Lawn mower engine basics. How to Start a Lawn Mower and Troubleshoot Common Problems

After a long winter’s rest, your mower may need a nudge before springing to life. Follow these simple steps for starting a lawn mower—and learn how to troubleshoot a mower that won’t run.

By Bob Vila and Tony Carrick | Updated Mar 24, 2023 12:54 PM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Unless you’re planning to hire a lawn care company to handle your yard maintenance, you’ll need to learn how to start a lawn mower if you want to maintain a well-kept lawn. In addition to learning the basics, it’s also crucial to understand what factors influence how easy (or how difficult) it is to start a mower, including gas and oil levels and the condition of the spark plug and mower deck. The methods below will walk you through starting a lawn mower and help you troubleshoot any problems you may encounter along the way.

SUPPLIES

Below is the gear you might need to get your lawn mower up and running. It’s more than likely, however, that you won’t need more than a few items. The equipment you use will depend on whether there’s anything wrong with the mower, and the troubleshooting tips you follow below.

Before You Begin

Before starting up the mower, take a moment to walk your yard and clear it of any sticks, toys, and other obstacles that could damage your mower blade. Make sure that you have gas, oil, and other materials listed above close at hand.

Starting a Lawn Mower

Whether you’re new to lawn mowers, know how to use a lawn mower but have forgotten how to start one after a long off season, or are dealing with a mower that is refusing to start, these steps will help you get that mower up and running.

STEP 1: Check if your mower has gas and oil.

Look for the large black cap on the top of the mower engine (it should have an imprint of a gas tank on it). Unscrew the cap and peer inside to see if you need to add gas.

The cap for the oil pan will be on the opposite side of the engine. Look for an imprint of an oil can on the cap. Unlike the gas cap, which screws off, you should be able to remove the oil cap by giving it a half turn counterclockwise. You’ll know you have the right one when you pull the cap out and there’s a dipstick attached to it. Wipe the dipstick clean with a rag, replace it, then pull it out again and check the oil level. The oil level should be between the two marks on the stick.

STEP 2: Add gas and oil if needed.

If you’re adding gas, use the same unleaded gas you put in your car, and not the 2-stroke gas/oil mix that other yard equipment uses. Most push mowers hold between 1/4 and 2 gallons of gas. Use a funnel to avoid spilling the gas as you add it to the tank.

If you need to add oil, check the lawn mower’s user manual to see what oil weight the manufacturer suggests. If the manual does not specify an oil type, use SAE 30, the best option for engines that operate in warmer temperatures.

lawn, mower, engine, basics, start, troubleshoot

STEP 4: Prime the engine.

Priming the engine is necessary only if the lawn mower has not been used for a prolonged period of time (over the winter, for instance). Once you’ve attended to the mower’s gas and oil, press the primer button three to five times in order to channel gas into the engine. If you’ve used the mower recently, you can probably skip this step.

STEP 5: Pull the starter cord.

Notice how there are two handles on the lawn mower, each running horizontally only inches apart from the other. Press and hold these handles together, keeping them together as you pull the starter cord. Do so quickly and with considerable force, and the mower engine should to turn over. Sometimes it can take several attempts before pulling the starting rope achieves the intended result: a purring motor.

Troubleshooting Lawn Mower Issues

If you’ve already checked that the mower has ample oil and gas and it still won’t get up and running, it’s time to start troubleshooting. Here are the steps you should take to determine why your lawn mower won’t start:

Check the carburetor.

If you have already confirmed that there’s oil and gas in the mower, but the engine still refuses to start, it’s possible that either the carburetor has flooded or the cylinder has become soaked with gas. (The smell of unburned gas is a telltale sign.) Leave your mower on level ground for at least 15 minutes, which should allow enough time for the gas to evaporate from within the mechanism.

Check for old gas.

If you are starting your lawn mower for the first time after a long off-season in the garage, gas that was left in the machine may have gone bad. If you suspect this is the case, observe the mower the next time you try to get it going: Does it appear to start up, then quickly stall out? The fix is simple: Siphon the old gas and replace it with fresh fuel.

Check for spark plug problems.

While the spark plug’s location can vary depending on the mower, most of the time you’ll find it at the front of the engine. Pull the rubber cap off the spark plug. If you spot debris on the end of the spark plug or inside the cap, wipe it clean with a rag.

Unscrew the spark plug using a spark plug socket and socket wrench. Clean the electrode on the end of the spark plug with a wire brush and brake cleaner. If there are a lot of deposits built up on the spark plug or if it’s cracked, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. Otherwise, screw the spark plug back in, tighten it with the socket wrench, and attempt to start the engine.

