Buying a lawnmower involves more than finding something that will help you to cut your grass.
You’ve also got to look at how well your lawnmower works and that you have a model that is easy to utilize. There are ten useful things in particular that you have to consider when getting a lawnmower that’s suitable for your needs.
In this post, you’ll find 10 top tips to help ensure you select the best mower for your unique requirements.
I’d also recommend checking out Essential Home and Garden’s post about cordless lawnmowers.
Review the quality of the engine
The engine on a lawnmower is measured in cubic centimeters or cc. An engine with a higher cc total has a greater volume for operation. This means that the engine can produce more power at a time.
Check how good the engine is
A stronger engine would be capable of doing more for your garden, including cutting wet grass, bagging leaves and mulching. Review the quality of your garden and how strong of a mower you need based on the features of your garden.
This is of course only relevant for petrol powered lawn mowers. If you’re looking for an electric or cordless electric mower, you need to look at the wattage or voltage power output and blade speed.
For example, the GTech 2.0 cordless mower produces 48 Volts and has a blade speed of 2,800 RPM.
Related: Cordless electric lawn mower buyers guide?
See what the drive on your lawnmower is like
Your lawnmower may come with a traditional drive system that moves as you push the mower. A drive system may include front or rear wheels that turn.
A front-drive mower is best for traditional lawns. But a rear-drive model is better for sloping gardens. A rear-drive unit gives you extra control if you ever lose traction. The added control ensures there are no problems with keeping your mower functional.
How easy is it to add oil and petrol?
You’ll need oil to keep the engine in your mower lubricated. You’ll also need plenty of petrol if you have a larger lawn. The mower you choose needs to feature an adequate petrol tank that makes it easy for you to lessen the number of times you need to refill it.
Check how easy it is to add oil
Also check that there are easy to access ports that ensure you can add oil and petrol without risking them spilling all over your mower and the surrounding surface.
Note: For an electric mower that does not require oil and petrol, you would have to review how well you can charge up the battery and how that battery might have to be cleaned off. Just because a mower doesn’t have oil or petrol doesn’t mean that maintenance is something you can forget about.
Look at the ergonomics of the mower
The grip on your mower is critical to how easy it is to use. A mower needs to be one that you can grip on to without problems. This includes something with a handle that will not slip out of your hands.
Considering the stress you might experience when mowing, you need something that won’t be difficult to move about on your own.
Grass box for the clippings
Some mower models will come with bags that will take in the grass clippings and other things you go over. Other models will also come with mulchers and blades that will dispense of your clippings to the side as you go along.
Undulating and uneven ground could cause a larger set of blades to hit the ground in some areas while not cutting low enough in others
You’ll have to look at what you would prefer out of a mower based on what look you want. Are you happy with the clippings going onto the grass or would you prefer to collect them up and put them into a compost bin?
The deck size is critical
The deck size on your mower is a measure of the size of the cutting area. A deck is measured based on how many inches wide the mower is. A deck can range from 20 to 70 inches depending on the model.
Decide if you want your clippings on the garden
A wide deck is ideal if you have a large lawn without lots of slopes. A smaller deck is better if your lawn is smaller or you have plenty of hills and slopes to go over.
Undulating and uneven ground could cause a larger set of blades to hit the ground in some areas while not cutting low enough in others.
Note the turning radius
You’ll have to turn your mower on occasion to cover every spot in your garden. The turning radius is a measure of how much of a turn you would have to make when moving in different directions.
The smaller the turning radius, the easier it will be to manoeuvre around the garden without becoming too cumbersome or annoying.
Ensure maintenance is not a big problem
The mower should be easy to maintain in many ways. Like an car, a lawnmower also comes with things like an oil filter, an air filter and an ignition. Some unique features like a pull cord may require extra maintenance as well.
Don’t forget about the ports around your mower and how they could be clogged up after a while. You’ll have to see how easy it may be for you to get your mower cared for. For example, do you need to take it to a specific dealer and is there one close by?
The same can be said for the blades on your mower. You need a model that you can easily and safely maintain the blades on.
Anything that helps you to quickly deactivate or disable the power and then to clean off and sharpen the blades is always a plus. Your mower will be easier to use when the blades and other features are cared for well enough.
See how much noise the mower produces
Not all people are bothered by the noises produced by a mower, but you should still be concerned anyway. A mower needs to produce the right amount of noise without being too hard to manage. A good idea is to check on the spot that the mower’s motor is located. An overhead valve engine may be quieter, for instance.
Wear ear protection if the mower is noisy
You can look in the manual to find out how many decibels the mower produces and decide if you think it’s too loud for you and your neighbours.
How easy is it to handle
The problem with some mower models is that they can vibrate or shake far too much. These include mowers that might be hard for you to control due to the mowers possible shaking.
You should look for a mower that is easy for you to control based on how well it operates and how you can grip the mower without possibly experiencing excess shaking and other bothersome concerns that may be difficult for you to manage on your own.
You will need to be aware of how well your mower is working and that you have a model that is effective enough in picking up grass. Be sure you look carefully at the many features that come with your mower and that you know how you have a model that you can trust, not to mention one that would fit your specific garden.
