subject: Ride On Mowers: A Buyer's Guide [print this page] A ride on mower can be an expensive item to buy, so you want to make sure you get something that is correct for your requirements. This article lays out the things you need to think about before you buy.
The Mowing Area
The first thing to consider is the lawn or area you will be cutting. In general the larger the lawn you need to cut the larger you want the cutting width. This makes sense, but you need to consider other things too - are there narrow spaces you'll need to get through, between trees or through gates for example. You will need to ensure that the ride on mower you choose will be able to fit through the smallest of gaps on your cutting area. If your lawn is very large you'll also need to consider the storage capacity of the mower (if you're planning on collecting the grass).
Another thing you need to consider is the terrain of the land you'll be cutting. If it is steep in places you'll need a more powerful mower. Will you need to turn the mower on a slope or do you have flat areas on the lawn to be able to do this?
Where to store the mower
Where the mower will be stored whilst not in use is another thing you will need to think about. Are you willing to remove the collection bag for example if you can't fit it in the place of storage? Also, will you have to reverse the mower in if there isn't enough turning space? If the ride on mower has a trailer, will this need to be removed? You'll need answers to all these questions before committing to purchase.
Obviously a proper structure like a garage or outhouse would be preferable to leaving the mower under a waterproof tarpaulin. Without proper protection against the elements your mower will degrade much quicker. In a building you also lessen the risk of it being stolen.
Frequency of use
You will also need to keep in mind how frequently you will use the mower. If you are planning on keep a field trim a few times a year then your requirements will be very different to someone who owns a hotel and wants to keep their front lawn looking professional and well kept.
Lawn collection
Most of the ride on mowers on the market these days can fit a grass cuttings collection bag. This is useful if you have a very large lawn and don't want to bother with collecting the cut grass. Depending on how large the bag is will determine how many times you'll need to empty it during one mow.
If you are happy to allow the grass clippings back onto the lawn there are a couple of options. Firstly you can buy a "side discharge" mower, which, as the name suggests, discharges the cuttings out the side of the mower. This is useful because it takes the cuttings away from the blades where wet grass can clump together and cause blockages.
Mulching is another option that a lot of ride on mowers have these days. Mulching is basically the process of picking up the cut grass and cutting it again and again into tiny pieces before allowing it back onto the ground. The benefit of this is that the cuttings decompose quicker and during this process a lot of nitrogen is allowed back into the ground reducing the need to feed the lawn with fertilizer.
by: Dave Tant.
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