How to Choose the Right Push Mower for Your Lawn
A push mower is good for smaller lawns and properties that aren't large enough to demand a riding lawnmower, and which don't have many hills and other obstacles that would make pushing the mower in front of you difficult and cumbersome. When shopping for a new push mower, you might be surprised to see all the options and features they offer, so note a few of those differences here so you can choose the best one for your needs.
1. Electric versus gas
A gas-powered push mower will give you more power than an electric mower, so it can be good if your lawn tends to have weeds and other vegetation that can be difficult to cut with a lightweight mower. With an electric mower, you also need to worry about the cords getting in the way, or ensuring you remember to charge the battery. However, a gas-powered mower may need more maintenance as you usually need to change the spark plugs and flush the oil, and you need to worry about filling it with gasoline as needed; this can be messy and even dangerous if the fuel should spill.
2. Engine torque
This refers to the force that keeps the blades spinning. You'll need a high engine torque for lawns with thick grass or the vegetation and weeds mentioned above. This higher torque can keep the blades and the engine from getting bogged down and giving you an uneven, jagged cut.
3. Single speed versus variable speed
Single speed means that the propulsion of the engine is set at one speed, whereas variable speed gives you more options for controlling the speed. Usually, a variable speed engine lets you change the speed with a lever that you move forward or back. Choose a lever on the side of the mower that is most comfortable for you; for left-handed persons, a lever on the left might be better than one on the right.
4. Cut width
This tells you how much grass you can cut with a single pass, but note that the cut width is different than the width of the lawn mower. The cut width is the width of the blades, but the width of the mower includes the wheels, body of the mower, and the bagging attachment. You'll want to note the width of the mower itself if you have areas of your lawn that are difficult to work around, such as between the garage and your house or between two landscaping features.