Upgrading Your Home Lawn Mower

Taking care of a home lawn can be a point of pride for many a homeowner, and it’s easy to understand why. There’s a lot of work that goes into creating that pristine green from week to week. For those with larger lawns, this can seem impossible. If you’re spending more than an hour or so on your lawn every week, then it’s time to consider a time-saving upgrade to your push or walk-behind mower. Not only does that old mower take a lot of time to get everything done, it also leaves less-than-ideal results when working larger lawns. Keeping a straight line on that suburban lawn is easy compared to a veritable field of grass.

Here at Scott’s Power Equipment, we want our customers to have the best when it comes to their home lawn mower, whether that’s an affordable walk-behind or a powerful zero-turn mower. We’ve put together this quick guide with some of the reasons to go with one mower over another depending on your property and mowing needs. Read on for more information or head into one of our locations in Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri, as well as O’Fallon, Illinois.

Zero-Turn Mowers

You’d be surprised what two control levers, a wide cutting deck, and an effective turn radius of zero can do for your lawn. We’re talking zero-turn mowers! These riding mowers provide professional cuts every time. All you have to do is ride straight down your lawn and turn for another pass. You won’t miss any edges because you’ve turned exactly onto a perfect pass thanks to the zero-turn system. Zero-turn mowers are also fast, often with 5-8 mph cutting speeds, and the fastest models can turn that up to 13 mph. Be aware that zero-turn mowers aren’t brush clearing machines. If you’ve got grass above six inches, you’ll need something more specialized. Zero-turn mowers are best deployed on lawns and grass that sees regularly maintenance. Although zero-turn mowers are fast and powerful, easily able to maneuver around obstacles in a yard, they can’t avoid what you can’t see hidden beneath grass that’s been left to grow for too long.

Lawn Tractors

The noble lawn tractor is a standard solution to lawns and gardens too large for lesser equipment. You’ll find mowing takes far less time and isn’t the same fatiguing work while riding on a lawn tractor. They plod along in straight lines and don’t turn anywhere close to zero, but they make up for it in affordable prices and reliable results. Lawn tractors also offer easy controls, with just a familiar steering wheel, and added yard utility in the form of towing power. Like zero-turn mowers, a lawn tractor isn’t going to be able to handle brush or overgrown grass.

Pull Mowers

For real mowing work, you can pick up a pull mower and slap it on the back of a tractor or other tow vehicle. These mowers are certainly equipped to deal with overgrown grass, so they’re the alternative when you need something more powerful than a lawn tractor or zero-turn mower. Pull mowers usually have a set of spinning blades powered by PTO or an independent engine on the mowing deck. Speed and maneuverability are dependant on your tow vehicle, but generally you’re not aiming to save time in terms of quick passes and more in the ability to easily clear large areas of overgrown grass. Prices here vary, but if you have a lot of property or a lot of lawn to mow and already have a suitable tow vehicle this might be your best option.

Mulching vs. Collection

You have two options when it comes to what to do with lawn clippings. Either you can collect and dispose of the clippings, or you can employ a mulcher to further cut up clippings to be deposited back on the lawn. Professional landscapers generally go for clipping collection systems so as to provide the most clean-looking cut possible. These manicured lawns are the envy of many a sportsman and lounging kid alike. This is great for landscaping that has its own irrigation systems, but if you’re not interested in a clean surface, then a mulching blade might be a better option. Mulching blades will shred clippings and put them back down while you continue mowing. This insulates turf from heat and sunlight while also getting composted back into the lawn, ensuring the recycling of important nutrients.

If you’re after professional quality in your home lawn, you’ll need professional equipment. That doesn’t mean breaking the bank, as there are affordable options, as well as plenty of room for stretching your mower muscles. When you’re ready to step up your lawn care game, head into Scott’s Power Equipment at one of our locations in Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri, as well as O’Fallon, Illinois. Come in today and let our team of pros answer all your questions and show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction.