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| Two- or four-cycle: Describes the number of piston strokes an engine uses to achieve one combustion cycle of intake, compression, power, and exhaust Dethatching: Removal of thatch, the layer of undecayed matter on the soil that can choke a lawn's growth |
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With proper care, your new lawn mower can last more than a decade, so do your research before you buy. Start your odyssey by understanding what's available. Following are some basic distinctions among lawn mowers. Power source. The majority of mowers on the market are gasoline-powered, with two- or four-cycle engines. However, electric-powered mowers are increasingly available. One of these may be a good choice if your lawn isn't too big and you'd like to reduce noise and air pollution. Old-fashioned, human-powered walk-behind mowers are totally nonpolluting--and will give you some real exercise when you mow.
Walk-behind vs. riding. Walk-behind mowers are either pushed by the user or are self-propelled. The difference between the two rests principally in price, speed, safety, and ease of maintenance (Walk-behind mowers tend to be cheaper, slower, safer, and less complex--but may not always be all of these).
Riding mowers are more expensive and powerful than walk-behind mowers, so they're overkill on a small lawn but a smart choice for folks with a lot of ground to cover. They may also fulfill other functions, including dethatching or hauling, depending on the model and accessories.
Blade type. Most newer mowers use rotary blades, which cut the grass by hitting it at a high speed. Rotary blades adjust more easily to different turf heights (especially the taller heights--above 2 inches or 5 centimeters--currently recommended by turf specialists), and they're easily sharpened at home. They're also more dangerous, though, since the blades move at high speeds and the mechanism can throw debris long distances. The classic manual walk-behind mower has a reel-type blade, which cuts grass with a shearing action. Power models with this type of blade are also available, but tend to be expensive. Reel blades usually need to be sharpened professionally, their cutting height is not as readily adjustable, and they may produce an uneven cut if turf is tall (over 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters). However, these mowers use less power than a rotary blade machine and produce a better quality cut on short turf. They're also safer, since the blade moves slower and doesn't throw as much debris.
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Understand types of mowers
