Picking a lawn mower. How to choose a lawn mower

How to choose a lawn mower

The trick to choosing the right mower is matching the machine to your budget, yard size and power preference. We have a wide selection of trusted brands that will help you create a beautifully manicured lawn. Let us help you pick the best mower for your needs.

What is your lawn like?

Depending on the type of lawn you have, there are certain mower options that will work better for you. Here are a few reference points to help clarify.

• If your lawn is less than 2000 square feet you should consider a reel mower, unless your grass is thick and tall.
• If your entire lawn is within reach of a 100′ extension cord you should consider an electric mower.
• Cordless and gas mowers are ideal for property sizes up 15,000 square feet.
• For areas with rough terrain, you should consider a lawn mower with high rear wheels.
• If there are many hills in the area you’re mowing, a self-propelled, gas-powered lawn mower may be right for you.
• For areas with many curves or obstacles, a self-propelled gas mower is a good choice. The front-wheel drive provides more manoeuvrability than rear-wheel drive.
• If you’re cutting around trees, shrubs, and gardens, a compact lawn mower ideal.

Gas Lawn Mowers

Known for their strong performance, gas-powered lawn mowers are recommended for cutting through tall, thick grass and are ideal for large lawns.

• All gas mowers available at Canadian Tire feature 4-stroke engines, which run quieter than 2-stroke engines and cause less pollution.
• Because the oil and gasoline remain separate, the chore of pre-mixing is eliminated.
• Gas-powered lawn mowers require periodic maintenance in order to keep operating at peak efficiency.
• QPT (Quiet Power Technology™) by Briggs Stratton® is up to 60% quieter and you never need to change the oil. Look for the technology under our exclusive Yardworks brand.

Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower

A self-propelled gas lawn mower can reduce mowing time and fatigue by eliminating the strain of pushing the mower. This can be a wise choice if you have health concerns or don’t want to stay out in the sun too long.

Three self-propelled systems are available:

• Front Wheel Drive (FWD) offers better manoeuvrability around trees and flower beds, as well as good traction on flat terrain.
• Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) offers great traction on all terrains and thick grass.
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD) offers the best traction on hilly and uneven terrain.

Electric Lawn Mowers

Electric lawn mowers are lightweight, effortless to start and easy to maintain. They’re ideal if each corner of your yard can be reached with a 100′ extension cord.

• Electric lawn mowers run quietly, require no fuel, and offer many of the features offered by gas and cordless models.
• Most corded electric models have 8- to 12-amp motors.
• Push-Button Start: No pull-chain. Just push the button to get started.
• No Gas Oil Mixtures: Don’t worry about complicated (and messy) fuel and oil mixtures. Simply plug in and it’s ready to use.
• 50% Less Noise: Perform your yard work with significantly less noise compared to a gas-powered engine. Your neighbours (and ears) will thank you.

Cordless Lawn Mowers

Cordless mowers are convenient because you aren’t limited by a cord and you avoid the necessary maintenance of gas engines.

• Push-Button Start: No pull-chain. Just push the button to get started.
• No Gas Oil Mixtures: Don’t worry about complicated (and messy) fuel and oil mixtures. Simply charge and it’s ready to use.
• Runs cooler for 80% longer motor life: models with a brushless motor have a cooler motor that lasts longer than other conventional lawn care products.
• 70% Less Vibration: Avoid the heavy vibrations that come from gas-powered equipment. Substantially lower vibration makes completing your task easier and less strenuous.
• Significantly Less Noise: Perform your yard work without the loud noise that comes from a gas-powered engine. Your neighbours (and ears) will thank you.
• Interchangeable Batteries: The Yardworks and Greenworks families of products all have interchangeable batteries within the same battery voltage.
• Continuous Runtime: The continuous runtime mower includes 2 lithium-ion batteries and a quick charger — swap the batteries between the mower and charger to enable infinite mowing. You’ll never have to wait for a battery to finish charging again, meaning no interruptions to your mowing job.

Manual Reel Lawn Mowers

A manual reel lawn mower is an environmentally friendly choice that is also economical, lightweight, and requires very little maintenance. The scissor-like blade action from this model provides a closer, more high-quality cut than gas or electric lawn mowers.

• This is the most basic type of model available on the market. It’s easy to use, quiet to operate, and requires no gas.
• Non-contact blades stay sharp longer and make the mower easier to push and considerably less noisy.

