Spring is here, which means that your lawn is in full growth and ready for mowing. But getting the task done right starts with having the most essential piece of the lawn equipment puzzle—the mower. But lawn mowers vary in design, features, and size, which can make choosing the right one for your property difficult. Here’s a brief guide to help you decide.    

What Are the Types of Lawn Mowers?

Depending on the size of your yard, your budget for lawn equipment, and your enthusiasm for doing outdoor projects, one of the following mowers is sure to suit you.  

Reel

A reel mower is a basic grass-cutter; it’s small and has no motor. It relies on good old manual labor—you push the mower to activate the blades and trim the grass, making it a fully eco-friendly choice. Because it takes hard work to operate a reel mower, use it in small green spaces.

Walk-Behind 

Pushed like the reel mower, walk-behinds are powered by two-stroke engines that do the cutting. They only require human intervention in guiding their path and maneuvering. Walk-behind mowers are suitable for flat, average-sized yards.  

Self-Propelled

A type of walk-behind, the self-propelled mower is suitable for more extensive lawns with inclines. It can go up hilly parts without a hitch and get the job done faster as well. With some self-propelled mower models, you can also choose how to handle grass clippings—side discharge, mulching, and bagging. Side discharge leaves the cuttings on the lawn, while mulching cuts the trimmings into fine pieces for redistribution. Bagging gathers the clippings in a bag attached to the mower, which you can then empty as waste.    

Riding

 If you have a large lawn spanning more than an acre, a riding mower might be the best option for you. Fitted with bigger engines and a wider cutting swath, riding mowers can cover more ground within a shorter timeframe. If you dream of mowing your lawn with a comfortable seat and steering wheel, you can make it a reality.

Zero-Turn

Like riding mowers, zero-turns can do faster speeds and precision turning, making them ideal for huge, flat lawns with obstacles like trees and garden beds. Because of their features, zero-turns are typically used by landscapers for golf course maintenance.

How to Pick the Right One

Most homeowners consider price and functionality as the two most significant factors when purchasing a mower. If you have a big yard and plan to mow it frequently, it might be worth investing more money in your own mower and other lawn equipment rather than pay a landscaper to cut the grass—the savings will add up over time.

As for functionality, simpler mowers are better-suited to small yards. However, if mowing is a means of exercise for you, choose a machine that’s more labor-intensive. If you’d rather save time, get a high-performance mower that does the job fast.

To find the perfect lawn mower, drop by the showroom of Gene & Matt Tractor Sales in Winder, GA. Since 1978, they’ve offered an extensive array of lawn equipment, riding mowers, tractors, and backhoes. They also provide quality replacement parts and exceptional maintenance services throughout Barrow County. Call (770) 867-3179 or view their equipment online.