A Step by step guide on how to Choose a Lawn Tractor?




In this guide, we’ll talk you through the three main options when it comes to lawn large-scale mowing- ride-on mowers, garden tractors, and lawn tractors. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and we’ll help you make the right choice for your lawn work.

Ride-On Mowers

For the most part, ride-on mowers just cut grass. They’re smaller than the other options covered in this article, and therefore have a smaller cutting width- usually 60cm and up- and a small engine, typically about 4.4kw. While they are the smallest option here, they are also the cheapest.

 

Lawn Tractors

These are usually larger than ride-on mowers, with a cutting width of a minimum of 76cm. They also have a more powerful engine, ranging in power from 8kw upwards. That means that they are more suited for larger, tougher areas, and they also have limited towing capabilities.

 

Garden Tractors

These powerful machines have impressive engines from 11kw and upwards, as well as a wide-reaching cutting width and a strong build. Their power also means that they can be used for a range of other uses, such as towing and clearing snow. However, all this comes at a cost- they are by far the most expensive option.

riding lawn tractor - lawnmowermark.com

Save money with my TOP 6 BEST LAWN MOWERS UNDER $600

The top 6 best lawn mowers selection under $600: Selecting a lawn mower is never an easy task. Maybe you just bought your dream house with that beautiful garden or your old lawn mower is not serving you much again and you are looking to buy a new one. Searching for the best lawn mower for your lawn can be sometimes challenging especially when you have a limited budget. How much would you like to invest in a new lawn mower?

We have selected the top 6 best lawn mowers under $600 for you and to select those six best lawn mowers we took into account:

  • Price – when you have a limited budget, price is definitely the first criteria you look at.
  • Features – Although price might be the first thing you look at but features are equally important as they define the quality and the best lawn mower for your lawn type.
  • Maintenance – is essential for the durability of your lawn mower. However having a lawn mower that requires a little maintenance is always ideal.

 

TOP 6 BEST LAWN MOWERS

GreenWorks 25022 12 Amp Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower

Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

Our first selection of the top 6 best lawn mowers is the GreenWorks 25022. The GreenWorks 25022 lawnmower is a powerful beast, thanks to its whopping 12 AMP electric motor- you should have no problem cutting through grass with this baby. It also features 20-inch steel blades to get things done even faster and lightweight at only 56 lbs, and extremely cost effective. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get their lawn mown properly while still sticking to their budget.

GreenWorks 25022 12 Amp Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower
GreenWorks 25022 12 Amp Corded 20-Inch Lawn Mower

Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower

Amazon Rating: 4/5

Our second selection of the top 6 best lawn mowers is the Sun Joe Mow Joe’s. Why should smaller lawns get the short shrift? Thanks to Sun Joe Mow Joe’s 14 inch 12 Amp Electric mower, you can now mow smaller lawns quickly and easily, with the same power you’d expect from a larger model. This mower is certainly lightweight, as it’s only 28 lbs, so even if you only have a small storage space, you can still make room for it. However, it still packs a 12 AMP electric motor and a 14 inch cutting deck. With this  the job will be done in no time.




top 6 best lawn mowers
Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower With Grass Bag

GreenWorks 25302 Twin Force G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower

Amazon Rating: 4/5

If you’re serious about mowers, then this is the model for you. As a self-adjusting lawnmower. There’s nothing that this machine can’t handle. It’s packed with features, from 3-in-1 functionality that mulches the lawn as you go and a range of cutting heights. It also has an extremely impressive 49-inch cutting deck, greatly reducing the amount of time you spend mowing.  The Green Works 25302 has a powerful 90-minute battery so that you can get the job done in one go.

Top 6 best mowers
GreenWorks 25302 Twin Force G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower

Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower

Amazon Rating: 4/5

This one’s a little different. Scott’s 2000 Classic Push reel lawn mower features a hand-operated dynamo. It was created with mulching in mind. Scott’s 2000 Classic Push reel lawn mower might be better suited to smaller gardens, but it’s a sure-fire favorite among gardeners because of its ease of use. It comes with nine different cutting heights. It’s also extremely affordable and retailing at around $100. Scott’s 2000 Classic Push reel lawn mower gives you the performance and control needed to mow your lawn just the way that you like.

Top 6 best lawn mower
Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower

Great States 415-16 16 inch Standard Full Feature Reel Mower

Amazon Rating: 4/5

This push reel lawn mower is hand operated, and delivers excellent cutting capabilities thanks to its heat treated blades. It also glides across the lawn easily thanks to its 10-inch ball bearing wheels. Since it doesn’t use any power, it’s perfect for the more environmentally conscious, and since it’s so affordable, there’s really no excuse not to go green with this model.

Top 6 best lawn mowers
Great States 415-16 16 inch Standard Full Feature Reel Mower

Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower, 18-Inch

Amazon Rating: 4/5

If you’re particularly infuriated by spilt oil, smelly fumes, and noisy motors, then the Fiskar’s Staysharp Max Reel Mower is just the lawn mower for you. A lot more environmentally friendly than your typical mower, this can cut up to 4 inches of grass, of any type, so it’s great for even the most unruly of lawns. It also comes with an innovative flywheel that helps to give that little bit extra manoeuvrability, and packs a powerful punch thanks to its Inertia Drive system.

Top 6 best lawn mowers
Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower, 18-Inch

BLACK+DECKER CM2040 Lithium 3-in-1 Cordless Mower, 20-Inch, 40-volt

Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

The Black and Decker 3-in-1 is ideal for those who hate having to keep running backwards and forwards to get the job done. Now, you don’t need to- this handy tool lets you mow and trim your lawn, as well as edging your weed, all at the same time. Thanks to the PowerDrive Transmission feature, you can cut through even the most troublesome grass without any difficulty. What’s more, it also comes with an Automatic Feed System, and an extra battery, so that you can keep on mowing for longer, and cover the whole lawn in one go. Available in both cord and cordless models, there is an adjustable height deck to give your lawn an even finish all over.

Top 6 best lawn mowers
BLACK+DECKER CM2040 Lithium 3-in-1 Cordless Mower, 20-Inch, 40-volt

Our selection of the top 6 best lawn mowers will help you safe money. They are guides for beginners to have in mind while selecting a lawn mower. For those interested in large scale mowing and commercial, make sure to read our related posts.

 

RELATED POST:

 

 

Resources:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/lawn-mowers/buying-guide.htm

I choose Zero Turn Mowers because……?

What Is a Zero Turn Mower?

Zero Turn Mowers, or ZTRs, are able to complete a perfect rotation on the spot- very handy for reaching those difficult spots on your lawn, and very fun to drive around. Zero turn mowers are easy to get used to. Since they don’t have an acceleration and brake pedal. They steered using handles on either side to control each individual wheel. This means that they need regular servicing, but it also gives you an unprecedented control over your machine.

Zero Turn mowers

How Do You Drive a ZTR Mower?

Essentially, driving a ZTR mower is like pushing a shopping trolley. You push both handles forward, and the further you push them, the faster you will go. To slow down, simply ease off the handles. Steering is simple, too- to turn on way, push the corresponding handle forwards while keeping the other one in neutral. This spins one wheel while keeping the other one still, so that the mower can make a complete, 360-degree rotation on the spot.

Why Choose a Zero Turn Lawn Mowers?


Gets the Job Done Faster

With a Zero Turn mowers, you could cut your mowing time in half. If you have a large lawn that takes a long time to mow, then a ZTR mower could be just the thing for you.

While tractor mowers can be imprecise and miss patches of grass near trees and other obstacles, Zero Turn mowers allow you to get into all those nooks and crannies, so you can do the whole job in one go.

Grass Striping

With just a little practice, you can use your ZTR mower to get that perfect bowling green look on your lawn at home.

Simple To Use

Just like pushing a shopping trolley, driving a ZTR mower is simple and intuitive- as well as being a lot of fun!

A Mower That Lasts A Lifetime

If you properly maintain your Zero Turn mowers, and keep to all the safety precautions, then you can be sure that your ZTR mower will still be a trust companion many years in the future.

