Outdoor Power Tool Reviews » Self-propelled Lawn Mowers

Newest Lawn Mowers are a Cut Above

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:17:09 +0000

If your lawn mower is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement. In the past decade, engineering advances have produced gas-powered lawn mowers that run cleaner, start easier and are more fuel efficient than ever before, while providing a variety of options that make yard care easier.

Gas-powered mowers remain the No. 1 choice among homeowners, accounting for four out of every five mowers sold in theUnited States, according to The Stevenson Company, a leading consumer research organization. Lawn care experts say they aren't surprised because gas mowers give consumers so many choices when it comes to power, price and options—something they don't get with electric and battery-powered mowers, which are mainly an option for homeowners with small yards.

"Gas mowers provide a range of power to reliably mow any size yard and even tall, thick grass," explains Rick Zeckmeister, a vice president at Briggs & Stratton Corporation, which engineers and manufactures gas engines for outdoor power equipment.

Today's gas-powered lawn mowers, he points out, are also in tune with today's environmentally conscious lifestyles. Since 1995, Briggs & Stratton has reduced carbon emissions produced by its gas engines by 75 percent. According to EPA statistics, all gas-powered outdoor power equipment combined accounts for less than half a percent of all carbon emissions in theU.S.(Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector 1990?2003, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA 420 R06 003, March 2006). Based on EPA statistics, if a family replaced a single 75-watt incandescent lightbulb with an equivalent compact fluorescent bulb in their home, it would more than offset the carbon emissions from using a gas walk-behind mower for an entire mowing season.

"Gas mowers have improved dramatically over the years in every way," says Zeckmeister. "It would be like comparing a television from the 1990s to a new flat- screen LCD TV you would buy today."

Other innovations and benefits of the newest gas mowers include:

• Easy starting, with a single pull of the starter rope or the push of a button, like in the newest cars;

• Improved fuel efficiency and advanced muffler systems that produce a more pleasant sound quality and less vibration;

• Ample engine power to mulch grass clippings while mowing, turning them into a natural fertilizer for the lawn;

• A variety of options to make mowing easier, from mowers that automatically adjust to the walking pace of the person mowing to digital dashboards that show the time, fuel level, maintenance reminders and other information.

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What type of lawn mower is right for you?

admin — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:46:56 +0000

The video below, from Consumer Reports should be helpful in deciding which lawn mower is right for you. Consumer Reports has tested 50 lawn mowers, both gas and electric, and can help you buy the right one for your yard.

Best Luxury Lawn Mower: Honda HRX217K2HMA

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:48:21 +0000

Best Luxury Lawn Mower
Honda HRX217K2HMA
*Est. $900

The review below is a synthesis of reviews conducted by ConsumerSearch.com, an independent research firm. They compile the results from multiple sources such as Consumer Reports, Consumer Digest, Amazon, Smart Money and others and synthesize the results to draw their conclusions.

It's expensive, but reviews praise this top-ranked Honda self-propelled gas mower for both mulching and bagging grass clippings. Instead of choosing one or the other mode, you can set the mower to bag a certain percentageof clippings. This electric-start lawn mower meets even California's strict standards for emissions, and it's available in the other 49 states as well. The mower carries a three-year warranty and has a rustproof deck, but it's expensive -- and hard to find, except from specialty dealers. The less expensive Honda HRX2172HXA (*est. $800) just lacks the electric start.

The 21-inch Honda HRX217K2HMA is a top-rated self-propelled gas lawn mower with luxury features that include an electric ignition, a Honda OHV engine and variable-speed cruise control. It's noted for its variable mulching and bagging system, letting the user use one lever to set a percentage of clippings to be bagged rather than having to choose one or the other modes. The Honda HRX217K2HMA meets California's strict standards for emissions. If you can live with a mower that doesn't do as good a job at mulching, the less expensive Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum (*est. $550) doesn't have a California Air Resources Board-compliant fuel system but does use a less polluting Honda OHV engine. It has a faster maximum speed and longer warranty.

The top three comparison reviews -- Consumer Reports, NoisePollution.org and Choice (the Australian equivalent to Consumer Reports) -- put the Honda lawn mower through objective comparison tests. The single-product review at ConsumerGuide.com is less formal but more detailed. Reviews at Consumers Digest and Men's Health magazines are based more on features. We found more than 50 owner-written reviews of the Honda HRX series of lawn mowers at Epinions.com, and a review in Popular Mechanics magazine is useful in comparing the cruise-control system on the HRX series with that of the newer HRR lawn mowers.

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Best Budget Self Propelled Lawn Mower: Toro Recycler

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:42:58 +0000

Toro Recycler 20333
*Est. $400

In comparison reviews, experts say that the Toro Recycler 20333 does pretty much everything well, from mulching to bagging and side-discharging clippings. You can even do a little of both, switching back and forth frombagging to mulching with the flip of a switch. A blade brake means you can pause mowing briefly without cutting the engine. Owners say the recoil start generally starts on the first pull (Toro even guarantees this for three years). Most owners like the Personal Pace drive system, which powers the back wheels to match your walking pace, but many say that this takes some getting used to. The Briggs & Stratton 190cc engine is the same engine used in the Craftsman 38905 below.

