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Last Updated on July 1, 2020 by Alex Falasca
If you are looking for the best walk behind lawn mowers in the market, you have come to the right place. We have spent a lot of time researching and testing them in order to give you advice on how to choose the best one. Have a look at our comparison chart and buying guide below to view the best lawn mowers for your needs.
Comparison Table for Lawn Mowers
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A lawn mower is a gardening machine used to level grass. A common piece of household equipment, lawn mowers perform the desired task through rotating blades inscribed on the machine. They come in all shapes and sizes, catering to the requirements of individual users. Lawn mowers range from very simple, hand-operated ones to complex ones designed to offer high performance and perfection.
The basic use remains the leveling or trimming of the grass; what differs is the level of detail, the perfection and the precise trimming that needs to be achieved. For in-house, backyard lawns, simple lawn mowers are commonly used and do a pretty fine job.
For large organizations, parks, or other places where aesthetic appeal matters, lawn mowers with more complex capabilities are required. The same applies for the sports industry. For example, grass in a sports field needs to be perfectly leveled for a competition to take place smoothly.
Several different kinds of lawn mowers are available in the market, categorized in the table below. Details for these lawn mowers are tabulated, which helps in comparative analysis to determine the best lawn mower review for a specific application.
This unbiased buying guide has been created with our team’s real-life experiences in mind, in order to help you make the right choice, so let’s take a look at the top-rated walk behind lawn mowers.
Our Review of the 3 Best Walk Behind Lawn Mowers in 2020
1. Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic
Reported under reel lawn mowers, the Scotts 2000-20 represents the environmentally-cutting solution for gardening art. Even though it’s design is simple, this model is capable of supporting users with full capacity compared to other handheld cutting devices.
- Come with 10-inch dual tracking wheels and rugged radial tires
- An option of 9 grass heights modified by quick-snap adjusters
- A set of 5 heat-treated steel blades
- A 20-inch cutting desk is attached
- A certificate of a 2-year warranty
A potential drawback of this model is its blades; users have to mow more often, whilst the blades themselves will not cut the lying down grass or the edges of the grass.
2. GreenWorks 25302 Twin Force G-MAX 40V Li-Ion 20-Inch
This product is categorized under the cordless electric lawn mower and is one of the more advanced versions. It comes in a larger size and has several features that cement its elevated status among electric lawn mowers:
- Contains 40 V Li-Ion battery for greater performance
- Twin batteries for longer operation
- 20-inch cutting deck for precise, comfortable trimming
- Dual blades provide an excellent finish and ease in mowing the lawn
- Automatic battery switchover from the second battery
One major drawback of this electric lawn mower is its high cost and the fact that Li-ion batteries have a specific life span, after which they need to be replaced. Replacements can become costly and problematic.
3. GreenWorks 25022 12 Amp Corded 20-Inch
This GreenWorks 25022 best-selling corded electric lawn mower is just about the best product of its kind that money can buy. You can rest assured that you’re getting nothing but the highest-quality, longest-lasting material available. This model received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users, scoring a total rating of over 4.3
- A powerful 12 Amp 24 V power supply
- A 20” hard-wearing steel deck. The 25022 model offers a good-sized cutting area
- A total of 7 different cutting heights, ranging from 1½-3¾ inches.
- At only 56 pounds, it is easy to manoeuvre
- The large 10” rear wheels and 7” front wheels assures that push never comes to shove
The only downside to this model is that it relies on mains electricity. For larger lawns, this corded model may be impractical, especially if you have to spend a large part of your mowing time performing “cord management”.
Different Types of Lawn Mowers
Lawn mowers can be categorized in several different manners as per the need of the user, but the most apt and desirable way to do that is to categorized using energy source. When sub-dividing lawn mowers as per their energy source, three major configurations result.
These configurations provide a holistic view about lawn mowers and are all-encompassing, providing a detailed insight of what every lawn mower is like and which is most suitable.
Hand-powered Lawn Mowers (Push Lawn Mowers)
Hand-powered lawn mowers are the oldest type of lawn mowers. Being the first of their kind, they have limited applications and do not provide extreme precision. Despite their shortcomings, hand-powered lawn mowers still make up the majority of sales for domestic users.