Zero Turn Mowers- The Downsides​

ZTR mowers are a great choice, but there are a few negatives that you should be aware of. Most importantly, ZTR mowers aren’t suitable for going up slopes of more than 15 degrees, as the mower could tip over. If your garden has a few small areas that are sloped more than this, then you can always use a push mower to clear these bits of the lawn. They also don’t perform well on wet grass, as the weight of the mower leaves you prone to slipping and losing control of your machine. It’s therefore best to only use them in dry conditions.

There’s also pollution to consider. Since ZTR mowers can be slow, and use large gasoline engines, they can use up quite a bit of fuel, which obviously isn’t that great for your garden. You’ll also likely find yourself frequently refilling the tank while you’re in the process of mowing. Their hydrostatic transmission requires frequent maintenance, too, or else parts can leak. However, they make up for all this by decreasing your mowing time by up to 70%, so that lack of fuel efficiency is offset.

Different Types of Zero Turn Mowers

Having read through the above, you have probably already made up your mind about whether or not you want a ZTR mower. But what kind do you need? There are actually five different types of ZTR, in all different shapes and sizes. For most owners, anything below a commercial grade ZTR will do the job just fine- we’ll take you through what each option has to offer below.

Compact Residential

As with ride-on mowers, ZTRs have a compact version that’s smaller and easier to store. They’re about half the size of your standard model, and their cutting decks usually range between 32 and 42 inches. Zero turn mowers are more environmentally friendly because of their smaller size, and pack plenty of punch for a very affordable price. ZTR are only a little more than a typical ride-on mower, so it might be worth spending that extra money since you get a lot in return.

Residential

These ZTR mowers have cutting decks between 42 and 54 inches. Their larger size means they offer plenty more cutting options, as well as a bigger, more powerful engine. Some even come with nifty extra features, like hour gauges, foot assisted deck lifts, electric clutch, and much much more. If your lawn is between 1.5 and 2 acres, then a residential ZTR mower will get the job done for you.

Estate Class

These ZTR mowers are roughly the same size as a residential model, but they’re better put together, and as such are more durable and feature a larger engine. They’re better suited for tough terrain as a result, and usually have a fabricated deck, rather than the stamped deck that most residential mowers have. With heavy duty transmission, more comfortable seats, and the ability to add larger accessories, the estate class will be more than enough for most homeowners.

Entry Level Commercial

These models are for those with a lot of land to cover, but who don’t want to go the whole hog with a commercial ZTR. They’ve got all the basic features of commercial ZTRs, but lack some of the more advanced features. They’ve got larger decks and engines than smaller models, though, so they’re powerful enough to get the job done. Their deck sizes range from 42 inches to a whopping 61 inches.

Commercial

These machines are what you would typically see at a large park or golf course, because they’re incredibly powerful. As well as a wide-reaching cutting deck and a massive engine, they’re also the most comfortable to ride, because users will likely be on them for a long period of time. They often come with a premium drive system, too, and can go at a much higher speed. That all comes at a cost, though- they cost over double the average residential ZTR mower. However, you do get a lot for your money- some have cutting decks up to a jaw-dropping 72 inches.

Zero turn mowers commercial

Safety Tips When Using A ZTR Mower

As fun as they are to use, ZTR mowers can be dangerous if you don’t observe all the necessary safety precautions. However, so long as you keep all the following pieces of advice in mind, you’ll be able to use your new ZTR perfectly safely, and your lawn won’t be at risk of any damage.

Before using your ZTR for the first time, ensure you read through the entire instruction manual carefully. There are also often plenty of tips contain within these documents that will help you make sure your mower lasts a lifetime, so take them on board and keep your ZTR mower properly maintained at all times.

Slopes

The one thing that can let ZTR mowers down is slopes. They usually have a 10 to 13 degree limit when it comes to slopes, because over three quarters of the weight is distributed to the back of the mower. That makes it difficult to get up slopes, and puts too much pressure on the front castor wheels when you come back down. If the slope is uneven or wet, then the front wheels will lose traction- leaving you at risk of the mower rolling over or breaking.

To stop this from happening, you should buy a pitch and angle reader, which will let you check the precise angle of a slope. If it’s more than 10 degrees, then you should use a regular mower for that particular area.