Brushless

Brushless is a motor technology that is available on select cordless models. Since brushless motors don’t have wearable brushes, these motors result in less friction meaning less heat and higher efficiency.

Oil and gasoline are added separately; no pre-mixing required.

CC (cubic centimetres)

CC is the size of the engine on a gas mower.

OHV (Overhead Valves)

This engine design is more efficient and offers longer valve life as well as better fuel economy.

Deck Size

The larger the deck, the wider the cutting swath and the quicker the job gets done. But remember that the wider your mower, the harder it will be to manoeuvre around shrubs and other obstacles.

Push Mower

Not to be confused with a manual mower, this is a gas-powered mower that is not self-propelled.

Reel Mower

Also known as a manual mower.

Mulching

Experienced gardeners know that mulching is one of the best things you can do for your soil and your plants. Organic mulches, such as grass clippings, help improve the soil by adding organic matter as they decompose. This helps suppress weeds. It also helps to conserve moisture, thereby reducing evaporation and preventing soil erosion.

A mulching lawn mower cuts your grass into fine clippings and leaves them on your lawn to decompose. This not only saves you the trouble of raking or bagging the clippings, it reduces the number of times you’ll have to water your lawn.

Rear Bagging

This collects grass clippings, which may be used for composting, and provides the look of a well-manicured lawn. A rear-bag mower is narrower and therefore easier to manoeuvre than a side-bag mower.

Side Discharge

A side discharge ensures that grass clippings are dispersed onto the law. These are best for lawns with few obstacles and ideal for cutting high grass.

Considerations

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How to Choose the Right Lawnmower

Everyone wants a well-kept yard, and you need a good and reliable lawn mower to be able to achieve this. Aside from adding beauty, a maintained lawn can also increase the overall curb appeal and value of your home as well.

Looking for a lawnmower? Whether you are thinking of replacing your old lawnmower or getting your first one, it is important to make sure that you choose the one that is best for your lawn. But how do you choose one? The type of lawnmower you choose will depend on the type of your lawn. Below are some tips you can consider:

Take a Look at Your Lawn

First off, it is important to be familiar with your yard itself first before choosing a lawnmower for it. Check the size of your yard first. If your yard is less than half an acre, then you’ll be fine using a walk-behind lawnmower for it. However, if your yard is larger than that, then you should probably consider getting a riding lawn mower to be able to maintain it. Also, consider the inclination. If there is uphill terrain, then you should also probably consider getting a self-propelled mower as well. The type of grass you have should also affect your choice as well. Is it thin or thick? If your grass is coarse, then you may need to buy a mower that has high horsepower.

Comfort and Convenience

Another thing to consider is whether you want a push or self-propelled mower. Generally, push models are much easier in terms of maintenance, but the self-propelled mowers offer more control. However, it still depends on your preference and convenience. Take a look at the controls, it should be easy to locate and close to your hands when you are using the lawnmower. Consider the height and the size of the catcher as well. If there is a bigger box, you won’t have to empty the clippings that often. If you are going to purchase a riding lawn mower, models that have adjustable seats and provide lumbar support are a great bonus. So make sure that you watch out for those features as well.

Safety

Another important and crucial consideration to make is safety. Check if the lawnmower you are planning to buy has safety features. For push lawnmowers, the push bar should have automatic shutdown features, and riding mowers should have foot controls. Take note of brakes as well.

Maintenance

As a homeowner, you should also know that purchasing a lawnmower requires maintenance, and this is another thing to consider. Does your chosen lawn mower offer maintenance and repair services? Such offers can help save you time, effort, and money in the long run.

Types of Mowers to Choose From

Below are some types of lawnmowers to consider:

• Manual Push Lawn Mowers – affordable and easy to use, best for small lawns
• Electric Lawn Mowers – easy maintenance, comes with a cord
• Cordless Lawn Mowers – offers convenience, and works best for small to medium-sized lawns
• Petrol Lawn Mowers – best for big lawns or yards
• Riding Lawn Mowers – best for big lawns and uphill areas

At the end of the day, it is still best to make sure that you choose a reliable lawn mower that is best for your yard. Each type and brand will have its own pros and cons, so it is best to take these things into consideration before making a decision. You can also check the reviews as well.

