Lawn Mower Buying Guide for Business Owners

It can be a complex enough process to buy a lawnmower for your own lawns but spare a thought for lawn care business owners who have to buy them for everyone’s.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to buying the best lawn mower, nor is there any specific brand or model that will suit everyone. However, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re buying the best one to suit you, leading to a far more comfortable and profitable lawn mowing process.

If the time has come to replace your rusty old rotary for some top-notch equipment, read on. Here are some of the many considerations to make.

Push vs. self-propelled vs. ride on

Every lawn care professional has their preference. Some people swear by push mowers for getting the job done, but others love the luxury and easy-care approach of the self-propelled mower. Many lawn mowing business owners also purchase both ride-on and push mowers to ensure they cater for all their clients appropriately.

Ride-on lawnmowers, while a more significant investment, can often tackle lawns in far less time than that of a push mower. However, some business owners with smaller lawns on their books may not see the need for them. The decision to buy a push mower, self-propelled or a ride-on one can often be a personal preference.

Purchase price

The initial outlay can be quite an essential consideration for business owners looking to get into lawn care, or who are upgrading their equipment. Expensive doesn’t always mean better, but cheap doesn’t always mean value. It’s crucial to strike a healthy balance between quality and value.

Read reviews on the best lawn mowers for sale, and even talk to other lawn care experts in your area. You may also find that at certain times of the year, yard care businesses offer great deals on mowers – or can do if you ask nicely. For example, Husqvarna offers discounts for Crewcut operators – something they value immensely.

Maintenance

You would be surprised at how vital maintenance is when it comes to choosing the best lawn mower for your business – or even in any other industry like cleaning. Think about your preferences and expectations as a business owner. Do you want maintenance to be fast and easy? Or, do you want it to take forever and use up all your free time? The answer seems obvious.

Many lawn care business operators prefer to carry out their own maintenance for cost-effectiveness and convenience. You can head home after a day of lawn care, check the oil and filter, sharpen the blade, and change the spark plug – and all for a fraction of what a servicing agent would charge.

However, time-poor lawn care workers may also see the value in taking their mower to a reputable servicing agent. Some lawn mowing business owners with cumbersome ride-on mowers may prefer this option.

Ultimately, maintenance is a personal choice, but some mowers make it easier than others. Think about how much time you will have to spare, and whether this consideration is one that could help you decide between different mower brands.

The most important thing to know, however, is maintenance – regardless of you do it - is crucial. A decent mower can last around a decade, but a poorly maintained one can fail in half the time.

Comfort

During the warmer months of the year, grass growth is phenomenal. The mixture of warmer weather and rainfall means that a lawn care expert’s calendar is full even before the month has begun. With such long hours ahead, it’s important to consider comfort as one of the primary considerations of buying a lawnmower. Does the one you’re looking to buy promote it?

Many things can factor in comfort. Is the body of your mower lightweight and nimble? Plastic frames of mowers, like those from Victa, are often a preference for lawn care experts. Even something as simple as the handle angle and padding and the wheel height can also be enough to make or break your lawnmower purchasing decision.

Ride-on mower comfort is even more critical, especially as you will be sitting down. Where possible, sit on the seat of the display model in your local lawn care equipment store and reach for the controls you will use often. You can then get an idea for how your body will be positioned as you mow.

Performance

Last, but not least, performance. An ill-performing mower can cost you money. As a lawn care professional, you can find yourself faced with long, soggy lawns, challenging terrain, obstacles, and all manner of tricky conditions. A mower that can’t handle those will not last the distance.

Engine capabilities also differ dramatically from one brand to the next – with overhead valves, side engine valves, and direct overhead valves just a few of the many components that matter a lot.

An overhead-valve, for example, promotes fuel efficiency and a quieter engine, but it’s also not the most cost-effective option on the market. Choose a mower that promotes value for money, but also fosters power where it matters the most.

Put your money where the mower is

It’s time to put your money where the mower is. Don’t put up with a poorly-performing push mower or a rusty ride-on anymore. Think about your comfort, price point, and power requirements, then consult your nearest mower and machinery store. You can then enter a new season of mowing with some of the best tools for the job.