This model has a cutting width of 20 inches, making it ideal for medium-sized and large lawns. If you prefer, you can also purchase it as a self-propelled mower.
This gas-powered push mower is a popular pick on Amazon with a 4. This corded lawn mower has a inch cutting width and an unlimited run time thanks to its corded power, making it ideal for lawns on the larger side, according to Michael Hill, a garden and landscape expert at Garden Guidepost.
It comes with a rear bag to collect clippings, though you can also opt to use the side discharge or mulch features. Hill recommended this corded lawn mower for smaller lawns.
This rear wheel drive self-propelled lawn mower from Honda employs a Smart Drive system, which means you can control its speed up to 4 mph via levers on the handle. It has a inch cutting width, which the brand says is ideal for yards up to 1 acre in size.
The mower has two blades, which allows for a finer cut, the brand says. In addition to mulching, the mower also offers bagging and discharging. With a 4. It has a inch cutting width with two blades to handle larger lawns, plus 12 deck adjustments so you can comfortably situate your feet and legs while you mow.
According to the brand, the battery-powered mower has up to 2. A relatively affordable option as far as robotic lawn mowers go, this battery-powered Gardena Robotic Lawn Mower can be programmed to mow yards up to 2, square feet in size, according to the brand. Gardena sells a similar model that can handle yards up to 5, square feet. Many have a jerky gear drive rather than the smooth hydrostatic drive on most tractors. You also might not get higher-end features such as a high-back seat or cruise control.
Upkeep: Gas engines require regular tuneups and oil changes. Electrics need the blades sharpened annually. Push vs. Push mowers tend to be more affordable. Self-propelled models draw energy from the engine or motor on electric models to power the wheels, which makes them easier to maneuver if you have a larger lawn or live on a sloped lot. All-wheel drive offers the best traction on slopes, followed by rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive, which is standard on most models, is still well-suited for flat parcels though is not the best choice if you bag clippings.
As the bag fills, it can cause the front wheels to lose some traction. Yard size. Consider the size of your yard to find the perfect walk-behind mower. Gas self-propelled mowers will be best for larger yards, and push mowers electric or gas are better for smaller yards. Check out our guide to finding the right mower for your yard size. Washout port.
You should clean the underside of your mower after each cut. Electric start. On gas models, this feature lets you start the engine with push-button ease, rather than yanking a pull cord. All electric mowers start this way. Upright storage. Almost all electrics can be stored vertically in a cramped garage. Some gas models have special engine seals that allow for upright storage, too, without the risk of oil or gas leaking out.
Uniform wheels. Some mowers boast larger rear wheels. Skip them. In our tests, mowers with uniform wheels are easiest to maneuver. Interchangeable battery. Some power tool manufacturers are making string trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and even snow blowers that can all accept the same battery that powers their lawn mowers. That can save you money if you can buy the second tool without a battery. Check for battery mower brands that offer this interchangeability—and sell other highly rated, battery-compatible power tools.
Landscape needs. Get a riding mower or tractor that best matches the size and slope of your property. And if your yard resembles an agility training obstacle course, you might want to consider a zero-turn mower; that type is favored by professionals. Hour meter. This indicates how long the engine has run and can help track when it's time for an oil change or other maintenance. A few models can link to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, to keep track of maintenance and order parts.
Ability to check fuel. A tractor with a cutout that allows you to see your fuel level—preferably from the seat—is ideal. High-back seat and cup holder. Cruise control. As with a car, cruise control lets you lock in a ground speed with a riding mower.
Some mowers have rear wheels that are larger than the front wheels. Gas models with same-sized front and rear wheels tend to be easier to maneuver and tip back for U-turns at the end of a row.
When you release the handlebar, the clutch stops the blade but not the engine so that you don't have to restart the engine to empty a full bag of clippings or to move a toy or branch. Available on some gas models, electric start eliminates the inconvenience of pull-starting the engine. Electric mowers, of course, inherently start this way.
Most models with electric starts require external charging. Some self-propelled mowers have this feature, which lets you raise or lower the entire mowing deck at once. Most others require adjusting each of the four wheels individually. Tractors with hydrostatic transmission can vary their ground speed quickly and smoothly without the need to move any additional controls. Most are now controlled with a pedal rather than a lever.
