Electric and Self Propelled Lawnmowers - Which is Right for You?

Before buying a self-propelled lawnmower, you must first understand your needs and then consider how well a mower addresses those needs. Self-propelled mowers employ various types of drive systems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Front-wheel drive mowers work well on flat surfaces, but less so on slopes where you may need to lift the front wheels for the best lawn navigation. Rear-wheel drive mowers are easier to use on slopes, as the downward pressure required for agile movement is augmented by the forward motion coming from the rear wheels. A mower with large wheels has better traction on flat surfaces, but less traction on slopes or wet grass.

Belt-and-pulley drive systems perform optimally when new, but tension and wear tend to stretch the belt over time and loosen the drive. In these cases, it is possible to tighten the belt and continue mowing, but it will eventually need replacement.

A turntable drive features a system of gears and belts providing power to the wheels. The drive wheels and discs of the turntable drive require regular cleaning with a de-greaser designed for engines and specially formulated to prevent slippage caused by contamination. Also be sure to check the wheels of the mower you're thinking of purchasing. Plastic wheels have a much shorter life span than metal.

When operating a self-propelled lawnmower, hold the handle or bar down, which allows the blade to spin. Removing your hand from the bar stops the blade from spinning but does not halt the drive system so that you can move the mower about without cutting any grass. Cut in different directions each time you mow to avoid forming ruts in your lawn. Avoid sharp turns with this type of mower; this creates unnecessary stress on the bar.

You must perform regular maintenance, including changing plugs and filters, on your mower much as you would with your car's internal combustion engine.

An electric lawnmower is always ready to go. There's no need to worry about petrol. However, with a petrol mower, you can run out of petrol before you've finished your lawn. There are many reasons you may want to consider an electric model. Below, we'll cover both the pros and cons.

There are two types of electric lawnmowers: corded and cordless models. Is the farthest point of your yard more than 100 feet from an electrical outlet? If so, you'll do best with a cordless mower. That's because corded mowers can only reach a maximum of 100 feet. Another consideration is the size of your yard. Cordless lawn mowers may not be able to cut a very large yard with just one charge. Not having to replace batteries is one of the biggest advantages of owning a corded model. The batteries in cordless mowers need to be replaced every few years.

Easy of use is another advantage of electric mowers. They start up with just a push of a button. This is a big plus -- especially if you've ever had trouble starting a petrol mower. Electric mowers are also better for the environment. They save on energy and don't emit harmful fumes into the air. They're economical too. Electric mowers cost less than five dollars per season. Petrol mowers are much more expensive because of the price of petrol. Plus, filters, plugs and other parts on petrol mowers need to be maintained regularly. In contrast, an electric mower just need to be kept clean and its blades free of grass. Another plus? Electric mowers are extremely quiet. So you can mow any time of day without worrying about the noise.

All these features make electric mowers very attractive. Lightweight and easy to use, an electric model can be used by just about anyone, no matter what kind of shape you're in.