Buying a lawn mower may seem like a routine task. But to ensure that you buy the lawn mower that best meets your specific needs you’ll want to factor in the size of your yard, whether your yard is hilly or flat, the number of trees or other obstacles to mow around, as well as the needs of the person doing most of the mowing.

There are many different lawn mowers on the market to meet a variety of lawn mowing needs. A mower that is perfect for your neighbor may not be the right one for you.

To find a mower that meets your needs, follow the tips we’ve assembled for you in this helpful buyer’s guide

• Push Mowers are ideal for flat yards under ¼ acre. Their cutting deck ranges from 20-22 inches, which is the perfect size to quickly and efficiently make your lawn look beautiful. If you are in good physical condition this may be a great way to save when purchasing a new lawn mower.
• Self-Propelled Mowers are perfect for yards up to ¾ acre. The mower actually pushes itself to reduce fatigue that may come with a push mower. You simply walk behind the mower to control its path. Self-Propelled lawn mowers offer both front and rear wheel drive to better suit your yard. See below to determine which is right for you:
• Front-drive push mowers are remarkably easy to maneuver and turn. Swivel front wheels make this possible by allowing easy 180-degree turns. These are perfect for smaller yards with numerous obstacles.
• Rear-wheel drive mowers have better traction on hills and better steering control, but may make it a little harder to make sharp turns. These mowers are suited for open yards with steep hills.

If your lawn is larger than ¾ acres you may want to consider a Riding Lawn Mower.

• Starting Systems - An easy-starting lawn mower is one of the most important features to get the job started right. That’s why selecting the right starting system is vital in ensuring you a hassle-free lawn mowing experience.
• Electric Starting Systems eliminate pull starts all together. Simply prime the engine and turn the key for quick, dependable starts without any maintenance required.
• Automatic Choke Starting Systems come ready to run. Simply engage the safety handle and pull the starter rope for a hassle free start that completely eliminates priming or choking.
• Primer Starting System pumps the exact amount of gas into the carburetor to allow quick and easy one pull starts.
• No Prime. No Choke. No Problem The ReadyStart™ system from Briggs & Stratton helps eliminate the strain and the hassle of starting your lawn mower. Manual priming and choking are now a thing of the past. Simply pull the rope and mow. The ReadyStart™ system makes starting Briggs & Stratton power products easier and faster.
• What To Do With The Clippings
• Bagging is a technique used to catch cut grass. They are available as both rear and side bagging mowers. Rear bagging mowers give you more maneuverability around trees and landscaping throughout your yard. Bagging leaves you with a fresh looking lawn every time you mow.
• Mulching mowers use mulching blades that cut the grass into fine piece and return them to your lawn to act as a natural fertilizer. This works to enhance your lawn and does not require any extra time or money. It also eliminates the time you may spend emptying the grass out of a bagging mower.
• Additional Features
• Leaf-Handling Capability. These mowers suck up, shred and catch leaves with a screen that goes between the cutting blade and the discharge chute. Several newer mowers offer this unique feature.
• Sound Quality: Briggs & Stratton offers specially designed mufflers to reduce to the sound of your mower during operation.
• Durability: When purchasing a lawn mower, look for engine features like Maxi-Clean™ filters and overhead value technology (OHV) that help make your lawn mower engine last a lifetime.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 60,000 injuries are treated by hospital emergency rooms each year because of unsafe operation of power lawn mowers. Kids under the age of 15 are the most common victims. Regardless of which mower you choose, don’t forget to practice safety. We’ve assembled some guidelines below to help keep you safe while using your equipment:

• Always wear protective eyewear.
• Mow only in daylight, when the grass is dry.
• Check your yard for any debris or objects, such as toys that could pose a hazard if you mowed over them.
• Keep you children and pets out of the mowing area.
• Never let the starter rope snap back when starting a mower.
• Look three to four feet directly ahead of you while mowing.
• Never tilt a mower; always keep all four wheels on ground.
• Take special care when mowing hills and inclines:
• With your push mower, always mow across an incline or hill
• Always turn off mower when crossing a sidewalk or driveway.
• Never adjust mower height, clean grass chute, remove grass catcher or repair the mower while the engine’s running.
• Never de-activate safety devices.
• Never pull mower towards you.
• Always stay clear of a hot engine. Mufflers can reach up to 1,200˚F.
• Always read your Operator’s Manual thoroughly before operating the mower.
• Children under 12 should not operate a push mower.

Lawn mowers are built to last. However, as with any power product basic maintenance can be the difference in ensuring that your investment lasts a lifetime. Below is a basic maintenance schedule that should be followed by every lawn mower owner:

• Check Oil Level - Every 5 hours
• Change Oil - 50 Hours or every season
• Replace Oil-Foam Element- 25 Hours or Every season
• Replace air-cleaner cartridge - 25 Hours or Every season
• Clean cooling system - 100 Hours or Every Season
• Inspect spark-arrester - 50 Hours or Every Season
• Replace in-line fuel filter - 50 Hours or Every Season
• Replace spark plug - 100 Hours or Every Season
• Clean combustion chamber deposits - Every 100-300 Hours

As with all Briggs & Stratton products, our lawn mower engines are supported by America's largest service network. Should you need assistance, Briggs & Stratton has authorized repair centers around the country. Locate a dealer near you.