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Monday, June 27, 2016

Best Riding Lawn Mowers

 


Is your lawn over ½-acre? It’s time to upgrade to a riding lawn mower or a lawn tractor. Drive one of these to cut your grass faster and with a lot less effort. Plus, many riding mowers and lawn tractors can haul, plow, and shovel. They make your springtime gardening, summer mowing, fall raking, and winter plowing that much easier.


With a wide selection of riding mowers on the market, it can be difficult to choose the model that meets your needs without emptying your wallet. Let’s look at the top riding lawn mowers for the money to see which one is the best for you.


Troy-Bilt TB30R 420cc OHV 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower



You may have seen our previous review of the popular Troy-Bilt 30-inch riding lawn mower. It’s the best mower for the money when you have a lawn that measures ½ to 1 acre in size. It handles uneven terrain well with its 420cc OHV engine with speeds up to 4.25mph. That’s faster than the average person can walk.


The OHV means that it’s efficient with fuel so the 1.3-gallon gas tank lasts you longer. The 30-inch cutting width covers the lawn much quicker than a push mower. The 18-inch turning radius helps you get in close to trees and flower beds.


Troy-Bilt didn’t just focus on power and speed, they made this a comfortable mower that’s easy to use. It has a soft-grip steering wheel and an adjustable seat. When you’re all done working, the mower is small enough to store neatly in the garage or a shed. Troy-Bilt offers a 2-year warranty to protect your purchase.


For more in-depth details, check out our review of the Troy-Bilt Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower.


Husqvarna YTH24V48 24 HP Yard Tractor, 48-Inch



Now we’ll move up in size with the Husqvarna YTH24V48 Yard Tractor. Why would you want a yard tractor instead of the riding lawn mower? For one, with the 48-inch mowing deck, you can cut a larger area more quickly. Go ahead, test this one on 2 to 3 acres. It can handle large grassy areas and uneven terrain like hills, no problem.


But don’t think just because it’s a beast out in the field that it will leave your front lawn looking ragged. The three blades are adjustable up, or down, to just the height you need for your grass.


This Husqvarna lawn tractor has plenty of power with its 24Hp Briggs & Stratton engine.


It can mow, mulch, push a snowplow, and pull a variety of attachments like a cart, spreader, and de-thatcher. Just like the Troy-Bilt, it’s not hard to drive, but there are some differences on how you’ll operate it.


This Husqvarna tractor turns on with the twist of a key thanks to its keyless start. Engage (or disengage) the blades with the pull of a lever. The transmission is where things are different.


The YTH24V48 has a pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission. You’ll change speed and direction with your feet and still steer with your hands. Yes, if you have no experience driving this, it may take a few minutes to get the hang of it. On the upside, you can literally turn this mower on a dime.


Also on the upside, you can mow both forwards and backwards. If you just drove over yard-high grass on the back forty and you’re not happy with the way it looks, back over it and cut it again.


Husqvarna included headlights in case you’re up early or out late working. The seat has spring suspension and is adjustable to various heights for the comfort of multiple users. The armrests lift up out of the way. Our only complaint is that the steering wheel is a bit small. Other than that all the controls are within easy reach.


If you want to see the Husqvarna YTH24V48 in action, check out this brief video filmed by an owner of this lawn tractor.

Now that we’ve shared our top picks for riding lawn mowers with you, here are a few other accessories and related items that can make your mowing easier.


Accessories


Our first pick is a Weed Eater riding lawn mower. If the Troy-Bilt and Husqvarna are too large for your yard, take a look at this 26-inch model.


Weed Eater WE-ONE 26-Inch 190cc Briggs & Stratton 875 Series Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower with Electric Start


The Weed Eater WE-ONE is just 3 feet wide so it fits in smaller spaces than other riding mowers. The blade height adjusts from 1.5 to 4 inches to handle all kinds of warm and cool weather grasses. Driving it is simpler than operating many other kinds of lawn mowers as it has only three forward gears and one reverse. If you’re not ready for a lawn tractor but you still want to mow in comfort, this may be just right for you.


3M WorkTunes Wireless Hearing Protector with Bluetooth


Listen to the radio or music from your phone while you mow with these wireless Bluetooth headphones made by 3M. They reduce noise by 24 decibels to keep your hearing intact.


Husqvarna H34648SL 3-Bin Bagger


Pick up this three bin bagger for your new Husqvarna lawn tractor. It holds up to 9 bushels of clippings. The full bag indicator warns when the bin is getting full.


MTD Genuine Parts Mini Rider Bagger


This mini bagger fits the Troy-Bilt 30-inch riding lawn mower. It holds up to 3.5 bushels of clippings and comes highly recommended by many users.


Aluminum Lawnmower ATV Loading Ramps


Do you need to take your mower in for a tune-up? Or maybe the mother-in-law wants her lawn mowed, too. No problem—these lightweight but incredibly strong folding ramps will let you load up the lawn tractor right in the back of the truck.


Extended warranty


Things break down. Square Trade covers you after the manufacturer warranty ends. If you sell your riding mower in a few years so you can upgrade to another, the Square Trade Warranty transfers to the next owner.


FAQs about riding mowers


Q: What kind of maintenance will I need to do with my new riding mower or lawn tractor?


A: Gas-powered engines on mowers need tune-ups each year. You’ll be changing the oil, checking the battery, cleaning and replacing filters, checking the air in the tires, and replacing spark plugs. You’ll also need to sharpen the blade(s). There are many mechanics and shops that will take care of this for you, or you can save money by doing it yourself. Check out the accessories section above for folding ramps that will help you transport your mower.


Q: Is it really necessary to wear hearing protection while mowing?


A: Gas motors on mowers, even OHV engines, make enough noise that hearing protection is highly recommended. Lawn mowers easily top 100dB, and listening to that for over an hour will put your ears at risk of permanent damage. Even just 20dB reduction in sound will keep you safe for the time it takes to mow. We have one popular set of wireless headphones that protect up to 24dB in our accessory section above.


Q: Is there a best way to mow with a lawn tractor?


A: Check out this mowing pattern below suggested by Husqvarna.


Image courtesy of Husqvarna


Q: What is Husqvarna?


A: The Husqvarna Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. They started manufacturing lawn mowers in 1919. Their first powered lawn mower roared to life in 1947. They have plenty of experience making their orange mowing machines.


Q: What is Troy-Bilt?


