Want to buy lawn mower for basic yard, advice on what kind appreciated?

Question

Have time on my hands, and see no reason to pay the overly high price people charge for yard work.

I have a straight lawn, no golf green type look, main grasss in front and only a little in the back. Don't want expense of riding lawn mower. Want to get one easy to work. For some strange reason when young my father did not want my brother and I to mow the yard, he didn't either?????????????????

So am starting from scratch, but this is not rocket science. A friend warned me about not getting one that you have change each wheel for lever. Basics on buying and doing appreciated, such as dumping grass, maintaining, basically what need to do.

In addition, where to buy and about how much to pay is also a question.

Any thoughts much appreicated.

Answer 1

Go to Sears. The people that work there are very helpful and can tell you what type of mower you should get according to how big of a yard you have and if you just want a mower or a mulcher/mower combo.

Answer 2

Been there done that. First check if any youngsters live in the area who's family already owns a mower that the youngster uses. Pay him/her a small fee which they will appreciate to mow on a periodic basis. This could be the start of a small business for the youngster. You save buying a mower, gas, storage and smell. Make sure they use a mower with catcher and dump it into the appropriate trash container. Do not store bags or grass clippings in garage as it is fire hazard.

Otherwise buy a low priced (about $200) self propelled unit from Sears with a catcher. Make sure it is the easy start rope pull. Electric start units cost about the same as the down payment on a new Ford Focus so stay away from them.
Also avoid those that require oil mixed with the fuel. You will need an approved plastic 2 gal (min) fuel container. Make sure to store the container outside which is easy, just keep the caps in place. Keep spouts clean with no sand or you will be back buying another mower. Remember it will cost you an arm and leg to have a mower repaired. Better to keep it in good condition and buy a new one when it wears out. By the way if you move plan on extra cost of moving and storing the mower as most public storage places do not accept anything with flamables. If you put the mower in a moving van the couches will smell of fumes for 20 years.
Last tip. Lawn mowing is one of the highest rates of injuries of any home activity.

Answer 3

Go the library and pickup the issue of consumer reports that talks about lawnmowers. Generally speaking a perfectly good non self propelled mower can be had for about $200. If you want self propelled you'll need to spend closer to $400. Avoid stuff like the electric start that just makes it heavier and harder push. I've got a toro I bought a couple of years ago for 400 and its great. Also if you want a self propelled DO NOT get a front wheel drive. I've never used one that wasn't a piece of garbage. Because all the weight is behind the drive wheels they get no traction.

Maintence for a power mower is easy. Buy an extra blade so you can change it at least once a month. At the end of the season, run all the gas out of the engine, change the air filer, spark plug and oil. If you do that the thing will last a long time. As for changing the blade height this is no big deal you'll probably not even do it more that a couple of times a year so I wouldn't let that influence your decision to much.

As to bagging the clipplings this is hot topic, but I'd get a mower that allows you to bag, side discharge and mulch. My Toro does all three just fine.

Answer 4

You could probably spend as little as 175.00 for a new push mower or as much as 500.00 for one with a lot of useless stuff on it. A bagger mower doesn't necessarily come with a bag. I would get a mulching type mower. Murry brands are less expensive and Sears more expensive and prices from assorted other makers vary greatly. This is the time of year to buy one since they will be going on sale very soon.

Something that has a 20 inch cut, maybe 3 horsepower mulching/mowing combination. Others have answered that maintenance is easy. Follow the manufacturers directions and check to see if it comes with oil in it. Some do not. Even the cheap mowers will last a long time say 8-10 years with care. What seems to do them in is lack of oil changes and gasoline with alcohol added. The alcohol is tough on the carb gaskets and diaphragm.

Answer 5

I have a Yard-Man 21" 6.75 HP rear-discharge self-propelled mower. I have a fairly large lawn which will get bigger next year when I remove some trees, so the fact that I don't have to push it helps. I also prefer the rear discharge to the side discharge. Each wheel has an adjustment lever, but they are easy to operate and I rarely change the height anyway. It's easy to use and I've never had any problems with it.

I got mine at the end of the season three years ago -- I paid $199.00. I've seen them at WalMart, Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware.

I bag my grass clippings and put them in the trash each week.

Answer 6

It sounds like your yard is small enough for a battery operated mower. We have a Neuton which came with all attachments making it very convenient. A battery mower is also much cleaner running. One adjustment adjusts all wheels. We got an extra battery. Batteries can be lifted out easily and charged inside house. Dumping grass clippings, just lift rear guard and most fall out. It is a bit spendy at around $500.00 but pays for itself in ease and convience.

Answer 7

the best mower is John Deer get one that is a mulching mower putting the clipping back in the soil is the best for the grass

Answer 8

Hands down Honda , starts with one pull (all the time) cuts real smooth (Dual blades) requires little maint, adjusts height centrally , runs forever , Fairly expensive however. (oh well)

Answer 9

Go green - go electric. Your yard is small enough to use an electric mower, it's quieter, cleaner, and requires much less maintenance.