Mowers for Medium-Sized Lawns!

It is usually a hard decision to make whether to go for a walk-behind or a ride-on mower.

You have also heard that before choosing any lawnmower, you need to consider the following things:

· Choose the right sized machine

· Get the best price

· Find which models are reliable

· Get the lawn finish you require

· Spare parts availability

· What size engine is needed

· Match machine to the size of lawn

· Access the latest deals

If you have a small or a large lawn, then the decision is obvious and straightforward. The difficulty comes when you have a medium-sized yard. Do you want to walk all that distance behind a mower, or can you justify a ride-on?

But first consider when a lawn is considered as small, medium and large. A large lawn is 2.5 acres or more, medium lawn is 1-2.5 acres and small lawn is up to 1 acre.

It is unquestionably true that some people have ride-on mowers when it simply isn’t necessary, which is just a waste of money. These are expensive machines, with only a few models below the $1,500 price tag. You should have to manage your budget.

If you decide to buy a ride-on, consider the lawn’s shape, as it is much easier if the edges are either straight or only gently curved and if there are no awkward corners. Some people even go around the edges first with a walk-behind.

There are different sizes of ride-on mowers available, and some are very maneuverable, even in tight corners. Also, the grass collecting method of the machine has a bearing on its maneuverability and suitability.

The least obtrusive system to maneuverability is the mulching deck, as there is no grass collector needed, and hence the mower is probably shorter and more compact.

“Mulching deck mowers are very easy to negotiate around a medium-sized lawn, as there is no grass collection box.”

At the opposite end of the scale are tow-behind collectors (albeit these are not very common) and the brush collectors.

The brush collectors hang on the back of the mower and increase its length, but also because there is brush causing friction and acting as a third contra-rotating wheel at the rear of the machine, it can affect the machine’s ability to turn sharply.

The other type of collector is the chute method, where the grass is ‘blown’ by the cutting blade up a chute and into the grass collection box. There is no brush contacting with the turf, and so the turning radius is not adversely affected. However, these collectors do have more of a tendency to block under damp conditions in comparison to the brush collectors. The short chute versions that usually route the grass a short distance through the machine’s center (under the driver’s seat) are generally better at coping with damp grass than the side chute models. The side chutes are long and more prone to blockage.

It certainly is possible to use a ride-on mower in a medium-sized garden if you choose a suitably sized machine and the shape of your lawn is appropriate.

One type of mower which is very maneuverable is the articulated (bend in the middle) steering machines. In fact, these often have front-mounted cutting decks, and so it is easy to get right into the corners and negotiate curves without cutting corners with the rear wheels as the rear wheels chase the path of the front ones.

Ulani Uriah

Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.

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