Six Must-Have Features on Today’s Cutting-Edge Lawn Mowers

Ask anybody who toiled in the backyard in the 60s, 70s or 80s: Mowing the grass used to be an exercise in frustration. People struggled with equipment that was limited by the technology of the day. They yanked the starting cord on less-than-reliable engines, trudged through the yard pushing tough-to-maneuver mowers and wrestled with awkward bags of grass clippings. America could put a man on the moon, but why in the world couldn’t it come up with an easier way to mow?

You can now find all kinds of innovative outdoor equipment that will make mowing your lawn a lot easier than it used to be. Here are six high-tech features to look for when you’re choosing a mower:

* Easy-to-use bag. “For many people, bagging has long been the worst part of the whole mowing process,” says Joe Hager, senior engineer at outdoor power equipment manufacturer Lawn-Boy. “In our research, we found homeowners frustrated with their bagging system, struggling to get the bag on and off their mower.” Lawn-Boy responded to that challenge by developing a bag that can be removed or replaced with just one hand and fits into a convenient cradle on the back of the mower.

* Self-propel system. Mowers with self-propel systems can take much of the strain out of mowing the lawn. Some of the newest models feature an innovative system that automatically senses and intuitively adjusts to the user’s walking speed.

* Adjustable handle. If you’ve got several people who will be mowing the lawn, consider a mower that can be easily adjusted to fit a wide variety of operator heights.

* Quick storage. Look for a mower that can be quickly and compactly stowed in a garage or shed. Some models have a lever that folds the handle with a simple step

* Blade control system. If you find yourself stopping and starting your mower’s engine as you pause to clean up branches or other debris in your yard, look for a mower with a blade control system (also known as a blade brake clutch). The system stops the blade when you release the mower’s handle, letting you pause to empty the bag, pick up debris or roll across a driveway or sidewalk without having to stop – and then restart – the engine.

* Easy-to-start engine. Today’s mowers are much easier to start than their predecessors. Look for a mower with a recoil system with an oversized, padded grip or an electric starter.

With the variety of features available on today’s mowers, how do you know which piece of backyard equipment -- or which combination of features -- is right for your particular situation? To help make the whole process easier, Lawn-Boy has created an online shopping guide that walks you through the decision-making process. On www.FindYourMower.com, you can enter information such as: who will be doing most of the lawn care, the size of your yard and what kind of terrain you’ll be mowing. The guide then takes that information and helps you select a model that best meets your needs.

“The key to choosing the right lawn mower is to take a good look at your specific needs and go from there,” says Hager. “With all the options available, there’s no reason to settle for anything less than a perfect fit.”

More information is available at www.FindYourMower.com or www.Lawn-Boy.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent