Last week, we covered all the awesome aspects of a zero turn mower. They’re remarkably agile in spite of their size, they get the job done incredibly quickly and cut down on extraneous tools, and they’re fun and safe to use. But we here at Mower Source know that there’s one drawback to a zero turn mower: you need a fairly sizeable yard to warrant one. If your grass is more on the foot-friendly side, then a walk-behind mower is probably best for you.
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How Big or Small Should Your Lawn Actually Be?
When you’re using words like “acres” and “hectares” to describe your lawn, you need a tractor or zero turn mower. But if your grass can be described as providing a good workout to only hamsters and kittens, then chances are, a walk behind mower would be perfect for you.
There’s no set formula or size that warrants a walk behind mower as the best choice, so judge the job with time. If it takes about 30 to 45 minutes to mow the lawn with a walk behind, then that’s the machine for you. Any longer, and you’re probably going to want to look at a commercial rider or bigger — especially when the hot, humid days of summer are at their peak.
Delving Even Further Into the Types of Walk Behind Mowers
So, you’ve narrowed down your choice to a simple mower, but the process isn’t over yet. There are essentially three different kinds for you to choose from, so let’s take a look at each.
Reel: These ones are, by far, the simplest of the bunch. They’re light, need no power other than you (sort of like a giant pair of scissors) and require almost zero maintenance. You don’t have to be terribly fit to use them, but you also don’t want to pull it out on long grass, medium-sized yards or if there’s debris strewn about.
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Deciding Which One is Right For You
We’ve put together a short little questionnaire that can get you started on which walk behind mower is best for your needs.
Is my lawn the size of a postage stamp? If you answered “yes”, then look closely at reel mowers. If “no”, keep going.
Are environmental concerns and/or ease of use the most important things to me? If you answered “yes”, we’d recommend an electric mower. If “no”, keep going.
Do I want a mower that can slice through waist high grass and not give me heatstroke on the hottest of days? If you answered “yes”, read more on how a gas mower can simplify your life. If “no”, might we suggest hiring someone to do the job for you?