For tractors, this switch lets you engage the blades without pulling a lever, a feature that is a bit more convenient and can extend belt life. Cutting in reverse can pose a hazard to others in the area. Mowers with a safety switch for reverse require the user to intentionally press a button or turn a key to allow that function.
Four-wheel steering lets tractors turn almost as tightly as zero-turn-radius riders. Just know that more two-wheel-steering tractor models can turn more tightly than earlier models but still not as tightly as four-wheel or zero-turn-radius riders. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.
Sign In. Become a Member. A blade-brake clutch is a feature found on high-end walk mowers. It allows you to completely release the operator control handle without stopping the engine.
That way, you can pause your mowing, move whatever obstacle out of your way and continue mowing without having to restart the engine. Honda calls its blade-brake-clutch system Roto Stop , and it's one of the best ones out there. A range of unusual features have been introduced in the last several years to make mowing easier or the whole mowing experience better.
An example of a mower with a Just Check and Add oil feature is this Snapper. Front caster wheels are great for elaborately-landscaped yards that require a lot of pivoting. Mowox mowers have replaced dual front casters with a single front caster wheel, perhaps the most maneuverable form of mower you can get. But Cub Cadet has been among the mower manufacturers that pioneered the use of front caster wheels. Wash-out fittings enables you to hook up a garden hose to wash accumulated grass clippings from under the deck.
A clean deck lasts longer because accumulated grass holds moisture and lawn chemical residue, which causes deck corrosion. Our tests show that these fittings do help considerably, but that you still need some under-deck scraping with a putty knife. This rear-drive Troy-Bilt mower is equipped with a wash-out port and single-lever height adjustment.
Wide-cut mowers with decks that range from 28 to 33 inches are a fast cutting alternative to a inch mower. This Cub Cadet mower features both the wide-cut deck and front caster wheels. However, there are three important things to keep in mind:. If you can live with those limitations, the EGO is a good example of the new breed of cordless mower. If you can afford it, a riding mower is the way to go.
When looking at riding mowers, you'll likely come across three versions—lawn tractor, rear-engine riding mower, and a zero-turn mower. Let's break them done one by one:. Many people start out with a lawn tractor. With a steering wheel and a front-mounted engine, these look and feel familiar.
Engine size range from hp and most come with a single cylinder with step-up models having a V twin. Some fancier models also feature engines with electronic fuel injection. When it comes to transmissions, less expensive models tend to be lever-operated gear transmissions. But a step-up from there comes pedal hydrostatic or continuously variable transmission CVT operated by a shift-on-the-go hand lever.
The CVT is an automatic transmission powered by pulley drive to a sealed and lubricated gear case. You know you're spending serious money if you're considering a more expensive tractor with a heavy-duty foot pedal hydrostatic transmission. Finally, how much can it cut? Well, much more than a push mower. Deck widths range from 42 inches to 54 inches.
To know what size you need, divide the mower deck size by 12 to get an approximation of the acreage the mower can handle.
So residential-duty a mower with a inch deck can mow up to 4. Still, it could do it. Many people with larger lawns too big for a walk mower but too small for a tractor or a zero turn should go with a rear-engine riding mower. Most rear-engine mowers a single-cylinder engine ranging in size from to 38 cc, estimated at 10 to 11 hp. The transmission is usually a CVT operated by a shift-on-the-go hand lever. Deck sizes stretch anywhere from 30 to 33 inches, and operators use a manual hand lever for deck adjustment and deck engagement.
In the last twenty years or so, zero-turn mowers have proved their worth to homeowners and landscape contractors alike. Their design enables forward speed and steering by means of dual hydrostatic transmissions at the rear wheels, each of which is controlled by a lap bar in front of the seat.
A pulley off the engine spins the impellers on the dual hydrostatic transmissions that power the rear wheels. When you move one of the lap bars farther forward than its neighbor, it acts as a throttle, allowing more hydraulic fluid to flow to the transmission at that wheel. This causes wheel to turn more rapidly than the opposite wheel, allowing you turn corners or pivot.
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