Is it time you bought yourself a new lawnmower? Like all home appliances, mowers don’t last forever and eventually need to be replaced. A lawnmower may also need replacing if it has become too anti-social, costly or difficult to operate. Below are some examples of signs that you may need a new lawnmower.
It Keeps Needing Repairs
Lawn mowers can experience all kinds of issues throughout their lifetime such as pull cord issues, dirty filters, blunt blades, a dead battery or oil leaks. A lawn mower repair service will be able to fix most of these problems. It’s worth paying to get your mower repaired if it’s only the first or second fault you’ve experienced. But if you’ve had to deal with many issues recently, it could be time to cut your losses and buy a new mower. Some mowers can last 20 or 30 years, but most cheaper models typically need to be replaced after 10 years.
It Needs A New Engine
A new lawnmower engine can cost anywhere between $150 to $500 depending on the model. It is one of the most expensive repairs you can carry out – and it’s often not worth it. Why? Because it costs almost the same to replace a lawnmower in many cases. The exception might be if you’re fixing the engine of a high-end mower or ride-on mower, although it depends on how many other repairs you’ve had to pay for up until that point.
You’re Getting Noise Complaints
Some old petrol lawnmowers are very noisy. While you can prevent noise complaints by cutting your lawn at reasonable times (i.e. not 6am on a Saturday), a mower that leaves your ears ringing could be a sign that you need a replacement. Electric mowers are much quieter than petrol mowers. You can read a guide here to compare some of the quietest lawn mower models.
It’s Guzzling Fuel
Older petrol mowers can also be expensive to run, as well as not being great for the environment. If you’re paying too much to keep your mower fueled, consider whether it’s time to get a new lawn mower. Modern petrol mowers are much more fuel-efficient, while electric mowers can save you even more money. Take the time to compare efficiency ratings of different mowers.
Pushing It Has Become Too Strenuous
Traditional push mowers are often some of the cheapest models. However, using them can be a workout – especially when mowing a large sloped lawn on a hot day. If it’s become too exhausting to mow the lawn, it could be time to upgrade to a self-propelled mower. You could even consider a ride-on mower if you want a really lazy option (although this may not be suitable for smaller yards). Many seniors with health issues find that self-propelled mowers and ride-on mowers are much easier and safer to use. Mowing your lawn doesn’t have to be exhausting and you don’t have to hire someone else to do it either – a new mower could be the simple solution.