.
But a step-up from there comes pedal hydrostatic or continuously variable transmission CVT operated by a shift-on-the-go hand lever. The CVT is an automatic transmission powered by pulley drive to a sealed and lubricated gear case. You know you're spending serious money if you're considering a more expensive tractor with a heavy-duty foot pedal hydrostatic transmission.
Finally, how much can it cut? Well, much more than a push mower. Deck widths range from 42 inches to 54 inches. To know what size you need, divide the mower deck size by 12 to get an approximation of the acreage the mower can handle.
So residential-duty a mower with a inch deck can mow up to 4. Still, it could do it. Many people with larger lawns too big for a walk mower but too small for a tractor or a zero turn should go with a rear-engine riding mower. Most rear-engine mowers a single-cylinder engine ranging in size from to 38 cc, estimated at 10 to 11 hp. The transmission is usually a CVT operated by a shift-on-the-go hand lever.
Deck sizes stretch anywhere from 30 to 33 inches, and operators use a manual hand lever for deck adjustment and deck engagement. In the last twenty years or so, zero-turn mowers have proved their worth to homeowners and landscape contractors alike. Their design enables forward speed and steering by means of dual hydrostatic transmissions at the rear wheels, each of which is controlled by a lap bar in front of the seat. A pulley off the engine spins the impellers on the dual hydrostatic transmissions that power the rear wheels.
When you move one of the lap bars farther forward than its neighbor, it acts as a throttle, allowing more hydraulic fluid to flow to the transmission at that wheel. This causes wheel to turn more rapidly than the opposite wheel, allowing you turn corners or pivot. Engine size can range from cc up to or more, with power estimated from 12 hp to 25 hp. They also usually cut in inch-wide swaths, more than a walk-behind mower, for sure, but far less than the 4 feet many lawn tractors will mow.
Many have a jerky gear drive rather than the smooth hydrostatic drive on most tractors. You also might not get higher-end features such as a high-back seat or cruise control. Upkeep: Gas engines require regular tuneups and oil changes.
Electrics need the blades sharpened annually. Push vs. Push mowers tend to be more affordable. Self-propelled models draw energy from the engine or motor on electric models to power the wheels, which makes them easier to maneuver if you have a larger lawn or live on a sloped lot.
All-wheel drive offers the best traction on slopes, followed by rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive, which is standard on most models, is still well-suited for flat parcels though is not the best choice if you bag clippings.
As the bag fills, it can cause the front wheels to lose some traction. Yard size. Consider the size of your yard to find the perfect walk-behind mower. Gas self-propelled mowers will be best for larger yards, and push mowers electric or gas are better for smaller yards. Check out our guide to finding the right mower for your yard size. Washout port. You should clean the underside of your mower after each cut. Electric start. On gas models, this feature lets you start the engine with push-button ease, rather than yanking a pull cord.
All electric mowers start this way. Upright storage. Almost all electrics can be stored vertically in a cramped garage. Some gas models have special engine seals that allow for upright storage, too, without the risk of oil or gas leaking out. Uniform wheels. Some mowers boast larger rear wheels. Skip them.
In our tests, mowers with uniform wheels are easiest to maneuver. Interchangeable battery. Some power tool manufacturers are making string trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and even snow blowers that can all accept the same battery that powers their lawn mowers.
That can save you money if you can buy the second tool without a battery. Check for battery mower brands that offer this interchangeability—and sell other highly rated, battery-compatible power tools.
Landscape needs. Get a riding mower or tractor that best matches the size and slope of your property. And if your yard resembles an agility training obstacle course, you might want to consider a zero-turn mower; that type is favored by professionals.
Hour meter. This indicates how long the engine has run and can help track when it's time for an oil change or other maintenance. A few models can link to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, to keep track of maintenance and order parts. Ability to check fuel. A tractor with a cutout that allows you to see your fuel level—preferably from the seat—is ideal.
High-back seat and cup holder. Cruise control. As with a car, cruise control lets you lock in a ground speed with a riding mower. Some mowers have rear wheels that are larger than the front wheels. Gas models with same-sized front and rear wheels tend to be easier to maneuver and tip back for U-turns at the end of a row.
When you release the handlebar, the clutch stops the blade but not the engine so that you don't have to restart the engine to empty a full bag of clippings or to move a toy or branch. A mulching mower returns the finely cut grass pieces to the lawn as a natural fertilizer — you won't need to collect and dispose of clippings. Read your operator's manual for instructions on how to properly operate your mower in the mulching mode for the best results.
Bagging mowers do what their name implies — you attach a grass catcher bag to the side or back of the mower to collect the grass clippings. You can choose a rear-bagging or side-bagging mower. The rear-bagging models are more maneuverable around trees, landscaping and those tight spaces in your yard. View solutions for handling the most common engine and product troubleshooting and maintenance questions.
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