A: Troy-Bilt started in the 1930s in America, and started making lawn tractors in the late 1950s.  It’s now a part of MTD Products which owns other lawn mower brands like Cub Cadet.


Q: I see my neighbor riding his mower to the store. Is that legal?


A: Probably not. If you’re curious, check with the local police.


Q: Is lawn mower racing a real sport?


A: Yes, it is. But, for safety, please take your blades off first.


Have a healthy lawn with less work


We offer you the best buyer’s guides on lawn care products. Not sure if you’re ready for a lawn tractor? Check out our reviews of the best self-propelled lawn mowers.


View our free tips on taking care of lawn equipment and designing the best garden for your yard.


 



Best Riding Lawn Mowers

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Create the Perfect Garden

 


Spring is finally here! It’s time to overhaul your yard so you can enjoy it all summer long. Here are some simple steps to design the perfect garden for your home.


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Make it beautiful


You don’t have to do all these steps in just one day. Depending on the size of your yard, you may need a weekend to get things into shape. Take your time to create exactly what you want.


Start with basic cleanup


Begin your yard makeover by doing basic cleanup. Pick up debris like fallen branches. If you have a mulching lawn mower, you can skip raking the lawn. Cut your grass to the best height for the type you have. For example, Kentucky bluegrass should be kept 2 inches tall in the summer. Best practice is to avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the total height of the grass once you’ve got it to the right length. Edge along sidewalks and your driveway.


Trim shrubs and trees


Inspect your trees and shrubs for disease and problems. Prune away dead branches and limbs. Put down mulch around them if needed.


Edge existing beds that you intend to keep


Remove all non-permanent edging materials like plastic fences, bricks, or stones. Use a metal edger, spade, or hand tools to cut along the edge of the bed to neaten up the boundary. Lay down new mulch. Plant new flowers if you desire. Put down new, or replace the old, edging materials.


Watch a 4-minute video on how to edge a bed.



Design new beds to break up open spaces


If you don’t need a large open lawn area, why not add in some visual stimulation? Take your garden hose and use it to draw an area on the lawn where you would enjoy a new flower bed. Use your edger or spade to create the boundaries of the new bed. Then use a shovel to remove sod and expose the soil. Put down edging materials like stones or bricks. Lay down mulch on the new bed, and then plant flowers, shrubs, or other greenery.


Feed the lawn


Springtime is a good time to apply fertilizer. See our in-depth article about the best fertilizers for your grass and plants.


Make it useful


As much as you might enjoy looking good for the neighbors, your home is primarily for your enjoyment and relaxation. Why not give it a few tweaks to make your yard better for you?


Screen off an area for privacy


Grow ivy on the fence. Plant clumping (not running) bamboo around the pool. Plant cypress or arborvitae around the deck. All of these plants grow quickly and are easy to maintain.


Make it a fun place to spend time


Make stepping stones into a chessboard. Build a fire pit. Hang a hammock. Most of all, put out comfortable furniture so you will want to spend time outdoors enjoying all your hard work.


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Keep pests away with natural solutions


To keep mosquitoes away, grow marigolds, horsemint, catnip, citronella, rosemary, and lavender. Some of these grow just as well in planters and pots as they do in flower beds.


Remember to keep it safe for pets and kids


Pets and kids have a tendency to eat things they shouldn’t. When you choose new plants, check to see if they are poisonous. The ASPCA has a handy list of safe and unsafe plants for animals. The University of California has a booklet describing plants that are safe for humans.


Achieve your dream garden on a budget


It’s all well and good to dream big, but sometimes reality isn’t so grand. You can still fix up your yard on a budget.


Revive that old lawn mower


A lawn mower is one of the biggest expenses a homeowner has. But over time, owning your own lawn mower can result in significant savings over paying someone to cut your lawn with their mower. If you need to squeeze another year of service out of your old lawn mower, check out these tips to revive it.


Inexpensive tools


If you can’t afford everything you want right now, focus on essential tools. If you can’t buy both a shovel and a spade, get a spade. If you don’t want to buy the full kit of hand tools, get a Japanese Hori Knife. Borrow or rent tools, or look for open box deals at the hardware store.


Other ways to save money on your garden


  • Save money on fertilizer by leaving mulch or clippings on the lawn.

  • Compost your food scraps to make fertilizer.

  • Seeds are cheaper than buying plants from a nursery.

  • Use rocks from a river to edge your flower beds.

If your water is expensive, put up a rain barrel to collect Nature’s bounty to water your garden. Set up an inexpensive drip irrigation system. Or forget watering for the most part by xeriscaping your yard.


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Digging deeper into the details of fine gardening


Maintaining a beautiful yard is a year-round task. Here are some tips for keeping up with the job.


Winter


The cold months are the best time to plan out your springtime tasks and get your equipment into shape. Clean your garden tools and sharpen spades, blades, shovels, trowels, knives, and shears. Tune-up your power tools like your lawn mower and weed trimmer.


Research new plants for your garden and buy seeds. Read up on gardening tips. Make sure existing plants are protected from harsh weather.


Spring


It’s time for yard cleanup, planting, and fertilizing. Get your grass and plants prepared for summer heat by putting down new mulch and testing your sprinkler system. If you’re on the lookout for a new lawn mower, catch the sales in April and May.


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Summer


Mow, mow, mow your lawn…each week if you can. Don’t cut more than a third of its height each time so that it doesn’t go brown. Forget fertilizing because it will only burn your grass right now. Keep on top of watering, and try to do it in the early morning hours.


Fall


Things are winding down. Make sure any dead branches are pruned so they don’t blow down and cause damage during winter storms. Clean equipment and drain your mower’s gas tank for winter storage.


Don’t let pests bug you


Yes, some bugs like earthworms, ladybugs, and bees are helpful for your garden. But other bugs are just pests. Don’t feel obliged to use toxic chemicals to kill unwanted garden guests. Try Neem Oil for an organic solution against powdery mildew, mites, aphids, and other little critters.


If your pests are the four-footed variety like deer or rabbits, there are other natural repellents you can use.


  • For rabbits: plant garlic plants or wormwood around other plants. Sprinkle garlic powder on adult plants to make them taste and smell terrible to rabbits.

  • For deer: You can hang reflective, shiny strips of foil or Mylar to deter deer. But if tacky isn’t your style, try making a homemade version of deer repellent from rotten eggs and beef bouillon.

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The most beautiful plants for your garden


If you’re looking for something new to plant, we can recommend some of these gorgeous perennials for your garden.