Lawn Mower Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Lawn Mower

If you’re in the market for a new lawn mower, you might wonder what type of mower fits your lifestyle and budget. From deck size to power source and price, there’s a lot to consider if you plan on buying a new lawn mower – so let’s stack up the options and compare.

Types of Mowers

• Self-propelled: The motor powers both the blades and propels the mower forward.
• Push behind mowers: These mowers have engines that move the blades – but you’ll rely on your own power to push it across the lawn. [Looking for more information on the difference between these two mowers? Check out our self-propelled vs. push mower comparison].
• Zero-turn mowers: The steering occurs in the rear wheels, providing maximum maneuverability, tight turns and a large cutting deck.
• Riding lawn mowers: Tractor-style mower with steering wheel and larger cutting decks.
• Manual mowers: Always self-powered.

Purchasing the biggest mower on the market can be tempting – but that might not be the best option for your yard (or your wallet!). Check out the following chart to visualize yard size, mowers and even voltage.

Lawn Mower Categories

You’re probably most familiar with gas-powered lawn mowers.- the traditional power story leader. However, with advances in battery technology, the electric power movement has arrived in full force. It’s no secret what we think is the best – electric mowers are the clear (and cleaner!) winner.

Check out the following categories for lawn mowers:

GAS-BURNING MOWERS

These mowers have a miniaturized combustion engine under the hood, mixing air and gas to spark a mini-explosion to power the mower. Gas mowers require different fuels – most commonly gasoline, diesel or propane – adding extra cost for each mowing.

ELECTRIC MOWERS

Like a Tesla car, electric lawn mowers run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries – without a drop of gas. Electric lawn mowers with brushless motors utilize magnets and electromagnets instead of sparks, gas and mini-explosions. In addition to being efficient and powerful, electric mowers are quiet, safe and environmentally friendly. Corded mowers exist, but with battery technology advancements, why tether yourself unnecessarily?

MANUAL PUSH-BEHIND MOWERS

Manual mowers are old school – and they only work as hard as you do. Also known as reel mowers, manual lawn mowers are not efficient, but they do offer a stellar workout. The frustration factor is also apparent with manual mowers, as you can find yourself going over and over the same spot if your blades aren’t sharp enough for a crisp cut.

Lawn Mower Features that Make a Difference

When shopping for a new lawn mower, evaluate what key features are most important to you – and your lifestyle. If price is no object, you might be eyeing up the Cadillac of lawn mowers. Or if you’re looking for a mower that can cut your lawn the fastest, cutting speed might be at the top of your wish list. If making green and sustainable choices is your primary FOCUS, you’ll want to opt for an eco-friendly lawn mower. The options are endless!

No matter why you’re in the market for a new lawn mower, there are a few universal factors to consider when choosing the best lawn mower.

Lawn Mower Deck Size

A bigger deck size means you can cover more ground faster, but they take up more space to store. Stay tidy with a smaller deck size if you want something small and compact, stay tidy with a smaller deck size.

Walk-behind mower decks range between 14 and 36 inches – and can get even wider with riding lawn mowers and zero-turn lawn mowers. On a typical riding lawn mower, the cutting deck averages 42 inches – meaning you’ll cover about 3.5 feet in a single pass.

Mulching vs. Bagging Lawn Clippings

Everyone has a strong opinion about mulching vs. bagging. Most mowers have the grass-mulching option, while some mowers also offer side discharge – which blows the cut grass to the side and allows you to mow at an increased speed when your grass is extra-long or wet. Side discharge helps with speed and efficiency; however, it does make a mess.

Mulching mowers get the most out of your lawn clippings – this type of grasscycling helps to feed your lawn each time you mow. If your yard is extra-long or wet, you might consider bagging while you cut to keep large clumps of mowed grass off your lawn. It is a bit more time-consuming, as you’ll need to stop to empty the bag when it’s full. However, bagging gives your yard a clean, polished look – plus it’s quicker than raking up all the grass clumps.

Give yourself maximum versatility by choosing a lawn mower that can do all three.

Lawn Mower Cut Height

If you just returned from vacation and your lawn is 16 inches longer than expected, you’ll want to mow on the highest setting to avoid getting bogged down with grass clippings. You can mow a second time on a lower cut height setting to tackle any remaining sections of tall grass. Or, if your lawn is almost picture-perfect and you only need to tackle a few unwieldy patches, you can simply lower your cut setting to customize your lawn care.