Clean the grass clippings out of the mower deck.

Lay the lawn mower on its side so you can access its underside. Use a pry bar to dislodge any built-up clumps of grass from the mowing deck. After getting rid of the large pieces, use a garden hose to spray the deck. Give it a good scrub with a stiff bristle brush to remove stubborn debris sticking to the deck. Rinse with the hose, then turn the mower back upright and attempt to start it.

If you’ve tried these methods and your lawn mower still won’t come to life, refer to our detailed guide on what to do when your lawn mower won’t start.

Final Thoughts

While starting a lawn mower isn’t a complicated task, you can run into problems if the mower is low on gas or oil, has a bad spark plug, or if clumps of grass are clogging the mower deck and blade. The troubleshooting methods will help you learn how to turn on a lawn mower and get it back in action. In the event your best efforts to start the mower fail, there may be a larger issue with the lawn mower engine. In that case, you’ll need to seek out a lawn mower repair shop for help.

For more lawn mower advice, check out our video on the most common mowing mistakes almost everyone makes.

How to Start a Push Lawn Mower

This article was co-authored by Jeremy Yamaguchi. Jeremy Yamaguchi is a Lawn Care Specialist and the Founder/CEO of Lawn Love, a digital marketplace for lawn care and gardening services. Jeremy provides instant satellite quotes and can coordinate service from a smartphone or web browser. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 687,782 times.

Starting a lawnmower can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. While there are some differences between lawnmowers, the same basic technique works for many of them. With a little practice and some elbow grease you’ll be starting your lawnmower like a pro in no time!

Starting the Lawnmower

Prepare to start the lawnmower. Move the lawnmower to an open, grassy area. Clear away any children’s toys or rocks. [1] X Research source

Make sure your mower has gas and oil. If your mower has a 4-stroke engine, you can check the oil by opening the oil fill cap or dipstick. If your mower has a 2-stroke engine you’ll need to mix oil in the gas. Make sure you mix the the right kind of oil with the gas, and in the proper ratio for your engine.

If the spark plug isn’t firmly attached, refer to your user manual. You may need to take the lawnmower to a mechanic to have it fixed.
Have a mechanic change the spark plug once a year. [2] X Research source
If your mower doesn’t have a prime button, skip this step. However, double check the user manual to be sure.
If the mower is cold, set the choke. The choke helps provide a richer fuel-air mixture to the engine, which helps it stay running until it warms up. Once the mower has been running for a few minutes turn off the choke.
If it doesn’t start or make any noises at all, the spark plug may not be attached. Check the spark plug and try again.
If it sputters and sounds like it’s trying to start (but doesn’t) you may not have enough gas in the tank.

Diagnosing Problems

You MUST disconnect the spark plug before doing this. Otherwise, you risk the lawnmower starting with your hands inside of it.
If the starter is still stuck after clearing out the debris, see a mechanic.
If your lawnmower is smoking and won’t stay on, take it to a small engine a mechanic. Your mower may need servicing.
Check your user manual to see if it addresses this issue. Some models have “quirks” that can be easily fixed if you know how to do it.
Always be careful when changing the height of your lawnmower. Make sure the mower is off and the spark plug is disconnected.

Taking Care of Your Lawnmower

If your lawn mower doesn’t have a dipstick attached to the oil lid, look for a “fill” line inside the oil tank. If the oil level is below that line, add more oil.
If you decide to change the oil yourself, remember to properly dispose of the leftover oil by taking it to a recycling facility. Used oil can contaminate groundwater and damage the environment.
Never attempt to work on machinery alone. If you get hurt, no one will be around to help you.
Avoid filling the gas tank too high. If you do, the gas may spill out and cause a fire.
If you’re not sure what kind of gas to use, refer to your user manual.
To care for your lawn during a hot summer, mow high and water deeply and infrequently. [11] X Research source
Choose a fertilizer for your lawn depending on whether you want to achieve growth, replenish missing nutrients, or develop stronger roots. [12] X Research source
Once you figure out what works for your lawn, stick to that plan and see it through.

Community QA

Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a 30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even 1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

It is likely that the fingers on the starter clutch are staying open when you pull it so they are being tapped by the metal cup on the fly wheel that they grab onto when the pull starter is being engaged. It’s a typical sound for older used mowers and nothing to be too concerned about. If it continues after it’s started it could be the result of a rod knocking in the engine, at this point replace the engine or the mower.

