If you live on a plot of land with steep hills, you know how difficult it can be to mow the lawn. Pushing a lawn mower up hills and keeping it under control on the downhill side can give your muscles quite a workout.
Riding Mowers & Zero Turn Mowers
Next time you’re facing an uphill — pardon the pun — battle getting your lawn cut, make sure it’s not because you don’t have the right lawn mower. We’ve sourced out the best lawn mowers for hilly jobs, giving you the ultimate list of machines for muscle power.
Here are some tips on choosing the best lawn mower for hills.
Green grass is just around the corner! Get ready for the mowing season with our special offer: Get a free blade with purchase of any Toro Super Recycler lawn mower.
The Toro Super Recycler lawn mower is a self-propelled walk behind mower that boasts a powerful Toro Premium engine with a 5-year guaranteed-to-start engine warranty. This premium OHV engine burns cleaner and more efficiently than side-valve engines. It also has better airflow for a cooler engine and a low-tone muffler to keep the noise down. Your neighbors will appreciate it.
With the Toro lawn mower’s Personal Pace Self-Propel system, your mower automatically adapts to your walking speed. Walk faster, and the mower picks up speed. Walk slower, and the mower lets up to match your pace.
You can mulch, side discharge, or bag the grass clippings without any extra tools. The cutting system includes a veneered cutting blade, clipping accelerator, and kickers for a patented cutting system that blows away the competition.
Need to store your lawn mower in a tight space? Use the Quick Stow storage handle to easily raise the handle for a more compact storage size.
Toro Super Recycler Lawn Mower Review
Not sure if the Super Recycler lawn mower is for you? Read what one of our customers had to say about this Toro mower:
“My previous mower was a Toro ‘guaranteed to start’ recycler that I had for 14 yrs. NEVER ONCE did it fail to start on the 1st or 2nd pull even after sitting idle all winter. My wife said ‘get me a mower I can start and I’ll mow the grass.’ SO I DID! It was still performing as usual when I gave it to a friend and I bought a NEW Toro super recycler last spring – I LOVE IT!”
Toro Super Recycler Lawn Mower Video
Toro Lawn Mower Special Offer
Get a free blade with purchase of any Toro Super Recycler lawn mower from MowerSource.com! Tax free guarantee for all lawn mowers shipped outside of MN. Shop now for a Toro Super Recycler lawn mower!
Get ready for spring with a new Husqvarna riding mower or an Ariens zero turn mower! Right now we’re offering Free Lift Gate Delivery on all in-stock Husqvarna lawn tractors and Ariens zero turn mowers.
Make mowing and yardwork easier with a riding lawn mower that gets the job done fast. Husqvarna and Ariens are two of the most well-respected lawn mower brands in the industry. You can expect quality performance and value for your lawn care needs.
Husqvarna Lawn Tractors
Husqvarna lawn tractors are built for landowners who demand high performance, durability, and value. The hydrostatic transmission with locking differential operates smoothly and prevents slipping on steep slopes or wet grass.
Husqvarna lawn tractors are engineered for demanding or extensive use. The durable steel cutting deck and Kawasaki V-twin engine provide all the power and performance you need for season after season of mowing and mulching. You can even clean the underside of the deck with the built-in deck wash port.
Ariens Zero Turn Mowers
Ariens zero turn mowers cut your lawn mowing time in half with a 34″ mowing deck that’s easy to maneuver around trees, gardens, and landscaping features. Spend less time mowing the lawn and more time on what really matters to you. The Ariens zero turn riding mower provides the best lawn mowing experience you can get in a compact zero turn mower. It’s fun to drive—so much so that you might wish it took longer to mow the lawn!
The Ariens zero turn mower comes with a foot-operated deck lift that makes it quick and easy to adjust the height of the cut or mow over a sprinkler head.
Lawn Mower Special
Don’t miss out! Get MowerSource.com’s Free Lift Gate Delivery on any Husqvarna lawn tractor or Ariens zero turn mower. Free shipping, free lift gate delivery, and the best prices around—what more could you ask for? Check out our selection of lawn mowers now!
Need a leaf blower for easy cleanup? Clearing your yard and driveway of leaves, dirt, and sand is easier with a high-powered leaf blower. Don’t mess with underpowered blowers. It takes a lot of power to lift and move wet leaves. The Echo PB 770H Backpack Blower from MowerSource.com is one of the best deals around, at just $459 delivered.
