LAWN MOWER
BUYER’S
GUIDE
Because lawns are so variable lawn mowers come in many
different styles. To help you get started with your selection
process, we’ve outlined the most important features of the
available types to help you get the best lawn mower for your needs.
For very small, flat
lawns, a reel mower
is a great choice.
MANUAL REEL MOWERS
For very small, flat lawns, a manual reel mower is a great
choice. Manual reel mowers emit no noxious fumes and require
minimal maintenance. They are quiet, maneuverable, and
provide a simple, hassle-free way to maintain small lawns with
fine grass. However, reel mowers don’t perform very well on
lawns with lots of bumps, long grasses and weeds.
CORDED ELECTRIC LAWN MOWERS
Corded electric mowers work great for small lawns and pack more
of a punch than their non-motorized manual reel cousins. Most corded
electric lawn mowers also start with a push of a button – eliminating
the frustration that comes with starting some gas mowers. They
also run on electric power from a household outlet, making them
cheaper to operate than gas-powered mowers. To make sure you get
a mower that goes where you need it to, measure the distance from
an outlet to the farthest place you need your mower to reach.
BATTERY-POWERED LAWN MOWERS
Corded electric mowers work great
for small lawns and offer more
power than their non-motorized
manual reel cousins.
Battery-Powered lawn mowers
deliver clean electric power
without the hassle of a cord.
Battery-powered lawn mowers deliver clean electric power
without the hassle of a cord. Some models even offer batteries
that lift out from the machine, allowing you to insert a new battery
while the depleted one charges. Battery-powered lawn mowers can
produce anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of run time on a single
Tools. Equipment. Plus a whole lot more.
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1-800-550-8780
LAWN MOWER BUYER’S GUIDE
charge, and recharge times vary from 45 minutes to overnight. Be
advised, battery-powered lawn mowers are heavy and the engine
will lag as battery power gets low. Overall, these mowers are clean,
mobile, and are best for smaller lawns.
GAS-POWERED LAWN MOWERS
Gas-powered mowers come in a variety of different price points,
depending on engine power and cutting deck size. A gas engine is
capable of doing more work than an electric engine and provides
enough power to take care of long or thick grass and weeds. Mowing
decks typically range from 20” long up to 30”. Bigger decks are
more efficient for larger lawns, but are hard to maneuver in tight
areas or around obstacles. For effortless operation and the ability
to go up hills, some gas-powered mowers feature a self-propelled
drive system. However, this feature comes at a price and may not be
necessary if you have a lawn that is relatively flat.
While they provide great performance, there are a few draw backs
to gas powered engines. They require scheduled maintenance, are loud,
and produce exhaust fumes. However, gas-powered engines deliver
superior cutting strength and speed to tackle those tough weeds.
Gas-powered mowers are capable of doing more
work than electric ones, and have enough power
to take on long or thick grass and weeds.
RIDING MOWERS AND LAWN TRACTORS
If your lawn’s mowing time exceeds the length of time you
are willing to use a walk-behind mower, you will want a rider. In
addition to the fact that they let you “take a load off,” riders usually
have wider decks that reduce mowing time.
Many riders dedicated to lawn mowing have engines in the rear.
A “lawn tractor” usually refers to a rider with the engine in front.
Garden tractors are lawn tractors that are designed for more than
just mowing, accepting various attachments.
Lawns with a lot of slopes and landscaped areas can present
difficulties for riders. Many people with such properties either
make do with a walk-behind or use both a rider and a walk-behind
mower. After doing everything possible with a rider, you can come
back with a walk-behind and cut in the finer areas, and areas too
sloped for safely riding on.
Riding mowers and lawn tractors are great if your
lawn’s mowing time exceeds the length of time
you care to use a walk-behind mower.
Tools. Equipment. Plus a whole lot more.
www.PEPlus.com
Power Equipment Plus
75 Meigs Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491
1-800-550-8780
LAWN MOWER BUYER’S GUIDE
Choosing a width is a matter of balancing budget with preferred
mowing time. The chart to the right provides a starting point for
estimating your mowing times with different-sized decks.
You’ll have to adjust the numbers for your own property: if you
have a lot of slopes or highly landscaped areas, you’ll need to add
time. If your lawn is flat and open, you may be able to subtract a bit.
Of course, the best estimate would be based on your own experience
mowing your lawn.
1/2 Acre
1 Acre
2 Acre
42"
23 min
45 min
1 hr, 30 min
46"
21 min
42 min
1 hr, 24 min
50"
20 min
40 min
1 hr, 18 min
60"
16 min
32 min
1 hr, 6 min
Use this chart as a starting point to see how long
it will take to mow your lawn based on the size of
your property and the width of your mowing deck.
Z-STEER, OR ZERO-TURN-RADIUS MOWERS
Z-steers, or ZTR mowers, are riders that turn in their own
track, allowing for a 180-degree turn so you can mow contiguous
paths without swinging a turning radius. Z-steers are also fast
(some models reach speeds of up to 15mph), and can produce big
improvements to the mowing times on the above chart. Z-steers
are typically more expensive than otherwise equivalent riders. And
because they steer two sets of wheels, most models use a two-lever,
hand-steering system—one lever for the front wheels and one
for the back—rather than the automotive style steering wheel of
conventional riders. For most, the steering system becomes intuitive
with a little practice, and can take some time to adjust to the speed
of these machines.
When you are ready to make the investment in a lawn mower,
you’ll find a great selection right here, at Power Equipment Plus. We
offer the largest selection of lawn mowers in the marketplace. To
talk through the best machine for you, call our specialists at 1-800550-8780, or go online at www.PEPlus.com. With over 25 years of
experience with power equipment innovation, manufacturing, and
service, we can help you with all of your property care needs.
Power Equipment Plus is a division of Country Home Products, Inc., the
premiere developer and marketer of professional-grade outdoor equipment
for residential use. Country Home Products was founded in 1985 in Charlotte,
Vermont. For more information on its complete line of power equipment and
property care supplies, visit the web site at www.PEPlus.com.
Z-steer mowers offer shorter mowing
times and quick turning.
Tom Parent
for Power Equipment Plus
Tools. Equipment. Plus a whole lot more.
www.PEPlus.com
Power Equipment Plus
75 Meigs Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491
1-800-550-8780