Lawnmowers are a must have piece of equipment for landscapers.
The smell of freshly cut grass plus the delight at the pristine green afterward makes mowing a favorite summer job for many.
That said, having the right mowing machine gives you a reason to zoom around your yard as you give it a new look.
Whether you’re buying for the first time or replacing a trusted machine, you certainly want to get the best mower.
Luckily, there are loads of mower options to suit every homeowner’s mowing needs.
Whether it is gas powered, electric, push, self propelled, or a riding lawn mower, you will find a whole lot of options to choose from.
In this article, you will learn more about manufactured home lawn mowers to help you buy a perfect tool for your lawn. Read on to learn how you can choose the best.
Manufactured Home Lawn Mower Options: The Two Types
There are many types of lawn mowers on the market, all made differently to meet various lawn mowing needs.
Although these tools are broadly identified as ride on or walk mowers, each group has more categories.
Here is all you need to know about the different types to buy the best for your yard.
1. Ride on mowers
Riding mowers are precisely what they sound like mowers with seats and controls, allowing users to sit down on the job. They are an excellent option for homeowners with large lawns to cut.
With their powerful engines, high speeds, and improved cutting quality, they make mowing a light job.
In terms of efficiency, ride on lawnmowers are far superior to walk along mowers.
Notably, the price tag of these machines matches their efficiency.
Below are the different types of ride on lawnmowers.
Lawn tractors
Lawn tractors are easily identifiable, thanks to their large size and front mounted engines.
They come with powerful engines ranging from 18 to 25 horsepower.
Entry level models have a single cylinder and lever operated transmissions, while pricier and upgraded models benefit from twin cylinders and continuously variable transmission.
The significant downside is the limited maneuverability, plus they struggle in tackling obstacles.
Zero turn mower
Operated by dual hydrostatic transmissions, these are the Ferraris of the lawn mowing world.
Their design offers unparalleled maneuverability.
Because of their ability to pivot and make sharp turns, they give an all round cutting performance.
They offer the easiest mowing and can cut tightly against landscaped edges.
Rear engine riding mower
If you have a moderately sized lawn too small for a lawn tractor and too big for walk along mowers this type of mower is a perfect option.
As the name suggests, the engine is located on the rear part of the mower.
These mowers feature single cylinder engines and continuously variable transmission.
2. Walk mowers
Walk mowers require the operator to walk along behind them.
Because they require more human effort to operate, they are best suited for smaller lawns, generally below half an acre.
Walk mowers are incredibly versatile and come in many options. The different categories under this type include;
Cylinder mowers
Also known as reel mowers, these lawnmowers have cylindrical blades that rotate vertically at the front of the mower.
These blades cut against a fixed blade, with action similar to scissors.
A higher number of vertical blades usually means a more precise cut.
Cylinder mowers excel in flat lawns with soft grass types that you want to keep short and well manicured.
They won’t perform well on lawns with tall grass or coarse grass types.
Rotary mower
These are certainly the most popular walk mowers.
They are equipped with one blade that rotates horizontally at a very high speed.
This type of mower efficiently cuts medium to tall grass but delivers less accurate and more uneven cuts relative to cylinder mowers.
Self propelled mowers
These types of lawnmowers come complete with a transmission that propels the machine forward, so your job is to guide it.
They are simple to operate and have consistent cuts, thanks to their ability to operate at contact speeds.
Notably, they require more maintenance than manually propelled options.
Push mowers
As the name suggests, push mowers require the user to push it across the lawn manually.
Many homeowners go for these mowers because they are expensive, lightweight, and easy to handle.
They also offer incredible maneuverability, allowing the user to steer around obstacles and corners.
If you want to add some extra exercise to your schedule, push mowers are an ideal option.
Hover mowers
These lawnmowers are slightly different from the other types.
They hover above the ground, sitting on an air cushion.
Because of reduced contact with the ground, they are easy to guide, which makes the perfect choice for unusually shaped lawns.
Ten Lawnmower Shopping Factors
With loads of mower options out there, finding the right mower can be tricky.
To ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by many options, here are some factors to narrow down your options based on your needs.
1. Power source
The appropriate power source for your mower immensely depends on the size of your lawn, personal preferences, and your strength.
The options to choose from include:
Manual powered mowers
In essence, these are push mowers, meaning the operator is the power source.
While these mowers have an engine, there is no mechanism to propel them forward you provide momentum and directional guidance.
They are inexpensive, quiet, most environmentally friendly, and require little maintenance.
Corded electric mowers
These mowers come with a cable that needs to be plugged in when using them.
They are lightweight and operate quietly, which makes them a go to option for many people.
Their downsides are associated with the power source.
The main problem is when your yard is longer than the cable, and then you must be careful not to “mow” the cable.
Gas powered mowers
If you have a significantly large lawn, gas powered mowers are a perfect option.
They can reach where corded electric mowers can’t reach, plus they are more powerful to cut tough grass nearly effortlessly.
These mowers rely on internal combustion to move forward and spin the blades.
Gas powered models are heavier and require more maintenance to ensure proper functioning.
Battery powered mowers
Unlike corded electric mowers, these types of mowers use rechargeable batteries, allowing you to mow the lawn without connecting to a receptacle.
They tend to be slightly heavier than electric models but far lighter than gas powered mowers.
Although they suffer from run time, they’re noiseless and environmentally friendly.
Lawnmowers also come with varying drive types, which can significantly impact their performance.
Drive types can be rear wheel drive (RWD), front wheel drive (FWD), or all wheel drive (AWD), each having pros and cons.
2. Cutting width
Cut width refers to how wide of a swath the mower cuts at once. Of course, lawn mower’s cutting widths vary significantly.
Most models come in widths ranging from 20 to 60 inches, but you can find mowers with extreme cutting widths.
Needless to say, the size of your yard is the most decisive factor when it comes to picking mower cutting width. Lawnmowers with larger cut widths are great for vast grassy lawns.
They reduce how much time you spend mowing the lawn.
3. Cutting height
Precisely, this refers to how the grass will be after mowing. Thankfully, most lawnmowers have an adjustable height feature, which allows you to dictate the height of the grass.
Selecting the correct height helps keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. When shopping, it is good to pick a machine that allows you to adjust the height in a user friendly manner.
4. Terrain
Whether you’re a first time buyer or replacing a great machine after years of use, you need to think more than just the grass. Mowers are designed with different terrain in mind.
Whatever your lawn flat, sloped, with or without obstacles consider the nature of your yard and pick a mower that can cut to the edge.
5. Bagger capable
Generally, it is advisable to collect grass clippings instead of leaving them on your lawn.
If your mower comes with a rear discharge, it makes perfect sense to equip it with a grass box.
This helps collect the grass clippings than leaving them behind to rake them afterward.
Aftermarket baggers come in varying sizes, allowing you to make a choice.
Unless you enjoy being hit repeatedly with bits of grass flying at high speeds, you will find a grass box worth it.
6. Speed controls
Some lawn mowers are designed to operate at a single speed, while others allow you to ultimately control the speed.
Ideally, you want a mower that delivers cleaner cuts. If controlled maneuvering is necessary for your lawn, it is a no brainer that a mower with variable speed is a better option.
7. Nature of your climate and grass
Before making the big decision, you also need to account for your specific conditions. Depending on where you live, you may be mowing all year round or just a few months. Again, is it soft or coarse grass?
Of course, no mower excels in all conditions.
Considering these factors will help determine the type you need, the best drive type, and how much you will need to adjust the height.
8. Safety features
No matter the type of mower you elect to buy, it should be safe to operate and easy to store.
It should also be easy for you to use.
To ensure safety, you should consider a mower with a removable key or lockable switch.
This ensures that your kids do not inadvertently start the mower. Although there is no perfect mower, it is good to hunt for one with as many safety features as possible.