How to Start a Small Engine Repair Business

A small engine repair business will fix internal combustion engines for a variety of machines. Owners may work with private parties (e.g., neighbors with a broken lawn mower) and/or commercial parties (e.g., a construction company that needs their concrete mixer repaired.)

Learn how to start your own Small Engine Repair Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Start a small engine repair business by following these 10 steps:

We have put together this simple guide to starting your small engine repair business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Small Engine Repair Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

Your state’s business records
Federal and state trademark records
Social media platforms
Web domain availability.

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Business Name Generator

What are the costs involved in opening a small engine repair business?

Costs to start this business can be extremely low. You likely already have the space and tools you need to get started — especially if you don’t have a large client base as of yet. Owners should also consider buying additional liability coverage for their business. Anything from human error to natural disasters can destroy a small engine and the owner would be financially responsible for replacing any damaged machinery.

What are the ongoing expenses for a small engine repair business?

Expenses are typically on the low side for small engine repair businesses, but owners should factor in the cost of insurance, employees, and continuing education. They may also need to rent or buy additional space as their business continues to grow.

Who is the target market?

The target market can be anyone in the area with a small engine. From Go-Karts to wood chippers to chainsaws, there are plenty of machines that can fall under this category. Potential clients can include those from industrial, commercial, or personal applications.

How does a small engine repair business make money?

Owners make money by charging for their time and skill level. They’ll need to base their on the actual tools they use to repair the engines, plus the demand and the original cost of the item. For example, few people will pay 80 to repair their old lawn mower if a brand-new mower costs 100.

How much can you charge customers?

Customers will typically pay based on the type of machine and the extent of the damage. Most owners will charge for cost-of-labor plus parts. The average cost for a lawn mower repaired is about 60, which will likely be an hour’s worth of work or less.

How much profit can a small engine repair business make?

Small engine repair businesses can be extremely profitable, but they will need a high volume first. An owner would need to repair 6 – 8 lawn mowers a day at a 45 profit to make 90,000 a year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Small engine repair owners may want to branch out to offer large engine repairs if they’ve noticed a heavy demand for it. They can also offer more general types of repairs to machinery to better serve their client base.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your small engine repair business is sued.

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from Divvy and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a small engine repair business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A small engine repair business is generally run out of a garage. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

If you plan to lease a location :

It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a small engine repair business.
After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

If you plan to purchase or build a location :

You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your small engine repair business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Labor Safety Requirements

In performing small engine repair, you and your employees will be working with various types of machines and engines. Work of this nature carrys various safety hazards, so it is important to ensure that your business follows all labor safety requirements which can be found here.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Small Engine Repair Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Small Engine Repair Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren’t feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we’ll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic’s free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote market a small engine repair business

The best way to promote yourself depends on where you’re located. If most people in your town are tech-savvy, then you may want to look at community websites such as Craigslist or Nextdoor to start drumming up support. If not, then concentrate on paper flyers, newspaper ads, and general word-of-mouth.

How to keep customers coming back

Owners need to produce long-lasting repairs to keep customers coming back. Customer service will be important, but it won’t be as crucial to getting repeat business. Most people can put up with a little gruffness to save themselves from having to buy a new machine (or do the repairs themselves.)

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

All legitimate businesses have websites. full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
Social media accounts like pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

TRUiC’s Startup Podcast

Welcome to the Startup Savant podcast, where we interview real startup founders at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, from launch to scale.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is excellent for someone who enjoys working with their hands and working with a variety of tools. They must be excellent at taking apart machinery to understand how it works and flexible enough to handle new technology they may not have seen before. Owners should enjoy solving problems and experimenting with new ways to repair stubborn or severe breaks.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

What happens during a typical day at a small engine repair business?

Most of the day will be spent working on the actual engines, though owners will need to devote time to marketing their services and working with clients as well. They may need to practice simple project management to ensure that all repairs can be completed on time for their customers.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful small engine repair business?

Those who open this business should either be a professional repair person or a very skilled hobbyist. Ideally, they should have experience working with a wide variety of engines so there’s less of a learning curve when they step into the position.

Free Mower in the Trash. Serious Problem or Easy Fix?

What is the growth potential for a small engine repair business?

There are plenty of small engines in any given neighborhood, which should give owners a fairly steady stream of work. This is a local skill that would be difficult to outsource, so the growth potential can be substantial. The biggest hurdle is generally dealing with direct competitors located near you.

TRUiC’s YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a small engine repair business?

