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Lawn Mower! (Help, the grass is over...

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Mar. ~ 2005 May: Buyers Banter (ARCHIVES): Lawn Mower! (Help, the grass is overtaking the house!) users admin

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Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 5:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ok, when I first moved here, I had a lawn service, but being frugal I thought that it might be better to just get a GOOD lawn mower. Even if I get a riding mower, I would recoup my expense from the lawn service in under 2 years. It only takes them 20 minutes on a riding mower to do my yard, so I think I could do this (or hire a student if I hate it).

Need advice....I have between a half acre and an acre (irregular, so I really don't know). The house and driveway take up much of the front. I have a pool, raised fishpond, big deck and a rock garden that take up about 1/3-1/2 of the back. The fence line in the back is lined with pine trees and only has pine needles underneath. There are lots of leafing treees and I think that I need a mower that will mulch. I would be interested in plowing up a section of the back yard for a garden someday.

SO...I'm thinking riding mower here, but I wouldn't be opposed to a self-propelled push mower. I need something easy to start. I can't remember the last time that I personally mowed a lawn, so I'm thinking the riding mower would be best in my case.

Advice on what to look for and what to avoid! Or your horror stories with your lawn mower....

Thanks!

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 10:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Look for a mower with a tight turning radius (less than 15°, at least; the closer to 0° the better) - it'll make it a lot easier to manoeuver around all those obstacles in your yard.

Mulchers are great for your lawn but they can get clogged, especially early in the season when the grass is growing very fast and tends to be wet. Some mowers cut fine enough that you can get away without using a mulcher. Ask for a demonstration. However if you want to mulch leaves as well, you'll probably need to get a mulching kit. (My cheaper solution is to block where the grass blows out. It's not quite as neat and effective but it beats having to change the blades by myself. My dad showed me how to do it but I'm not sure if it's really something you should do, lol.)

If you do opt for a riding mower, I'd really advise against getting a manual transmission - go for an automatic. I have lots of trees in my yard and the salesman said with a manual I could shift gears on the fly which would make trimming around the trees go much faster. What he didn't mention was that manuals tend to slip out of gear on their own and every time you go over a bump you'll find yourself slowing down - way down. Oh and they cost more too. Bleh.

And one final thing - check out the belts. On some mowers it is a major pain trying to get them back on if they slip off. See if they're easy to reach.

Good luck! Don't let the salesman pressure you into making a decision on the spot. And if you find a model you like, check it out online for consumer reviews, etc.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 2:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just realized I may be confusing you...by manual transmission I mean types like a hydrostatic where you don't have to brake to change gears/speeds. Hope that makes sense.

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 4:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You know, I went past Sears today and bought a self-propelled mower and I have the front lawn mowed. Did half of it before I found the "engage drive" lever. AH! Much easier! My neighbor is going to do the back tomorrow with his lawn tractor and then I'll be able to keep it up. The self-propelled part is great.

I also bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 5:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dyson's rock!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 10:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You are becoming quite the accomplished yuppie, Schoolmarm. Must be that clean midwest living.