  • Coneflower (Echinacea)—imagine 2-foot tall colorful flowers with 4-inch blooms

  • Aster X Frikartii—another 2-foot tall beauty with 2-inch flowers

  • Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)—line your sidewalk with these baby blues

  • Lavender—it’s purple and it smells good, need we say more?

  • Daisies—the favorite cottage garden flower

A few other handy gardening tips


Expand your gardening skills with these tips to save you time, work, and money.


Sow seeds in a row or a pattern you’ll recognize. That makes it easier to know which are weeds and which are your plants sprouting up from the soil.


Plant bulbs in odd-numbered clumps. They have a more stunning impact when grouped in fives or sevens instead of planted in rows.


Consider your color scheme ahead of time. Sketch yourself a picture of how it will look.


Keep seeds stored in the refrigerator. Seriously, we’re not joking. They will keep better as long as their environment is cool and dry.


Don’t leave blank spaces unless you’re planning a Japanese rock garden. Empty soil is an invitation to weeds.


Play with your design before planting. If you have plants from the nursery, place their pots in position to see how they look before you put them in the soil.


It’s easier to weed when the ground is soaking wet. Getting muddy will save you some effort.


Prune evergreens after they sprout their new branches. That will save you from having to do it more than once each year.


Save time and effort by leaving plants in pots. Put the pot into the ground with the plant already in it.


Get more free tips on the best equipment for maintaining your garden


Discover which lawn mower is the best one for you. Choose the best weed whacker for your budget. See more free tips on how to keep your yard in top shape.


 


 



Create the Perfect Garden

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Best 5 Lawn Mower Brands 2016

When it’s time to buy your first lawn mower, or upgrade your old one, it’s helpful to know which are the best brands on the market. You want the highest quality for the money.


We looked at the top selling name brands and models, and combined this information with ratings from both Consumer Reports and online user reviews. We focused on major brands and avoided the ones with the most complaints. We want you to have the best, not the worst.


The results are in! Here are the best 5 lawn mower brands of 2016.


Top 5 Lawn Mower Brands List


Greenworks


Honda


EGO


Husqvarna


American Lawn Mower Company


 


GreenWorks


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GreenWorks is owned by an international company called Sunrise Global Marketing, formerly called the Globe Group, out of China. The GreenWorks world headquarters are in North Carolina now, although they have ties to Shanghai. Sometimes people see the phrase “made in China” and they move on to the next brand. Just remember that high-quality Apple products are also made in China.


A quick search of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) records shows that this company has a rating of B+. There were ten complaints in the past 3 years, and six of them were problems with the product or service. All ten complaints were resolved by the company and closed. This shows that Sunrise Global Marketing (aka GreenWorks) is actively seeking to satisfy their customers. It also shows that there have been few serious complaints compared to the volume of sales.


Consumer Reports did a survey of GreenWorks owners in 2016. They asked the owners if they had a problem with their mower breaking down before the 4th year when the warranty ended. Fifteen percent responded that yes, they had. Since 15% is a low percentage of the total number of lawn mowers sold, Consumer Reports declared GreenWorks mowers brand as one of the most reliable on the market.


Let’s look at a top-selling, high-quality lawn mower from this top-rated brand.


GreenWorks 25302 Twin Force G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower with 2 Batteries and a Charger


The first top lawn mower brand we’ll discuss is GreenWorks. Their models are top sellers on Amazon and they ‘ve racked up hundreds of 5-star reviews. Consumer Reports said that the GreenWorks push mowers are among the most durable on the market. Only 15% of owners reported that their GreenWorks mower had broken down by the 4th year of use.


The 25302 is a perfect example of the best qualities in a GreenWorks mower. It’s packed with features and is convenient and simple to use. It’s a 3-in-1, so it mulches, bags, and discharges. The accessories swap out without the need to use any tools. It has twin 10-inch blades which give it a total cutting width of 20-inches. The grass gets a nice clean cut, and the mower is powerful enough to mulch leaves, too. If you’re cutting thick grass and you notice that the mower isn’t working as well, slowing down your walking speed generally helps. It’s impressive that a battery-powered mower works this well.


But just because the 25302 is battery-powered doesn’t mean it won’t run long enough to finish the yard. The 40-volt 4Ah battery gives it up to 60 minutes of runtime. If you hit a tough spot, the engine senses it and works harder. If it’s smooth going, the engine throttles back to save power. The 25302 has slots for two batteries, so it can switch to the second one if the first battery runs out of power. All the batteries for the mower are also compatible with other GreenWorks power tools, like their weed trimmer.


While you’re cutting the grass, this mower sounds about like a fan running. But there is more to love than its quiet engine. It has a single lever to adjust the cutting height, mounted right on top of the deck. There are 5 positions to choose from, from 1-1/4” to 3-1/8” high. We love that one lever adjusts the whole deck.


Speaking of the deck, it’s plastic. You’ll never have to worry about it rusting. The high-impact polycarbonate is tough, but light. As a result, the mower weighs only 42.5 pounds.  The handlebar also folds down for storage, so it’s light enough and small enough to put in the trunk of a car.


GreenWorks offers a 4-year limited warranty. If you should need some troubleshooting tips, see our article on how to solve common problems with this kinds of mower.


Watch the GreenWorks 25302 mower in action in this video. Or view our in-depth review on this model.



 


Starting the GreenWorks mower


You may never have started a mower like this before. It’s so easy!


To start the mower


  • insert the key211

  • pull the bail handle

  • push the button

That’s the advantage of electric start—there’s no cord to pull.


When you’re done mowing, release the bail handle to halt the mower.


Safety tip for mowing on slopes and hills


GreenWorks (and other manufacturers) advise mowing across the face of a slope, not up and down it. This applies especially in the case where it rises more than 2.5 feet for every ten feet of ground.


For the healthiest grass, mow like this


Have you ever seen a lawn with brown tips on the top of the grass? Don’t burn your lawn like that. Leave it taller in the summer and shorter in the winter.


Only cut off the top third of the total length of the grass blades. This means your lawn will around 1-1/2” to 2” tall in cooler months, and 2” to 3-1/4” tall in the summer months.


Tips to care for the lithium-ion battery in the GreenWorks 25302


The GreenWorks G-MAX battery from your mower also fits more than 25 tools. Here’s how to keep it in top shape.


Once the battery is fully recharged, take it off the charger. If you can keep it stored where the temperature stays below 80 degrees and it’s dry, it will have a longer lifetime.


