It’s now officially lawn mower buying season.  What kinds of things should you consider before investing in your next mower?

Price

About fifteen years ago, I needed a new lawn mower.  I went to Crescent Avenue Gardens and bought a quality mower.  And although I now have a riding mower I use most often, I still use my old  mower to cut around trees and along the edges of my yard.  The point is, I could have bought a cheap mower, and then probably replaced that within a few years, then replaced the new cheap mower I bought within another few years, and so on.  The point is, it is cheaper in the long run to buy a quality Toro mower from Crescent Avenue Gardens, and use it for a long time than it is to have to buy two or three cheap mowers from the big box stores.

You will enjoy using a quality mower as well, and your yard will look better for it.

Self-Propelled or Walk Behind?

This is really up to you.  The bigger your yard, the more you’ll want to get self propelled.  Most mowers sold today are self propelled, and chances are you’ll quietly thank yourself one hot day for getting a self propelled mower.  If you want to bag your clippings, go with self propelled.  That wet grass you pick up in your bag can add twenty pounds to the weight of your mower. Of course, if you have a really small yard, you can save yourself a few bucks with a push model. Crescent Avenue Garden even has a small cordless electric mower by Stihl that’s perfect for small yards.

Engine

Toro mowers at Crescent Avenue Gardens come with top quality engines made by the top small engine builders, such as Toro and Kohler.  The real question is, how much power do you actually need for your yard.  If you have a hilly yard, or bag your clippings (remember that adds up to twenty pounds to your mower’s weight,) you may need more horsepower than the average mower offers.  The best thing to do is talk to a power equipment expert at Crescent Avenue Gardens.  Tell them what your mowing needs are like, and they can tell you how much horsepower you’ll need to do the job safely, and without putting too much strain on your mower’s engine in the years to come.

Deck Size

The larger your blade, the more grass you can cut at one time.  The larger your blade, the bigger and less maneuverable your mower becomes.  The trick is to build a mower with a large blade, say up to thirty inches, and still make it safe and easy for the consumer (that’s you) to use.  For example, Toro has a 30 inch mower.  Here again, by visiting Crescent Avenue Gardens, you can take their mowers outside  for a test mow.  If the 30 inch mower is too much for you to handle, try a smaller mower.  Make sure you’re getting the right mower you can handle before you buy.

Recoil or Electric Start

Electric start came along 10 years ago when it was harder to pull-start an engine. Today, recoil systems are much smoother, and easier to use.

If you maintain your mower properly, it should pull start easily for years and years.  If you just don’t want to deal with it, get an electric start.

Warranties

The standard warranty is 2 years on a new lawn mower. Toro has a three-year warranty, but in reality, every mower could last indefinitely if you are taking care of it.  You can bring your Toro mower to Crescent Avenue Gardens for factory authorized service and warranty needs.