This high-powered, professional grade leaf blower is built solid with a 63.3 cc engine and blow speeds up to 234 mph. With the padded backpack, you can work comfortably for several hours. The back pad is vented to keep you cool in hot weather, and the backrest and shoulder straps are padded for all-day comfort.
How can I use a leaf blower to make yardwork easier?
The Echo PB 770H Backpack leaf blower is a versatile machine that lets you blow leaves off the lawn and driveway without raking, sweep the driveway or garage, and even clear away light snowfall from your driveway and walkways.
Some homeowners use their leaf blower to clean gutters, move dirt and debris from landscaping projects, get rid of winter sand and grit, and sweep grass clippings off the walkways and patio. With the versatility of a backpack blower, you can use your blower year round for landscaping and maintenance projects at home.
Why the Echo Backpack blower?
The Echo leaf blower model is affordable yet high powered and durable. Unlike cheap leaf blower models that don’t have enough power to finish the job and don’t last more than one season, the Echo PB 770H blower comes with a 5 year consumer warranty for reliable performance year after year.
With the built-in backpack, this blower is easy and comfortable to use, no matter your size or strength. MowerSource.com also offers free shipping on all leaf blowers and the best prices available online. Get your Echo leaf blower today! Your yard is waiting.
Wish you could mow the grass in less time? The Toro TimeCutter MX5060 lets you do just that. With a 7mph forward ground speed, wide mowing deck, and large tires, you can get your lawn cut in a fraction of the time it would take you with most other mowers.
This zero turn mower makes it easy to maneuver around tight corners, trees, landscaping borders, patio pavers, and garden plots.
Toro TimeCutter Video
Toro TimeCutter MX5060 Review
As Theo, one of our customers, noted, the Toro TimeCutter mower is the clear winner when it comes to choosing a zero turn mower. Theo loved his first experience using the Toro TimeCutter: “Although my landscape borders my home, I have only 3 trees to cut around in the open lot and thought I could save a little cutting time with the speed and agility of the zero turn. On my property (3/4 acre), I maybe have gained a reduction of just 20% (25min to 20 min.), kind of what I was expecting.
“The Kawi runs smooth and fast, with fuel consumption again as I expected, about 1 gallon per hour of mowing time. The deck is easily adjustable and the ride is relatively smooth. After growing up with a steering wheel mower, I’m still honing my new skills to smoothly handle the ZT speed\turning lap bar controls.”
Cut Mowing Time with the Toro TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower
The Toro TimeCutter zero turn mower is built with a Kawasaki V-Twin 726cc engine with 23 hp. The 10-gauge steel fabricated deck is durable enough to last for years of mowing, and Toro’s exclusive Smart Speed™ control system cuts your mowing time by allowing you to change ground speeds with the flip of a lever. Mow at high speed in open areas and effortlessly switch to a lower speed for controlled maneuvering around trees and landscaping. Precision steering and speed control lets you get the job done fast.
Zero Turn Mowers on Sale
Get ready for mowing season with a Toro TimeCutter zero turn mower from MowerSource.com! We’ve got the best prices in the industry, with top-notch customer service and free shipping. Pay no tax on your new lawn mower! (except in MN)
We offer insured shipping through FedEx and pre-scheduled delivery times to make sure you don’t miss the delivery. Compare our prices with our competitors—we guarantee you’ll come back to MowerSource.com! Best prices around.
We are getting into the thick of fall which means the leaves are falling in full force. This is the time of the year where you wish you had a couple of kids around to rake up the leaves for you! However, we are not all fortunate enough to have free labor hanging around. For the majority of us we either have to stick to using a leaf blower or rakes. Which one should you be using? Read through the pros and cons of using a leaf blower or rake before you decide.
Leaf Blower Cons –
Leaf blowers are noisy. When using a leaf blower you need to wear sound-deadening ear protection so you do not incur any damage to your ears.
Leaf blowers cause more air damage than a rake.
Leaf Blower Pros –
Leaf blowers are efficient. They get the job done.
Leaf blowers are more forgiving on the back. Do you have back problems? If so we recommend using a leaf blower over a rake.
Rake Cons –
Raking might be more environmentally friendly however back problems can arise from raking.
Raking is a strenuous exercise so if you are not properly conditioned strains, sprains and even heart attacks can occur.
Raking is a lot of work. Combined with the cons above, raking takes more time and energy to complete than using a leaf blower.
Rake Pros –
Raking is exercise so you can substitute it for going to the gym.
Raking is the best option if you are environmentally conscience.