When you store it for the winter, leave it between 30-50% charged. That sounds strange, but it’s based on science. Lithium-Ion batteries do better when stored with only a partial charge. You may have noticed that when you buy a new electronic product with this kind of battery, it comes only partially charged.


GreenWorks also suggests that when the battery has been in storage for about two months, give it another charge.


GreenWorks 25302 Twin Force G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower with 2 Batteries and a Charger


Honda


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Since 1953, Honda has been making automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment like generators and lawn mowers. In America, they are registered as Honda Power Equipment, and based in Alpharetta, Georgia.


The BBB gives them a “B” rating. In the past three years, they had 12 complaints. Eight complaints were problems with a product or service, and some of those involved lawn mowers. All complaints have been addressed by the company and closed.


Consumer Reports rated one of Honda’s gas-powered lawn mowers as a best buy. Let’s look at that model to see why.


Honda HRR216K9VKA 3-in-1 Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower with Auto Choke


Honda may be better known for its cars, but their attention to making quality engines carries over into their lawn mowers, too. Consumer Reports recommended the Honda HRR2169VKA as the best buy among all the gas-powered self-propelled multi-speed lawn mowers they reviewed for 2016.


The Honda GCV160 engine is CARB-compliant, and has an auto-choke feature for easy start. Even though you have to yank the cord, you should only have to pull it once.


The HRR2169VKA is a 3-in-1 model, which means it discharges clippings, mulches, and bags. Choose the function with the clip director lever, and mount the accessory that you need.


If you need to adjust the cutting height, there are 6 cutting heights between 1-1/8” and 4.” That’s a perfect range to cut any kind of common lawn grass. The only downside is that there are 4 levers you’ll need to set, one at each wheel.


There are two blades for a finer cut, especially when the mower is mulching. The cutting width is a nice wide 21-inches so you cover the lawn quickly.


When you’re ready to start mowing, make sure you’re not holding the Smart Drive Control lever so the mower won’t move when you start it. Pull the blade control lever back (it’s also called a “bail handle”). Pull the cord gently till you feel some resistance, then give it a yank so the engine roars to life. Now you’re ready to mow.


If you release the bail handle, or blade control lever, the engine will stop the blade. This is a safety feature. If you release the Smart Drive Control Lever, the engine will stop moving the mower forward. If you’re not an old hand at lawn mowing, or even if you are, pause for a moment for this brief safety article. It will take you 2 minutes to read. All the safety features in the world won’t help if you aren’t sure how to operate a mower safely.


The HRR2169VKA has rear-wheel drive, which is ideal for mowing on uneven terrain. Use the Smart Drive Control Lever to choose a speed ranging from zero up to 4mph, which is a brisk walk.


Some of the other convenient features on this mower include the spacious 2.4-bushel grass catcher bag, foam grips on the handlebar, and the fact that the handlebar adjusts to two heights and folds up for storage. The HRR2169VKA also has a fuel shutoff valve. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.


See the Honda come out of the box and get to work in this video.



 


Honda recommends using 86 octane fuel (or higher) in the HRR2169VKA. Please refuel after each use so there is less air inside the gas tank and less problem with oxidation. When storing the mower like for the winter, please drain the tank or use a fuel stabilizer.


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Recommended maintenance schedule for the Honda HRR2169VKA (according to the user manual):


  • Before each use, inspect the mower, check the air filter and the oil level

  • After the first month, or 5 hours of use, change the engine oil

  • Every year, or after 25 hours of use, clean the air filter

  • After 50 hours of use, clean the air filter again and change the engine oil

  • Also after 50 hours, adjust the Smart Drive Control cable if needed

  • After 100 hours of use, change the oil, and clean the air filter

  • Also after 100 hours, inspect the spark plug and arrester, adjust cables if needed; grease pinion gears and check the flywheel brake pad

  • After 150 hours of use, replace the spark plug, air filter, and change the oil; adjust the valve clearance and idle speed, clean the fuel tank and filter

  • You may need to replace the fuel line after two years of use

Although you have to spend time and money to maintain your Honda (or any gas-powered lawn mower), it’s worth it to keep it running well longer. Plus, if you have a larger yard over ¼-acre, you probably need a gas-powered model.


If you’re not a fan of doing tune-ups on your power tools, check out our two top picks in the cordless electric category. They only need cleaning and recharging.


Better yet, check out our last offering, a push reel mower. Zero maintenance for years to come.


The low-maintenance EGO Power+ battery-powered mower is up next.


 


Honda HRR216K9VKA 3-in-1 Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower with Auto Choke


EGO


EGO is based in Geneva, Illinois, but it is a child company of global power tool manufacturer Chervon, from Nanjing, China. (No, that’s not a typo. It’s “Chervon.”) They have been developing innovative electric power tools for two decades.


Roy Berendsohn at Popular Mechanics reviewed one of EGO’s most popular lawn mowers and declared it a “well-engineered machine.” Let’s see why.


EGO Power+ 20-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower – 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Kit


Why would you want a battery-powered mower? There are a lot of reasons. One, the EGO Power+ is one of the best cordless electric mowers for the money. Consumer Reports said so in their 2016 review.


Two, this mower is very quiet and doesn’t need maintenance like a gas-powered mower does. Just keep it clean, keep the batteries charged, that’s it. And electricity is currently cheaper than gas in most parts of the USA.


So besides saving money, why else would you want a cordless mower? After all, aren’t they limited on how big of a yard they can mow? Well, yes, they are limited, but this EGO mower goes up to two miles on one charge, or 45 minutes of runtime. (If you need more runtime, check out the GreenWorks mower described above.)


It’s a 3-in-1 mower, so it mulches, bags, or discharges out the side. (Are you seeing the theme here? We love 3-in-1s.) The motor has 600 watts of power running off 56-volt batteries. That’s impressive. It means you’ll get a clean cut in tougher grass, and you can mulch leaves, too.


We also love the single lever, spring-assisted, cutting height adjustment. Check it out in the photo—it’s mounted in a convenient place right on top of the deck. It looks like a gear-shift.


The 4.0Ah battery recharges in just 30 minutes. You could mow half the yard, have lunch while it’s charging, and then finish the job. Even better, this mower has LED headlights so you could mow very early or very late. It makes so little noise it won’t matter when you cut the grass. When you’re all done mowing, the handle folds down for storage.


The EGO Power+ mower has a 5-year limited warranty. The battery and charger have a 3-year warranty. This is a good deal since lithium-ion batteries typically last 3 to 5 years, but few manufacturers guarantee them for more than 1 year.


