The Attributes a Riding Lawn Mower Should Have
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by: emeliamorseton
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Word Count: 617
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 Time: 10:13 PM
It is a good idea to buy a riding lawn mower if you have a large area of lawn to maintain and you are finding it hard to keep it under control. They not only help with the physical work but also drastically reduce the amount of time required to cut a lawn with a manual push mower. The term riding lawn mower is used to describle lawn mower tractors in addition to the traditional ride-on mowers. In general this article uses riding lawn mower to cover both types. Lawn tractors differ from their mower counterparts in that they are generally more robust and can be used to pull utility trailers and other equipment around your property.
Provided that your lawn is relatively flat and free from obstacles, a riding lawn mower is the ideal solution for keeping it maintained. If you do have many corners or narrow gaps then you can still use a riding lawn mower but you need to consider the type known as a zero-turning-radius mower or ZTR. As the name implies, these can be turned through 180 degrees without moving and therefore helps considerably if you need to negotiate obstructions such as trees or garden decorations.
Understandably with such a piece of equipment, there are several options and features to choose from. Let's have a look at some of these features so that you buy the one that is most appropriate to your needs. First of all you need to take account of the terrain, particularly if there are hilly areas. Any lawns with slopes required an all-wheel drive mower, not only for more grip but additionally because they are usually more secure on sloping ground. It is essential to take a note of the manufacturers specifications when it comes to the maximum gradient that you can safely use the mower without it overturning. If your lawn is flat and clear then a conventional rider is sufficient.
In case you have a large area such as two or more acres, or you just like to get the job done quickly, you should get a faster riding mower with the widest deck that you can get so that you cut more area with each pass. Be careful though to make sure that the mower will pass through the narrowest gaps that you have and also that you have got room to keep the mower.
Another factor to consider is what to do with the clippings. The more basic riding mowers simply send out the grass to one side and spread it out on the lawn. This is actually beneficial to the lawn as the clippings rot away and return nutrition to the soil. Some people who want to keep their lawn looking in top condition prefer to get a mower with a bagger at the side or rear that captures the clippings. Baggers can add quite a lot to the cost of the mower. You will also pay more if you choose to get a mulching kit that chops the clipping almost into a powder that forms a mulch when it degrades on the surface of the turf.
One more decision is whether to choose a lawn tractor. This really depends on whether being able to attach an utility trailer to the rear of the mower is of use. They can also be employed to help clear snow in the winter.
Prices of riding lawn mowers range from $1200 to in excess of $7000. You also need to consider durability and the cost of maintenance so it is worth buying from one of the leading brands such as Snapper, Yard Machines, Husqvarna and Poulan.
About the Author
You will find lots of riding lawn mower reviews and various other riding lawn mower material at the Riding Lawn Mowers web site.
Do not forget to go through our review of the excellent Snapper 7800545 LT130-AWS series riding lawn mower
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