How to Compare Riding Lawn Mowers
When comparing riding lawn mowers, there are several key things to consider. The make and model, the speed and horsepower, deck size weight, and ease of operation are some main areas of comparison. Narrow your selection by factoring in how much you wish to spend. Also, compare warranty offers and consider how long the machine remains under warranty, and where your nearest repair center is, should the machine need parts and repairs. Once you've narrowed your choices, and made comparisons among the possible options, you'll be able to make an educated decision on which mower will best meet your needs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Evaluate the property where you'll use the ride-on lawn mower. A wide open area allows for speed, and a faster, larger mower. Hilly terrain requires a mower with excellent stability and a wider wheel base.
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Calculate the largest deck you can use to fit into the most areas. For the homeowner, mower decks range from 33 inches to 48 inches. If the mowing area is open, with few obstacles and no gates, a larger deck will get the job done faster. If the yard is small, with narrow gates, you will need a narrower deck.
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Measure the door width of the shed or garage to make sure you will be able to store the lawn mower.
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Consider discharge options. Some mowers discharge clippings through a chute. In small areas, this may cause a buildup of unwanted grass by the house foundation, and clippings may end up on your car, windowsills and other surfaces. In this case, a mulching mower, which disperses the cut grass back onto the ground, is a better choice. A side chute mower is fine for open spaces, and will cut extremely high grass more effectively than a mulching mower.
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Research the various brands of the mowers you're comparing, using trade magazines or the Internet. Notice things such as the history of each brand, and how long the particular model has been around. User reviews are helpful, and can give you valuable unbiased information.
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Test drive the mowers you're thinking of purchasing. Most dealers have a demo model on site. Use the demo in grass and turn on the blades to check how the grass is cut.
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