See a video review of the EGO Power+ LM2001.



 


EGO Power+ 20-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower - 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Kit


 


Husqvarna


How to tip your Husqvarna 7021P lawn mower to empty out the oil:
How to tip your Husqvarna 7021P lawn mower to empty out the oil:

The Husqvarna Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. They started manufacturing lawn mowers in 1919. Their first powered lawn mower roared to life in 1947. Poulan Pro is another brand of power tools and lawn mowers owned by Husqvarna.


The USA headquarters of Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc., are based in Charlotte, NC. The Better Business Bureau accredited them in 2007 and gives them an A+ rating. Even though they have had 162 complaints over the past 3 years, they also made a good faith effort to resolve each problem.


The Husqvarna website has a lot of detail about each lawn mower, along with FAQs and user manuals that are easy to access. They also post helpful videos about their products on Youtube.


We choose one of Husqvarna’s top sellers on Amazon to review here.


Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch 160cc Honda GCV160 Gas Powered 3-N-1 Push Lawn Mower with High Rear Wheels (CARB Compliant)


There’s no wonder this is a popular push mower from Husqvarna because it has the same reliable engine found in the Honda HRR2169VKA described above. The engine is the CARB-compliant GCV160. It’s an efficient engine made to last. The CARB compliance means it can be sold and used in the state of California. If you want to see how to maintain the engine for long life, take a look at the recommended maintenance schedule above.


The 7021P is also a top seller because it’s reliable. Consumer Reports found that just 16% of Husqvarna’s push mowers broke down before their fourth year of ownership. That’s less than other top brands like Toro and Cub Cadet.


Besides the Honda engine, this Husqvarna 7021P has other easy-to-use features in common with the Honda HRR2169VKA. It’s also a 21-inch wide, 3-in-1 mower, with the ability to mulch, bag, and discharge to the side. Unlike the Honda, it has larger rear wheels. That’s really helpful because this is a push mower, not a self-propelled model. Larger ball-bearing wheels make it easier to maneuver when you push it over bumpy ground or have tall grass to cut.


Another nice feature is the the foldable and adjustable handlebar with a foam grip. Unfortunately, this is another mower that requires you to set all four wheels individually when you choose a different height. But it offers 9 cutting heights ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 inches. It comes with a 2-year parts and labor warranty.


Read our in-depth review on this Husqvarna lawn mower.


How to tip your Husqvarna 7021P lawn mower to empty out the oil:


Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch 160cc Honda GCV160 Gas Powered 3-N-1 Push Lawn Mower with High Rear Wheels (CARB Compliant)


American Lawn Mower Company


The American Lawn Mower Company also does business as, or is the owner of, Earthwise, Great States, and Scotts. The majority of push reel mowers on the American market are manufactured by them.


Their “About Us” page says have been in business for over 100 years. They began making push reel mowers in Indiana in the 1890s. The first mowers cost between $2.20 to $4.75. Convert that to today’s dollars and it becomes $61 to $133. In other words, they still sell their products at about the same relative price!


The BBB gives the American Lawn Mower Company an A+ rating, although they are not accredited. They have had just 4 complaints over the past three years, and all are closed.


Let’s look at one of their top sellers on Amazon. It’s a very simple little push mower that fits their goal of being the “first choice in eco-friendly lawn care.”


American Lawn Mower 1204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower


No, it’s not a toy, but this little push reel mower is tiny. It weighs just 19 pounds. The cutting bar is just 14 inches across. This is the ideal lawn mower for a postage-stamp size yard in front of a townhouse. The best part is that you’ll probably never have to sharpen the blades or do any maintenance besides oiling it every now and then. There is no cost to refuel it, tune it up, or recharge it.


As you push the mower, the gears turn the steel blade cylinder faster than you are walking. Each pass of the wheel pushes grass against the cutting bar, snipping it like scissors. This kind of cut is gentler for your grass than the rotary tearing motion of a powered lawn mower. It’s also obvious that this kind of mower doesn’t pollute with either noise or fumes.


American Lawn Mower only offers a 90-day warranty, but don’t let that worry you too much. They inspect each lawn mower and it has to pass a cutting test. They say that each one must cut a piece of paper that is just 1/3000th of an inch thick, much thinner than a single blade of grass. Should this delicate alignment between the bed knife and blade reel get out of balance, you can adjust it with tools at home.


The wheels are 8-1/2” high, and the cutting height adjusts between ½” to 1-1/2” inches. This numbers mean two things. One, if you’ve let the grass grow for a while, you might need to borrow a power mower to do the first cut. Two, if you have certain kinds of cold weather grass, this might cut it too short. Check with your local lawn and garden center if you’re not sure.


Overall, this model 1204-14 is an example of the great bang for the buck that the American Lawn Mower company provides with their products. They sell simple, durable lawn mowers that balance features with price. If you’re on a budget, it’s worth looking at what they have to offer. Hundreds of positive customer reviews on Amazon show that there are lots of satisfied customers.


American Lawn Mower 1204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower


Final Comparison of the Top 5 Brands


Here is a chart with a quick comparison of 5 brands we chose. We show the Better Business Bureau rating, how many lawn mower models of that brand are getting 4-star reviews or better on Amazon, and whether Consumer Reports recommends that brand or particular model.


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Don’t see the right mower for you? No problem!


Take a peek at our other reviews on top lawn mowers. There is something for every budget.


Have a really big lawn?


If you have ½-acre or more, you might want a riding mower or tractor. Actually, you might want a riding mower even if your yard is small! Satisfy your curiosity and see which one would be best for you.



Best 5 Lawn Mower Brands 2016

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

7 Tips for Buying a Used Lawn Mower

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Did you notice your grass recently? Yes, it is that time of year to start mowing you lawn again. Need a new lawn mower? If your answer is yes, consider buying a used lawn mower. Buying used can save you a lot of money, if you know what to look for. You don’t want to buy a used lawn mower that will end up costing you more than it is worth. Take a look at the buying guide below.

