Choosing the best lawn mower is a responsibility that nobody wants to have. But it’s definitely worth taking some time in order to do things right and make sure you’re getting the best possible mower for your needs. Read this blog post to find out how!
How to choose the best lawn mower
What are the different types of lawn mowers?
There are various different types of lawn mowers, and each has its own characteristics. Some have larger wheels while some have smaller ones, depending on what your lawn’s terrain is like. There are also push lawn mowers which can be articulated or non-articulated, depending on whether you need a higher degree of maneuverability or not.
What are the benefits of riding lawn mowers?
Riding lawn mowers have many more benefits than push mowers. One of their main advantages is that they don’t require any pushing or pulling, as they’re fully self-propelled. You just need to steer them and then you’re ready to start cutting your grass! Also, riding lawn mowers reduce your chances of getting tired real fast.
What size wheels should you choose?
If you have a sloping lot with any kind of incline, you might want to opt for larger wheels if the front ones are smaller than 14 inches in diameter and the rear ones are smaller than 9 inches. This will allow the mower to be able to drive up and down the incline easier. If, on the other hand, you have a lawn that’s flat with no slope whatsoever, any type of wheels will do.
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What are some things to consider when replacing lawn mowers?
Replacing your old riding lawn mower is something you need to consider carefully. There are many different models and brands, each with their own characteristics, so it’s best to make a thorough research before choosing the right one!
How much should lawn mowers cost?
The price of lawn mowers varies from one model to another. Their prices can be as low as $300 or as high as $3,000 or even more. If you want to save some money when buying a lawn mower, maybe it’s better to opt for one from the lower-end of the price spectrum.
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How can I tell if a new lawn mower is good enough?
No matter how costly a new lawn mower is, it’s always worth doing some research to find out if it’s worth the money. There are many different factors that can affect its performance and capabilities, so here are a few things to look into:
- The price – as mentioned above, you have to make sure that a lawn mower is reasonably priced for what it offers;
- Horsepower – the higher a lawn mower’s horsepower is, the more powerful it will be;
- Mulching capability – mulching means that you can cut your grass and also turn it into little pieces so they can easily decompose. This way, you’ll save some time you won’t have to collect the grass clippings;
- Automatic or manual transmission – some mowers come with automatic transmissions, while others allow you to choose between an automatic and a manual one. If you need the ability to control your lawn mower better, maybe it will be better for you to get a model that’s not fully automated.
How do I make sure my lawn mower is getting the job done?
In order to make sure that your lawn mower gets the job done right, there are some things you should always look into when buying one:
- The height of cut – if you have different types of grass on your yard, it’s important to get a lawn mower with different height adjustments. This way, you can cut the lawn to all of its different setting and still get a nice, clean look;
- The speed – while it’s true that some people like riding lawn mowers because they’re self-propelled, others might not need such a high degree of maneuverability. So make sure the one you want has an adjustment that allows you to set the speed;
- The size of the bag – a larger lawn mower bag means that you’ll have to empty it less often. Plus, it will also be able to hold more grass clippings, which is always convenient if your yard is quite big and requires a lot of mowing.
How often should you change your lawn mower’s oil?
Your lawn mower’s engine will normally be equipped with an oil tank where the engine’s lubrication is stored. Depending on how often you use your lawn mower, its oil will need to be changed quite often. Normally, it’s best that you change the oil in a new mower after 1 or 2 mowings, and in older units when you notice a decrease in the performance.
How do I know if it’s time to replace my lawn mower?
There are many ways you can tell if your lawnmower is no longer up for the job:
- Its engine began to make strange noises;
- At startup problem;
- When it’s difficult to adjust its height.
How do I break in my new lawn mower?
If you just bought your first riding lawn mower, there are some things you should do before using it for the first time:
- Check your gas – make sure the fuel you’ll use for your mower is fresh and clean;
- Make some basic adjustments – check if all of the nuts, bolts and screws on your mower are tightened;
- Check your oil level and fill it up if necessary.
How do I dispose of my old lawnmower?
If you are no longer using your old lawn mower, you should make sure that it’s safely disposed of. Most old ones can be simply traded in for a new (possibly more advanced) model, or you can take it to a recycling facility.
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How do I choose the right parts for my riding lawn mower?
If you have a riding lawn mower that’s in need of repairs, here are a few things to look into:
- The air filter – as most modern engines work with inhaling and exhaling air, you have to always make sure the air they breathe is clean and free of any blockages. If your air filter becomes clogged by dirt or grass, it can negatively affect your mower’s performance;
- The blades – if you notice that your lawn mower is making strange noises, a good idea will be to check its blades. They might have become dull or even broken, and in such a case, they’ll need to be replaced . Check the manufacturer’s manual for instructions.
How do I choose the right mower blade?
To make sure that your lawn mower’s blades have a clean and even cut, you’ll need to get a matching set for it:
- Straight blades – to be able to give a clean, vertical edge around flower beds or any other type of edging;
- Bump-and-gravel blades – this type of blade is used when mowing over bumpy, unpaved terrain;
- Mulching blades – if you like to keep your grass clippings for composting or other purposes, a mulching blade allows you to do just that. It makes sure all the clippings are chopped up until they become very fine;
- Discharge blades – these blades are used to simply dump the grass clippings after mowing.
What is a mulching kit?
Some riding lawn mowers come with an option for changing how your lawn’s grass clippings will be disposed of: either you can have them scattered all over your lawn, or you can mulch them and have the finely chopped clippings be emptied into your lawn’s grass. In order to achieve the second option, you’ll need a mulching kit .
How do I choose the right lawnmower starter?
A good lawn mower starter needs to fulfill several criteria:
- First of all, you’ll need to make sure that it fits your mower. If not, the starter might have serious problems starting up your engine;
- Another thing to look for is whether they’re easy to install or if they’re shipped with installation instructions;
- You should also check the battery’s voltage and its overall quality. Most starters have batteries that are not included in their price.
When should I sharpen my mower’s blade?
If you tend to notice a lot of grass clippings all over your lawn, or if you can see the uneven edges when you’re done mowing, it might be time to sharpen the blades. In order to do that:
- Remove the blade – either you can remove it with a special wrench , or you can simply loosen the bolt with a wrench and then remove it by hand;
- Sharpen the blade – use a file for sharpening one side of your blade, and make sure that you’re doing the same thing on its other edge too;
- Polish the blade – once your blade is sharpened, you should polish it a bit. This will make sure that all the sharp edges of your mower’s blades are protected and won’t harm anyone while moving;
- Insert and tighten the blade – now that the blade is sharpened and polished, just insert it back into your mower, make sure it’s tightly secured and test its working again. In case you still notice clippings or uneven edges on your lawn, repeat the process until you get a nice, even cut.
What does a carburetor do?
A carburetor is responsible for mixing gas and air together before they enter your lawn mower’s engine. The more precisely they’re mixed, the healthier and more efficient your engine is. To make sure the carburetor is working properly:
- Clean it up – if you notice that your carburetor has been clogged by dirt or grass, remove all of it;
- Adjust it – you can adjust the carburetor settings in accordance with your instructions manual ;
- Clean it – remove all dirt and debris, as well as any leftover pieces of old gasket ;
- Adjust it again – if you notice that there are still problems with your carburetor’s performance , make sure you check each setting one by one and make necessary adjustments.
How do I clean my lawn mower’s engine?
You should clean your lawnmower’s engine every time you’re done using it, in order to ensure that:
- It won’t break down ;
- Its performance will increase . To clean the cylinder head and valves of dirt, grass clippings and grime:
- Remove the spark plug and pour some gasoline into your cylinder head’s piston;
- Start up your lawnmower’s engine and let it run for a few seconds while you’re pouring the gasoline. The mixture of gas and air will clean all dirt from the valve, cylinder head , piston and other components inside your engine;
- In order to get rid of dirt and grime from other parts, just spray them with a cleaning liquid that is mixed with water;
- Spray the carburetor and its components too. To clean up the engine’s exterior and ensure better performance:
- Remove any kind of unwanted grass clippings using a special brush or simply a scissor ;
- Pour some gasoline all over the engine’s exterior and use a special brush to clean it up;
- Let all parts get dry, then re-assemble your lawn mower . Make sure you screw them tight enough in order for them not to fall off while you’re working. If they are still loose, re-check them until they stop falling off.
