The Many methods of mowing
(Page 4 of 5)
Desiring more power, Rubens purchased Black & Decker's
Model CMM1000 earlier this year. This upgraded model
features across-the-board improvements. It offers a
five-horsepower engine, a 19-inch cutting blade and a
24-volt battery, which can recharge in just 16 hours. The
CMM1000 cuts a larger area on a single charge, about 19,000
square feet. This mower is bigger and heavier than the
CMM625, but what it loses in maneuverability it makes up
for in a shorter recharge time and slightly larger cutting
swath.
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"For areas where there is thick, wet crabgrass, the CMM1000
does the job," says Rubens. "On the other hand, the CMM625
is better on slopes because it's lighter and easier to
manage. Both mowers have their strengths and weaknesses,
and since I have both, I use them. My area is larger than
average, but the CMM1000 can easily handle a modest-sized
yard alone."
- Amy Krouse
Riding Mowers: $800 to $3,200
Big lawns require significant mowing time. Riding mowers
have the great advantage of giving you a place to sit down
while you spend that time. They are lighter and smaller
than heavy-duty lawn and garden tractors, without the
latter's features, such as power take-offs for snowblowing
and tillage, and blades for grading. In effect, they are
lawn mowers with seats.
Features to look for include a short turning radius, which
can run from zero up to 26 inches. A turning radius is
measured by steering the mower into the tightest circle it
can make. The radius of that circle is the turning radius.
A zero turning radius means you can stop the mower, turn
the wheels and zip off in any new direction you choose. A
short turning radius is handy for lawns with lots of
obstacles, trees and flowerbeds.
Many riding mowers come with mulching decks, a good idea if
you want to recycle your clippings back onto the lawn. The
mulching deck will chop the clippings finely, so they
disappear into the lawn. Make sure the riding mower has a
powerful engine of at least eight horsepower, so it can lug
you around the yard as well as cut the grass.
Brush Cutters: $750 to $1,600
For rough work - such as giving a meadow, orchard or wet
spot a once-a-year mowing - there are plenty of
brawny-bladed trimmers, high wheel mowers and brush cutters
on the market.
Bladed trimmers are handhelds similar to string trimmers,
but are sturdier. They usually have two handlebars, gas rn
with one or two horsepower and metal blades that hack
through brushy stems.
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