  1. Sometimes shopping online isn’t a good idea. Used lawn mowers are precisely what they sound like, used machines that have been previously owned. This is why it is important to look at them up close and in person in order to see the details. Online descriptions are not always clear and detailed or as accurate as they should be made.
  2. Whatever type of lawn mower you decide you want to buy (push, electric, gas or riding) you need to ask the seller questions about the lawn mower being sold. How old is the lawn mower? Why is the seller selling the lawn mower? Does the seller have any paper work on the lawn mower (warranties, guaranties, instructions)? What deal do you have if it breaks down tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Try to get the answer down in writing, especially if you are spending a lot of money on the lawn mower.
  3. Give it a test drive. By shopping for a used lawn mower in person you also have the opportunity to test-drive the lawn mower, listen to how it runs and see how it cuts the grass. If it does start does it cut the lawn well? The blades should be sharp enough to cut the grass at the first attempt.
  4. Check the lawn mower’s parts. Check the condition of the lawn mower’s body, engine and blade. Just because the lawn mower sounds fine and appears to cut the grass well, does not mean the used lawn mower is in good condition. Do the parts look worn, about to fall apart, or in good condition? Check for oil leaks. Check the spark plugs. If you are looking at an electric lawn mower the battery should hold at least 75% of the time (Electric Lawn Mower).
  5. If you don’t know what to look for in a lawn mower or what to ask about it take someone with you that can help (friend, family member, spouse).
  6. If you don’t have anyone to take with you read this very helpful article written by Samuel M. Goldwasser.
  7. What do you consider a good bargain? Do the research. How much do used lawn mowers sell for online? How much do they sell for in your local classified ads? How much are you willing to pay for a used lawn mower? Are ten dollars too much to pay for a push lawn mower that will break down by the end of the summer? By the end of the week? How much are you willing to spend on a riding lawn mower or an electric one? How much grass will you be cutting? How often will you cut the grass? Can you afford to repair the used lawn mower if it breaks down or can you afford to buy another used one to replace it?

It is important to know what to look for when you buy a used lawn mower. Remember when you buy used you are taking a chance that your purchase will become more trouble than it is worth. So, ask questions and do the research first before you make a purchase.

The post 7 Tips for Buying a Used Lawn Mower appeared first on Lawn Tools Guide.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Which Lawn Mower to Buy on a Tight Budget: Cordless or Gas-Powered?

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It’s time to buy a lawn mower but you’ve got a budget to follow. Maybe you’ve decided against corded electric models because they are a big hassle. You want freedom to move around and not worry about cords. So now you need to know if you should get a traditional gas mower or a battery-powered one. Which one will save you more money?

The choice would be simple if you had a large yard, say ½-acre or more. Of course you’d get a gas-powered mower since cordless electric ones only cover up to 1/3-acre on a charge. You’d probably do the same if you had a lot of hilly terrain because your battery charge would last even less time. But none of this matters in your yard, so how else do you make up your mind?

No worries, we can help you make this crucial decision. Let’s look at the reasons for and against both kinds of mowers to see which one will cost you less in the long run.

The hidden costs of owning a lawn mower

Every power tool has two prices: one at its purchase, and the ongoing cost of keeping it running.

Gas mowers

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Just like a car, a gas-powered mower needs fuel and tune-ups. At the time of writing, gas costs just under $2 a gallon. If you’re pushing a mower, it could take up to an hour to mow 1/3-acre. A typical gas mower consumes about a gallon per hour. That means you’ll spend around $2 each time you mow. That doesn’t seem like much to spend, does it? But wait, there’s more.

Gas mowers need tune-ups each year. Those include a new spark plug, fuel filter, air filter, and oil change. Some companies like Briggs & Stratton sell tune-up kits with all these parts for about $15, but you’ll have to do the work yourself. If you take the mower to a mechanic, the cost rockets up to between $40 to $85. (The pricier end includes blade sharpening, extra steps for self-propelled mowers, and general clean-up and lubrication.)

Battery-powered cordless mowers

A cordless mower does best on mostly-flat lawns measuring around 8,000-square-feet or less. Some models handle up to 1/3-acre, which is about 14,520-square-feet, on a single charge. The average runtime is about 45 minutes, but some last up to almost an hour and a half.

Charging the mower’s battery might cost $0.40 each time. (This is based on the current price of electricity per kilowatt/hour.) A cordless electric, or battery, lawn mower doesn’t need a lot of other maintenance. Just keep it clean, sharpen the blade, and charge the battery. What a relief after dealing with messy, smelly, and noisy gas mowers. No more cord-pulling, just start it and go. (See, you really are cordless!)

But replacing the batteries…That’s where the big cost of owning a cordless mower happens. A lead-acid battery, like those in WORX mowers, have a lifetime up to 5 years if they aren’t constantly expose88d to high heat. Lead-acid replacements run around $150 to over $200. Lithium-Ion batteries, like those in Greenworks mowers, last around three years and cost around $80 to $120.

But wait, there’s more…

 

Blade maintenance for both kinds of mowers

No matter what kind of mower you have, you’ll need to sharpen the blade. You can do this yourself with a file or grinder. If you hire someone else to do it, the price is about $10 each time. A replacement blade is $15 to $20.

Time to calculate the cost

The average warranty on a lawn mower is 3 years or less. Let’s plan on you keeping your new mower for three years (although many owners keep them for double that before upgrading). Let’s also pretend that you have no desire to do your own maintenance on your mower, so you’ll be paying full price to maintain and fuel it.

Gas mower cost over 3 years

Blade sharpening twice a year
$10 x 2 = $20

Fuel
$2.00 per gallon x 30 mows a year = $60

Tune-up
$40

Total
So far, that’s $120 for one year using a gas mower. Multiply by 3 and that’s $360 for three years. Given that a decent gas-powered push mower costs around $250, you’ll need $610 total for three years of lawn care. That’s about $17 a month. At least that’s cheaper than paying someone else to do it.

Cordless mower cost over 3 years

Blade sharpening twice a year
$10 x 2 = $20

Electricity to recharge the battery
$0.40 x 30 = $12 per year
(one charge after each mow, although you might need to check your charge once or twice during the winter)

Replacement battery
$80 to $120
But if you only use the mower for three years, you probably won’t need a new battery, so we’re leaving this out of the total for now.

Total
$32 per year to operate a cordless electric mower. In three years, that’s $96. If you had to purchase a new battery, that’s about equal to the cost of one year of owning a gas mower.

A decent cordless mower costs about the same as a gas-powered push mower, around $250. The total cost of ownership would then be $346 for three years ($250 + $96), or $9.61 a month.

Save money

A cordless mower costs a lot less to operate and maintain–about ¼ of what a gas mower does. Now you know, so it’s time to go shopping. See our reviews about the best lawn mowers at lawntoolsguide.com.