Obstacles

There are lots of things on your lawn that can get in the way of your ZTR mower- from trees and ponds to curbs and hills. While the easy steering of a ZTR mower makes it seem simple to get around these, you should still be careful that you don’t get too close to them, and risk damaging your mower. Keep a whole mower’s width away from these edges- especially from water and concrete curbs. If you go over an obstacle instead of around it, then you could very well wind up doing irreparable damage to your mower. While you will be able to get closer to these obstacles with practice, don’t risk it while you’re just getting started.

Avoiding Lawn Damage

A ZTR mower is highly versatile, but this can actually damage your lawn if you don’t use it properly. You should have a few practice runs in the center of your lawn before you take the ZTR across the whole garden. Also, be careful not to make too sharp a turn, as this can take a large chunk out of the lawn.

Ideally, when you want to make a turn you should slow down as you come to the end of the lawn, and then gently reverse while turning until you are parallel with the strip you have just mowed. This stops you from making large pivot holes all over the lawn, and also allows you to add patterns to your lawn as you mow. Another option is to mow in a forward direction for one pass, and in reverse for the next, alternating until you have completed the whole lawn.

Safety First

When using your Zero Turn mowers, you should always wear face and head protection, and make full use of the roll bars. These lock in place above your head, so that the mower does not tip over onto you. You should also be sure to turn the mower off completely when you’re not using it, and make sure you look before you turn.

 

Related:

6 BEST LAWN MOWERS UNDER $600

RS630 Robotic Lawn Mower Product Review

Sun Joe MJ401E Lawn Mower

 

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-turn_mower

http://igin.com/article-880-zero-turn-mowers-past-present-future.html

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-zero-turn-mowers

BEST LAWN MOWERS TOP FEATURES

Best Lawn mowers features: If you have a lawn, then you’ll naturally want it to look it’s best- and for that, you’ll need the best lawn mower.But just what makes a lawnmower better than all the other options out there?

In this article, we’ll talk you through how to choose the right mower based on your needs, to ensure that you make the right choice.

Best Lawn mowers: Selection

The first thing you’ll need to do when choosing a lawnmower is get down on your hands and knees and measure the length of your grass, as well as identifying what type of grass it is. Lawnmowers usually tell you on the box what grass heights they are most suited for, so having this measurement to hand will be extremely useful.

Another thing which affects how well your lawnmower can cut your grass is the type of blade it uses, and its cutting style. Your main choices here are reel and rotary mowers. Be sure to look carefully at what each one has to offer.

Bear in mind that you will need to keep your lawnmower blades properly maintained, which can cause additional unseen costs in the long run.

Best Lawn mowers: POWER

You should also be aware that different mowers use different power sources. For the most part, rotary mowers are petrol or electric powered, whereas reel mowers are either electric or operated by hand. Electric mowers can take a while to recharge, so you might want to invest in a second battery if your mower doesn’t come with one as standard. If noise is going to be an issue for you, then you should probably avoid petrol powered mowers.

Best Lawn mowers: Cutting Decks

Lawnmowers also come with differently sized cutting decks. The larger your cutting deck, the less times you will have to walk up and down the lawn while you mow it.  They can save you plenty of time. As you might expect, there is plenty of choice when it comes to this feature, as everyone’s garden is different. In general, a smaller lawn means a smaller cutting deck.

Type of Grass

For shorter grass:

If your garden is mostly short or medium grass, then a reel or cylinder lawnmower will be the best choice for you. That’s because these models are designed especially for frequent mowing, so you’ll have no problem keeping your lawn looking clean and tidy. Reel motors typically include between five and twelve blades, which work like scissors to trim back the grass. They are excellent at cutting, and also include rollers at the front and back to give your lawn that professional look.

When it comes to blades, you’ll want to opt for regular blades. As well as giving the grass an even finish, they also collect the grass clippings, which are usually deposited into a bag for easy disposal.

