Spring brings flowers and, unfortunately, fast-growing grass. If your old lawnmower has seen its last season, chances are you're in the market for a new grass cutter.
But before heading off for the hardware or home center store, you might consider reading up on the subject of lawnmowers. In many ways, the decision about which grass cutter to buy can be more complex than the decision about what car to buy.
For one thing, you probably already know whether you want a convertible, a minivan or a sedan long before you head for the car dealership. But just like cars, there are many different types and styles of lawnmowers, and the size and type of your lawn can make a difference in what you buy.
First, consider the different types of grass cutters:
• Electric lawn mowers
• Garden tractors
• Gasoline-powered push mowers
• Gasoline-powered self-propelled mowers
• Lawn tractors
• Riding mowers
• Zero turn riding mowers
If you have a small, flat lawn, you really only need a push mower. But you'll need to decide whether to go with gasoline-powered or electric.
Electric models are more environmentally friendly and make a lot less noise, but are best suited for small, well-manicured lawns. However, electric mowers are studier than they used to be and new battery-powered units are a lot easier to use than those requiring long power cords.
When you need a riding mower
You might like the idea of buying a garden tractor, but if you have a small lawn area, it's definitely overkill. Most experts suggest a lawn should be more than 15,000 square feet to justify the expense of a riding mower. Besides, you might look a little silly to your neighbors if you use a wide-deck lawn tractor to cut a postage-stamp size lawn.
If you decide to go with a gasoline-powered push mower, you need to decide if you want to spend a little extra for a self-propelled mower. These are generally called "walk-behind" models because you aren't actually pushing it. The engine propels the mower and you simply walk behind it and guide it.
This feature can be handy if you have a hilly mowing area. And while cutting the grass is good exercise, you still get in the walking with a self-propelled mower, but don't have to expend the energy to push it.
Another option on a gas-powered mower is electric start. It can add as much as $50 to the price of the mower but is much easier to start.
Do you want a mower that catches the grass and collects it in a bag, or leaves it on the ground? If you want to catch your clippings, choose a mower with a rear-mounted catcher. The alternative is a simple thatching mower that will grind up your lawn clippings into a fine, fertile covering for your lawn.
Budget
One of the next questions you'll have is how much to spend. You'll quickly discover that lawnmowers come in a wide price range. The best answer to how much to spend, however, probably requires you to consider how long you plan to hang onto it.
If you are the type of person who is meticulous about maintenance, then you can easily justify buying a top quality Honda, Toro or Lawnboy, because you'll probably get a decade or more of use from it. But if you don't expect to perform much maintenance, you might be better off buying a knock-off brand and replacing it after a few seasons.
Finally, you have to decide where to buy your grass cutter. It might seem like an easy question, if price is you main consideration. But when it comes to investing in a piece of machinery, service might actually trump price.
A big box store like Lowes or Home Depot may have the best price on the mower you want, but big box stores normally don't do their own service. A smaller hardware store or lawnmower dealer, near your home, may end up saving you money in the long run if you can extend the life of your mower with regular service.
The key to keeping your lawn lush and beautiful all summer is, in many ways, having the right lawnmower for the job. Consider all these various factors and choose the right type of mower for you needs.
