(NAPSA)—While you don’t want to let the grass grow under your feet when it’s time to get a new lawn mower, there are a few steps to considerfirst: *Your Yard Size: For yards that are about three-quarters of an acre or less, a walk-behind mower can be a good choice. The smaller your yard, the smaller the mower deck can be. For example, a 21- or 22-inch walk-behind mower is commonly used on smaller yards. If your yard is larger than three-quarters of an acre, consider a rear-engine riding mower or a smaller lawn tractor. Riding mowers with rear-mounted engines provide good visibility and excellent mobility. Look for mowing decks between 28 and 42 inches wide and engines from 12 to 20 hp. A zero-turn rider or front- engine lawn tractor may be appropriate for one- to three-acre yards. Look for 16 to 24 hp and a mowing deck 38 to 44 inches wide. For yards larger than three acres, a larger zero-turn rider or garden tractor is probably best. Look for engines with at least 24 hp and mowing decks in the 48- to 61-inch range. The Terrain: A typical walk- behind moweris fine for a small, flat yard. If your landis slopedorhilly, considera self-propelled walk-behind mower. Onewith big back wheels is easier to maneuveracross rough ter- rain. All riding mowers can handle varied terrain, though some are better on slopes than others. Be careful on slopes and hills. If yow’re using a riding mower, mow up and down the incline, There are several things to consider to get the lawn mowerthat best meets your needs. never across. With a walk-behind mower, always mow across the incline and never pull the mower back toward yourfeet. * Your Physical Condition:If pushing a lawn moweris difficult, you may want a self-propelled mower even with a very small yard. Similarly, a riding mower may be the right choice if you’re unable to easily walk behind a mower. The Engine: Look for a quality engine suited for the size of the job you expect it to do. For example, Briggs & Stratton engines can be found in several brandsof lawn mowers ranging from small walkbehinds to large zero-turn mowers and garden tractors. *Lawn Mower Features: New lawn and garden tractors from Simplicity have Free Floating mower decks with full-width rollers, traction options, push-button start and two- or four-wheel suspension. Many zero-turn mowers offer suspension systems and ground-following mowerdecks. Learn More Learn more at www.snapper.com and www.simplicitymfg.com.