Most small engine repair owners will start off fixing engines for other people as a side business to build up a clientele. They will need a substantial, consistent volume of customers to justify jumping to full-time immediately. To save on the cost of parts, consider buying up old machinery at garage or yard sales or cruising around the neighborhood on trash day to collect old lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc. No matter how broken they may be, owners can still extract parts from them to use for their own repairs.

Owners also need to concentrate on appealing to their target base. There are plenty of small engine repairs that people can complete on their own, but they often don’t have the time to devote to it. Amateurs can actually inadvertently make the issue worse without meaning to. When marketing the business, concentrate on how you can actually save people money and increase the longevity of their expensive machinery.

It’s also important to research the competition to find out more about their reputation. Owners don’t have to disparage other businesses, but they may be able to find an angle that isn’t currently being served. For example, maybe the competition works on vacuum cleaners but not on home generators. Understanding the popular machines in an area will give you a good base of how to distinguish yourself.

Finally, owners should consider taking classes to improve upon and develop new skills both before getting started and as they’re building their business. As new machinery debuts, small engine repair owners may be asked to complete ever-more complex requests. Understanding the new additions to the market will give owners a better idea of how their current skills can be adapted to fit the technology changes of tomorrow.

How and when to build a team

Most small engine repair owners will start off alone. If the orders start to reach critical capacity, consider hiring a secretary before hiring another technician. This way, you can free up your own time to concentrate on completing the actual repairs. If you do need to hire a technician, make sure that you have the space and the resources to help them thrive first, and give each candidate several repair tests before deciding to take someone on.

Types of Lawn Mower Engines

You can buy any type of lawn mower. But buying the best type of mower for your property, is a little more difficult. In this article I’ll introduce you to the most popular types of lawn mower engines, how they work, and help you decide which type of mower might be best for you.

Choosing the Best Mower for You

How necessary is a riding mower when you’ve got a small lawn?

How to Diagnose and Repair a Small Engine

Should you choose a walk-behind mower with auto-choke?

What’s the best way to keep your mower running smoothly for years to get the most out of your investment?

Choosing a lawn mower comes with a lot of questions, and while I won’t get into or answer every one of those questions in this article about the different types of lawn mower engines, I hope you’ll stick around to explore other relevant articles on my blog.

First, consider the size of your property. Also, consider your level of physical fitness.

If you don’t have a large property you probably shouldn’t buy a riding lawn mower, unless you have a bad back or other physical limitations.

If you have a massive property with many different trees, gardens and planting beds, a high-end zero turn mower or lawn tractor might be best.

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

Type of Lawn Mowers and Their Engines

Now let’s dig in and get to know the various types of lawn mower engines and the mowers they power.

Push Mowers and Push Mower Engines

The sound of a lawnmower starting up with the yank of its pull cord.

One of the most familiar sounds on a summer morning in the suburbs.

Most lawnmowers you see in the suburbs and smaller lots are probably walk-behind or push mowers. This is one of my favorite types of lawn mower.

Push mowers, in general, allow you to direct the mower whichever way you want, manually. You have control to stop instantly by releasing the throttle (which needs to be held down to keep the motor running).

The Silent Walk-Behind Reel Mower

Reel mowers are eco-friendly, quiet, cost-effective and much easier to maintain.

They run off no engine and offer a more efficient lawn cut. They work best on smaller lawns, and are not ideal on steep lawns or hilly yards.

With reel mowers there’s no need for gas or oil changes, they are as basic as it comes, and they’re good for the environment.

Big yards need big attention and that’s exactly what lawn tractors provide.

Also known as lawn and garden tractors, these riding mowers are great for larger properties you find on larger lawns. Riding mowers have steerable wheels to provide strengthened maneuverability. The offer you the ability to cut your lawn while being comfortably seated.

Lawn Tractors

Garden Tractors are capable of pulling attachments or using snowblowers to manage a multitude of tasks on your property in any given season.

They are a heavy-duty alternative to traditional tractors if you’re looking to do more than tidy up your lawn.

Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

Zero-turn lawnmowers are riding mowers that provide great performance. They use four-wheel steering to complete sharp turns and move around any objects and obstacles like trees, garden beds, and landscaping boulders. Drivers can raise blades and control speeds much easier with these mowers and, to be frank, they’re lots of fun to drive.

Engine Types – Typically around 14 horsepower engines

Maintenance – These mowers take a lot more gas and oil, which should be expected due to their size and the fact that they can handle a heftier workload.

To keep your riding mower running smoothly, follow your manual instructions on your specific model and ensure that you check underneath the deck after every couple of uses to ensure there isn’t any damage.