Now that fall is upon us it is time to start preparing for next spring. It is time to prepare for the long winter so come spring our lawns are looking lush a green. Take advantage of the cool temperatures to to fertilize for the winter, kill weeds, lay sod and remove fallen leaves.
Fertilize– If you live in the North, fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn. Cool-season grasses respond well to fertilization in early September and again in late fall. It helps them green up earlier and look better in spring. The type of fertilizer that you use is very important.
Kill the weeds – Fall is the best time for weed control. Try using a spray for the best effect when the temperature is cooler and soil is moist.
Lay sod – Laying sod works the best during the spring or fall seasons. Moderate temperatures and moist soil provide the best circumstances to get sod off to a good start.
Remove fall leaves – Remove fall leaves by raking them or mulching them because they can suffocate your lawn. Moreover leaves matting your lawn can lead to disease and insect problems. You can use a mulching mower to shred the leaves up into tiny bits to return to the top of your lawn. If there is an excessive amount of leaves rake them up and compost them.
Most homeowners take pride in the look of their lawns. When the weekend hits and you step outside all you here is the buzzing sound of a lawn mower. Regular lawn mowing contributes to a beautiful, healthy lawn. It is the best way to prevent weeds from growing and to keep parasites away.
Lawn height varies by grass type but generally you want to keep your lawn at 2 inches during the fall and spring and 2-3 inches during the summer. The reason that you want the grass at a higher height in the summer is so the grass can shade underlying growth. Taller grass can also retain moister better which reduces the need to water the grass.
The rule of 1/3 states that you should not cut more then 1/3 of your grass off at a time. If you haven’t cut your grass in a while try mowing a couple of times to get it down to the ideal height. Based on the rule of 1/3 it is best to mow more in the spring and fall when the grass is being fertilized and growing at a more rapid rate during the summer.
The best time of the day to mow is during the late afternoon or the evening. Since mowing the lawn damages the plant it is good to give it time to recover. Mowing in the evening will give it at least 12 hours of rest from the sun.
Do you bag your grass clippings or leave them when you mow the lawn? While many people like to bag because it makes their lawn more attractive, an acre of bag clippings can use up to 260 bags each year! That is why many states require you to separate grass waste from your other waste. Here are some reasons why you should consider leaving your clippings on your lawn the next time you mow.
Why should I mulch?
Grass contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. By keeping your grass clippings you can use them as a ‘natural fertilizer’. Mulching will reduce the amount of water that your lawn needs. The healthier your lawn is the more efficiently the roots will absorb water. Another reason why mulching is beneficial is that since grass is 100% biodegradable you can incorporate the clippings into your compost pile.
What about Thatch?
A common argument against mulching is that it causes thatch. Thatch is a layer of living and dead organic matter that chokes out new growth. Many people believe that mulching can cause thatch. Thatch is actually caused by over fertilization and over watering. This causes the lawn to grow excessively fast.
Do you sharpen your lawn mower blade each season? Dull blades are not good for your lawns health. A dull blade rips grass when a sharp blade will cut it. This leaves the grass susceptible to disease. Along with cutting the grass clean, a sharp blade will cut back your lawn mowing time. It is best to sharpen your blade twice each season to maintain a healthy lawn. Here is a guide to sharpening your lawn mower blades.
Removing the Blade
Make sure to remove the spark plug before you remove the blade. This will ensure that the blade does not chop your hand off when you are removing it! Next you’ll want to tip the mower on its side with the carburetor and air filter up so gas does not leak into the air filter. Finally, remove the blade. For the best results you will want to put a 2×4 in between the blade and deck so the blade does not move around when you remove it with a wrench.
Sharpening the Blade
After you remove the blade you should mark it with spray paint. Lawn mower pros have found that one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is putting the blade back on the wrong way after sharpening it. If your blade is not too dull you should clamp it in a vise and use a metal file to sharpen it. File the blade until it is as sharp as a butter knife. Make sure to file on the top side of the cutting edge to get the longest lasting edge on the blade. If the blade is badly damaged it may be time to replace it. You could use a grinder to sharpen it but they are harder to use and can overheat or damage the blade if not used correctly.
Re-installing the Blade
Before re-installing the blade you’ll want to make sure that it is balanced. An unbalanced blade will vibrate which could cause damage to the blade shaft or bearings. You can check the balance by hanging the blade on a nail in the wall. If it falls more to one side than the other then it is unbalanced. If that happens keep filing until it falls evenly. Next re-install the blade. Don’t worry about over tightening the bolt since this is hard to do.
