Pros And Cons Of Walk Behind Lawn Mowers
Walk-behind lawn mowers vary according to many factors such as what fuels the movement, how blades move, what pushes the whole mower, and what happens to grass clippings. The best type of walk behind depends mostly on the slope and size of your lawn: how many trees you have: and what is the condition of your lawn: smooth or weedy? Of course, your workout also enters into your choice. Some people think that mowing is a good exercise, while others may want it to be as easy as possible.
Most rotary blade mowers can bag, mulch, or side discharge clippings easily. A reel mower can be equipped with a bag, or just drop its clippings on the ground. Overall, every major kind of mower has distinct benefits and loss.
Self Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
Generally, a self-propelled gas mower is moved by its motor without being pushed. It can be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel-drive: single speed or variable speed: and some may have cruise control.
Recommended for half an acre lawns, the self-propelled mowers cut more evenly as compared to other kinds of mowers for lawns. They can start with an electric switch. Another high-end feature is a blade override. This stops the blade without cutting the motor. It means that you can stop a self propelled mower to empty the bag or to pick up objects without restarting the engine. It also adds more to your safety.
Like any gas lawn mower, a self-propelled model needs regular cleaning as well as maintenance. They are noisy enough and require hearing protection. They are the most expensive mower type that is most apt to need repairs. Safety is also a concern. Emissions are another major concern for both global warming and air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that gas mowers emit air pollution. You can minimize emissions by simply selecting a mower with an engine that can meet emissions standards of the CARB: California Air Resources Board. If it seems impossible, choose a four cycle OHV-overhead-valve engine because it is more fuel efficient and can last longer than any two cycle mower engine.
Gas Powered Push Mowers
Highly suggestive for lawns up to one third of an acre, push lawn mowers require more physical exercise. They need lesser amount of repairs than any self-propelled mower, yet they do not last for long. They can easily bag clippings. Experts recommend them for side discharging mode or mulching.
Corded Electric Mowers
They offer easy starting and have lower noise levels. They are light weight and reported with lesser emissions than any gas mower. Some communities offer discounts for switching from gas mowers to electric mowers. Corded electric mowers can be found as both self propelled or push mowers.
They give you more range and flexibility, since they are not tethered to an electrical cord. They are easiest type to convert to solar power.
Manual Reel Mowers
With global warming, a growing concern, manual reel mowers are gaining lot of popularity across the world. This is quietest and safest type of mower available to meet your personal needs.
Look for mowers in detail, if you are not sure which mode you want to use the most. A comparative insight will help you get the right machine for your lawn maintenance.
What is a better self propelled mower – front wheel or back wheel?
I am looking to buy a self propelled lawn mower. Just wondering what people seem to prefer, front wheel propelled or rear wheel? Can you tell me your choice and why? Thanks
tinman and renpen make some excellent points. Generally, if I’m going to save the exercise on pushing, I’d opt for the more expensive rear wheel drives. They usually have a clutch, which will allow you to make your turns without lifting anything moving. The cheaper ones are usually front wheel driven. I’d spend the money on rear-wheel, usually it’s also better quality. Also, I’ve used these, and they give better control. Look/inspect the better brands/models, they’re usually rear-wheel driven.
But to each his/her own. Good luck and happy mowing.
Does anyone really like front wheel drive self propelled mowers, as opposed to rear wheel?
I bought this heavy mower that has front wheel drive and its just like having to push it yourself, and since its really heavy, the work is that much harder. Could it be just this mower, which is a poulan pro.
Had somebody look at the mower today, and it seems as though the wheels are stripped. The wheels have plastic grooves and they have become smooth and the metal grooves that go into the wheels are worn down as well, the belt was loose and a few other things were bad as well.
front wheel drive mowers are for residencial use. rear wheel drive are for commercial use and work really good. you rarely have to push. if you mow your own lawn, the front wheel drive should be good enough, unless you have a huge lawn. commercial lawn mowers ar twice as heavy, 3-5 times more expensice, and ten times better.
Toro or Lawnboy self propelled mowers, what’s better?
Either the Toro with Personal Pace or Lawnboy with Sensaspeed. Self propelled. Anyone prefer one over the other? What do you like or dislike about either one?
I was hoping to get more input on why you liked it.
Here is the shock answer for you, Toro owns Lawn-Boy. The handles look different, but they use the same system. As you push in the handle, the cable pulls the transmission back so it tightens a belt. The Lawn-Boy is designed more for the person looking for easy to use, the Toro is designed for the person who is more concerned with having a machine that is of a good name.
