Lawn care season is rapidly approaching, and consumers may be in the market for a new lawn mower or tractor. The May issue of Consumer Reports (CR) magazine features Ratings of lawn mowers and tractors to help consumers decide which type and brand is the best for their needs.

 

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Manufacturers and retailers have added more labor-saving features such as electric starting and wider-cutting blades at a lower cost for consumers. For example, electric starting is available for an additional $40 instead of the $100 it once cost.

Models from Honda and Toro topped CR’s ratings in the gas-powered self-propelled category and scored well in reliability. Mowers that were found to perform best on most lawns and were easy to use include Honda’s HRX217HXA, $700, which topped CR’s ratings, and the Toro 20073, $370, a CR Best Buy.

For smaller, more level lawns, CR recommends Cub Cadet 11A-18MC, a gas-powered push mower and CR Best Buy. The Black & Decker MM875, $230, is a CR Quick Pick for those in the market for an electric push mower.

Lawn Tractors and Zero-Turn Mowers

CR has found that the latest lawn tractors are mowing both wider and better. Craftsman’s new 28724, $1600, a CR Best Buy, has the first 46-inch deck that cuts with only two blades to help eliminate ridges common with three-bladed decks, and offers versatile mowing.

For lawns that have lots of obstacles, CR suggests the top-rated John Deere X304, $3,500. It also recommends the Toro Z5000, $2,800, a zero-turn radius model which offers rear steering and tighter turning than typical tractors do.

Sears now offers a new self-propelled Craftsman 88933, $1,000, which CR describes as a “tractor alternative.” It is an oversized walk-behind mower with a 33-inch-wide swath and scores high points for tight turning, fine side-discharging and decent mulching. However, its handling proved unwieldy, and bagging lawn clippings is not an option.

Some Features that Count

Certain features help improve the performance of lawn mowers and tractors. Below are some of the features CR recommends that consumers look for in a mower or tractor:

For lawn mowers:

 

• Rear-wheel drive. Improves traction over front-wheel drive, especially uphill with a full bag of clippings.
  
  
• Infinite drive speeds. Allows the user to vary speed steplessly with a lever or handlebar control and helps get the job done faster.
  
  
• Premium engine. Those with overhead valves or an overhead camshaft run more efficiently and tend to last longer.
  
  
• Blade-break clutch. Stops the blade but not the engine when the user releases the handlebar control — convenient when emptying a full bag of grass.

For lawn tractors:

• Automatic drive. Varies ground speed infinitely without shifts like an automatic transmission on a car.
  
  
• Foot-pedal control. Helps maintain speed-control by allowing the user to keep both hands on the wheel.
  
  
• High-back seat. Adds support and comfort. Most users spend 300 hours or more in the seat over the life of the tractor.

Common Challenges

Even good-looking lawns may face some common problems. The May issue of Consumer Reports features survey results from more than 6,000 online subscribers nationwide, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. In addition, CR consulted lawn-care experts to determine what works and what doesn’t to combat common lawn problems.

The survey asked respondents how they mow, water and fertilize and how happy they are with how their lawn looks. Some findings include:

 

• Forty-three percent of respondents had complaints about their neighbors’ lawn — including that they didn’t mow it or they let the leaves pile up.
  
  
• About 4 of every 10 respondents watered their lawn at the wrong time.
  
  
• Only 32 percent of respondents fertilized as often as they should.
  
  
• Sixty-five percent of respondents chose local lawn service companies compared to 19 percent who chose regional or national ones. Sixty-two percent of readers were completely or very satisfied with local companies.
  
  
• Fifty-seven percent of respondents raked their lawns only once or twice each fall.

Lawn Care Tips

Based on the results and expert advice, CR suggests that the best way to keep a lawn looking great is to fertilize, water and mow it properly. The healthiest lawns can resist weeds and pests without chemical herbicides and pesticides. Other tips for growing great grass include:

 

• Mow high and regularly. Taller is better because it produces stronger, healthier grass with deeper roots and fewer weeds. Maintain a height of 2½ to 3½ inches.
  
  
• Mulch when mowing. Leaving clippings returns useful nutrients, particularly just after fertilizing. It also cuts the amount of fertilizer the lawn needs by 30 percent.
  
  
• Water early and deeply. Early morning is best because night watering promotes mold and fungus. Water long enough to apply one inch of water to the lawn once or twice a week.
  
  
• Fertilize frequently. For those who mulch, slow-release fertilizer should be applied three times a year — otherwise, five times.
  
  
• Rake the leaves. Clear leaves off the grass frequently, since they block sunlight and promote fungus.

The report also includes a how-to-choose guide and a list of ten common lawn problems and remedies. Some of the problems included in the report are common weeds, moss, too much shade and dog urine — some of these issues can be treated by the consumer, but others require professional care.

The full report is available in the May 2007 issue of Consumer Reports, which is available wherever magazines are sold and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

 

About Consumers Union

Consumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union (CU), an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, CU tests, informs and protects. To maintain its independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. CU supports itself through the sale of information products and services, individual contributions and a few noncommercial grants.