Using Outdoor Mow-How to Buy Best Machine

The size of your lawn determines the size of the mower, according to Garden Products & Planning Guide.

Walk-behind

Mowers are best for small lots or for yards with many trees, stonework, fences or other objects. (Riding mowers or lawn tractors are recommended for lawns larger than half an acre with few obstacles. Riding mowers should meet the American National Standards Institute [ANSI] requirements.)

Most walk-behind models are rotary mowers, which have a round deck with an engine on top that spins a horizontal blade, offering a cutting width from 19 to 26 inches; 21 inches is most common.

Prices range from about $100 for an off-brand, walk-behind power mower at a discount store to nearly $1,000 for a top-of-the-line model. A walk-behind mower with the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) stamp near the chute has met certain safety standards.

* Push mowers cut small, flat lawns satisfactorily. The mowers are usually relatively inexpensive and provide a bonus: exercise.

Consider the weight of the mower and the width of the cut, based on your job needs. If possible, test the mower on grass before you buy.

* Self-propelled mowers are preferred when mowing large open areas and hills.

Belt-drive mowers are usually less expensive initially than shaft-drive mowers but can result in maintenance and replacement expenses later. Rear-wheel-drive mowers provide better traction on hills and damp grass.

Hydrostatic-drive mowers are somewhat more expensive but work like a car--the further you push the pedal forward, the faster they go.

Blade-brake-clutch mowers enhance safety because the blade does not start until you engage the blade lever while standing behind the handle.

Another advantage is that you do not have to restart the engine each time you stop to pick up or move objects in the mower’s path; the blade stops while the engine continues to run.

* Zone mowers have the same safety features as blade-brake-clutch mowers but are less convenient because you have to restart the engine each time you release the blade lever; the blade and engine stop simultaneously.

* Manual-starting mowers are less expensive but offer fewer safety features; you are usually standing over the engine and blade at the same time the blade is turning. Also, you must restart the engine and blade after each stop.

Electric

Electric and battery-powered mowers are becoming more popular. They offer many of the options of their gasoline-powered counterparts, plus reduced maintenance and smoother, quieter operation.

In some areas, clean-air regulations may outlaw the use of most gasoline-powered mowers, so battery-powered models may become more prevalent.

Electric lawn mowers have been around for years; the drawback has always been the cumbersome extension cords.

Manual reels

Another environmentally friendly option is the manual reel lawn mower.

Today’s models are lighter and easier to use than those introduced more than 50 years ago. They are ideal for use on small lawns typically found in inner cities, or mobile homes, condominiums and town house developments.

The steel-bladed mowers are less expensive than power mowers and require less maintenance.