Lawn mower first start. How to Get Your Old Lawn Mower Ready for Summer
How to Get Your Old Lawn Mower Ready for Summer
The heat of summer is bearing down on us. Now’s a great time to prepare your trusty mower for the season.
There’s no doubt your lawn mower is hardy and battle-tested. Keep it that way by giving it regular maintenance so it runs at its best. In this guide we’ll show you everything you need to know to do just that. This includes how to clean it and change its oil, plus how to sharpen and balance its blades. When you’re done, your mower will be in top-flight condition.
Gather what you need
First gather your tools and equipment. You’ll need a power drill, eye protection, work gloves and a blade sharpening kit. The kit should come with a ceramic blade sharpener and balancer. Expect to pay about 11 for the kit at your local hardware store. You’ll also need a torque wrench (or a socket wrench in a pinch) and a wooden block. Consider having a rubber mallet on hand too.
Other items and supplies include a plastic drip tray, motor oil and a container for waste oil. Often a large piece of cardboard is useful as well an old rag or cloth. Also know that this guide deals with push or self-propelled mowers, not riding mowers. While some advice here does apply to riding mowers, they’re another animal altogether.
Clean it
To clean it, first start with a cool engine. If your mower has a fuel valve, switch it off. If you can, disconnect the spark plug, too. Next use a leaf blower to blast away any old dirt and major debris. Now gently lay the mower on its side, fuel cap facing up. Try to get rid of any junk on the mower’s underside as well.
I know that many people prefer to hose their mowers down with a garden hose. I admit, I’ve done it. Still, doing that is risky. If water gets into the wiring, air filter or engine, you could really do some damage. Hand washing with damp rag is a drag, but also your safest bet.
Some lawn mowers, such as this Toro Personal Pace model, have a Washout Port feature. It’s essentially a garden hose fitting on top of the circular blade cover. This allows you to pump water into the blade assembly while running the engine. That action is designed to flush dirt and grass debris right out.
Sharpen and balance its blades
With the mower still on its side, grab your socket wrench and wood block. Place the block inside the blade well. This is to prevent the blades from turning while you loosen their bolts. Remove the blade mounting bolt/bolts. A typical mower will have one blade like the Craftsman 37700 I serviced for this guide (one mounting bolt). Some, like my Honda HRR216VKA, have two blades, an upper and a lower (two mounting bolts). Each blade should have at least two cutting edges.
To sharpen them, secure in a table vise. Now attach the blade sharpener to the end of your power drill. Make sure to wear eye protection and work gloves. Carefully use the sharpener to hone the cutting edges of your blades. Go slowly at first to get the feel of the best angle for meeting the blade and sharpener.
After sharpening both sides of the blade place it on the kit’s cone-shaped balancer. If one side dips below the other, continue sharpening it until the blade rests level. Return the sharpened blades to the mower and reattach. If you have a torque wrench, it’s a good idea to use it here. Often you need to tighten the blade mounting bolt or bolts to a specific tightness level.
Typically measured in pound-feet, your instruction manual should list these specs. For example, my Honda requires between 36 and 43 pound-feet of torque.
Change the oil
Next you’ll change the oil. To lower oil viscosity and get it moving freely, run the engine for a few minutes. Now shut the engine off and roll the mower onto a piece of cardboard or drop cloth. Close the fuel line (if your mower has one) and unhook the spark plug as before. Find the oil filler tube and remove its cap. Often the cap also functions as a dipstick.
Place a drip pan or other container on the side of the mower with the filler. Carefully tilt the mower so oil drains out and into the pan. Discard the spent oil into a proper disposal vessel.
Now slowly pour fresh oil into the mower. For the specific type of oil you need, check your instruction manual. Make sure to add only as much as your particular model requires. Remember to let the mower sit undisturbed for a few minutes so the oil settles properly inside the engine.
Get out there and mow
Now that you’ve done all that, your mower should be ready to tackle the season in stride. It should run more smoothly and safely, too. Even better, you’ve just saved the 200 to 300 fee it typically costs, at least in my neck of the woods, to have your lawn mower serviced professionally. So go on and get out there. That high grass needs cutting.
How To Start a Lawn Mower (and Troubleshoot Common Problems)
How to start a lawn mower? Pull the cord! Ok, we agree. Sometimes this is not enough. Given that some lawn mowers start differently, depending on the model, in this article we will give you some general tips. Continue reading!
Steps How To Start a Lawn Mower?
Fill the mower with gas and check the oil level in it. It is possible that you forgot to do this. It happens to everyone. But if there is no oil and gasoline in it, then you can pull the cord for at least a whole day, and you will not achieve anything but muscle pain and the chance that your children will learn from you not quite good words.
Open the fuel tank cap and look into it. If necessary, refuel the mower to the recommended level. The tank should have a marking to indicate to what level the tank should be filled, but if it is not, fill it up to the neck. Do not overfill the tank.
Remember to check the oil level. If there is not enough oil, then you can easily ruin the engine. Oil is usually poured through a cap on the top of the mower housing, which says “oil” or an oiler. Just like a car, your mower may have a special dipstick with which you can check the engine oil level.
Please note that some mowers (mainly with a two-stroke engine) use a fuel-oil mixture. If so, carefully read the user manual before refueling the mower.
Bleed the fuel pump! Find a soft cap next to the spark plug, usually red or black. Press it 3-4 times to fill the carburetor with gasoline. Just do not overdo it and do not fill the engine.
But not all mowers have such a pump. In this case, you will need to fully open the throttle.
Check out the candle. The candle should be near the engine and have a rubber cap. It produces a spark that starts the engine, so make sure the cap sits tightly on it.
Open the throttle. Shift the throttle lever to the middle or to the last position. Otherwise, the engine will not receive enough fuel to operate.
Use caution when starting the engine. Now, most new mowers come with a safety switch that must be held at startup. If your mower does not have such a switch, then make sure that it is stable on the ground.
Pull the cord sharply! Bend the mower body with one hand and grasp the cord with the other and pull it up sharply. You may need to do this several times before the engine starts.
If the engine sneezes but does not start, then check if there is enough gas in the tank.
If the engine does not sneeze and does not start, then check the spark plug.
Read the mower’s operating instructions. If the mower still does not start, read the instructions in the troubleshooting section. It is possible there will be an answer to your question.
Some Reasons
It often happens that users of such machines try to “save” by pouring into the tank not fuel with the usual octane number, but something incomprehensible that has been standing in a plastic canister for almost a dozen years.
Advice
➽ Always clean your lawnmower after work. Withered grass may adhere firmly to it. In addition, it smells bad when it begins to rot. Therefore, as soon as you finish mowing, clean the mower of grass.
➽ Never leave the mower for the winter with gasoline in the tank. During storage, it may thicken and clog the carburetor.
➽ Never run your mower without proper lubrication, unless you like to buy new mowers every time.
The Main Thing Is The Fuel Mixture!
In this case, the remnants of the plastic dissolved in the brutal environment do so terrible things in the combustion chamber that you can’t do without completely sorting out the mechanism. Gasoline self-propelled lawn mowers are the choice. But you certainly remember forever how to properly store fuel.
What, after all, is when the fuel was exactly normal, there is a spark, but the gas trimmer does not start? It may be that you just fill the candle with gasoline. In this case, you need to unscrew it, wipe it with a clean cloth, and dry it. reliable electronic braid trimmers. By the way, checking the candle itself for performance will be completely out of place.
Reasons The Lawnmower Might Not Start
It doesn’t matter what equipment requires careful work and compliance with operating rules. As if the tool working during the check in the store after delivery to your home or several days of operation did not start. Before contacting a service center, you can try to solve the problem without the help of others. There are various malfunctioning conditions for gasoline and electronic lawn mowers.
A gas mower may not start for the following reasons:
➽ First, before starting the engine, you need to check the fuel in the tank. A small amount of it will create airiness in the system, but it is also impossible to fill the tank full to the brim. When refueling, you must adhere to the mark of the highest fuel level. If the lawnmower sets sail for winter storage, the fuel must be drained, because gasoline tends to evaporate. Fueling is done using a funnel. Before a case of spilled gasoline dries out on the mower parts, the engine must not be started in order to avoid ignition of combustible water.
➽ Often the engine of a lawn mower does not start due to the fact that the user does not know how to start it correctly. Before starting, the lever sets the maximum speed, and then pump gasoline into the carburetor with a primer. The starter cord is gently pulled a little over, and then sharply pulled.
➽ After unsuccessful attempts to start the engine, you can try to change the spark plug. Often the reason lies precisely in it. If there’s no spare candle at hand, and therefore the old one is roofed with heavy soot, it must be cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper.
➽ Clogged air cleaner results in the preparation of low-quality fuel mixture, and therefore the engine begins to stall or, generally, don’t start. to repair the matter easily rinse the removed filter in pure gasoline then dry it in air. Rinse the air filters every 25 hours, albeit the mower doesn’t stall.
➽ Immediately after starting, the engine may stall thanks to a jammed piston or crankshaft. Having unscrewed the sparking plug with a starter cord, it’s necessary to pump the engine several times. it’s possible that moving parts will develop and therefore the problem is going to be resolved.
➽ A low oil level within the crankcase may cause the engine to not start.
Electric lawnmowers even have their own easily solved problems:
➽ The commonplace reason that mower’s motor doesn’t work could also be a scarcity of electricity or low voltage. determine if there’s current within the network employing a screwdriver indicator, but you would like a multimeter to live voltage.
➽ The electric mower is provided with engine thermal protection. thanks to grass clogged ventilation holes, the protection will constantly operate, preventing the motor from running. Easily solve the matter by cleaning the ventilation holes.
➽ The explanation for the mower’s motor not working maybe a failed switch. Here you’ll need to contact the service center or replace the broken part yourself.
If none of the above tips helped to start out the unit, you are doing not got to touch anything, but it’s better to contact specialists.
Warnings
Try to stay away from the knives of the mower if there is even the slightest chance that it will start. Remember, all fun and games will end when someone loses their fingers!
How to Start a Trimmers
We start a Benz trimmer for mowing grass.
There are also more expensive gas mowers that include all 3 functions.
To adjust the height of mowing the lawn:
➽ Individual adjustment. Each unit wheel has a separate mowing height adjustment lever.
➽ Central adjustment. The adjustment lever simultaneously controls the entire cutting height.
