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How To Find The Best Mower For Your Lawn

Mar. 18 2021 Ownership Tips By Middletown Tractor Sales

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Picking the right lawn mower for your yard is essential. Not all models will suit your unique needs and budget, after all. Choosing an ill-matched model can cause you a host of hassles, from making the mowing process unnecessarily difficult to spending more money than you needed to.

We've compiled the following tips to finding the best mower for your lawn. If you have questions or want to shop lawn mowers for sale, contact Middletown Tractor Sales. Our dealership has locations in Fairmont and Buckhannon, West Virginia, as well as Washington and Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Take Inventory Of Your Yard

The better understanding you have of your yard's unique characteristics, the easier it will be to find a well-suited lawn mower. Does it have hills? Areas that puddle worse than normal after it rains? Tress and other foliage to navigate around? Spending a few minutes analyzing your property can save you time and hassle in the lawn mower shopping process.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • How big is my yard? The larger the land, the more important efficiency and ease becomes.
  • How thick is the grass? Not all lawn mowers can tackle dense brush.
  • Will I be mowing over things besides grass, such as fallen twigs or leaves? If so, make sure the model can handle these extra challenges.
  • Are there any slopes or hills? If so, how steep are they? Sharp inclines will need a mower with enough traction and sturdiness.
  • Will I need to mow around obstacles, such as trees, pathways, or flower beds? Compact lawn mowers with high agility potential will work best navigating these types of yards.
  • What do I want to do with the grass clippings? Some folks want to turn them into mulch to promote their yard's health while others simply want to bag and discard them. Make sure you get a mower that can tackle the grass clipping disposal that you want.

For Small Yards With Minimal Debris & Slopes

A manual push mower may be all you need, especially if your yard is a quarter of an acre or less. These models will be the most affordable.

As the name implies, they require the operator to push them around the property. But some models can also run off of gas or electric power. Their smaller size is great for navigating obstacles and their simple design leads to easy maintenance.

These models tend to come with cutting widths between 14'' and 22''. They will go as fast as you can walk. Typically, they will not be compatible with attachments.

For Medium Yards With Moderate Grass Thickness And Slopes

A self-propelled mower is great for lawns that are a 1/2 acre or less.

A self-propelled mower offers many of the perks of push mowers while reducing the exertion on your end. They run off of gas or electric power, rather than your own effort. They usually hit 5 miles per hour and offer a cutting width from 21'' to 61''. Some will also offer attachment compatibility.

For Larger Yards With Thick Grasses And Slopes

Riding mowers are a great match for more challenging lawns. They're recommended for lawns that are three quarters of an acre or more. Their starting price is usually around $1,700.

Instead of walking and steering the mower, the operator gets to sit and steer. This is ideal for bigger yards that take much longer to mow, especially with a top speed of 10 miles per hour. Their cutting width ranges from 42'' to 60''. Most of these models are attachment compatible.

Want the Fastest and Most Maneuverable Mower?

Zero-turn mowers are top-of-the-line in the maneuverability world. Their starting price is usually around $2,500.

They can hit high speeds of 13 miles per hour. Their cutting width can be as high as 72''. Their unique design allows them to turn on a dime, which is ideal for navigating obstacles and reducing the overall mowing time (up to 40%). They offer the fastest and most precise cuts, making them a common choice among landscapers. However, homeowners can also take advantage of their impressive performance.

Ready to shop lawn mowers for sale? Check out the selection at Middletown Tractor Sales. Our expert staff can help you find the best mower for your lawn, so contact us today. We have dealerships in Fairmont and Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Washington and Uniontown, Pennsylvania.