To avoid injury, refer to an expert to check underneath the deck if you’re not confident to do so since these mowers are often very large and heavy. Always make sure your mower is turned off and the key is removed.

Cost – Riding mowers typically start around 1,000, but high-end zero turn mowers can cost upwards of 10,000 depending on the horsepower engine and features.

Zero-turn mowers are often the most expensive and the latest models with all the bells and whistles (what landscapers will buy) can cost 12,000.

Hover Mowers

You may have never heard of hover mowers before, but they do exactly as advertised – well, sort of. They are extremely mobile and use rotating cutting discs to cut your grass. Air is trapped underneath the deck to create a lift, making it lighter and easy to move around.

I don’t consider these an everyday option, and if I’m honest I personally don’t care for hover mowers, but if you have a very small yard and like unique tech, then you might love one.

Engine Type – Both two-cycle and four-cycle engines, depending on the model

Maintenance – To keep it running smoothly, follow your manual instructions on your specific model and ensure that you check underneath the deck after most uses to ensure there isn’t any unexpected damage.

Cost – These can cost as low as 50 to as high as 1,000 or more.

Robotic Lawnmowers

Yes, it’s time! Automated machines have made their way onto our lawns. What the Roomba has down for vacuuming, robotic mowers are now doing for suburban yards around the country.

Sit back and relax while your robotic mower does all the work of mowing your lawn. Your weekends are now free, and you can enjoy a healthy, freshly cut lawn every day of the week.

You manage the boundaries of the mower by installing a boundary wire which restricts where and how far the mower will roam (you don’t want it cutting the neighbor’s lawn, right?).

The set up is not as easy as regular mowers, but once you’re set up you can pretty much ignore your robotic mower for the rest of the season.

Engine type – These have several different types of engines, but most of them are battery-powered and have a docking station that they return to to recharge when their battery begins to get low.

Maintenance – Because these are robotic, much of the maintenance has to be done carefully to ensure the mower is completely powered off. To keep it running smoothly, follow your manual instructions on your specific model.

Cost – You should expect to pay 1,000 or more for a high quality robotic mower that will last.

Engines up!

Lawnmowers and cars have a lot in common. If you’re familiar with your car and the type of engines out there, this is just a rehashing of what you already know.

For those out there not too familiar, however, I’ll quickly cover the common types of lawn mower engines.

For starters, the cylinder number refers to the total number of pistons in the engine. The pistons move vertically inside the engine, opening and closing the air intake valves to combine air with fuel for combustion. The air and fuel combust, which provides power to the engine.

In general, the more pistons an engine has, the more powerful the lawn mower engine will be.

Two-CycleTwo-Cycle lawnmowers aren’t as optimal as their counterparts and often require pre-mixing of oil and fuel. This type of lawnmower engine is sometimes found on small mowers, weed eaters, and other small pieces of lawn and garden equipment. They are lighter to use and are best for smaller jobs.
Four-CycleThe more common type of lawn mower engine is the four-cycle engine. Often better on the environment and more efficient than two-cycle lawnmower engines, they have more parts, do more work, and last longer. Unfortunately, due to having more parts, these lawn mower engines require more maintenance (though with proper maintenance, they’ll last longer).

Auto vs Manual Choke Lawn Mower Engines

Last, but not least, does your lawnmower use an auto choke or manual choke?

Manual choke lawnmowers incorporate a little push valve or dial located near the engine to give your mower optimal starts by being pushed several times. Auto-choke lawn mower engines, however, do this automatically and don’t require the same attention and function by being automatically opened and closed.

Auto choke mower engines are designed to save you time. Old-fashioned manual choke engines tend to be less prone to engine issues, so it’s what I typically recommend if you want a mower that will work for years without issue and are new to owning lawn equipment. That said, my auto-choke self-propelled Honda mower works great. I’m not sure how much stock I put into the engine issues for auto-choke lawn mower engines.

Sorting Through the Best Types of Lawn Mower Engines Mower Types

No matter what type of lawn mower engine you choose to cut your lawn, pay attention to your budget, your lawn, and your abilities.

Don’t tire yourself in the process of creating a wonderfully cut lawn and don’t take a shortcut to save a few dollars. Invest in an appropriately sized, highly reviewed mower.

Sources:

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-start-a-lawn-mower/
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Push-Lawn-Mower
https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/small-engine-repair
https://lawnchick.com/types-of-lawn-mower-engines/

Lawn Mowers basics, engine, lawn, mower, start, troubleshoot