➽ Screw adjustment. The most simple and inconvenient way to adjust the cutting height, in which the height is set manually when moving the wheel axis up / down.
By type of movement:
➽ Self-propelled. It has a drive that allows you to automatically move a gas mower. The main thing is to direct to the mowing area.
➽ Not self-propelled. The movement of the unit is carried out manually.
By type of drive:
➽ Front-wheel drive lawn mower. It is more maneuverable and is used in flat areas.
➽ Rear-wheel drive lawn mower. It is used when mowing grass in hilly areas, as more stable when driving with a load on the rear wheels (hill movement).
Mixing And Refueling a Two-Stroke Engine
Two-stroke engines do not run on pure gasoline. They will have to prepare the fuel mixture on their own. Gasoline should only be used with the octane rating recommended by the manufacturer. It is not necessary to use oil only from the company that the mower is. Any brand will do, the main thing is that it be a product for two-stroke engines.
Any lawn mower instruction contains information on the ratio of the components of the fuel mixture, that is, oil to gasoline. For example, for mineral oil, this figure is 1:35, but it is rarely produced for two-stroke engines now. Most often, a synthetic product is on sale. To prepare the fuel mixture to adhere to a ratio of 1:50.
Get Ready To Not Start Your Engines
Preparing the fuel mixture is quite simple. Pure gasoline is poured into a measuring canister and a certain amount of oil is added using a dispenser. Further, it remains to tightly close the lid of the canister, shake the liquid and the fuel will be ready. It remains with the help of a funnel to pour the prepared mixture into the gas tank and you can start a lawn mower.
Carburetor Again
Well, even if, after such bullying, your trimmer does not start, you can not do without disassembling the carburetor. It may well be that the dropping of the needle in it is to blame. In any case, disassembling and washing this capricious mechanism certainly will not hurt.
In general, when the trimmer began to act up and stall, it is advisable to carry out complete prophylaxis: completely change the fuel mixture, try another oil, and also change the candle without fail. Practice shows that in many cases cheap low-quality candles are to blame.
We examined the most common reasons why the trimmer does not start. If the matter is something more “exotic”, do not pass the trip to the service center. You will probably find smaller and more obvious damage yourself.
Four-Stroke Engine Mower Refueling
Many wheeled lawn mowers are equipped with a four-stroke engine. For such an assembly, the fuel mixture does not need to be prepared. Oil is poured into a separate filler hole and is located in the crankcase. Only clean gasoline is poured into the tank, after which the mower is ready for operation.
The design of the four-stroke engine of the mower does not include an oil filter. Due to the lack of a cleaning mechanism, oil is contaminated quickly and needs to be replaced after 50 hours. The entire replacement process is straightforward. The engine is allowed to idle for about 15 minutes to warm up. The drain hole is located on the crankcase. It is closed by a screw plug. The mower is installed at an angle to the side of the drain hole, a container is used to collect the used oil, and then the screw is unscrewed. When all the dirty oil drains, the cork is tightly closed, the mower is put on an even place and through the upper filler hole add new oil. For four-stroke engines, the brand 10W40 is usually used. The level is checked with a dipstick. When the desired mark is reached, the filler hole is tightly closed with a stopper.
Lawn Mower Rules A to Z
Working with any technique requires certain skills and getting used to it. If you have not had to deal with the operation of the lawn mower before, it is better to first familiarize yourself with the instructions that came with the machine. It will help to understand the purpose of each lever, then everything studied can be fixed by practice.
The lawn must be chosen straight without pits and knolls. When the dimensions of the lawn mower feel good, you can start trying to mow grass of different heights and learn to go around obstacles.
Work starts with starting the motor
So, the mower is filled with oil and gasoline, nothing flows anywhere, we proceed to the first test run of the engine:
➽ The first thing to do before starting the mower engine is to check the position of the speed knob. If the transmission is turned on, it must be turned off, otherwise, as soon as the engine starts, the mower starts moving on its own.
➽With the ignition turned off by a starter or a winding cord (it all depends on the design of the lawn mower), rotate the motor shaft. The air damper is within the open position.
➽The following actions consist of turning on the ignition and closing the air damper. Starting the starter of the mower is done by the button. If the engine is equipped with a winding cord, it must be pulled abruptly.
➽ If after several failed attempts the engine does not start, turn off the ignition, open the air damper and make a few idle strokes to purge the combustion chamber.
➽ Having finished with the purge, they repeat the same actions as they did the last time during the start of the motor.
When the lawnmower engine has successfully started up, it runs monotonously without jerking, using the high-speed lever, set the position with the desired speed, and begin to move.
Grass Cutting Height Adjustment
To achieve the required cutting height of the grass on the lawnmower there is a special lever that allows you to raise and lower the knives. Depending on the model, there may be two levers and the number of steps is different. For example, a 7-step adjustment allows you to adjust the cutting height from 20 to 70 mm.
It should be noted that soft grass is easier to mow with a low knife position. For hard grass, the knives will have to be raised, and the mower’s body adjusted with a forward inclination. Changing the angle of inclination of the body compensates for the deviation of the lawn mower with strong pressure on the handle. On front-wheel-drive lawn mowers, the body is not tilted forward, otherwise, the machine will leave passes on uncut grass.