As they are simple to use, cost-effective and provide good value for domestic customers, hand-powered lawn mowers find most of their use in backyard lawns. People who do not wish to spend large sums of money, and who are not pedantic about perfection, opt for this kind. It provides the desired results, is effective, cheap and can last for a long time. This is the prime reason why, despite advancements in technology, these hand-powered lawn mowers still have a considerable share in the market.
Gasoline Lawn Mowers
The first major advancement in lawn mowers came with the invention of the gasoline-powered ones. These were designed to provide better precision, comfort, and require more resources to operate. Gasoline-powered lawn mowers are operated through rotary push mowers powered through internal combustion engines. The traditional motors used two-stroke engines that provided a decent amount of torque and a good output for mowing.
With the passage of time and the advent of improved technology, four stroke combustion engines became a norm for gasoline-powered lawn mowers. The four stroke engines provided more torque and a far better output compared to their predecessors and became popular for applications where precision and comfort were desired over cost.
The internal combustion engines, which are used in the lawn mowers, tend to have a single cylinder. The single cylinder is able to provide a power in the range of 1 to 7 kW, an amount that is sufficient for domestic as well as commercial use. Traditional gasoline-powered lawn mowers had to be started using a manual pull crank and came with a carburetor.
Advanced gasoline-powered lawn mowers do not require a manual pull crank and are started through an electric power starter. Such lawn mowers come with various other options, such as a handle bar to vary and control the speed of the lawn mower, select the desired trimming, and many more. The throttle bar is not common to every gasoline-powered lawn mower and is an add-on that comes at a higher cost.
The major advantage of the gasoline-powered lawn mower over the hand-powered one lies in its comfort, precision, and the level of control that can be obtained. Another major advantage is the output torque. This is generated through a gasoline-powered lawn mower that’s far greater than its predecessor.
Electric Lawn Mowers
Electric lawn mowers are probably the best, most popular type of lawn mowers. They are the most advanced and come in two major types: corded and cordless. Electric lawn mowers are silent machines that produce very little noise. They are also extremely smooth to operate, provide excellent precision, and come with various controls.
The two types of electric motors are described below:
Corded
Corded electric lawn mowers are attached to a cord that’s connected to a power supply. The lawn mower is powered through the cord and, hence, has a range to which it can operate, depending on the length of the cord. Corded electric motors were the first type of electric lawn mowers but have some serious drawbacks.
Corded electric lawn mowers have a risk of mowing over the power cable, which would switch off the supply and stop the mowing process. The machine can also cause electrocution during damp seasons and, as such, poses some severe health risks. The functionality is also limited to a small range, so corded lawn mowers are not used in large organizations or professional applications.
Cordless
Cordless electric lawn mowers are a more advanced electric machine version of lawn mowers that eliminate the drawbacks that corded machines face. The cordless lawn mowers are usually powered by 1-4 rechargeable batteries, each 12V.
For a larger application, more batteries can be used, increasing the run time of the motor. Corded lawn mowers are extremely precise, environmentally-friendly, and are very easy to operate. They combine the best features of all of the previous versions of lawn mowers and provide excellent control variation for users.
They are adaptable to change and rechargeable, which is convenient for continuous application. One drawback, though, is that they are more expensive and do not provide the same level of torque as gasoline lawn mowers. Batteries have limited capability and more of them would be required to match the output torque to that of the gasoline lawn mowers.
What to Consider Before Buying a Lawn Mower
Having discussed the three different kinds of lawn mowers, and the benefits and drawbacks of each, it comes down to the problem of selecting the best one. At times, this is a difficult decision to make, as many are strikingly good. In order to make the right call, one needs to consider a few important things.
The first and foremost aspect to consider is to identify the need
Domestic users need to determine whether their lawn is small or large, whether it requires simple trimming, and whether or not they would like their house to have aesthetic appeal. Once these factors have been determined, it becomes extremely easy to buy the right kind of lawn mower.
Additionally, it is a matter of cost
Handheld or gasoline lawn mowers are good choices for domestic users who are low on budget and want a simple grass leveler. If the lawn is quite big, a gasoline lawn mower is advised, as it will be comfortable and less tiring to use once a week. Both of these lawn mowers are cost-effective and durable. They are a good, reasonably-priced investment that will last a long time.
