A wider deck will allow you to get the job done quicker, because it's covering more ground, but it's also going to be harder to maneuver and won't be able to reach into narrow areas like a smaller deck would. Since you're likely only mowing a yard that's an acre or smaller with your self-propelled lawn mower, a deck between 18 and 25 inches is likely where you'll end up. You don't necessarily want your mower to have "big deck energy." While riding mowers have mowing decks that are anywhere from 42 to 60 inches wide, they're meant to be used for massive lawns. They're less complex and don't require a battery to operate, meaning they're easier to maintain in the long run and you're less likely to run into problems. However, a pull cord does have some advantages. Most agree that pull cords are a pain to use - they're rough on your shoulder, which can be torturous if you have an injury or arthritis, and are far less convenient than pushing a button. While all electric mowers have an electric ignition, gas mowers are available with either an electric starter (usually in the form of a button) or a pull cord. Not everyone will need the choice for mulching and discharging, so don't think a three-function mower is always better - it depends on whether or not you need those functions. More expensive models will offer three functions, though some cheaper models may have the three-in-one function. Mowers will either be two-function, which bag or mulch, or three-function, which allows you to bag, mulch or discharge (either from the side or the rear). What to Look for in a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Two-Function vs. An added benefit of cordless mowers is the use of brushless motors that can increase performance when encountering heavy grass, as opposed to gas mowers that can be bogged down in those situations." Of course, no mower is without its drawbacks, as cordless mowers tend to not last as long as gas mowers, so they're better suited for smaller yards. Cordless mowers can accomplish this while being just as powerful - if not providing more power - than gas-powered lawn mowers. They also are lighter weight and provide easier operation for users. "Cordless mowers are quieter, require less maintenance, and have zero emissions compared to their gas counterparts. “Cordless lawn mowers have several advantages over gas mowers," Williams says. Gas mowers tend to be louder (think motorcycle revving), but they do work exceptionally well when going through overgrowth.Įlectric mowers used to be tethered by cables, but the advent of rechargeable batteries has really pushed cordless electric mowers to popularity. They also run longer and don't require long charge times in between trimmings. Gas mowers tend to trend lower in price than their electric counterparts, though they do require you to get a little messy considering you have to refill the gas and change the oil. "Systems like Ryobi Smart Trek adaptive variable speed self-propelled technology allows users to easily adapt the mower’s speed to their pace, helping them finish the job quickly and with less fatigue.” Gas Mowers vs. "Self-propelled lawn mowers are a great option for those who would like the propulsion system to move the lawn mower forward," Williams says. They're easier to push up those hills than a standard push mower, and they're also safer than a riding mower, as there's less danger of it rolling on top of you while mowing along a steep incline. "Shoppers who have a yard that is one acre or less will find that a walk-behind self-propelled lawn mower will meet their needs, whereas those with a yard larger than one acre may want to investigate a riding lawn mower for their lawn maintenance." Terrainĭo you have steep hills that you need to mow? In that case, a self-propelled mower is likely what you'll want. Of course, if your lawn is too big, then you're not going to want a self-propelled lawn mower at all, as it will take too long to mow your lawn and be too physically demanding (unless you're into that sort of thing). "A smaller lawn means a smaller deck size can be acceptable, whereas a larger lawn may require a larger deck or higher voltage battery platform when it comes to cordless products.” In short: for small lawns, a small deck and short runtime are ok, but for bigger yards a wider deck and longer runtimes - potentially those provided by gas engines rather than electric motors - will save you a lot of heartache. "When shopping for any lawn mower, the first thing customers should consider is the size of their lawn," says Lacy Williams, Vice President of Product Development for Cordless Walk Behind Lawn Mowers at Ryobi. Things to Consider When Shopping for a Lawn Mower Lawn Size
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