We Expose The Handle of The Mower in its Height
To make grass mowing less tiring, you must correctly adjust the height of the handle of the mower. The optimal location of the handle is 3 cm above the center of gravity of the body. Although each person selects the location of the handle of the lawn mower individually according to their height and physique. There are special screws on the handle for adjustment.
Mowing grass is necessary without much effort. The lawn mower must itself move on the lawn, it only needs to be controlled. In difficult areas, it is better to switch to lower speeds, to change the direction of movement it is necessary to smoothly move the handle left or right. Extra efforts on the part of a person during operation will lead to Rapid wear of the transmission and deformation of the knife on the ground.
How to Start a Lawn Mower and Resolve Common Problems
Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Lawnmowers are the best machines for maintaining neat short grass on your lawn. However, mowers can sometimes malfunction and fail to start, leaving you without an alternative for your grass-cutting requirements. Luckily, we’ve assembled this post to discuss how to start a lawn mower and why mowers fail to start.
Reasons Why a Riding Lawn Mower May Fail To Start
There are several situations where it can be tricky to start a lawn mower. So before we discuss how to start a lawn mower, let’s consider the common reasons your mower won’t start. Also, check out the best self-propelled mowers or zero turn mowers here.
Faulty Starter
The first thing to check when your lawn mower engine won’t start is the pull cord. It shouldn’t be too hard to pull unless there are grass clippings obstructing the mowing blades.
You can resolve this by pulling the rubber hose to disconnect the spark plug. This will ensure the mower blades won’t start while you are handling them. Then, lay the mower on the side and remove the obstructions. If the machine doesn’t start, you should seek professional assistance.
Blocked Discharge Chute
If the lawn mower is smoking, you’ll want to wait for it to cool. To stop the smoking, you can disconnect the starting rope and remove any debris you can see from the blades. Here are the best mower blades on the market.
Air Filter Issues
If the air filter is blocked, you can also experience issues starting your lawnmower. This is because the air filter keeps grass clippings, tiny debris, and dust from entering the engine. You can find the location of the filter in your user’s manual, and you can replace or clean your filters depending on your preference.
Gas Issues
Another reason why your lawn mower won’t start is that you have a low oil level. This might sound obvious, but you should always check to ensure it’s not the main problem. Fortunately, filling your tank will eliminate this issue.
Alternatively, you could be using old gas, which could be unsuitable for running your mower. Replacing the oil is an easy fix that you’ll appreciate.
Low Mower Height
If you notice your mower shutting down as you work, it’s probably because you are mowing tall grass. As such, you’ll want to adjust the height of your mower to ensure the blades don’t get clogged up. Nevertheless, the spark plug should always be disconnected, and the mower is off when adjusting the mowing height.
How to Start a Push Lawn Mower
If you have a traditional lawn mower that you push around, here’s how you can get it started.
Start by taking the mower to an open grassy area without obstructions. You’ll have to inspect the lawn and ensure there aren’t any rocks or children’s toys on the ground.
Next, you’ll need to check the oil and gas levels. For mowers with a four-stroke engine, you should open the gas cap to see if you have enough gas. On the other hand, with a push mower with a 2-stroke engine, you’ll need to mix the oil and gas at a specific ratio.
Then, check the spark plug either on the side or back of the mower’s engine. The spark plug resembles a thick extension with a rubber cap. It should be firmly fitted, and if it’s not, you might need to see an expert. Ideally, you should replace a spark plug yearly to keep the lawn mower working well.
Find the carburetor and check your owner’s manual to identify the primer button. It’s a red or black squishy button somewhere on your lawnmower. You’ll need to force gasoline into the lines by pushing the button four to five times. Pushing the button more than five times could flood your engine and cause other problems.
After priming your carburetor, you should pull the throttle lever and set it to mid-to-high. Skipping this step will cause the lawn mower to shut down as you mow your lawn which could be inconvenient.
If you are having trouble, the mower is probably cold, and you should set the choke. This will help deliver a rich mix of fuel and air to keep the mower running until your engine is warm. After a few minutes of running the engine, you should turn off the choke.
The last step is to pull the starting cord. There could be a horizontal lever close to the handle, which you can pull. Grip the handle of the starter cord and firmly pull it upwards. It might take several tries before the motor starts.
If the mower is completely quiet as you pull it quickly, the spark plug could be detached. On the other hand, if it sputters but doesn’t start, you should probably add more gas.
How to Start a Riding Lawn Mower
If you have a riding lawn mower, here’s how to start it:
Add New Gas
First, you’ll need to replace the old gasoline in the oil tank because it’s the most common reason why your riding lawn mower won’t start. Old gas that’s been sitting for months in the mower’s gas tank can introduce moisture, gum, or varnish.
This can cause damage or corrosion to the gas tank, so you should avoid leaving gas in your lawnmower engine. Exhausting the fuel tank every mowing session will help keep your machine in good shape.
Modify the Throttle Lever
Also known as the choke, the throttle lever helps you adjust the amount of air entering the engine of the riding mower. If you want to start a lawn mower quickly, you should regulate the air filter and ensure only a little air enters the engine. It should be easy to see how to change the throttle on your lawnmower.
There are some automatic lawn mowers that have the throttle integrated into the body. If you can’t locate your throttle, you should refer to your manual for clarification. Plus, if you don’t want the lawnmower to die on you as you work, you should leave the choke open for a while after it starts.
