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Browse comprehensive reviews and buying guides for lawn mowers and tractors. Compare gas, electric, riding, and walk-behind models to keep your yard looking immaculate year-round.
Edwin Beard Budding, an engineer from Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, patented the first lawn mower in 1830. He developed the machine in partnership with John Ferrabee, drawing inspiration from cloth-trimming shears used in textile mills to create a reel (cylinder) mower that replaced the scythe for cutting grass on lawns and sports grounds.
Most riding lawn mowers use four-stroke engines that require SAE 30, 10W-30, or 5W-30 motor oil with an API service classification of SJ or higher. The ideal viscosity depends on your operating temperature: SAE 30 for consistently warm conditions, 10W-30 for variable temperatures, and 5W-30 for cold starts. Synthetic oil is acceptable and often preferred for better temperature stability, but always verify the exact specification in your owner's manual.
Most residential lawn mowers run on regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher and no more than 10% ethanol (E10). Always verify your specific mower's requirements in the owner's manual or on the fuel tank label, as some commercial or older models may have different needs.
Learn the correct step-by-step process to operate a riding lawn mower and mow your lawn safely and efficiently. This guide covers pre-mow checks, deck height adjustment, starting the mower, choosing a mowing pattern, executing turns, and post-mow care.
Learn how to start your Toro lawn mower with the Guaranteed to Start feature. Follow our clear step-by-step instructions covering cold starts, warm starts, primer bulbs, choke settings, and electric-start models.
Learn the recommended lawn-mowing cadence based on grass type, season, and growth rate. The core rule: mow every 5-7 days during active growth, never removing more than one-third of the blade height at once.
Find out where to get your lawn mower blade sharpened, from local hardware stores to specialized repair shops, and learn about typical costs and turnaround times.
Lawn mowers shut off unexpectedly due to fuel system issues, air filter blockage, faulty spark plugs, carburetor problems, engine overheating, low oil levels, or safety features activating. Learn the most common causes and how to diagnose and fix each one.
Learn how to replace a lawn mower spark plug with this comprehensive guide. We cover safety, tools, removal, gap checking, and installation to keep your mower running smoothly.
A rotary lawn mower is a grass-cutting machine that uses a single, high-speed horizontal blade to cut grass via impact. This guide explains its operating mechanism, differences from reel mowers, power sources, and ideal use cases for uneven terrain and tall grass.
