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Every handyman must make a major decision when it comes to lawn care: Gas Vs Electric Lawn Mower?
A lawnmower is a significant investment, and you should choose one that best suits your needs. It’s also difficult to choose between electric and gas mowers because each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
It wasn’t long ago that the only decision to make when purchasing a mower was the brand of the gas mower to purchase. Electric mowers did exist, but they were largely ineffective and a novelty.
That is no longer the case! In the last ten years, technology has advanced significantly, and battery and corded electric mowers are now feasible options.
Which option is ideal for you is determined by a variety of factors. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between gas and electric mowers so you can make an informed decision.
Lawn Mowers: Gas vs. Electric
You wanted a mower with a lot of power or had a vast yard that stretched beyond a safe distance for an electric corded lawnmower. Gas-powered mowers were the only viable option.
Thankfully, advancements in lawn mower technology have resulted in the development of electric battery-powered mowers. They have, at least in terms of power, are virtually indistinguishable from gas-powered mowers.
For most of us, an electric mower is more than enough to keep a standard-sized lawn in good shape. Only those with a lot of grass to mow or lawns that are particularly steep, uneven, or covered with rocks should consider a gas-powered mower.
Before you go to the store, how can you tell which mower is the best? Our simple guide will assist you in making the best decision and keeping your lawn in tip-top shape.
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What to Consider when Getting a Lawn Mower
The Power of the Motor
Manufacturers of lawnmowers can be deceitful about their devices’ real-world power levels. It’s fairly uncommon for electric mowers to have their “max torque” specs advertised as proof that they can match the power output of gas-burning versions. This is misleading.
Because it measures engine torque under little or no load, max torque delivers an overblown picture of a mower’s genuine power. The fact is that horsepower is the only logical unit of measurement for lawnmowers.
Run Time
It’s difficult to estimate how much run time you’ll get from a tank of petrol in a typical fuel-burning mower because so much relies on how fast you run it and how dense the grass you’re cutting. A tank of gas, on the other hand, is likely to last longer than a completely charged battery in any equivalent electric vehicle.
Most electric mower manufacturers include a maximum run duration estimate, which is usually always one hour or less for push and self-propelled mowers. On a single charge, riding electric mowers might last two hours at most.
Unless there is a power outage, plug-in mowers do not require batteries and will run continually. In that situation, a generator with enough voltage capacity will suffice.
Noise and the Environment
While gas mowers have more power and run time, electric mowers have less noise and are better for the environment. Running a battery-powered mower produces no carbon emissions, thus it will not contribute to climate change.
Noise is another factor to consider. The quantity of yard noise that is considered acceptable in many areas is regulated. Large, powerful gas-powered mowers can quickly exceed these limits, while battery-powered mowers are unlikely to do so.
Costs of Operation and Maintenance
Although it’s easy to imagine that battery-powered mowers will always be less expensive in the long run than gas-powered mowers, this isn’t always the case.
Although you’ll almost definitely pay less on power to charge your batteries or run your corded mower than you will on gas and oil, there’s more to consider.
Lithium-ion batteries do not last indefinitely and must be replaced at some point. They’re also not cheap. If your electric mower has a generous guarantee, you might be able to acquire a free replacement battery (or batteries, if your mower requires two) if yours fails.
Gas Vs Electric Lawn Mower
It’s critical to understand the two main types of modern lawnmower models and how they’re driven when you shop for a new mower to keep your lawn looking its best throughout the summer months:
- Gas-Powered Mowers: A two- or four-cylinder engine is powered by gasoline.
- Electric Mowers with Extension Cords: The length of your extension cable limits the amount of lawn that a standard electric mower can cover.
- Electric Mowers Powered by Batteries: Batteries can be charged in a charging station or remotely via a wireless link.
Before making a final decision, evaluate the pros, features, and drawbacks of each type of lawnmower. Based on the size of your yard and other lawncare parameters, one may provide a better mowing experience than the others.
Let’s take a deeper look at each type of mower and break down the benefits and drawbacks to help you choose the one that’ll work best for your lawn and mowing habits.