Push the Primer Several Times
When using a riding lawn mower, you’ll need to push the primer bulb a bunch of times to ensure the gas reaches the engine. This action helps ensure you can start the mower using a few tries of the pull cord. The gas gets pulled into the carburetor, making it easier to turn the mower on using the starting rope.
If you can’t find your primer button, you should check the diagram on the user manual to ensure you push the right button.
Pull the Starting Rope
Take the handle into your hand and grip it, then pull the cord up quickly. You should feel some resistance as you pull it, and you’ll have to make 4-5 pulls before the engine starts. Avoid yanking the cord because this can cause the handle to break. If the riding mower doesn’t start, push the primer bulb a few more times and try again.
Benefits of Lawn Mowers
The advantages of using lawn mowers for your landscaping routine are without question. So let’s consider some of the common benefits of mowers below.
Consistent Cuts
The first benefit of a lawnmower is that it helps cut the grass on your lawn uniformly. As a result, you don’t have to worry about your landscape looking untidy or unbalanced since the mower can handle it. So if you want a way to ensure you get the same results every time, you should get a lawn mower.
Saves Time and Energy
You can also save a lot of time mowing your lawn with a machine than you would using a manual tool like a slasher. Since mowers are operated by electricity or gas, they make work easier for the landscaper, allowing you to use minimum effort.
Additionally, you can get a riding lawn mower and eliminate the need to walk around your space while pushing the mower. This makes riding mowers great for landscapes that aren’t flat. Plus, a riding lawn mower can clear grass from large tracts of land without hassle.
Comfort
Technology has improved mowing practices by promoting the creation of riding mowers which allow users to mow lawns without discomfort and hassle. That’s why the last advantage we’ll discuss is comfort.
You can take a mower with cozy seats that can help keep you in good posture as you work on your lawn. Compared to a manual approach, using lawn mowers is convenient.
Conclusion
Lawn mowers are great machines to have in your garage because they simplify your landscape maintenance practices. Most lawn mowers are easy to use since they feature an intuitive design. However, sometimes your mower won’t start, and you’ll need to look for a solution. Fortunately, once you learn how to start a lawn mower, you can rest easy and avoid a trip to the mechanic.
The Best Lawn Mowers of 2023
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Honda HRX217VKA
The Honda HRX217VKA is powerful, heavy and ideal for larger lawns. Read
Ego Power LM2135SP
This mower is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. It performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. Read
Honda HRN216VKA
Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. Read
Kobalt KM 5080-06
The electric Kobalt KM 5080-06 was flexible and easy to operate, and can run bagged or bagless. Read
Hart HLPM061US
The Hart HLPM061US performed well across terrains and has a simple to use speed control. Read
Cons
Until just a few short years ago, gas lawn mowers were king. As more consumers are seeking eco-friendly cars, homes, and, yes, power equipment, advanced battery technology answers the call.
Today, consumers can drive an electric car, thrive in a solar-powered home and maintain their property with battery-powered equipment. But are the new electric push lawn mowers as good as the old internal combustion mowers? We decided to find out.
How To Start A Lawn Mower | 4K
We tested gasoline, electric-corded, and battery-powered lawn mowers from the leading brands. We were eager to see if the battery-powered mowers could handle a large yard as well as the tried-and-true gasoline models. We weren’t disappointed. The Honda HRX217VKA (available at Amazon) came out on top as Best Overall, edging out its predecessor and our previous winner, the Honda HRN216VKA.
For the non-gasoline mowers, the Ego Power LM2135SP (available at Walmart) is our choice for Best Electric Lawn Mower. This mower set-up was quick, and it handled our testing well. The Ego Power also includes features not found on similar electric models.
The Honda HRX217VKA was a pleasure to use.
- Power source: Gas
- Self-propelled: Yes
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge or shred leaves
- Drive: Rear-wheel
- Weight: 113 lbs
Quiet and powerful, the Honda HRX217VKA 21-inch NeXite lawn mower is the one to have for larger spaces. It is not designed for small yards, and you won’t be darting in and out of flower beds and shrubbery.
It is a pleasure to use. We had tested Honda mowers before and were familiar with their operation and overall product quality. The HRX217VKA did not disappoint. Easy to assemble and set up right out of the box, it started on the first pull of the cord.
Right away you can feel the heft of this mower with its innovative NeXite deck and powerful motor. It’s heavier than most mowers, but it feels planted on the lawn and tracks perfectly. It’s a mower for large lawns, and it makes the most difficult cuts a breeze.
With its 200cc motor and Select Drive Control, this mower easily cuts, bags and mulches the heaviest grass with ease. The Select Drive Control is almost intuitive as it lets you adjust the walking speed with a variety of settings.
The controls on the mower are large and easy to use. You can set the mower to bag or mulch or anywhere in between. Its user-friendly platform is clearly marked. You will use this lawn mower for years and years to come.
Cons
The Ego Power LM2135SP is the best electric lawn mower we’ve tested.
