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649-0457
April 15, 2009 Newsletter
Is there a right and a
wrong method of lawn mowing?
Question:
Is there a right and a wrong
method of lawn mowing?
Answer:
Yes. Alternate the direction in
which you mow each lawn mowing
session. You will thereby prevent
your grass from "getting into a rut"
(literally). If your lawn mower
wheels pass over the same area in
the same direction each time you
mow, they'll form ruts over time.
Switching lawn mowing patterns also
wisely avoids having the lawn mower
blade beating at the grass in the
same direction at every mowing.
Lawn Mowers: Reviews
Reviews
top-rate
the
recoil-start
self-propelled
Lawn-Boy
mower
for
side-discharging
clippings
and
say
it
also
does
a
good
job
of
bagging
them
(it
doesn't
do
as
well
at
mulching).
Though
it
doesn't
meet
the
strictest
emissions
standards
in
California
(called
CARB),
the
Lawn-Boy
mower
uses
a
Honda
four-cycle
OHV
engine,
which
is
the
most
"green"
type
of
non-CARB
compliant
gas
engine.
Single-lever
height
adjustment
and
a
folding
handle
add
convenience.
Its
variable
speed
and
eight-inch
wheels
help
tackle
hilly
terrain.
The
mower
has
a
long
five-year
warranty
and
a
rust-proof
deck.
- Good at mowing around obstacles
- Maximum self-propelled variable speed of 5 mph.
- Adjustable handle folds for storage
- Mulching isn't the best
- Stronger deck-height-adjustment levers needed
- Aluminum deck can fracture or dent
Our Analysis
Consumer Reports magazine tests four Lawn-Boy self-propelled mowers in its big roundup review. Popular Mechanics magazine tests fewer models, but all six are high-end mowers. We found the most detailed review at Consumer Guide, part of HowStuffWorks.com, plus useful owner-written reviews at Hechinger.com, Amazon.com and in a forum at AbbysGuide.com.The 21-inch Lawn-Boy 10795 Insight Platinum self-propelled gas lawn mower has high-end features like a Honda OHV engine and variable speeds of up to 5 mph. The handle folds for storage, and the aluminum deck is rustproof (though prone to dents). Single-lever height adjustment adds convenience, and 8-inch wheels help on hilly lawns. Mulching isn't its strong suit, however, and its engine doesn't meet California's stricter emissions requirements. To get a self-propelled, CARB-compliant lawn mower that has a blade brake and better mulching power, consider the top-rated (but expensive) Honda HRX217K2HMA (*est. $900).
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Like
most
gas
push
mowers,
this
Cub
Cadet
model
isn't
available
in
California
because
it
doesn't
meet
the
higher
emissions
standards
there.
Though
its
four-cycle
OHV
engine
is
more
efficient
than
most,
the
engine
itself…
is
made
in
China.
Nonetheless,
reviews
say
this
basic
lawn
mower
performs
well
and
is
easy
to
use.
It
has
a
steel
deck
and
carries
a
two-year
warranty.
This
model
is
also
sold
as
the
Cub
Cadet
CC-500.
-
Fuel-efficient
four-cycle OHV
engine
-
Quiet for a gas
mower
-
Cutting height
adjusts with a
single lever
-
Some durability
complaints
-
Can be difficult
to start and
restart
-
Narrow 19-inch
deck
-
Handle could be
more comfortable
Our Analysis
Consumer Reports compares the Cub Cadet 11A-18MC with 44 other lawn mowers, ranking all based on objective tests. The single-product review at Consumer Guide, part of HowStuffWorks.com, is based on less-formal tests, but provides more details. Consumers Digest magazine also recommends this mower, and we found very useful owner-written reviews at HomeDepot.com and Epinions.com.The Cub Cadet 11A-18MC is a basic gas push mower. It's powered by a fuel-efficient Chinese-made four-cycle OHV engine, but it doesn't meet CARB (California Air Resource Board) requirements. Most reviews say this mower performs well, is easy to use and priced attractively. It has single-lever height adjustment, a feature owners say they appreciate. For a small lawn, reviews say that the electric Black & Decker MM875 (*est. $230) is similarly priced, quieter and even less polluting, but you will be limited by a maximum power cord length of 100 feet.
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*Est.
$230
Among
corded
electric
lawn
mowers,
we
found
the
best
reviews
for
the
Black
&
Decker
MM875.
Although
you
have
to
deal
with
a
power
cord,
electric
mowers
are
quiet
and
almost
maintenance
free.
Reviewers
like
the
rotary…
blades
on
Black
&
Decker
electric
mowers,
plus
conveniences
like
one-lever
height
adjustment.
The
handle
folds
down
for
storage,
and
the
polymer
deck
has
a
lifetime
warranty.
Maximum
cord
length
is
100
feet,
so
it's
best
for
small
lawns.
-
Handle folds for
easier storage
-
Can mulch, bag
or
side-discharge
clippings
-
Polymer deck has
lifetime
warranty
-
Quiet and
energy-efficient
-
Range is limited
to 100 feet of
an outlet
-
Cord can get in
the way
-
19-inch cutting
path is narrow
compared with
gas mowers
-
Some complaints
about durability
Our Analysis
We found the best review of the Black & Decker MM875 in Consumer Reports magazine, where it's tested, rated and ranked along with 44 other lawn mowers (both gas and electric). The review at Consumer Guide, part of HowStuffWorks.com, is based on much less formal tests, but it provides more detail. We also found dozens of useful owner-written reviews and ratings at Amazon.com, Epinions.com and Sears.com.The 19-inch Black & Decker MM875 is the most-recommended corded electric lawn mower, with more power than most. It's quieter than any gasoline lawn mower, and owners say it's easy to use. The main drawback is the cord, which limits both range and maneuverability. And its 19-inch cutting path is narrow compared with the 21-inch width of a standard gas mower. If you can spend more and don't want to be tethered to a cord, the Black & Decker CMM1200 (*est. $400) is cordless, powered by a rechargeable battery.
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