Last Updated on April 19, 2022 by Kravelv
A lawnmower is the spine of the garden tool arsenal of any lawn care enthusiast. You simply can’t imagine getting the job done without one. But then, just like any individual, their gardens, backyard, or lawns are as unique in terms of the type of grass, terrain, and versatility of floral presence such as flower beds, trees, etc. And this statement is enough to assure you that one size is never going to fit all when talking about lawnmowers.
However, if somehow your garden tends to possess slopes or hills in between, nothing would meet your mowing needs head and shoulders than the propelled lawn mowers for hills. These lawnmowers are specifically built to deal with steeps, slopes. They are way more time and energy saving when compared to many lawnmower types for hills.
Choosing the best propelled lawn mower for your sloping lawn can be difficult as there are countless variants from overabundant manufacturers existing in the market today. A little knowledge of the machine, its type, and getting details of its features and ability can be exceptionally supportive in getting your way through to buy the best lawnmowers. Here is our comprehensive expert guide for choosing the best self-propelled lawn mowers for hills to make it easier.
Things That You Need To Look For In Your Self Propelled Lawn Mower For Hills
Self-propelled lawn mowers today come in a wide price range and plenty of features to facilitate and do your job easy, but at the same time, the more features, the higher is the price. And not all features are supportive when considering your lawn mowing. So how to choose the best one? Here’s what you need to look for in your self propelled lawn mower and match ’em as per your needs for home lawn and garden.
Understanding Power Input Preference for Your Mower
Self-propelled lawn mowers are powered in two ways – via gasoline, or electricity, and both have their own sets of pros and cons, which may affect your choice.
While gas-powered versions are known for their portable and powerful functioning, they also tend to make a lot of noise and emission and are demanding in terms of maintenance. On the other hand, electric versions are comparatively less powerful but emission-free and quieter than gas lawnmowers. These electric mowers also come in two variants, namely, the corded electric self-propelled lawnmowers and the battery-powered ones.
The corded self-propelled lawn mowers will suit you if you own a relatively smaller garden that you need to take care of as the cord will limit your reach. The cord/cable can be a trouble to look after when working on large pieces of land. Cordless or battery-powered ones come in handy in providing these lawnmowers proper portability. However, in this case, you need to ensure high-end battery backup so that you finish your work before running out of power.
Apart from these, do check for the locality regulations on the use of power tools as many impose restrictions on the use of power tools due to loud noise and emission, so make sure you are in compliance.
The Wheel Drive System and Its Size
Self-propelled lawn mowers either come with front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive system. The front-wheel-drive system provides power and superior maneuverability to the machines. Still, when talking steep hills, you may get a downside as these lack traction, which is much needed for working on hills and slopes. On the contrary, the rear-wheel-drive system may be a bit low on the maneuver functioning. Still, it is an excellent option as self-propelled lawn mowers for hills due to its much-needed traction sloped surfaces.
While most lawn mowers have the same wheel sizes at both the front and back, it’s always better to have larger rear wheels. They are an excellent counter for uneven surfaces and work in providing better friction and traction.
Deck Related Features
Deck size is the actual width your lawnmower will be covering on a single mow. Its choice is directly proportional to the size of your garden. For large-sized yards, it’s best to go with larger deck sizes of 30 inches or more. While for mid and small gardens, 20 to 22 inches decks work just fine.
But that’s not all, the deck is also exposed to the external work conditions and prone to getting dirty. Usual lawnmowers carry steel decks that often add more weight and are also less durable. However, some manufacturers use sturdy aluminum decks or superior high impact plastic decks to add more to the resistance and wear and tear and avoid any corrosion.
Since this part of your machine is the most exposed to dirt and other reactive agents, it’s best to look for features like deck hose connection for easy wash and clean up. This, in turn, also contributes towards the machine’s longevity and is a great option to have in your lawnmower.
Cutting Height
Uneven lawn surface is a significant obstacle to smooth grass cutting. You need height adjustability features to get that even cut look in your garden when it comes to mowing rugged hills and sloppy regions. Self-propelled lawn mowers have a single lever, two-lever, and four-lever deck height adjustability options; however, the usage complexity increases as the levers increase. Single lever ones are the easiest to operate, so if you are expecting too frequent height adjustments, it’s best to go with this one.
Additional Functionality Features of the Machine
Mulch & Bag It Up
Besides just mowing, the self-propelled lawn mowers of today also come with additional features of mulching and bagging. Some of them are also equipped with mulch and side discharging facilities. Both bagging and side discharge have their own uses. Bag the grass if you want an easy to dispose method, or go with side discharge if you’re going to recycle the lawn nutrition.
Mulching, on the other hand, makes the grass cut in a smaller size, making it compost ready at the same time. But these additional functionalities come with a cost, so think for their usage before you invest.
Start-Up and Speed Settings
Mowers either start with recoil or use an electric push start. This one set is of absolute personal preference, and depending on your ease, you may choose what best suits you.
One important safety feature that you should look for in your lawnmower is blade override functionality. This, in particular, bodes exceptionally well if there are several obstacles in your garden and may want you to stop to remove it. Override functioning prevents the need to restart the machine each time you have to stop to handle the obstacles when mowing.
To ensure an enhanced post-purchase experience, make sure you do check out the requirements that you will need in your lawnmower before you put the money on the table. It’s not always an excellent choice to make a go for it all. Sometimes, less is more. I hope this guide helps you choose the best self-propelled lawn mower and support your mowing to the fullest.