What Size Lawn Mower Do I Need?

Size of Your Lawn

• People who have small lawns do not need to purchase an expensive or large mower if the mowing time takes little time. Those with large yards should consider a mower with a large mowing deck width to prevent making too many rotations around the lawn. However, if you enjoy the fresh air and exercise that mowing a spacious lawn entails, a smaller mowing deck may not cause you concern. People with lawns that are three-quarters of an acre or bigger may find that a riding lawn mower saves times and physical effort, says the Briggs & Stratton website.

Mowing Deck Size

• The deck size of the lawnmower makes a large difference in how many times you have to mow back and forth around your lawn. The decks may be as small as 16 inches -- or even smaller -- or larger than 48 inches. These vary by manufacturers and are an important factor when choosing the size of the mower. If you purchase a large deck, it is often more practical to purchase a self-propelled mower, which will require less of your own energy to push the mower across the lawn. Riding mowers typically have mowing decks of at least 36 inches.

Physical Abilities

• If you are not physically fit and tire quickly, a self-propelled mower often is the most practical choice, even if you have a relatively small lawn, as suggested by the Briggs & Stratton website. Slopes in lawns are more challenging physically than a flat yard. For someone with little physical strength, a self-propelled lawn mower requires less effort to operate since the mower pulls itself without you having to push it as hard. Another option is a riding mower.

Lawn Growth Rate

• The speed your grass grows is another determining factor in the lawn mower size you choose. If the grass grows slowly, such as zoysia grass, having a smaller mowing deck may not be as large a consideration. Many rotations around your lawn won't be as tiresome if you do not have to do it once a week or even more often. The weather in your area of the country also is a factor in how often grass requires mowing. Dry periods may cause the grass to dry out and die or extremely wet periods may accelerate the growth of the turf. If either of these conditions is prevalent in your area, choose a mower with the frequency of mowing in mind.

Landscaping Considerations

• A smaller lawn mower is more appropriate with many trees, shrubs or yard art in your landscape. It is less difficult to maneuver the machine in and out of tight areas. The turning radius of a riding mower is a consideration in the same manner. A smaller turning radius enables you to manipulate the machine more easily around these type of features in your landscape, according to the All About Lawns website.