How Large of a Lawn Mower Should You Have?

If you’re in the market for a new lawn mower, it’s essential that you consider what size and type will work best for you. There’s nothing worse than having the wrong tool for the job, and when it comes to maintaining a gorgeous lawn, you want the right gear.

While the staff at Jeff Schmitt Lawn and Motorsports is here to help you weigh your options and bring home the right equipment, we also want you to have the proper information from the start. That’s why we created this simple guide to help you know how large of a lawn mower you should have.

Walk or Ride?

The first step to choosing the right lawn mower is to decide if you want to walk or ride. Technically, any yard can be mowed with a walking push mower, but that doesn’t mean you want to.

The rule of thumb is that if you have a yard ¼ acre or more, riding is going to be your best option. If nothing else, walking a ¼ acre will take up too much of your time to be efficient.

For yards that are smaller than ¼ acre, you may need to consider the actual mowing area. If your smaller yard is without obstacles (playsets, trees, flower beds, etc.), a riding mower could still be a great option. Of course, if you have an odd-shaped yard with lots of things to mow around, a walking mower will provide you the mobility to keep your yard looking great.

Riding Mower vs. Tractor

If you have a larger yard over ¼ acre, you have options. Most people prefer a standard riding mower, residential zero-turn, or light-duty lawn tractors from Ferris, Simplicity, etc., up to two acres.

Any property over two acres is worthy of a commercial-duty zero-turn riding mower. One of these beasts will make quick work of your mowing job.

What About Deck Size?

Selecting the right mower for your yard means exploring more than just the size of the tractor. For example, a rear-engine mower and zero-turn mower offer different capabilities and deck sizes.

A typical riding mower has a deck that stretches anywhere from 30 to 33 inches. This is perfect for smaller yards without a ton of obstacles. A zero-turn mower provides greater maneuverability and is the go-to option for landscape contractors around the country. These options have decks that span from 32 to 60 inches.

There aren’t as many rules when it comes to deck size. It comes down to how quickly you want to be able to cut your grass and what kind of budget you have. A larger deck is a fantastic way to knock out your to-do list, but it will raise the price of your unit.

Our basic guide should give you an introductory idea of what size mower you’ll need for your yard. To explore the specifics around your needs and see the various available options, stop by Jeff Schmitt Lawn and Motorsports.