Gas lawn mowers are an essential tool for any homeowner. They’re great for smaller yards and the occasional use of a large yard, but they have their drawbacks. They’re loud, produce fumes that can harm the environment, and require gasoline or diesel to operate. However, they also have major advantages over electric lawn mowers: they’re faster, more powerful, and less expensive to maintain than their electric counterparts.
The question is: what kind of gas-powered lawn mower should you get? Here we’ll discuss the different types of gas lawn mowers and their benefits and uses so that you can make an informed decision when shopping for your next tool.
The Different Types of Gas Lawn Mowers
Gas lawn mowers are a great way to get rid of the grass clippings and other debris that accumulate in your yard. They’re also one of the most popular types of lawnmower on the market today.
Suppose you’re considering purchasing a gas mower. In that case, it’s important to know the different types of gas mowers available and their pros and cons.
Walk-Behind Gas Lawn Mower
This mower is powered by an internal combustion engine. As self-propelled models do, it is pushed manually by hand instead of riding on wheels. Walk-behind models are cheaper than their self-propelled counterparts because they don’t have as many moving parts or as much power. However, they’re also harder to push around due to their weight and lack of wheels. It can take longer to get the job done than self-propelled models, which are easier to maneuver.
Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
A self-propelled gas lawn mower is similar to a walk-behind gas lawn mower but has four wheels instead of three. These lawnmowers typically have larger engines than other models, allowing for more powerful cutting ability and faster speeds. Self-propelled lawnmowers are ideal for larger yards with smoother surfaces because they can cover more ground in less time than other models.
Check out the three types of self-propelled mowers:
- Rear-Wheel Drive Gas Lawn Mowers are the most common type of self-propelled mowers. They’re great for people who have smaller yards, have difficulty maneuvering their lawnmowers around obstacles like trees and bushes, or want to save a little bit of money on gas. The downside of rear wheel drive models is that they don’t work well on hills or uneven terrain.
- Front-Wheel Drive Gas Lawn Mowers offer similar traction as all-wheel drive gas mowers, but they’re much lighter. Because of this, they are more maneuverable than all-wheel drive models. However, front-wheel drive models can be frustrating if you need to make sharp turns or go up steep slopes because the wheels will slip when turning sharply or going uphill.
- All-Wheel Drive Gas Lawn mowers are the most popular self-propelled gas lawn mower type. They are easy to use and provide the best traction, making them great for uneven terrain, hills, and slopes. However, all-wheel drive lawn mowers are heavier than other self-propelled gas mowers. They may be difficult to maneuver around tight corners.
Riding Gas Lawn Mower
These large machines hold gas in a tank on the back of the machine. They are best for large yards or areas with many obstacles because they have larger wheels than other types of gas mowers. They also have higher horsepower ratings, which means they can tackle tougher jobs than other types of mowers. However, these machines are often heavy, making them hard to maneuver on sloped terrain and challenging for some people to push around.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Gas Mower
Engine Size
The engine size for lawn mowers is measured in centimeters (cc) of cylinder size, the amount of air and fuel pumped into the engine cylinder. The larger the engine size, the more powerful it is. Engine size is also important when determining deck size. A larger engine can support a larger deck, which means longer blades can be used on a mower. Likewise, steeper terrain requires a bigger engine to power a self-propelled walk-behind mower and a riding mower up and over the terrain.
Lawn Size and Terrain
Consider your yard size and terrain to pick out a gas-powered lawn mower. A walk-behind model may be enough for small yards up to ¾ acre. If your yard is hilly or sloped, look for a self-propelled mower that will make it easier to handle difficult terrain. For larger yards, such as those over an ¾ acre, look for riding mowers with at least 12 hp.
Deck Size
Lawn mower decks come in various sizes. A 20-inch deck on a walk-behind mower works well for about half an acre for small yards. A 22-inch deck is required for larger yards up to three-quarters of an acre. The decks of riding mowers range from 28 to 46 inches. The deck size largely determines how long it will take you to cut the grass.
Drive and Wheel Size
When shopping for a lawn mower, there are many factors to consider. You can choose between various drive types and wheel sizes. Most walk-behind mowers have 8-11 inch wheels, while some push-behind gas mowers come with 11-inch tires. Self-propelled models offer either rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive allows you to turn more easily, while the rear offers better traction on steeper terrain. Some walk-behind mowers offer all-wheel drive for better traction on rough lawns with steep slopes.
Cutting Options
Dry clippings can be dealt with in one of three ways with gas mowers: side discharge, mulching, and bags. Dry clippings are discharged from the side of the mower via side discharge. These dried clippings are collected in bins or bags to avoid being dumped on your lawn again. Some models may come with mulch kits that keep the dried grass inside the deck and cut it repeatedly to make fertilizer for your yard out of the tiny bits of dried grass.
The Benefits of Using Gas Lawn Mower
There are a lot of reasons to use a gas lawn mower. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits:
- Gas mowers are more powerful than electric models, so they’ll cut your grass faster and with fewer passes.
- If you have a gas mower, you can get more exercise by pushing it than you would if you used an electric one—and you won’t have to worry about running out of juice right in the middle of cutting your lawn!
- It’s easier to maneuver gas lawn mowers than electric ones because they don’t have cords or batteries that limit how far away from the outlet or battery charger you can go.
- Gas lawn mowers tend to be cheaper than electric models. They are more affordable for people who want to buy their own mowers or rent them instead of renting from local stores and other vendors when they need to cut the grass around their home or property.
Conclusion
When people purchase new items for their homes, it is an investment. When people invest in something for their home, they want to make sure it is the right purchase. There are many different types of gas lawn mowers to choose from. Gas lawn mowers offer different levels of power and performance, so you need to know what you are looking for when making a purchase. This article can help determine if a gas mower is right for your needs.