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How to get your lawn ready for winter

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:42:48 +0000

Winter Lawn Care Tips
If you want to make sure that your lawn is healthy and hearty in the spring them, then you need to follow some basic winter lawn care tips not only in the winter time but also in the fall to keep it healthy all year long. Although most lawns seem to be dormant during the late fall and winter season, how you care for your law during this period can make a really big difference when it comes to your lawn's overall health and beauty during the spring and summer months. Below is a look at some of the ideas that will allow you to keep your lawn healthy all year long by properly maintaining it throughout the fall and winter.

If you live in an area where regular snowfall is normal, then you are going to want to make sure that your winter law care strategy involves keeping your grass free of clutter and debris before the first snow should fall. Proper lawn maintenance in preparation for the first winter snow involves removing sticks, raking away the leaves and disposing of any other debris that should not be on your yard, before they end up buried beneath the snow.

Even if you are not exactly expending a great deal of snowfall, it is still vital that you make sure that your grass is free to breathe rather than left buried beneath piles of leaves, sticks and other rubbish. This rubbish can interfere with the grass needing to receive proper air, proper nutrients and proper moisture which is why it is so important that you clean up your yard before the first snowfall. Your grass may not be growing during this period of time, but if left buried for too long, it can still end up dying during the winter season.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that the summer is the most important season when it comes to controlling and preventing the growth of weeds. The opposite, however, is actually true because weed control is most important during the winter season. Weeds actually grow much more quickly during the winter than your grass can. If the weeds are allowed to grow without any control, your lawn may be dead by the time the spring runs around.

Because your lawn will be growing so slowly during the fall and winter season, it is rather simple to find the weeds that are growing during this time. All you have to do is make sure that you pay attention to your grass during these months, pulling weeds or applying weed killer as needed so that the weeds do not overrun the lawn, ruining your landscaping during the colder season.

If you plan on planting winter grass varieties like rye grass, then these will have the best chance of thriving when planted in October, which is the best time for them to take root. Make sure that your newly planted grass seeds get plenty of water even when the weather is chilly outside.

Select the right mower for your lawn

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:12:14 +0000

Tips on picking the right mower to keep your lawn trimmed.
By Alan J. Heavens, McClatchy Newspapers

A lot of people already have taken their lawn mowers out of storage and given them a couple of workouts.
How did the mower perform? Is it time to buy another? If it is a gas-powered mower, are you thinking about switching to electric, or to battery power, or an old-fashioned push mower?

If it's time to buy a new lawn mower, here are some things to consider, no matter which side of the push/electric/gasoline debate you're on.
Chore or joy: Do you enjoy mowing the lawn, or does it become a chore after the first few outings? Would it be worth it to hire the neighbor's kid or to contract with a service? If you like mowing or think that the exercise, even in the dog days of August, is what the doctor ordered — wear a hat — then doing it yourself is the way to go.

Choose the right size: How big is your yard? How much is lawn and how much garden? Is the surface smooth or bumpy from stones? Are there places always in the shade or wetlands where moss, not grass, predominates? Would you have to run over tree roots? How easy would it be to mow around trees, bushes, walls, and similar obstacles? Is your lawn level or does it slope up or down? If it runs uphill, it might be easier to deal with it using a self-propelled machine.

Stow and go: The mower will have to be stored somewhere, which means finding a less-than-backbreaking way to get it in and out. You won't want to maneuver a heavy, gas-powered mower up and down the basement stairs, and you really should have a garage or a storage shed with a ramp if your lawn requires a ride-on mower. You'll also need a place to store the gasoline and oil — and you don't want to do that near the furnace.

Rear or side bag: The bag on most lawn mowers is in the rear, right underneath the handle. They hold two to three times more grass clippings than a side bag.

Don't go cheap: What you can afford to spend should be factored in along with the kind of mower you and your lawn deserve. Depending on the type, lawn mowers range from the manual-push variety at $80 to ride-on tractors that can cost up to $6,000. Typically, $300 to $700 can get you an electric, battery-powered, or gasoline-powered mower that suits most lawns.

The reel thing: If you're nostalgic, fitness-minded, or environmentally sensitive, the human-powered reel mower could be the one for you. Whether you push or a gas engine pushes for you, reel mowers use blades on a revolving cylinder to shear the blades of grass. Rotary mowers bend the grass first, then cut it. Rotary action is best for those who let their grass grow for weeks before cutting it.

