Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a Mower

Although lawnmowers are primarily utilized in the spring and summer, it can also be necessary to have them year-round! Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, landscaper, or a mix of each, it’s important to have a mower that complements your needs and expectations. Castongia Tractor has a great selection of John Deere mowers and our Sales Consultants can help you find a model that will work for you! 

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about purchasing a lawn mower so you can make a confident buying decision.

Choosing a Mower for Your Specific Lawn 

Before you begin shopping for the perfect lawn mower, it’s essential to understand your lawn. Take some time to evaluate your space, whether you’re a homeowner who will be responsible for maintaining your grass or a landscaper who will be servicing several different types of lawns.

Consider the total size of the area, what obstacles are present, and if there are any changes in slope throughout the space. Factors like these can directly influence what type of mower would work well for your yard and what features will be critical for you to get the outcome you’re expecting. 

Understanding the Available Styles

Once you’ve taken the time to evaluate your lawn, you’ll want to begin shopping for the right lawn mower. You’ll need to narrow your search by learning about the different mower types and the features available within each category. 

Walk-Behind

Walk-behind mowers are a great choice for smaller lawns and storage spaces. If you have a small backyard, you may only need a walk-behind mower to cut your grass! There are a few different types of walk-behinds, including manual mowers, self-propelled mowers, and push mowers.

Manual models and push mowers require the most manual labor because you’ll have to physically push the mower forward. Manual mowers, however, don’t have an engine and the forward motion causes the blades to rotate. Push mowers do have an engine that turns the blades with more power. 

Self-propelled walk-behinds can propel their wheels forward, resulting in less labor during operation.

Riding Mower

A popular option for residential areas with medium to large lawns is a riding mower. These operate like a vehicle; the user sits on the seat, uses a steering wheel, and shifts gears to navigate the space.

Riding mowers are less labor-intensive and are more efficient for larger yards. They’re capable of navigating obstacles but might require one or two-point turns to travel around some objects. You may need to supplement your lawn care with additional tools, like a weedeater, to accomplish the look you want. 

Zero-Turn

Another option that can work for medium to large-sized yards is a zero-turn mower. These mowers are used in commercial and residential settings because they are powerful and very efficient. To operate, you sit or stand and use hand controls to navigate the machine.

Zero-turn mowers are a great choice because they are designed to have a small turn radius, meaning they can move around obstacles easily and get very close. If you have a lot of trees or decorations in your yard, a zero-turn mower could be a great solution. 

Tractor and Rotary Blade

For large spaces, you may need to upgrade your mower type to a utility tractor and mower attachment. This will give you the most efficiency to cover a large area and reduce the total time you have to spend mowing! If you do have to spend a lot of time mowing and maintaining your land, you can choose a cab tractor for ultimate comfort. 

Choosing the Right Features

Now that you know about the common mower types, you can select the category that would complement your needs the best and begin choosing the features you need! From the style of tires to the way the mower is powered, the features you select can result in your overall satisfaction with your mowing experience.

Power Type

Mowers can be powered in several ways. Traditionally, mowers were completely manual and the blades were turned when you pushed the mower forward, but today, mowers can be powered by gasoline, diesel, propane, or electricity! Some fuel types are more common than others, but it’s important to evaluate what is available so you can choose a power option that will work for your accessibility and operating frequency. 

There are pros and cons to each fuel type, but the key factors you’ll want to consider include fuel availability, how that fuel type affects overall power, and required maintenance for that power type.

Mower Size and Deck Size

After selecting the power input and fuel type, you can move on to the overall mower and deck size. The size of your mower doesn’t only influence how powerful it might be, but it can be a major factor for ease of operation and storage after use. You don’t want to select a mower that is much larger than what you need, but you also don’t want to invest in something you’ll quickly outgrow, either. 

Your sales consultant will be able to help you identify the right mower size for your specific needs. They’ll also be able to discuss the deck size, which determines the total blade reach during a pass. It will be important to make an efficient selection that won’t be problematic for your space!

Tires

The type of tires can also be a feature you can choose as you shop for the perfect mower. A new option for buyers is airless tires, which reduce tire maintenance but change the riding experience. Airless tires are primarily available for commercial zero-turn models, but it’s a feature to be aware of as it gains popularity in the market. 

Traditional tires can also be a feature to consider because you can choose a more aggressive tread for uneven terrains and more frequent use. 

Knowing How to Buy

Knowing about the available categories of lawnmowers and some of the available features is helpful, but do you know how to buy a mower once you’ve determined which model is right for you? Most buyers will finance their purchase, which requires a little bit of research and preparation, but you also have to decide whether to look for a brand-new unit or a pre-owned option on the lot. 

Choosing a New Model

A brand-new mower can be a great choice for a variety of reasons. The warranty is a major factor, but technology, comfort, and maintenance are other factors to consider. A brand-new mower will often come with a warranty and the option for an extended warranty for even more coverage. The higher upfront cost of the purchase can be mitigated when you take advantage of warranty protection.

Choosing a Pre-Owned Model

If you aren’t interested in a brand-new mower, buying a pre-owned model off the lot can be a smart choice. You’ll have a lower upfront cost and you’ll have more resources available regarding parts, maintenance, and customer reviews.

Financing Your Purchase

Whether you choose to buy a brand-new mower or a pre-owned option off our lot, you’ll likely need to consider your financing options. John Deere Financial offers several great financing plans and our team can help you navigate the application process. Before you commit to financing though, make sure to do your research, understand different loan types, and read the terms before you sign. 

There are a lot of choices that go into the lawn mower buying process, but Castongia Tractor makes it simple! Our team of friendly and knowledgeable Sales Consultants can guide you through the available mower models, pricing, financing, styles, and more, to make sure you get a mower that fits your needs. Visit us today in Crown Point, DeMotte, Fowler, Rensselaer, or Valparaiso, Indiana, to browse our selection and find a mower that's right for you!