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Thursday, March 3, 2016

How to Fix a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

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If your self-propelled lawn mower has suddenly become a push mower, if it runs rough, or if it won’t even start, don’t panic. You might not need to take it in for service yet. Use these quick tips to narrow down the problem and fix it. Many of these solutions will work no matter if you have a gas, electric, or cordless model.

Here are the three most common dilemmas facing the owners of self-propelled lawn mowers.

1.    The mower doesn’t self-propel anymore, or it moves too slowly

 

This usually results from a problem with the cable that controls the speed. It’s probably the most common complaint about older self-propelled mowers.

Transmission cable

Time to complete: less than 10 minutes

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Image courtesy of Toro.com

If the transmission or drive cable comes loose or breaks, your mower will stop moving forward on its own. Inspect the whole cable from the handlebar down to the transmission. Make sure it’s connected firmly at both ends and doesn’t need to be replaced because of wear or damage. (Rodents love to gnaw on wires, especially plastic-coated ones. If you have uninvited guests in your garage over the winter, you might have a few gaps in your cable.)

 

If you have a Personal Pace mower and it’s moving too slowly, check the wire cable that runs from the handle down to the transmission. With the engine turned off, squeeze the Personal Pace handle. It should move about an inch before you feel resistance. If it moves more than that, the cable may need tightening. This tends to stretch with wear just like a gear cable on an old ten-speed bike.

 

Loosen the bolt that clamps the cable onto the handle. Pull up the drive cable about an inch, tighten the bolt, and then squeeze the handle again. If there is less play, test the mower’s speed with the engine running.

Wheels and the drive wheel gears

Time to complete: less than 10 minutes if you don’t have to remove the wheels

Wheels and gears need cleaning and lubrication, and sometimes they just need to be replaced. Your mower will move much more slowly if the drive wheels and gears are jammed up with clippings and dirt. Clean them and spray them with WD-40 or graphite.

 

2.    The mower vibrates too much, makes noises, or cuts poorly

If you have a bent, damaged, or unbalanced blade, it will make the mower shake more than normal. It will also damage your lawn by tearing out grass or making ragged cuts. If you can’t see the ragged cuts now, you will soon enough, as the grass will turn brown at the tips.

Please remember to disconnect the spark plug cable before doing any of the maintenance described below.

Blade61

Clear out grass clippings and dirt from the underside of the mower. If the blade is obviously bent or damaged, replace it. If it looks okay, but you’re still getting bad vibrations, remove it. Check the balance by using a balancer or hanging it with a nail through its center hole. If one side hangs lower, file that edge until the blade hangs level. Sharpen the blade about every two weeks for the best cut.

Motor shaft

Once you’ve removed the blade, you can see the rod, or shaft, connecting the blade to the motor. If you’ve run over large rocks or tree stumps, it may be bent. If it is damaged, we recommend that you take the mower to a mechanic.

3.    The mower runs rough, or won’t start

Just like in a car, a bad spark plug, drained battery, or stale fuel can stop a mower from starting. If your mower has a fuel shut-off valve and it’s closed, that could prevent your mower from starting, too. Make sure any safety features (like blade control) that keep the mower from operating are all disengaged. Then try starting the mower again. If that fails, try the steps below.

Fuel

If you’ve left gas in the tank all winter without using a stabilizer, the gas may have gone bad. Does it smell wrong? Remove all the fuel, change the filter, and then put fresh gasoline in the tank. (At least with self-propelled 4-cylinder engines you don’t have to mix the gas and oil together.)

Spark plug

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Time to complete: less than 5 minutes

Disconnect the spark plug cable (but wait, you already did that, didn’t you? Safety first!), pull out the spark plug, and wipe it clean. If the porcelain is cracked or the electrode burned off, you’ll need a new one. Lawn mower spark plugs need to be replaced about once a year. After you put it back, or put in a new one, connect the cable. Does the mower start?

 

Battery

If your mower has electric starter that runs off a battery, see if the battery has drained. Recharge it, or replace it if it won’t hold a charge. Do the same for cordless mowers that run off batteries.

Cord

Electric mowers are dependent on extension cords, and those cords are prone to damage. Try a different cord and test the outlet to make sure it’s working.

Carburetor and Air Filter

Clean, or better yet, replace the air filter if it’s filthy. Cleaning a carburetor is a big job, but it’s not impossible. See if your mower’s manufacturer gives advice on how to do it, or else take your mower to a mechanic.

If all else fails…

If your mower is out of warranty and repairs are too expensive, consider getting a new self-propelled lawn mower. See the reviews of the latest and greatest models. Find out what features will make your mowing easier. Read more at lawntoolsguide.com.

 

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Monday, February 29, 2016

Troubleshoot and Resolve Greenworks Lawn Mower Problems

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The weather’s nice and you’re ready get outside and cut the grass. But after a long winter’s storage you’ve discovered a problem with your Greenworks lawn mower. Let’s go over the most common problems owners run into, and how you can fix them quickly.

Problem 1: The mower won’t start

The most obvious reasons why a mower won’t start is lack of power. If you’ve plugged in the cord or inserted the battery, put in the key (not all models have keys), pushed the button, and nothing happens, there are just a few reasons why.

The battery is dead

Put the battery into the charger and see if the light is green. Lithium-Ion batteries maintain most of their charge for a long time in storage, but if you put it away nearly empty, it may need a recharge. (Prolong its life by charging it just to 50% before storing it.)

Greenworks batteries last up to about 2,000 charges and have a 2-year warranty. If your battery is more than three years old, or if it has been exposed to extreme heat (like the dashboard of a car in the summer), it may not be performing the way it did when it was new. High temperatures kill the battery, and could make it leak or explode.

If you have access to another Greenworks battery, try swapping it with your old one to see if the mower starts, and also if your charger is working properly.

The power is off or the cord has a problem

If you have a cord54ed electrical mower, see if the outlet you’re using is working. Sometimes the power gets shut off or a breaker has tripped. Test the outlet with a different electrical appliance.

 

Check the extension cord for wear. Test it with a different electrical appliance, too, to see if power runs through it properly, or if it has a short. Try to start the mower with a different extension cord. Make sure the wire has the correct gauge (see below for more information).

The starter switch is broken or defective

Once in a while the starter will have failed. If the two prior steps of checking the battery and charger and cord and outlet aren’t resolving your problem, it’s time to call for help. Greenworks has a toll-free helpline: 1-888-909-6757, or 1-888-90WORKS.

Problem 2: The mower vibrates and makes weird noises

These are not noisy gas lawn mowers, so if your mower is shaking and making unusual noises, turn it off. Unplug it or take out the battery. Then tip it on its side and take a look underneath.

The blade is damaged55

The blade could be unbalanced if it was sharpened too much on one edge. Remove the blade. Buy a cheap little conical plastic balancer at a lawn and garden center and lay the blade onto it. That makes it easy to see if you’ve sharpened it correctly. (You can also hang the blade on a nail through the center hole.) If one side hangs lower than the other, your blade is out of balance. You can file or grind the edge that hangs lower until the blade hangs level.

The blade may be incorrectly mounted. Check the orientation in case someone mounted it upside down.

Worst case scenario is that the blade is bent or badly dinged up enough that you’ll need to buy a new one.

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The motor shaft is bent

If the blade looks okay, see if the motor shaft looks damaged. If that’s the case, it’s time to call Greenworks or a lawn mower mechanic for help. This is a rather rare problem if you don’t usually run over rocks, branches, tools, or toys while you’re mowing. Give the blade a closer look if you know you haven’t been maltreating your mower.

Problem 3: The mower is not cutting or mulching well

There are a few things that can cause your mower to behave badly. Not enough electrical power, dull blades, very tall grass, and wet conditions are some of the challenges you might face.

Extension cord

If you’ve not had to do much with extension cords and power tools, you might not know that you need increasingly thicker wires to carry enough electricity over longer distances. If your cord can’t get enough electricity to your mower, your mower will not work properly.

For example, the Greenworks 21” electric mower requires 13A of current. If you have a tiny yard, you can use a 50-foot cord with 16-gauge wire. But if you use a 100’ cord, you’ll want 14-gauge. The maximum cord length they recommend using is 150’ of 12-gauge wire. It sounds backward, but the smaller the gauge number (AWG), the thicker the wire is.

Dull blade57

All work and no sharpening will have your lawn mower tearing out the grass instead of cutting it. Use a metal file to hone the cutting edges every couple of weeks, or at least once a month if you have a small lawn. You can also use a grinder, but take it slow if you don’t have a lot of practice sharpening blades.

It’s easier if you have a second blade so you can swap them. One goes into the shop for sharpening while you mow with the other.

The ground is too soft or wet

Mother Nature doesn’t always consult our schedules, so the ground may be too wet for you to mow when you have time to do it. Wet grass will stick to the underside of the deck and the mower won’t mulch nicely. If it’s not mulching at all, you may have forgotten to insert the mulch plug.

Soft, muddy ground or a full bag of clippings will make the mower much harder to push. If you can put off mowing till the yard dries, your grass and your back will thank you. If you absolutely must cut the lawn, raise the height of the deck and see if that helps.

Smooth running

Greenworks mowers are best-sellers partly because they are easy to use and maintain. Keep the battery charged, check your extension cord, sharpen your blade, and give the underside of your mower a good cleaning once a month and before storing it for the winter. Happy Mowing!

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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

What to consider, buying the best cordless lawn mower?


If you are the owner of a house with the garden area, well, you are lucky already! You could go for gardening to seed some trees and flowers. But it takes time and efforts of course. Therefore, smooth and green grass in front of your house might also create cozy and fresh look for your place. One more thing that you need to do, but not that often and not that effort consuming, is cutting that grass.




If you have small yard area, probably you should consider buying cordless lawn mower. It is designed for working on the yard that requires about an hour and very mobile. But before purchasing the best cordless lawn mower for the money, you should consider all its features, pros and cons.  

Corded lawn mower on the other hand works when you are connecting it with the electric outlet in your house, which means you do not need to worry about the power source or think about charging issues. Usually corded electric lawn mower is used for big areas that require a lot of time.

Some main features of the cordless lawn mowers are following:

-          Noise reduction. Because no gas or petrol engine use is involved, noise of working equipment will be reduced significantly.
-          Pollution reduction. Again, without using gas or petrol, cutting your lawn will not require lubrication for the device or headache about gas and oil refilling. It is also environmentally safe.
-           Mobility. Because it is powered by the batteries you will not face the limitations of area. You can move the mower easily thanks to light weight.
-          Lower cost. The cost to charge battery with electricity is actually lower that the cost of gasoline, oil, sparkplugs and air filters in comparison with corded lawn mowers.
-          Easier usage. This type of mower is lighter and easier to use. Additionally, it is easier to control so your lawn can be cut be within shorter time.
There are some disadvantages on the other hand as well:
-          This type of mowers is not as powerful in comparison with gasoline powered models. Therefore, you need to cut lawn more often, because long grass turns out is harder to cut.
-          Charging time. Depending on each model, sometimes it might take from 8 to 16 hours to recharge the battery and it will be only for 1 hour operation.
-          Another reason why need to do mowing more is because in comparison with gas powered devices the width of mower’s blade is shorter.
-          Also cordless mowers have a bit of limitation in models choice.

http://lawntoolsguide.com/greenworks-25022-12-amp-corded-20-inch-lawn-mower-best-cordless-lawn-mower-for-the-money/



So what do you need to consider for getting a perfect cordless lawn mower?

-          Battery. Because battery is the main source of power for cordless lawn mower, it obviously becomes the main issue to think about. It should be durable, produce more volts for longer usage and easily rechargeable. Is it removable, so you can change the battery when first one is finished? And does it have a gauge that shows battery level? How much the new battery costs?
-          Push or self-propelled. Push type of mower requires you to push back and forth. Whereas self-propelled one has rear wheels that allow you to drive the mower, so you can control its speed and direction.
-          Mulching and bagging. Mowers with the mulching mode add nutrients to the soil by mulching clippings. Bagging mode allows gathering cut grass and mulch the garden occasionally.
-           Cutting quality. The cut of lawn should satisfy you by the quality.
-          Handle comfort and adjustment. The handle should be comfortable for usage and adjustable, so size and height definitely matter.
-          Maneuverability. It should be easily pushed and controlled.
-          Weight. Lightweight is one of the cordless lawn mower features. The weight determines mobility of the mower.
-          Price. There are different products on the market. The price shall be affordable by you, as well as satisfy in terms of features that you have in priority.
-          Warranty. Look at the warranty provided by manufacturer, just in case you need repairs and fixing.

Considering all advantages and disadvantages above with the features that you have to choose, you have the basic knowledge about the cordless lawn mower. So start comparing and choosing to optimize the look of your yard.