Even with the best deal of safety features, make sure to wear closed toe shoes and keep kids and pets out of the vicinity when mowing.
9. Required maintenance
Needless to say, gas powered mowers need more maintenance than all other types.
You need to change spark plugs, fuel filters, and air filters regularly to keep the machine functioning. They may require fuel stabilizers if you live in colder climates.
On the other hand, electric and push mowers require little maintenance and work pretty well in cold weather.
Whatever lawn mower you buy, you will have to clean the underside to prevent corrosion. The blades will also need to be resharpened from time to time for efficiency.
Although you may want to go for mowers that need little maintenance, your lawn size remains the decisive factor.
10. Cost
The amount you can spend not only depends on your budget but also the type, size, and features you want.
Considering that an average lawn mower can last for 8 10 years with proper care and maintenance, there is a reason to look past the price tag.
With a ton of options to choose from, you can still get the best deal for your budget. The secret is to look for the most powerful and effective mower you can get for your budget.
Why do you need a lawnmower?
Lawnmowers do a very simple job cutting grass.
If you want to meet a neat, healthy, and beautiful lawn when you look at your garden, then you need a decent mower. Like getting a regular haircut, mowing allows you to shape grass in your garden, giving it a better look.
Conclusion
With a ton of options available in the market, purchasing the right lawn mower for your needs can be challenging.
With this manufactured home lawnmower guide, you will easily buy a mower that gets the job done rightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What causes a lawnmower to vapor lock?
In lawnmowers, vapor lock occurs when the heated gases inside the fuel tank can’t vent properly.
The fuel within the fuel delivery system overheats and vaporizes too rapidly, causing gas bubbles to accumulate to the point of blocking the delivery system.
It may also occur through a dirty fuel tank cap.
When the gas vaporizes too rapidly, the pressure causes the gas flow to reverse and move out of the carburetor. This starves the engine of fuel; therefore, causing it to shut down effectively.
Q: Are lawn mower engines interchangeable?
Yes, all lawnmower engines are largely interchangeable.
Most lawnmower engines have standard mounting points, which makes it pretty easy to interchange engines.
Although mower engines come with standard mounting specs, other components of the mower may not fit.
Before interchanging, it is imperative to check the deck bolt pattern, crankshaft length, horsepower rating, and power accessory drives.
Q: Is it bad for a lawnmower to get rained on?
Generally, it is a bad idea to leave a lawnmower out in the rain.
Lawnmower engines are designed to withstand occasional sprinkles so, a bit of rain most likely won’t cause any problems.
If your mower was rained on, start it after the rain and let it run for a few minutes.
The heat from your engine should drive away any moisture and keep the motor from rusting.
Q: Is it okay to pull a lawn mower backwards?
Yes, it is perfectly OKAY to pull a lawnmower backward.
However, it is not recommended. Indeed, some lawn mowers come with safety features designed to prevent you from pulling your mower backward.
You can pull your lawn mower backwards when mowing tiny yards where turning is almost impossible.
Before pulling a self propelled lawn mower backward, make sure to disengage the self propelled function.
Q: Is it bad for a lawn mower to cut wet grass?
Yes, cutting wet grass is a bad idea because it can damage the base of your lawn.
Cutting wet grass runs the risk of spreading fungal diseases and damaging the soil.
Besides, wet grass clippings can clog your mower, causing it to choke and spit out clumps of wet grass that could smoother and kill the lawn over time.
All these damages are preventable with a bit of patience.
Q: Is it bad to leave gas in the lawnmower over winter?
Leaving gas in your mower over the winter should not cause any harm, provided you stabilize the gas before storing your mower.
Lawn manufacturers recommended different ways to store their products.
That said, the best is to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions manual.
Some manufacturers recommend storing with a full tank of freshly stabilized gas, while others recommend you drain the fuel completely.
All in all, remember that the air in your tank has moisture that will likely rust the tank.