Riding Lawn Mowers - Discovering The Right Model For Your Yard

It is a good idea to buy a riding lawn mower if you have a large area of lawn to maintain and you are finding it hard to keep it under control. For many people, a conventional push mower takes a too long and requires too much physical effort. There are actually two types of riding lawn mower, the so-called ride-on mower and the lawn mower tractor. In general this article uses riding lawn mower to cover both types. The main difference between the two is that a lawn tractor can handle rougher terrain and can also be used for other tasks such as pulling equipment.

Providing that your lawn is comparatively flat and free from obstacles, a riding lawn mower is the ideal solution for keeping it maintained. If you do have many corners or narrow gaps then you can still use a riding lawn mower but you need to consider the type known as a zero-turning-radius mower or ZTR. As the name implies, these can be turned through 180 degrees without moving and therefore helps considerably if you need to negotiate obstacles including trees or garden decorations.

Unsurprisingly with such a piece of equipment, there are several options and features to choose from. Let's have a look at some of these features so that you buy the one that is most appropriate to your needs. First of all you need to take account of the terrain, particularly if there are hilly areas. Any lawns with slopes required an all-wheel drive mower, not only for more grip but additionally because they are usually more stable on sloping terrain. It is vital to take a note of the manufacturers specifications when it comes to the maximum gradient that you can safely use the mower without it overturning. If your lawn is flat and clear then a standard rider is enough.

In case you have a large area such as two or more acres, or you just like to get the job done quickly, you should get a faster riding mower with the widest deck that you can get so that you cut more area with each pass. Be careful though to make sure that the mower will go through the narrowest gaps that you have and also that you've got room to keep the mower.

The next thing to consider is what to do with the clippings. The more basic riding mowers simply send out the grass to one side and spread it out on the lawn. This is actually beneficial to the lawn as the clippings rot away and return nutrition to the soil. Some people who want to keep their lawn looking in top condition prefer to get a mower with a bagger at the side or rear that captures the clippings. Baggers can add quite a lot to the cost of the mower. You will also pay more if you decide to get a mulching kit that chops the clipping almost into a powder that forms a mulch when it degrades on top of the grass.

One last decision is whether to choose a lawn tractor. This really depends on whether being able to attach an utility trailer to the rear of the mower is of use. They can also be used to help clear snow in the winter.

By: Emelia Morseton

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