Lawn Mowers Gas and Electric, Even Robotic

Lawn Mowers used to be either manual or gas powered.  Now there are electric lawn mowers, cordless lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers and even robotic lawn mowers.  There are even lawn tractors now made small enough for the small yard.  Which type of lawn mower should I buy?

Manual Lawn Mowers

Manual lawn mowers are so much easier to use than 20 years ago.  Besides being environmentally friendly the reel mowers today are easier to push, quiet, lighter, cheaper and requires almost no maintenance.  Reel lawn mowers also do a good job of cutting the grass compared to rotary mowers.

You can get an early start when it is cooler with a push lawn mower because it is quiet and will not bother your neighbors.  If you like being outdoors and don’t mind getting some exercise than this type of lawn mower is for you as long as you keep up with your grass. 

With the manual push mower tall grass will make it harder to push and you if you got a lot of trees with leaves and twigs you will have to rake them first.  The push mower may not even cut the grass if it is too tall.  It will just run them over.  A yard about half an acre or 8,000 square feet is about the right size for a push mower. Any bigger than that and it would it would become too time consuming and harder to keep up with your grass.  With a push manual lawn mower you must keep up with your grass. 

Electric Lawn Mowers

Electric lawn mowers whether corded or battery powered all start with the push of a button.  They have no exhaust emissions, are quiet and are low maintenance.  You can choose between the corded or cordless rechargeable battery models.  With the corded type you are restricted usually to the 100 feet limit.  Good enough for a small yard.  

Cordless lawn mowers today have batteries that last much longer and can go beyond the 100 feet range but weighs more and costs more.  The best electric lawn mowers can perform as well as the gas mowers but are still no match in tall and thick grasses. 

Most electric models comes with the option of a side or rear bag for catching the clippings.  There is also a mulching mode which keeps recutting the clipped grass till they are small enough to settle back into the lawn.  As the clippings decompose they become fertilizer.

Gas Powered Lawn Mowers

Gas lawn mowers come in 3 basic types:

• Push Gas Lawn Mower
• Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
• Riding Gas Lawn Mowers

Gas lawn mowers are still the best for mowing the lawn especially the longer and thicker grasses.  No cord or battery charge restriction and they cut a wider swath usually 22 inches wide.  Today the gas mowers run cleaner than before but they still produce exhaust emissions and need regular maintenance.

They are powerful but loud and some people choose to use a hearing protection like ear plugs.  The gas lawn mower is the choice for the bigger yard or property, for people with little time and commercial landscapers.  Theses mowers are rugged and built for tougher jobs.

Any model of gasoline type lawn mowers will give you the cutting power to cut long, tall grass and weeds.  Of course different models can do more and get the job done better and faster.  With this extra power comes noise and because of that you have to watch to time you start working in the yard especially around neighbors.  You also have to watch out for flying rocks and other debris. 

The push type gas lawn mowers are the cheapest and best used on flat lawns and not more that 1/3 acre.  They are simple to operate and have less parts to repair.  You can get a bag to catch the clippings but you’ll end up pushing 30 pounds or more of grass.  It is recommended to use the mulch option.
 

Self-propelled types are recommended for bigger properties especially if your land is hilly.  A yard half an acre or more a self-propelled lawn mower is recommended.  They come in front or rear wheel drive.  Rear wheel drive handles better on hills, they have variable speeds and some even come with cruise control.

Riding lawn mowers are another option.  Riding your mower can make mowing more pleasant or even fun.  Again depending on your property and of course your choice, the smaller types like the rear –engine riding mower is good for properties with narrow gates.

Lawn tractors besides being bigger, offer options like 4 wheel steering and the ability to add on other tools like a dozer blade or a tow behind sprayer.  They cost more but are stronger, more comfortable and can do other things like pulling a trailer besides mowing the lawn.

Robotic Lawn Mowers

Robotic lawn mowers are the new breed of lawn mowers.  Robot lawn mowers have greatly improved than when they first came out.  They are people who love them and also people who hate them and a lot has to do on the brand and model they are writing about.  You will need some ability and patience to set them up. 

Today some robotic lawn mowers even have solar panels to run all day.  If you are very pro green then this is it.  To set up the perimeter wire can take some time but there are newer models that work without the need for that.  They tend to work better on relatively flat lawns and the robot mower can be pricey but they have very low maintenance.

Though it saves you the time of mowing your own lawn it is recommended you at least be home when the robot lawn mower is running.  Look and compare models, features and options.  Some robot lawn mowers cut the grass into fine clippings and spreads it around your yard.  Those clippings decompose and become fertilizer for your grass.

People allergic to grass love them.  They do a pretty good job but they can’t do everything.  For instance they will stop about a couple inches from a wall so you will have to trim the edges.   Some people become so fond of their robot that they even give them names.

So which lawn mower should I buy?  Well it depends on several things like:

• your ability and fitness
• your budget
• your time
• the kind of property you have
• the size of your property
• are you environmentally conscious
• type of grass you have
• model comparison
• look at the options offered like engine sizes, bagging options, etc
• accessories that can be added on for other jobs

Take a look around before you buy your mower.  Know what your yard and your needs will require.  Look at all the brands and options.  Read the reviews and comments.  Make a budget and know what you want.  Of course know yourself and your ability to do the job.  No matter what you need or want there is a lawn mower out there that can match your desire and need.