Would you buy a self propelled lawn mower or just a regular lawn mower?
It seems like the self propelled mower would be much easier to push but maybe they malfunction later on. Would you get one that is or isn’t self propelled?
that depends on 2 things:
1) user physical ability. the ease of use. the regular one is lighter. but you will need to push it yourself. the self propelled one is a little heavier because of the mechanics. it self propells but you still need to push it yourself. you might be able to handle both. think about other users in your family, say your wife, son. they might have a preferenece.
2) size of the lawn, which determines the amount of time that you will need to spend behind the machine. i don’t know how many hours/ minutes do you want or do you have to spend on the lawn. the self propel ones are slower. so, that means more time spent. (well, if you push the regular mower real fast, or real slow, that would affect the finishing time, too)
i would get a regular one myself. less expensive, less mechanics (less likely to breakdown), less heavy, can do just as well.
Regarding self-propelled lawn mowers, do you prefer front or rear wheeled drive?
What might be the advantages/disadvantages to these?
I am not a big fan of self propelled mowers. There are both good and bad points for either front or rear drive mowers, but I like neither of them. A good mower should be very easy to push. If you make the investment in a good Toro or other high end push mower, you will find that they push very easily. Fighting a cheaper self propelled mower will take as much exertion as pushing a good mower that is not self propelled. Your self propelled mower will also require more frequent maintainance and will bog down easier in heavy grass as a lot of the power is being used to propel the mower.
By the way, here is my favorite lawn care website. In addition to lawn care information, you will find a lot of information on lawn care equipment at:
http://www.lawnandgardenguide.info/
Good luck with your decision.
Are self propelled lawn mowers any good – also what about reverse?
I need a lawnmower for my parents in-law in their 70s. Will they be able to work one of these or are they too heavy to manouvre etc.
Are they good generally for a fairly large garden?
Depends on the size of the garden, but one of the best rear
drive medium size mower is the Honda Hr Range with electric
start and roller to give the appearance of a cylinder mower stripped cut and even my mother and father are able to use it, very easy to use..
Lawn Mowers : which is easiest to push – a self-propelled one or a regular push one?
I know that sounds like a silly question, but my dad says his new self-propelled one is harder to handle than his old push one because although it works great of flat, straight stretches of lawn, it’s tough to turn around or to work around beds and trees and stuff. I have to buy a new mower and thought a self-propelled one would be great for me, but now I’m not sure. Mowing the lawn is a nightmare for me. I hate it. But I can’t afford to pay anyone to do it anymore. Help!
I agree with your dad. It is MUCH heavier, and in all but going in a straight line I find it difficult and cumbersome and frustrating. So it depends on the lawn(s) you will be using it on.
Self propelled lawn mowers?
I am in the market for a walk-behind, self-propelled mower. The key is self-propelled. I need something that will pulled up the slopes in my yard. Every review I’ve seen does not address the power of the self-propelled function.
Would appreciate any recommendations.
go with a gear type transmition, even if it has a smaller engine it should be able to go up any hill that should be mowed! friction based systems will probably slip and as for as front or rear drive, go with rear drive for hills, the weightis mostly on the rear so they shouldnt slip as much ! if its not too big of a hill you might consider a weed whacker they cost about one third or less, (as cheap as 59.99 at walmart for gas powered) than a self propelled lawn mower, although it takes some practice to make it look like a mowed lawn, its much safer!
How does a self propelled push mower work?
I have a huge yard and out of financial need I push mow my yard. It takes me 6 hours almost on a good day. This morning at 6:10 AM sharp, I was mowing. The neighbors look at me like I am nuts. I will probably buy a self propelled mower and a riding mower after I get out of debt next summer.
I have to say, my yard looks beautiful after I am done. I live on a corner on a hill, so I have to push mow a giagantic amount of hill out here. Its probably close to about 10 feet tall.
Would a self propelled lawn mower help me get the job done next summer? How does it work.
Self-propelled rotary lawn mowers require the operator to squeeze a bar to engage the mower, which causes the machine to take off — all you have to do is control the direction in which it goes. If you release your grip on the bar, the mower blade stops spinning. For the higher-end self-propelled rotary mowers, the drive system does not shut off when you release the bar – a convenient feature, in case you’d like to transport the lawn mower from point A to point B without cutting grass along the way.
Are any push/self-propelled lawn mowers made that mulch grass into fine clippings requiring NO RAKING?
Possibly. Check out this website.
http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/info/lawn.htm