Choosing The Best Lawn Mower
You have finally made the big move out of an apartment in the city to a home in the suburbs. You love your new home with your own space outside. The trees and flowers are growing nicely, but there is one problem, management has not cut the grass in weeks. You suddenly realize, you are management and it is time to get a lawn mower.
There are several types of lawn mowers available and what you choose depends on where you live.
If you lawn is small, you may be able to get away with a manual lawn mower. They are very quiet to operate and require no fuel or power. They do require that you supply all the energy needed to mow your grass. These mowers are some of the most gentle at cutting grass available. You may need to mow more than once a week during the growing season as these mowers do not do well with tall grass.
You move on to look at the gasoline mowers. They require somewhat less energy to push through the grass and do a good job at cutting grass. They do require the strength to pull a rope for starting which can be a problem for some people. Most find it pretty easy to start these machines.
These gasoline mowers come in various cutting widths, usually between eighteen and twenty two inches. While the smaller mowers are the easiest to push, the larger ones cut the grass at a quicker pace.
To make the job even less work, you can choose a self-propelled mower. These mowers use energy from the gasoline motor to power the wheels. All you have to do is walk behind and steer the mower.
Some subdivisions have rules regarding the use of gasoline mowers and due to the noise level that they produce require residents to choose electric mowers. Electric mowers are lighter in weight and much quieter to operate than gasoline mowers. In addition, the operator does not have to use a pull rope to start the mower. Once it is plugged in, just turn on the switch and the mower is working. The major disadvantage is that they have to have a long extension cord to operate. If you are using an electric mower, be sure that you do not mow over the cord.
For very large lawns you may need a riding lawn mower. These mowers cut up to fifty inches with one pass. Lawns mowed with riding mowers are very smooth in appearance that is not possible with other lawn mowers. You will find optional equipment for these mowers such as small trailers that can be used for transportation of landscaping materials instead of having to use a wheelbarrow. Riding mowers are the most expensive of the mowers.
With a home in the suburbs, you have new responsibilities and one of those responsibilities is the care of your lawn. Mowing the grass is a regular weekly task that will take time out of you schedule. Many homeowners find that a beautiful lawn is a source of pride and they come to enjoy the care that goes into keeping that lawn green and looking great.
September 23 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »