If you have moved to a home with a larger yard or if health problems prohibit you from using a push lawn mower, then you may want to consider purchasing a riding lawnmower. No matter the reason, there are a few things that you should know before purchasing a riding lawn mower, which may be of help when you are deciding what type to buy.
Naturally, you should know the actual size of your yard, which can help you determine what size lawnmower engine you will need and what cutting width is needed for the lawn mower blades. As a general rule, if the area you need to mow is from one half to one acre in size, then you should consider an engine that has a minimum of 14.5 horsepower and a maximum cutting width of 42 inches. If you have a yard that is one to two acres in size, then the cutting width should generally be from 42 to 46 inches and the engine between 14.5 and 16 horsepower.
As a general rule of thumb, a yard that consists of more than three acres might be better serviced with a garden tractor. While both the garden tractor and riding lawn mower complete the same basic functions, the garden tractor can also be used with a snow plow or snow blower. It can also pull a plow, tiller, disc harrow and a number of other lawn and garden tools.
Once you have taken care of the bigger decisions, the smaller ones are a little easier. You will need to choose whether you would prefer a gear driven or automatic riding mower. This is normally based on the number of obstacles, such as trees, patios or gardens that are in your yard. An automatic mower is great for yards that have a great deal of obstacles, while a gear driven one is perfect for a yard with less obstacles. You can then decide what type of accessories or attachments you want.
Of course, there are always safety precautions that you need to understand and follow any time you operate riding mowers. Try to remove all rocks, pine cones, toys or other tools from the yard before you start mowing and try to avoid operating it near people because you could run over something and it can be flung out and cause injury. Children should not be allowed to ride on or operate your riding lawn mower as they can fall off quite easily, which may result in a serious or fatal accident. Following these precautions and choosing the right mower, such as one of the John Deere lawn mowers, will ensure that you are able to enjoy your mower for many years.
Tags: Gardening, Gardening Articles, Gardening Articles, lawn care, lawn mower, riding lawn mower
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