The advantages

  • Quiet running
  • No need to keep refilling the petrol tank
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Low maintenance

The drawbacks

  • Decreased performance on slopes
  • Doesn’t deal well with weeds
  • Only suitable for use on even, healthy grass

In this category, the mowers that we most strongly recommend are the Fiskar’s Staysharp Max Reel Mower, and the Great States 415-16 16 inch Standard Full Feature Reel Mower

Great States 415-16 16-Inch Standard Full Feature Push Reel Lawn Mower With T-Style Handle And Heat Treated Blades

Great States 415-16 16-Inch Standard Full Feature Push Reel Lawn Mower With T-Style Handle And Heat Treated Blades

Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower, 18-Inch

Fiskars Staysharp Max Reel Mower, 18-Inch

For longer grass:

For taller grass, rotary mowers are a better bet. They’re also great for irregularly shaped lawns, and mixed grass types. More powerful than other models because they are specially designed for longer grass. The blades chop vertically to make light work of mowing. They also convert the cut grass into mulch, which helps your lawn to grow and achieve a healthy green look.

3-in-1, or mulching blades, are a good time-saver . They produce and spread mulch while they mow, to keep your garden fertilized. Rotary mowers often include a bag, like a vacuum cleaner, in which the trimmings are stored, keeping things clean and making it easy for you to dispose of them.

The advantages

  • Provides excellent performance
  • Allows you to adjust the cutting height
  • Works well on a variety of lawn types and sizes
  • Excellent efficiency

The drawbacks

  • Restricted motion when mowing- only back and forth
  • Requires you to pass over the lawn multiple times to deal with uneven grass
  • Doesn’t offer much choice when it comes to lawn finish styles
  • Can be difficult to reach some areas

If your lawn is this grass type, then we would highly recommend that you invest either the GreenWorks 25302 Twin Force G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, or the Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower

GreenWorks 25302 G-MAX 40V Twin Force 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, (1) 4Ah (1) 2Ah Batteries & Charger Included

GreenWorks 25302 G-MAX 40V Twin Force 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower.

Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower With Grass Bag

Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower With Grass Bag

WHAT IS A LAWN MOWER # 101?

What is a lawn mower? – A lawn mower is a machine use to cut grass. Lawnmowers use spinning blades to cut grass to an even, attractive level. They come in many different types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Many of them can be adjusted to cut grass at multiple heights, using a simple lever system that’s easy to master.

The cutting blades themselves are propelled by the mower moving forwards. There are two main types of lawn mower:  Lawn mower on a vertical axis, and those on a horizontal axis. The former is known as a “rotary mower”, and will typically be powered by an electric or petrol motor. The latter is known as a “cylinder” or “reel” mower, and are often manually operated.

Both types have their strengths and weaknesses, which this article will explain, to help you make the right choice when it comes to buying a new lawn mower.

Characteristics of  Lawn Mowers

Cutting Quality: Rotary vs. Cylinder Lawn mowers

By far the most important aspect of a cutting system is just how well it cuts your grass. This will be determined largely by the type and length of grass you want to cut.

Rotary Lawn mowers

Rotary lawn mowers are more suited to medium-to-long grass. Thanks to their vertically positioned blades, they can quickly cut away at this longer grass. Many rotary mowers also come with a mulching blade, which gives some of the goodness contained in the trimmings back to the lawn for healthier grass. Mulching blades are often known as “3-in-1” mowers. They do three things at once: mow the lawn, produce mulch, and collect excess trimmings into a bag for easy disposal. Hover and tractor mowers take the rotary model and adapt them for different uses.

Cylinder Lawn mowers

Cylinder mowers, on the other hand, are more suited to shorter grass. They work better on flat, even surfaces. Cylinder mowers don’t work very well on long grass or weeds. They work by moving the blades in a kind of scissor effect, to produce a nice, even finish on the lawn. They also come with rollers attached, so that the grass is pressed down to produce the popular bowling-green effect as you go. It’s recommended that you sharpen the blades on your cylinder mower regularly for the best results.

There’s a lot to consider when buying a lawn mower for the first time. Most importantly, you should consider the size of your lawn and the length of your grass. You’ll also need to think about a few other factors, too. If you hate cleaning up the lawn, then consider buying a mower with a rear box that picks up the trimmings as you go. Since lawn mowers are a lasting investment, you should make your decision carefully before you buy.

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