How to Buy a Gas-Powered Rotary Mower

Introduction

Sure, a push mower offers great exercise, but when it's 85 degrees out, your lawn is looking woolly, and you just want to get it done and over with, a self-propelled mower might make you a little happier.

Instructions

Steps

Step One

Use a self-propelled mower if your lawn is steep or falls into the half-acre range. Note that the least expensive mowers have one drive speed, which may be too fast for very thick lawns.

Step Two

Decide whether you want a bagging, side-discharge or mulching mower. Bags can be on the side or at the rear. Side-discharge means just as it says: The grass clippings are shot out the side and onto the lawn. Mulching mowers chop the grass clippings up and force them back into the lawn; this is a natural fertilizer and eliminates dealing with a bag of clippings.

Step Three

Look at grass-catcher bag capacity and how easy it is to remove and put on the bag. Remember that a full bag of clippings can be pretty heavy. Also find out how easy the bag is to empty.

Step Four

Consider that rear-bagging mowers cost more, but they take up less storage room and leave your lawn the cleanest.

Step Five

Consider these other features: electric start versus rope pull, operating controls, cutting-height adjustment (single control or wheel by wheel), blade disengagement, width of the cutting swath, choice of drive speeds, engine-kill safety system and length of warranty.

Step Six

Stick to an overhead-valve (OHV) engine, which is cleaner-burning.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that a model with rear-wheel drive will have great traction but may make it a little harder to make sharp turns.
• Some newer mowers offer leaf-handling capability. These suck up, shred and catch leaves with a screen that goes between the cutting blade and the discharge chute.
• Maintain your mower to keep it environmentally friendly - and to make it last longer.
• Never put your hands near the blades while operating a lawn mower.