- Power source: Electric/battery
- Self-propelled: Yes
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
- Drive: Rear-wheel
- Weight: 88 lbs
Until a few years ago, those who preferred not to buy an internal combustion mower had little choice. But advanced battery technology has finally arrived and the benefits can readily be seen in the Ego Power LM2135SP, a 21-inch self-propelled electric mower. This cordless mower with a cutting width of 21 inches utilizes a 56-volt lithium ion battery to power through up to 60 minutes of lawn cutting.
The Ego Power is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. Even though the battery only lasted about an hour, the mower performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. It has plenty of torque and is capable of doing anything a gasoline-powered mower can do. It is clean, easy to use, and efficient.
The set-up on this mower was the easiest of the bunch. The handle slides and folds across the mower with ease, making storage a snap. Adjusting it to a personal height takes seconds.
A quick 50-minute charge on the battery and you’re ready to go. The battery charger even has a cooling fan that improves charging times and keeps the battery cool.
Like some of our other mowers, the Ego Power has twin blades that improve mulching and keep the trips to empty the rear bag to a minimum. Cutting height is achieved with one easy-to-access lever.
Operation is straightforward, and the composite deck makes the mower light and easy to maneuver around yard obstacles. Simply depress the power button, pull the green handle and the blades begin to spin. Dual buttons on the handle make engaging the self-propel feature safe and comfortable.
The Ego Power comes with LED headlights for convenience, and it was the only mower we tested that could propel itself when the blades were not spinning. This was a nice feature that eliminated pushing the mower back to the garage.
Other Lawn Mowers We Tested
Previously our pick for best lawn mower, the Honda HRN216VKA is a 21-inch self-propelled gas mower that’s a great choice for any yard. Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years, and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. It can handle the toughest lawns with ease and won’t take up much room in the garage.
The set-up was easy and the mower started on the first pull. Its smooth engine is quieter than the other gasoline mowers, and it has more than enough power to cut and mulch the grass even while going uphill.
The Honda has a stacked and offset blade design that produces smaller clippings, which allows for better mulching and bagging. This means more efficient cutting and fewer stops to empty the grass bag. The bagging and mulching options can be easily and safely selected, once the mower is off, by using one lever on the mowing deck.
The innovative self-propel system is comfortable on the hands, provides adequate speed control, and can even be adjusted for those who are taller or shorter. Folding the handle for storage can be done quickly. This Honda lawn mower even has a gas shut-off valve for off-season storage.
Cons
- Power source: Electric/battery
- Self-propelled: No
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
- Drive: Rear-wheel
- Weight: 66 lbs
The Kobalt 80V 21-inch electric mower is a great choice for anyone that wants an affordable, flexible, compact mower that is easy to maneuver and doesn’t require extension cords or gas cans. The mower is strong enough to chop through thick grass, and offers a highly adjustable cutting height.
At 66 pounds it is very easy to operate, with the ability to go bagged or bagless, and you can fold up the push handle for compact storage.
The main draw here is the 80V battery system, which gives you an hour of runtime in our testing, enough to cut about 7,500 square feet on a full charge. It also works in a variety of other Kobalt tools, and spares will run you right around 150. Charging the battery takes around 45 minutes when it’s dead, and it just pops into the battery slot and the mower can turn on with a press of a button if the safety key is inserted—much easier than having to use a traditional pull start.
Overall if you need a nice, basic mower to get the job done and want to go cordless, this is an excellent choice. It cuts clean lines, it’s easy to use, it can handle most lawns with ease, and the light weight makes it much easier to move up and around slopes and hills.
Especially if you’re planning to invest in a range of electric tools, this is a good system to buy into.
Cons
- Power source: Electric/battery
- Self-propelled: Yes
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
- Drive: All-wheel
- Weight: 89.5 lbs
This Hart lawnmower was a pleasant surprise.
After removing it from the box and charging the batteries, we fired it up and took it out to the thick, lush grass.
It performed beautifully; its powerful electric motor cut through the lawn with ease and even increased its revolutions when we cut thicker grass. This mower easily handles a larger lawn.
The Hart mower moved with power and confidence through the lawn, and the simple-to-use speed control was right there at your fingertips. While our winning Honda gas mower has a sophisticated Select Drive System, the Hart’s simple slide bar works as well or better.
This excellent lawnmower has the power and convenience of mowers costing much more.
Cons
The Toro is a worthy competitor to the top-ranking mowers on this list.
This Toro lawn mower has the largest cutting area at 22 inches, and it is powerful and comfortable to use, thanks to its Personal Pace self-propel system.
To engage the self-propel, simply push the lever forward a bit and the mower begins to move forward, push it a little more and the mower moves faster. After a couple of rows of cutting, you will see how easy it is to regulate speed. This system is not as intuitive as some of the others, but it still works quite well.
Another great feature: The Toro has Briggs and Stratton’s check-don’t-change oil system that never requires an oil change.
Storage is also a snap as the handle folds down and the mower can be stored vertically.
Cons
- Power source: Electric/battery
- Self-propelled: No
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge
- Drive: Rear-wheel
- Weight: 58 lbs
At just 58 pounds, this mower makes cutting small lawns a lot of fun. The rear discharge chute allows you trim close to trees, beds, and shrubbery. I found myself zipping around obstacles using only one hand.
This is a simple machine with one battery in the center. Charging time is quick, and once the battery is in you’re on your way.
This is not a lawn mower for the back 40. With a 20-inch cut and a small electric motor, it is just not capable of handling larger lawns. But for most mid to small yards, this mower can clean up the area in no time.
Light and easy to store, this is the perfect mower to keep a lawn looking great.
Cons
- Power source: Electric/battery
- Self-propelled: Yes
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
- Drive: Rear-wheel
- Weight: 78 lbs
The 21-inch Ryobi RY401150 40-volt brushless mower set up quickly and easily right out of the box. It includes double blades and cuts clean and clear.
This mower comes with two batteries that can be installed in the top of the machine. One notable drawback is that only one battery powers the mower at a time—cut your grass for approximately 30 minutes and when the first battery is depleted, you stop and move a switch to engage the second battery. Ryobi says that the batteries will last for 70 minutes, but stopping to change batteries seems counterproductive.
Otherwise, the mower performed well and completed all of the tests. It has a one-lever height adjustment and is light enough to maneuver around obstacles. It has plenty of power and handled the hill with little strain.
While both the Ego Power and Ryobi were solid performers on the electric front, the Ryobi was let down by its self-propel controls. The controls are located under the bar, but the lever is vague and unresponsive. Because the lever is designed for thumbs only, you need to push the lever in an awkward manner to get the mower up to speed.
Cons
- Power source: Electric/corded
- Self-propelled: No
- Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
- Drive: Rear-wheel
- Weight: 65 lbs
For a corded mower, the Greenworks 25022 lawn mower performed quite well. The set-up was easy, and once it was plugged in, it started right up.
Of course, before you use the mower there is the time-consuming task of unearthing your extension cord, unraveling it, and finding a suitable outdoor plug. Once plugged in, the mower embraces its purpose with ease.
It has a powerful 12-amp electric motor that may not conquer larger lawns, but is perfect for smaller yards and trimming duties. Not to mention it offers clean and even mowing.
Not being self-propelled, it takes some effort to push the lawn mower and cord uphill and then navigate a path back so as to not cut your cord.
Its small size makes storage a breeze.
Cons
The 14-inch Sun Joe MJ401E lawn mower is the easiest to store. Its diminutive size makes it the perfect lawn mower for small yards and trimming duties. It’s light enough to pick up and move, and it comes with an easy-to-use bagging system.
Still, this is not a lawn mower for cutting the typical suburban lawn, as its lightweight, short wheel base and small wheels make it a little unstable over roots and ruts.
Of all of the lawnmowers tested, the Sun Joe provided the most difficulty when it came time to adjust the height of the blades. The mower utilizes solid axles, front and rear, and the axles are located in a three-notch system under the mower. To change the height of the cut, you need to pull the spring-loaded axles from their positions and move them up or down. It’s a challenging exercise.
The Sun Joe is corded, so cutting area is limited. To its credit, it’s powerful enough when running, but the limited scope means you will have a hard time tackling an entire yard.
Cons
The Craftsman M220 is one of the more cumbersome mowers we’ve tested. Set up was more involved—to adjust it to my height I had to first kneel on the floor and remove two fasteners from the bottom of the handle and then pull the handle out of the body. Another two fasteners at the base of the handle allowed me to set the handle angle. The better mowers have release buttons and adjusting levers that allow the operator to make these adjustments quickly and safely while standing.
The mower started on the first pull and seemed to have enough power to tackle any lawn. However, the two levers on top of the handle—one to start and one for speed of self-propulsion—are difficult to operate. Both are difficult to grab if your hands are small to medium, and the levers are too far from the handle for comfortable operation. They’re also not intuitively placed; you have to look each time you make a pass.
The biggest disadvantage of this mower is that it is equipped with front-wheel drive. When self-propelled mowers first came out many years ago, a front-drive system was easy for manufacturers to design and implement and the homeowner didn’t have to push dead weight. The design worked for many years because there was nothing else. But over the years rear-drive systems were developed and it produced a more balanced, more comfortable cutting experience.
When cutting a lawn, the operator naturally has some weight on the handle. Add to this the weight of the grass in the bag off the back of the mower and you have a very light front end. Because the weight of the mower is not over the wheels, the front wheels tend to spin and grasp through each pass. This results in uneven lines, a hard to control mower (especially on a bumpy terrain), premature wearing out of the plastic front wheels, and difficulty trying to trim around obstacles. This antiquated front drive system really lets this mower down.
Cons
- Controls are cumbersome
- Front Drive System limits control and comfort
- Not nimble around obstacles
How We Tested Lawn Mowers
The Testers
We spent the summer mowing a half-acre New England lawn, over and over again.
Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.
Ray Lane is a retired supermarket store manager, avid golfer, and product tester for Reviewed. His lawn is the envy of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and he has used several push mowers over the years. At 83 years of age, his input on the mowers was critical, specifically when evaluating ease of starting, maneuverability, and safety.
The Tests
We tested lawn mowers on both flat land and hills to test maneuverability and power.
After ordering from retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, we assembled each mower and took note of the ease of the set up and how quickly we could adjust the handle to our preference. We then added gasoline, a battery, or an electrical cord to get the mower ready. We evaluated at the ease of setting the cutting height, first testing a high cutting height and then a lower one.
