Garden Center Links
Types of Lawn Mowers
If you're a new homeowner, or you're looking for a new lawn mower, and your grass is getting a little long, you need to know which type of mower suits your lawn best. Before you invest in a lawn mower, there are a few things to consider. The size of your lawn and the type of terrain can help you decide which type of mower is best for your needs.
Small Yard (3/4 to 1/2 acre or less)
- Old fashioned kind of lawnmower that spins a set of metal blades as you push it along
- Good choice for small, flat yards
- No engine - low maintenance & environmentally friendly
- Relatively cheap & easy to maintain
- Walking briskly produces best results
- Tends to roll over tall weeds rather than cut them
- Gas engine
- Some models crank with a pull start while other models feature an electric starter
- Easily mows down tall grass & tough weeds
- Since you have to push, they are best for small, flat lawns
Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Mower:
- Gas engine & drivetrain powers the mower forward
- Requires less mowing effort on your part
- Easy to use on virtually any terrain
- Front-wheel drive models pivot easily for cutting around obstacles and are good for level terrain
- Rear-wheel drive models provide more traction at the center of the mower and excel at cutting uphill
- All-wheel drive models provide power to all four wheels, giving you the benefits in both level and hilly yards
- Most self-propelled mowers are variable speed to adjust to your stride and pace
If you're a new homeowner, or you're looking for a new lawn mower, and your grass is getting a little long, you need to know which type of mower suits your lawn best. Before you invest in a lawn mower, there are a few things to consider. The size of your lawn and the type of terrain can help you decide which type of mower is best for your needs.
Small Yard (3/4 to 1/2 acre or less)
- Old fashioned kind of lawnmower that spins a set of metal blades as you push it along
- Good choice for small, flat yards
- No engine - low maintenance & environmentally friendly
- Relatively cheap & easy to maintain
- Walking briskly produces best results
- Tends to roll over tall weeds rather than cut them
- Gas engine
- Some models crank with a pull start while other models feature an electric starter
- Easily mows down tall grass & tough weeds
- Since you have to push, they are best for small, flat lawns
Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Mower:
- Gas engine & drivetrain powers the mower forward
- Requires less mowing effort on your part
- Easy to use on virtually any terrain
- Front-wheel drive models pivot easily for cutting around obstacles and are good for level terrain
- Rear-wheel drive models provide more traction at the center of the mower and excel at cutting uphill
- All-wheel drive models provide power to all four wheels, giving you the benefits in both level and hilly yards
- Most self-propelled mowers are variable speed to adjust to your stride and pace
Medium Yard (1-2 acres)
- Mowing deck 30-54 inches
- Comfortable way to mow lawn quickly and efficiently
- Operated by a steering wheel and either a gas pedal or foot-controlled brake/clutch system
- Also designed to accept lightweight attachments such as grass baggers and snow plows, as well as pull dump carts and spreaders
Large Yard (over 2 acres)
- Mowing deck 54 inches
- Typically have larger cutting decks and wheels than lawn tractors
- Designed to accept heavier attachments, including garden tillers, as well as lighter attachments for a lawn tractor
- Built as a small tractor with a mower mounted between the front and rear wheel axles
- Large, powerful motor and wide mowing deck makes fast work of the largest lawns
- Typically have a belt-drive motor
- Very comfortable to ride and handles most terrain - Mowing deck is often sold separately
- Ideal for larger, flat to slightly hilly yards and are designed to reduce mowing time
- Fast, powerful and can turn on a dime
- Has a higher forward speed for open areas and can cut closely around flowerbeds, trees and landscaping
- Features front caster wheels that pivot at sharper angles than lawn or garden tractors
- Most are controlled with dual lap bars
- Some are equipped with steering wheels and feature 4-wheel-steering, which holds tight on hills and helps eliminate sliding downhill and loss of control
