How to Compare Lawn Mower Engines
If you care about your home's outside appearance, then you probably take extra time and effort to make sure your landscaping is in top-notch shape. Part of this process is making sure your lawn is well-maintained, which involves owning a quality lawn mower. When comparing the available lawn mower options, pay attention to the engine because the engine, of course, affects the lawn mower's overall performance. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Examine your lawn. The needs of your lawn will help you determine which type of engine is best for you. Pay attention to how large your lawn is, including all areas that you will be using the lawn mower to cut. Also, note the terrain of your lawn. Some lawns are relatively flat, while others have hills and uneven areas throughout.
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Identify for comparison only those lawn mower engines that will best handle your mowing based on your evaluation of your lawn. Larger lawns or lawns that have hills and uneven ground would benefit from a mower engine with an overhead valve, or OHV, which can operate for a long period of time and handle rough terrain. An engine with an overhead cam, or OHC, works well for medium-sized lawns or for homeowners who are looking for a mower that runs smoothly and quietly. Homeowners with smaller lawns that have no uneven ground can choose a mower with a standard engine. The standard engine has a flat head and side valve that offer enough power for small, flat lawns.
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Pay attention to how the engines are started on each mower you're comparing. Some lawn mowers still use the pull-starting method, which can be unreliable and inconvenient. Other models now feature the electric starter, which makes the process of turning on the engine much simpler and more reliable.
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Consider the horsepower of the engines you're comparing. Generally speaking, the horsepower of a lawn mower engine isn't a crucial selling point. As long as the mower has about a 5.5 horsepower engine, it should be plenty to get the job done. If you have a very large yard or a very uneven yard, then an engine with a little more horsepower may be beneficial.
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Look for any special features on the lawn mower engines you're comparing that are important to you. For example, some lawn mowers feature self-propelled engines. These engines power the wheels and the blade, which make the mower much easier to move and operate. You can also find mowers with a deadman's switch. This switch is actually a bar that automatically turns off the engine when it's not in use. The deadman's switch is an added safety feature for lawn mower engines.
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References
- Photo Credit green lawn image by Vladimir Koshkarov from Fotolia.com