For commercial users and large organizations, cost is not an issue. The prime concern is the level of detail the machine can offer and environmental factors, such as noise and pollution. Environmentally-friendly organizations should opt for cordless electric lawn mowers because they provide the best operation without making much noise and pollution. Electric lawn mowers also have fine detail characteristics, enabling users to mow the lawn in the most intricate manner possible. Electric lawn mowers cater to the needs of those who value aesthetic appeal.
A few words on batteries
Cordless lawn mowers may not last very long as batteries run out. Batteries and machines can be replaced, but, for organizations, corded lawn mowers are a far better option.
The main elements to consider when buying a lawn mower are its operation requirements, cost, environmental factors, and durability. Due consideration to these factors can make your decision a simple one.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions on How to Use Lawn Mowers
Let’s now look at common questions that people have regarding lawn mowers. We will provide correct and precise answers to them.
When do I change lawn mower oil?
Engine oil needs to be replaced after a specific period of time for a long-lasting service. Generally, the time is up to 50 hours of use. After this, one needs to clean the filter and change the oil. Continuous operation of the lawn mower, without any replacement of fresh oil, will damage the equipment and reduce its life and efficiency.
What is the best type of fuel for lawn mowers?
Clean, fresh and unleaded fuel is the most desirable type of fuel for lawn mowers, as it allows for greater efficiency and better performance. Gasoline, with up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), is acceptable for lawn mowers. A canned fuel product can also be used. This fuel combines ethanol-free unleaded gasoline with a fuel stabilizer to prolong the life of the fuel.el.
Do I need to check and clean the spark plug?
A spark plug provides the ignition for the lawn mower to start. A clean, lubricated spark plug will provide perfect ignition, enabling a smooth start. As the spark plug wears during operation, and as dirt accumulates on it, a higher voltage to ignite the lawn mower is required, but this can be damaging.
Utilize a brush or spray-on plug cleaner to safely clean a spark plug. For the tough deposits of dirt and oil on the spark plug, a sharp knife can be used for the purpose of cleaning. You must ensure that the spark plug is not damaged in the process.
Why do I need to clean the carburetor?
During mowing, twigs, grass and other dirt particles tend to get inside the carburetor and block it from the inside. These particles clog the air and fuel passages, limiting the operation of the lawn mower. As such, it is imperative to continuously clean the carburetor after a month or so of operation. A clean carburetor will increase the lawn mower’s performance and will require less effort to mow the lawn.
Do I need to replace my lawn mower’s brakes?
In most lawn mowers, a well-maintained brake system should stop the engine and any attached cutting equipment within three seconds whenever you step away from the equipment or release the brake bail. If the engine operates for more than three seconds after braking, then the stop switch or brake pad may be in need of replacement or adjustment. Replacing the brakes immediately is imperative: doing so helps you to avoid any problems or injuries during use.
Some Last Tips for Using Lawn Mowers
- Fuel Storage tip
Gas will become stale if you are storing your lawn mower or power equipment for more than 30 days. Stale fuel can cause engine damage from acid and gum deposits forming in the fuel system or carburetor. Damage to the carburetor or engine due to bad fuel will void the engine warranty. Keep lawn mower gas fresh by using stabilizers designed for such engines.
- Spark Plug
For consistent, easy starting, change your spark plug every 100 hours or every season. This has three major benefits:
– Improves fuel economy
– Reliable and smooth starting of the lawn mower
– Consistent sparking which does not damage the engine
- Engine Maintenance
For optimum performance, you should change the oil in your small engine after the first five hours of use and then annually, or every 50 hours of use. This will keep the engine clean, regulated and will avoid any deposition of dirt and filth inside. New oil also ensures smooth and effective running of the lawn mower and enhances the life span of the machine.
Wrapping Up
Lawn mowers come in all shapes and sizes and are an essential part of many people’s lives across the globe. The above guide helps people who need to decide which lawn mower will best suit their needs. It describes the three different types of lawn mowers: hand-held, gasoline, and electric. The working principles, benefits and drawbacks of each were explained to aid decision-making.
Specifying the application for the use of lawn mower is integral in determining the type to be used. Identifying the need correctly can reduce the options and aid decision-making. This is the aim of this comprehensive guide.
Domestic and commercial users can find the right lawn mower, depending on their use, durability, and cost. Many factors influence the decision of buying a lawn mower, all of which are discussed in great detail here.
Understanding the use and mechanisms of lawn mowers enables one to effectively handle the machine and to get the best output.