How do I sharpen my lawn mower’s blade?
You should sharpen your mower’s blades in order to:
- Make sure they’re cutting effectively ;
- Increase their performance and life expectancy; To be able to sharpen your blade, you need to have:
- A special wrench or a screwdriver, in order to loosen the bolt that is securing your blade;
- A file and sandpaper, to sharpen both sides of your lawnmower’s blades. After you’ve removed your mower’s blade from its shaft:
- Clean it by removing any dirt, grass or grime from it;
- Sand your blade – use a file to sand all parts of your blade. Make sure you do the same thing on both sides of your blade, to ensure that each side gets polished equally ;
- Sharpen it with sandpaper – use sandpaper to sharpen both sides of your blade equally. After you’ve finished sharpening, clean it again and re-oil it. Before you put your blade back into place:
- Clean the spindle’s surface – remove dirt , grass or grime that might have gotten between the shaft and the blade;
- Test the sharpness of your blade by picking up a piece of paper with it;
- Put everything back together and make sure there are no longer any gaps between the blade and shaft.
How to sharpen my lawn mower’s blades?
In order to be able to sharpen the blade of your lawnmower, you need:
- A special wrench or a screwdriver – it will help you loosen the bolt that holds the blade in place;
- A file and sandpaper – both are needed for filing and sanding your blade:
- A file – you’ll use it to sharpen all the parts of the blade, without risking any mistakes ;
- Sandpaper – using it, you’ll be able to smooth both sides of your blade equally. Clean all dirt and grime off your mower’s blade before starting with the whole process .
- Use a cleaning liquid and a soft rag to remove any unwanted parts of grass, dirt or grime. Then use the same liquid all over the exterior of your blade. Let it dry for a few minutes – this will allow you to check its overall condition easier;
- Place some clean pieces of sandpaper onto an even surface . Make sure you use enough sheets – the more, the better. Not only they will help you finish faster, but you’ll also be able to prevent scratching;
- Place your blade on top of all sandpaper pieces ;
- Hold it in place with one hand and start filing both sides of your blade – don’t forget about sharpen ing its edges;
- File your blade for 15-20 seconds, then flip it over and repeat the process on the other side of your blade. After both sides are equally sharp :
- Sandpaper both sides of your mower’s blade again – this will remove any leftover files from its edges. Do everything carefully and slowly, to avoid scratching .
- Repeat the previous process for about 2-3 minutes and then clean your blade again. Place a nozzle on its edge , turn it on, and let the air blow out all dirt and grime. After you have cleaned it check if there are any sharp edges ;
- Apply some types of oil or grease to prevent rusting; Then place your blade back into place and tighten it up again, using a wrench or screwdriver .
How to maintain my lawn mower?
In order to keep your mower in good working condition, you need to:
- Keep its blades sharpened – every time their performance starts decreasing, sharpen them; In order to maintain your mower’s sharpness:
- Sharpen both sides of your blade equally – never forget about the edges. You need to do this every other time you spray gasoline onto your lawnmower’s engine ;
- Keep it clean – remove any unwanted parts of grass, dirt or grime that might have gotten between its gears; To clean your mower easily:
- Use only water and a soft rag to remove any dirt or grime that might have gotten between its gears; After you finish cleaning, use a drying agent ;
- Keep it well-oiled – oil will help keep your mower’s engine in good shape. Always check if there are any signs of leakage, before you start cutting your lawn;
- Change the oil every 40 hours of use – this will help keep your engine running smoothly and in good condition for longer.
Conclusion: When you’re ready to buy a lawn mower, be sure that it’s the right size for your yard. The wrong model will not make your work easier and can lead to frustration when trying to cut around obstacles like trees or flower beds. Be sure to take into account how much space is available in your yard before deciding on an electric vs gas powered engine. You’ll also want to consider what type of terrain you have (flat or hilly) as well as whether there are slopes in your backyard that might require special attachments. And finally, don’t forget about safety! A sharp blade moving quickly can cause serious injury if handled improperly by children or pets so choose one with child-safe blades – these usually come at higher price