When searching for a new lawn mower, grass trimmer, chainsaw or other piece of outdoor power equipment, there are lots of options to choose from, each with different features.
To help you decide what would work best for your needs, we spoke to Steve at JL’s Home Hardware Building Centre in Guelph.
There is actually a lot more to consider than just brand, features and price.
What most people don’t realize is that they should start by thinking about the type of lawn they have and the amount of energy they are willing to exert. Ideally, you can find a machine that matches your preferences.
Let’s start by reviewing the different types of lawn mowers that are available. These include:
Manual reel mower
If your lawn is small and flat—and you don’t mind burning a few extra calories—an old-school lawn mower is the perfect choice. A manual reel mower is quiet, low maintenance, lightweight and environmentally friendly, because it has no engine. It also happens to roll along smoothly and cut grass cleanly, so you’ll have a nice even cut overall.
Tip: to get the best results, walk briskly over your grass when mowing.
Electric mower
Another option that is quiet and dependable is the electric lawn mower. It can cut grass up to 100 feet away from the power source and creates zero emissions. Electric mowers are, however, typically less powerful than gas mowers, so this may not be the best choice if the grass on your property is tall and thick.
Battery-powered mower
If your lawn is 3,000 sq ft or less, a battery-powered mower can do a great job. Many like the fact that they cut the grass and not have to worry about getting tangled up in a cord. This has all the same advantages of a corded electric mower, without the hassle of trying to keep track of where the cord is.
Walk-behind self-propelled mower
If your lawn isn’t flat and your property has a slope to it or some uneven terrain, your best bet may be a walk-behind self-propelled mower.
All you have to do is steer, because the engine powers the wheels. Models that have front-wheel drive pivot easily, making light work of moving (and cutting) around obstacles. Models with rear-wheel drive are ideal for when you need to cut uphill. Most of these mowers are variable-speed and allow you to adjust it according to your preference.
Gas mower
The most popular lawn mower option by far is the gas lawn mower. These are more powerful than both an electric and a reel lawn mower. A typical gas mower can easily cut through tall grass and tough weeks, thanks to its 4-cycle gas-powered engine; it also works well on hilly lawns because it has more power. You can find gas mowers in self-propelled models too.
Just remember that gas mowers are louder, and they do create emissions.
Ride-on mower
If you have over half an acre of property, you’ll want to consider a riding mower because it makes the task of cutting a large lawn a quick and efficient one.
A ride-on mower can cut almost any terrain and is quite comfortable to ride. There are several different models to choose from in this category: go with a basic model that simply cuts the grass or choose a luxury version that converts to a snowplough in the winter!
Lawn care tip: Bagging vs. mulching
What do you do with your grass clippings? If you prefer not to see them and want your lawn to look clean, you might want to use a bag that attaches to your lawn mower to collect the clippings. Most attach to the rear or the side output of a lawn mower.
If you planned to use those grass clippings to add nutrients to your lawn, you should be aware that bagging produces larger clippings, and these are not ideal for that purpose.
If, however, you wanted to cut your lawn while adding nutrients at the same time, a mulch mower is a good choice. This kind of machine has a specialized blade that cuts the grass into fine pieces, then recycles them back onto your lawn. With this method, your grass clippings sit on the lawn; this helps the grass retain moisture and adds valuable nutrients to the soil.
The most flexible model is a 3-in-1 mower. It allows you to mulch, bag and side discharge all in one.
Shopping for a new mower
There’s a bit of terminology it can help to know before you set out to shop for a new lawn mower. You’ll also want to pay close attention to the different features offered; make sure they make sense for you and are things you’ll actually need and use.
Does the mower have a small “deck size”? If so, this means the cutting width is smaller; this will affect how many passes it will take to finish cutting your lawn.
STIHL products use cutting-edge technology in the making of their top-quality garden equipment and power tools. They have led the field in innovation since the company was first founded back in 1926.
For more information about lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment, visit JL’s Home Hardware Building Centre or call 519-822-8230.