Gas-Powered Mowers
Larger yards and professional landscaping companies have relied on gas-powered lawnmowers for decades. Before the development of cordless electric mowers, the only method to reach regions beyond the reach of extension cords was to use a gas lawnmower.
Gas-powered mowers are still more powerful than electric mowers and can cut longer grass faster and more efficiently.
A gas-powered lawnmower is a loud, expensive machine that is difficult to handle and maneuver requires routine maintenance and is likely to annoy your neighbors. They are, nevertheless, the recommended alternative for folks with vast, open yards who require more power and performance.
Pros of Using a Gas Lawn Mower
- Mow larger areas faster without charging or being connected to a cord; best for huge lawns with tall, tough grass;
- Gas is relatively cheap and travels a long way;
- Design that will last for a long time.
Cons of a Gas Lawn Mower
- Operating it is noisy and filthy; it demands frequent maintenance and repair
- Carbon emissions are harmful to the environment
It is heavy and tough to manage.
Electric Lawn Mowers
Electric lawnmowers that are plugged in are not only inconvenient to use and limit the amount of yard you can mow, but they can also be dangerous. While there are still reasonably priced corded mowers on the market that are excellent for small yards, battery-powered electric mowers provide more versatility and safety.
Electric mowers, whether battery-powered or plugged in, do not emit greenhouse gases like gas mowers, making them better for the environment and quieter to operate.
Battery charging systems that can be operated remotely make it easier than ever to have an electric lawnmower ready to use at all times. There are also rechargeable battery-powered robot lawn mowers available on the market.
Pros of Electric Mowers
- There isn’t much in the way of maintenance or part replacements;
- Operating and maintaining costs are lower;
- more ecologically friendly
- Much quieter than traditional gas mowers.
The Drawbacks of Electric Mowers
- Battery mowers take less time to mow than gas mowers
- Poor performance in locations with thicker grass and more difficult terrain;
- The initial investment is more expensive;
- Mowers that are less powerful than gas mowers.
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Maintenance Tips for Lawn Mowers
Many individuals choose to have their lawnmowers serviced by a professional at the start or conclusion of the mowing season, but many others do their own maintenance.
Maintaining a lawnmower is a nasty and time-consuming task, but it is an unavoidable evil. If you opt to maintain your lawnmower yourself, follow these guidelines to ensure success:
Get to know your owner’s manual.
The last thing you want to do is damage your lawnmower, so be sure you know how to properly maintain it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. These instructions will ensure that your mower lasts as long as possible.
Remove or disconnect the spark plug
To ensure that your mower starts up easily, replace the spark plug once a year. Taking it out at the start of maintenance is also a good idea for safety since it prevents the mower from being started accidently.
Drain the fuel every end of season
Run the mower’s motor until all of the leftover gas has been used up, or drain it and start over with new gas in the spring. Your mower may not start if the gas is old.
Clean Your Lawn Mower
Clear off all the grass and other debris that has accumulated on the undercarriage over the mowing season to improve performance.
Replace the Oil
To discover how to change lawn mower oil properly and the proper type of oil for your lawnmower, consult the owner’s manual. If your mower’s oil is old or polluted, change it; drain it, and replace it with new oil.
Make sure the oil is properly disposed of. Oil recycling centers are accessible for free in most areas.
Sharpen the blades
Even though your lawn is normally clear of branches, rocks, and weird objects, the blades will wear out over time. You can sharpen the blades alone, but it’s best to leave it to the lawnmower servicing professionals unless you’ve mastered the process.
Which Lawnmower Is Right For You?
So, which is better for you: a gas or an electric mower? This is mostly determined by your lawn care requirements and budget. A gas mower is usually the best option for really tiny or extremely large yards. In the long run, lawns of varying sizes can profit from the use of an electric mower.
Avoid being pressured into buying more lawnmowers than you require by an aggressive salesperson. Take the time to research and select the proper size and type of lawnmower that will allow you to keep your lawn looking its best with the least amount of time and effort.