Lawn Mower Pricing

With almost everything in life, you’ll need to consider the cost when choosing the best lawn mower. The simplest mowers cost a few hundred dollars, while the largest mowers with all the bells and whistles will cost you a few thousand dollars. No matter which route you go, it’s a significant investment – so make sure you do your homework and determine the best fit for your lifestyle and budget before purchasing your new lawn mower.

What Should I Look for in an Electric Lawn Mower?

Here at Greenworks, we’re advocates of electric lawn mowers, so it’s no surprise that buying the best lawn mower includes our intelligent and sustainable line of lawn mowers, riding mowers and zero-turn mowers. Factors to consider include:

• Fast and consistent cut – our brushless motors keep a constant blade speed, ensuring a crisp and mohawk-free mow.
• Charge time matters – how long will it take to charge your batteries?
• Easy push-button start – say goodbye to the pull-cord hassle forever.
• Durability – built to last heavy-duty steel deck.
• Versatility – embrace the ability to bag, mulch or side discharge.
• Quiet – a smoother and less noisy mowing experience – no earplugs required.
• No maintenance – forget spark plug replacements, costly tune-ups and mid-mow gas stops.

Greenworks taps into 20 years of battery power expertise with our Intelligent Power™ mower line – Smart enough to sense a change in lawn conditions and auto-adapt the power you need accordingly. Add in zero emissions, zero pull cords, zero maintenance and zero pollution breathed – and you’re looking at a powerhouse lawn mower platform that also gives you zero wasted time. Shop now!

First-Time Lawn Mower Buyer? Here’s How To Pick the Right Mower for Your Lawn

Choosing the right lawn mower for your first home or rental doesn’t have to be a challenge. Knowing the size of your lawn, your limitations, and your budget can help.

Ok, so you bought your first home, your grass is getting unruly, and you don’t have a lawn mower for routine lawn maintenance. Don’t dwell on those stares from Chuck and his “perfectly manicured lawn”; you can get the right tool to kick your grass, too. So how do you pick the correct self-propelled, electric riding mower, lawn tractor, or zero-turn mower for your lawn?

How do I know what mower to buy?

First-time lawn mower buyers should take factors like their level of mobility, lawn size, topography, and budget when choosing the right mower for your landscape. For instance, a suburban home with a ¼ acre of lawn space probably doesn’t require a high-dollar riding mower.

However, if physical concerns preclude you from pushing a self-propelled mower, a small riding mower can speed up your lawn maintenance and take the strain off your back and knees. over, a riding mower or lawn tractor with a hydrostatic transmission and 22 horsepower will have little issue traversing steep hills on a sloped property.

Still, electric self-propelled units take swappable power packs like the RYOBI 40V batteries. Better yet, some can cost under 200 and tackle a small lawn with relative ease.

What is the right size mower?

According to Popular Mechanics, ¼ acre lawns or smaller are self-propelled territory. Further, anything above that size might warrant a riding or zero-turn unit for ease, time management, and comfort.

Of course, these are simply guidelines. Some owners with large properties might not have the budget for a gleaming, new commercial zero-turn mower. In those cases, a preowned model or having the patience to use a riding mower is an option.

Additionally, zero-turn mowers tend to have the easiest time balancing large lawns and tight spaces. Still, zero-turns are often more expensive than lawn tractors. For instance, Lawn Love says the average lawn tractor costs around 3,515. However, the average zero-turn costs about 1,535 more than the home-use tractors, for a total of 5,050.

What type of lawn mower is easiest to use?

The easiest lawn mowers to operate and maintain are small, self-propelled units. Furthermore, some of the most straightforward mowers today are electric models, like the EGO Power and RYOBI Dual Blade 21-inch self-propelled mowers. Both models earned top scores from The Spruce for ease and performance.

over, manufacturers like CRAFTSMAN, Toro, and Honda produce many gas-powered mowers with decks larger than 20 inches. While running a tool with an internal combustion engine (ICE) isn’t as straightforward as seating a removable lithium battery, these gas-powered units are cheap and straightforward.

When it comes to choosing a lawn mower for home use, most American renters and homeowners will get the job done with a self-propelled unit. However, in some rural and large-lot landscapes, a small-deck application might not cut it.