Tips to Get More Out of Your Ride-on Lawn Mower

Ride-on lawn mower is ideally suited for yards of over half an acre.  There are hundreds of models to choose from and choosing a right one to suit your needs can be a daunting task.  The price of a ride-on lawn mower is in the range of a few thousand dollars.  So a basic knowledge of a ride-on lawn mower can help you make an informed decision when you shop around for it.

The modern ride-on mower with hydrostatic transmission is very easy to operate.  It has a greater torque which is a step ahead of a mower with mechanical transmission.  Understandably, the ride-on mowers with hydrostatic transmission are expensive in comparison to the conventional mechanical transmission ride-on mowers.  At the same time the more modern versions with variable belt types etc have encountered many problems and as a result have lesser acceptability in the market.  So going after an expensive model may not necessarily result in better utility.

Generally, the materials used in a mower decide its price.  Mowers with steel decks are expensive.  Some have the more expensive aluminum decks.  Hard composite plastic is also utilized in certain mowers instead of steel or aluminum. The cut grass is expelled through an opening in the side or rear of the housing.  To bag the grass cuttings, some models are fitted with grass catcher attachment.  They are designed with the twin blades for mulching or shredding grass into small pieces.  In some models a tunnel from the side of the mower collects the cut grass into a bag, while other models have the collection system at the rear.

Before buying a ride-on lawn mower, it may be worthwhile to sit on it and ride it to gain first hand experience of the feel and comfort.  Each model will have a different style of seating arrangement, different sound of the engine, and so riding a mower should help you in deciding which model suits you best.  Do not opt for a mower just because it is cheap.  Seek the help of knowledgeable friends who may be able to share their experience with their lawn mowers.  While shopping around for a mower, talk to the salespersons of small shops and pick their brains to find out which type of mower will suit your lawn.  They will share more information with you than people at big stores.

Some of the famous brands of engines are Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Tecumseh, Honda, Kawasaki, and Robin engines.

A ride-on lawn mower costs you a few thousand dollars and you have to treat it will well to last long.  If you take care of some routine and simple maintenance tasks like checking and changing oil each time you mow your lawn, changing of air filter, replacing spark plugs at least once in a year, checking the blades etc can help in keeping your mower alive and kicking.

You can use your mower not only to cut grass but also to do different kinds of chores as well.  During the winter season you can even use it for clearing your driveway of snow.  With the help of an attachment called sweeper, you can use your mower to rake up the fallen leaves in your yard during the autumn.  It automatically sucks up the leaves and drops them into a collecting bag.  During the winter, you can attach a blade to the front and simply drive and it pushes the snow off to the side.  With the help of a mulching kit you can cut the grass clippings to small bits and distribute them evenly over the lawn.  You can also use it to carry heavy things around the yard.

A ride on lawn mower is a versatile machine that can serve you for a long time if taken care of in a proper manner.