Buying Guide to Riding Lawn Mowers

In order to have a beautiful yard, it is important to make sure you are using the right tools. If your riding lawn mower has seen better days, it may be time to upgrade. This market has expanded quite a bit in recent years, and the amount of choices for riding lawn mowers can be staggering. Here’s a helpful guide to assist you in cutting through the field.

The Size of Your Yard

The size of your yard should determine how big your riding lawn mower is. Smaller and cheaper riding lawn mowers are typically well suited to the average back yard, but they may begin to have problems if they are used for yards that are larger than one acre. Each riding lawn mower should have a guide for recommended use and it is important to make sure that you are getting the right model for your needs.

Large acreage owners should purchase a riding lawn mower than will be able to stand up to frequent and long usage. Most mechanical problems can be traced back to hours of use on a riding lawn mower that is only meant to run for thirty minutes at a time. If you do have a very large yard, but are restricted to a very small budget, you can get away with a cheaper riding lawn mower, provided that you don’t mow your lawn all at once. Break up your mowing schedule over a few days to ensure that your riding lawn mower will last longer.

To Bag or Not to Bag

Dealing with a bag on a riding lawn mower can be frustrating and many people will choose to forego this option. Unless clippings really irritate you, you can skip the bag option when you purchase a new riding lawn mower. It will save landfill space and help cut down on the amount of work that you do. If having clippings lying around your yard is a problem, a bag option should not increase the price of a riding lawn mower too much, depending on the model that you select. Try to use the clippings in your compost heap instead of throwing them away to maximize their effectiveness.

Your Landscape

If your yard is filled with trees or has several outdoor fixtures, you will want to find a riding lawn mower that has a very good turning radius. In most cases, you will still need to use a regular push mower to get close to trees, but newer riding lawn mowers have made it easier to minimize this extra step. Look for a riding lawn mower that has a good safety rating if you do need to get in close to certain areas in your landscape.

Price

A riding lawn mower can be an expensive purchase, and they may not be for everyone. Most base models start at around $1000 which puts them out of the price range of many people. It is important to consider how much time you actually spend mowing your lawn and how large it really is before you make your final decision. A riding lawn mower can save you a lot of time and energy, but it may be overkill if your lawn can be mowed in just a few passes.

Emissions

Just like all gas-powered utilities, a riding lawn mower will have some emissions. Check with your local hardware store to make sure that the model you are interested in complies with any state or local emission regulations before you make your purchase. This will help you save money and frustration.