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Health & Fitness

Choosing the Best Lawn Mower for Your Yard

Choosing a mower doesn't need to be difficult. Consider the slope of your yard, the size, type of grass, obstacles and shape to find the best lawn mower for you.

Do you need a riding lawn mower or a push mower? What’s the difference between zero-turn mowers and tractors? What factors should you pay attention to when choosing a mower? Comparing lawn mowers can seem daunting at first, but with a little information you can choose the best lawn mower for your yard. Having the right machine can save you time and energy creating a well-maintained and healthy landscape. Check out the information below to know what to look for when you compare lawn mowers.

Choosing a mower for a smaller yard
The term walk-behind lawn mower applies to both push and self-propelled machines. If you have a smaller yard, a simple push mower may be all you need. You can choose a reel mower that requires you provide all the power, or a walk-behind mower that takes on more of the work. But, if you’re looking for a mower that requires less energy to operate and will help you cover more ground, consider a self-propelled walk-behind mower, or wide-area walk-behind lawn mower.

Choosing a mower based on grass type
Taming the wild in your back yard? Yards with thick grass, weed patches and un-groomed brush are best left to riding lawn mowers. If you have a lawn that’s overgrown and sprouting weeds or even saplings, you’ll definitely want to use a riding lawn mower or lawn and garden tractor. These machines have the power to churn through heavier material while offering you more protection from flying debris than a walk-behind mower. Riding lawn mowers help manage overgrown brush and future maintenance easily and efficiently.

Comparing electric- and gasoline-powered lawn mowers
When you’re looking at walk-behind lawn mowers you may find yourself comparing gas and electric lawn mowers. If you have a small enough yard and are concerned with sustainability, you may choose an electric mower. Electric or battery-operated lawn mowers do not compare to their gasoline-fueled counterparts in terms of power and efficiency, but the environmental impact, quieter running noise and electric start may outweigh this for you.

Selecting the best lawn mower for tight corners and hilly terrain
Zero-turn mowers are the best lawn mowers for large yards when you want a precision cut, while walk-behind lawn mowers help you get close to tight corners and marked boundaries in small yards. If you have a medium-sized yard you may be torn between the two, and taking the gradient of your lawn into consideration may break the tie.

Tractors and other riding lawn mowers reduce mowing time and physical exertion on large yards, but it’s the precision turning radius on zero-turn mowers that helps you get the professional cut you want without covering the same ground more than once. Zero-turn mowers are also helpful when you have a yard with a unique shape, or complex landscaping, like an in-ground pool, to navigate around. These lawn mowers can often manage uneven terrain, but you may find you have more control and maneuverability along steep gradients with a walk-behind mower.

Choosing a mower for landscaping and mowing large yards
Lawn and garden tractors are perfect for yards with multiple acres or where you’ll be doing a lot of landscaping. Powerful and efficient, they become even more useful when coupled with accessories. Lawn and garden tractor attachments like baggers, sweepers, mulch kits, snow throwers, snow blades, carts, vacuums and spreaders can be hooked up to turn your lawn mower into an all-purpose, lawn care machine.

Getting expert advice to compare lawn mowers
Speak to a representative at your local home and garden care center for more information on the best lawn mowers for your yard and what attachments you should have for the landscaping you are planning. They can help you narrow down the field even more and let you know the benefits of each brand.

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