Push vs. self-propelled: Regardless of which energy source powers your mower, you'll have a choice between pushing it as the engine whirs or simply guiding the mower across the lawn. As you might expect, self-propelled mowers cost more. Two desirable features on self-propelled models are a blade-brake clutch — which allows you to pause to pick up a kid's toys but lets the engine run so you won't need to restart — and a single-lever height adjustment for the proper cut.

Powered with gas: These include both push and self-propelled models, most with four-stroke engines and a cutting swath 21 or 22 inches wide. They are noisy, require regular maintenance, and, though federal rules have reduced emissions, still pollute more than others do.

It's electric: These are push-and-walk-behind mowers, with an electric motor driving a rotating blade. Corded and cordless versions start easily with the push of a button or flip of a switch, produce no exhaust, and have interchangeable blades. Mowers with cords are limited by distance from the electrical outlet, and there's always an opportunity to run over the cord. Cordless, battery-operated models are improving, but you must remember to charge the battery — typically 24 hours for a complete charge.

How to grow a green lawn organically

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:27:42 +0000

Organic lawn care tips: How to grow a green lawn organically You don't have to use chemicals to get a lush, green lawn. Scott Meyer, editor of Organic Gardening discusses tips to get a great lawn without harmful chemicals.

Lawn Mower Reviews

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:32:19 +0000

The reviews below are a synthesis of reviews conducted by ConsumerSearch.com, an independent research firm. They compile the results from multiple sources such as Consumer Reports, Consumer Digest, Amazon, Smart Money and others and synthesize the results to draw their conclusions.

Best Gas Push Mower

Craftsman 38905

*Est. $225

If you can get by with a push mower (instead of self-propelled), the Craftsman 38905 is a good blend of performance and value. This model can mulch, side discharge or bag clippings (bag included), but in comparison … reviews, it mulches and bags better than it side-discharges. This Craftsman mower gets especially good reviews for its recoil start, which owners say almost always fires up on the first pull. The 38905 has a more powerful Briggs & Stratton engine than the cheapest Craftsman mowers, so owners give the engine better reviews. The easy-to-change bag is another plus. The Craftsman mower comes with a two-year warranty. One drawback is that changing the cutting height requires adjusting all four wheels.

Budget Self-propelled Lawn Mower

Toro Recycler 20333

*Est. $400

In comparison reviews, experts say that the Toro Recycler 20333 does pretty much everything well, from mulching to bagging and side-discharging clippings. You can even do a little of both, switching back and forth from… bagging to mulching with the flip of a switch. A blade brake means you can pause mowing briefly without cutting the engine. Owners say the recoil start generally starts on the first pull (Toro even guarantees this for three years). Most owners like the Personal Pace drive system, which powers the back wheels to match your walking pace, but many say that this takes some getting used to. The Briggs & Stratton 190cc engine is the same engine used in the Craftsman 38905 above.

Best Luxury Lawn Mower

Honda HRX217K2HMA

*Est. $900

It's expensive, but reviews praise this top-ranked Honda self-propelled gas mower for both mulching and bagging grass clippings. Instead of choosing one or the other mode, you can set the mower to bag a certain percentage… of clippings. This electric-start lawn mower meets even California's strict standards for emissions, and it's available in the other 49 states as well. The mower carries a three-year warranty and has a rustproof deck, but it's expensive -- and hard to find, except from specialty dealers. The less expensive Honda HRX2172HXA (*est. $800) just lacks the electric start.

Electric Lawn Mower

Black & Decker MM875

*Est. $250

Although you have to deal with a power cord, electric mowers are quiet and almost maintenance-free -- they're an option for those with small, relatively flat lawns. Reviewers like the rotary blades on Black & Decker… electric mowers, plus conveniences like one-lever height adjustment. The handle on the Black & Decker MM875 folds down for storage and the polymer deck has a lifetime warranty. As with all corded electric mowers, the maximum cord length is 100 feet, so it's best for small lawns. We did find a few recent owner-reviews warning of durability issues, but in performance tests, the Black & Decker electric mower mulches, side discharges and bags very well (a bag is included).

Cordless Lawn Mower

Black & Decker CMM1200

*Est. $400

According to reviews, the cordless Black & Decker CMM1200 actually does a better job than most corded electric mowers, mulching more effectively and cutting more evenly (bagging isn't its strong suit, though a bag is… included). It can mow about 1/4 acre per battery charge. The CMM1200 has a folding handle, one-lever height adjustment and a polymer deck with lifetime warranty. The downside is that it costs more than a corded electric mower, and you'll need to buy a new battery in a couple of years.

Lawn Mowers Runners Up:

Neuton CE 5.2 *Est. $390

4 picks by top review sites.

Brill Razorcut 38 *Est. $250

3 picks by top review sites.

Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum *Est. $550

3 picks including: Abby'sGuide.com, Amazon.com…

Neuton CE 6.2 *Est. $490

3 picks by top review sites.

Black & Decker MM275 *Est. $180

2 picks by top review sites.

Lawn-Boy 10683 *Est. $400