The Best Lawn Mower-Are You Looking For One?

By Ian Cordingley

There is a huge selection of lawn mowers on the market, from push and self-propelled mowers to large riding lawn mowers, or lawn tractors, for more sizeable lawns. There are manual mowers, electric mowers, and gasoline engine-powered mowers. The best lawn mowers will both cut and disperse cuttings evenly.

The best lawn mowers are rated on their ability to cut by several different methods, which include bagging, mulching and side discharge. Evaluations also take on handling and ease-of-use, a noise ranking, environmental impact, and last but not the least important safety.

Gasoline engine-powered mowers can have either traditional mower engines or overhead valve engines, but both are considered to be by far the worst by environmental organisations. Manual reel mowers are apparently the best, with electric coming second.

There are numerous choices available to you with gasoline-powered mowers. Just about all newer models have a blade brake clutch, which allows for the user to stop the blade while keeping the mower running. This is of benefit if it is required to stop a great deal to take away debris, or if there is a gravel driveway, this way the mower can be transported without tossing out stones.

Easy adjustments are also important, particularly when rasing and lowering the height of the cut. Some models even have a lever for each wheel, or just two for the front wheels, while more advanced models allow for the user to adjust the height of all four wheels with just one lever.

There are starting options available, as well. The best lawn mowers will start on the first or second pull. Alternatively, some models come with a battery and an electric start or key start ignition. This can be a significant weight-adding option, however.

Lawn tractors have fallen significantly in price in the last few years and they have as well become a great deal more versatile around obstacles like bushes and trees. In addition, most light-duty riding lawn mowers have the ability to add attachments for lawn aerating, towing carts, or even plowing snow. Many models as well permit the user to change speeds and many even have cruise control.

There are a plethora of options to think about when searching for the best lawn mower. Price can be an indicator of performance, but one should invariably consider the cutting method, handling, noise, the impact on the enviroment and the most important ease-of-use. - 31813

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