We took each mower on a few passes of an uncut half-acre lawn, measuring approximately 22,000 square feet, noting how it cut at a high height and a lower height while we monitored both the bagging and mulching features. Then we took each mower up and down a grassy hill to see how they performed. Our final test was testing storage capability.
What You Should Know About Lawn Mowers
Self-propelled lawn mowers can take some of the effort out of walk-behind mowing.
There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push and self-propelled.
The push type of mower is usually smaller, lighter, and easier to store. They are used primarily for smaller, level lawns. They are perfect for cleaning up areas that larger riding lawn mowers may miss. They can be run by gasoline, cords, or battery.
Self-propelled lawn mowers usually have a larger cutting diameter and can move on their own through operator controls. These mowers can also be powered by gasoline, cords, or battery. Since they take the brunt of the pushing away, self-propelled mowers are perfect for larger lawns up to a half-acre, and they can easily handle hills and sloped lawns. These self-propelled mowers aren’t fully robotic lawn mowers so you still have to do some work guiding them around your yard.
What Is A Self-propelled Lawn Mower?
The first self-propelled lawn mowers started to appear in the late-1960s. As suburbia grew and lawns got larger, pushing a heavy steel mower around on a summer afternoon wasn’t what most people wanted to be doing.
The first self-propelled mowers had primitive front-wheel drive systems that worked well enough, but the mowers often moved along too slowly. Sure, you weren’t pushing but you were caught in a slow-moving lawn-cutting procession. Early mowers either moved too slowly or too fast to match a natural walking speed.
Today’s mowers offer a much better propulsion system. The Honda NeXite Variable Speed 4-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Self-propelled Mower with Select Drive Control, for example, allows a variety of walking speed settings. Owners can literally dial in their preferred walking speed so that they become one with the mower, not being pulled and not having to push.
The Ego Power Select Cut 56-Volt Brushless 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower even allows the operator to drive out to the lawn without the blades turning. That is a great feature.
Today’s self-propelled mowers reduce operator fatigue and make cutting the grass easier than years ago. Self-propelled mowers make cutting on hills safer and more efficient. And with modern speed options they make a summertime chore a little more enjoyable.
Gasoline, Corded Electric, or Battery—Which Lawn Mower is Right for You?
Battery-powered lawn mowers can be powerful and efficient.
Gasoline
Gasoline-powered lawnmowers have kept lawns manicured for decades. They are powerful, reliable, and affordable, and come with features such as self-propelled movement, mulching features, and self-cleaning availability. They are powerful enough for large lawn care jobs and can tackle any lawn from a quarter- to half-acre acre. Any lawn bigger than that would necessitate a riding mower.
But gas-powered mowers emit dangerous carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, require yearly maintenance, and require the storage of gasoline and oil. This may not be suitable for some consumers.
Corded Electric
Corded electric mowers have been around for years and were historically the choice of consumers who had smaller lawns and didn’t need the more powerful gasoline mower. While powerful enough to get most cutting or trimming jobs done, the one obvious drawback to a corded mower is the electrical cord.
For any yard worthy of mowing, a long electrical extension cord is required to power the mower. This can be a minor annoyance, such as having to keep the cord free from getting tangled in trees and bushes, to a major annoyance when you drive over it and cut it into small pieces.
However, corded electric mowers require no gas, oil, or maintenance and, other than a blade sharpening from time to time, can perform reliably for years.
Battery
Battery-powered cars, power equipment, and tools have been around for a long time. The electric motors were strong and reliable enough, but the battery was not. Just a few years ago, an electric car could expect to go only 100 miles on a charge, and power tools and equipment didn’t last long either. In the past few years, battery technology has improved by leaps and bounds.
Electric cars can expect hundreds of miles on a charge and power tools and equipment can last a full day. This lithium battery technology found its way to lawnmowers and it has created a viable option for those consumers who don’t want gas and don’t want a cord. These battery-powered mowers are powerful, efficient, lightweight, and green. Many now use brushless electric motors, which are more efficient, produce more torque, and are longer lasting than the older electric motors with brushes.
How often should I mow my lawn?
Cutting the lawn too often and only cutting it when it gets overgrown are both unhealthy for a lush, beautiful lawn. The rule of thumb in the lawn-care industry is to keep the grass between 3 inches and 3.5 inches in length. This allows the grass to be long enough to thrive in hot, summer weather.
When cutting grass, never take more than a third of the blade at once. In other words, never cut more than an inch or so. Not only does this cause clumping of grass on the lawn or in the mower bag, but it takes too many nutrients and moisture from the grass itself.
After the late winter fertilizer treatments and the often heavy rains, lawns start to come to life. You’ll find that the grass will need cutting every 4 to 5 days in order to remove just enough length. As the summer wanes on and the temperature rises, the grass will grow a bit slower and a once week cutting is adequate.
It is also important to keep the blades of your lawnmower good and sharp. Since the lawnmower blades are often made of steel, they will develop a dull edge after a season of cutting. A dull edge on a blade will tear the grass and not cut it. This may result in browning of the tips of the grass and put more stress on the mower as well.
While you are under the deck checking those blades—and always disconnect the spark plug wire before going under the mower—be sure there is no old clumped up grass clinging to the mower deck.
Meet the testers
Director, Content Development
TJ is the Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled Cranberry Capitol of the World, which is, in fact, a real thing.
Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.
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