Choosing the Best Lawn Mower for an Older Lady

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to give up your independence. Being able to care for your lawn is a very satisfying job. But the old gas powered mower you start with a pull rope may not be the answer.

There are a lot of factors to consider for an older lady when choosing the best lawn mower. The most important thing to consider is the size of the lawn. If the lawn is small, a push mower might be the best option. If the lawn is large, a riding mower might be a better option.

Because riding mowers are so expensive and have many options, we will not cover them in this blog post.

But, there are other factors to consider, including the type of terrain, the type of grass, and the age and health of the person using the mower.

By the end of this post, you will be able to select the best mower for your needs.

Consider the needs of the older lady when choosing a lawn mower.

As an older lady, your needs when choosing a lawn mower may differ from the needs of a younger person. You need a lawn mower that is easy to start, easy to operate and is lightweight.

Choose a lawn mower that is easy to start.

There are a couple of things to consider when looking for ease of operation.

The first is starting the mower.

Most gas mowers require pulling on a rope to spin the engine fast enough to start it. Although newer mowers are easier to start, this can still be difficult for some.

One way around this is to purchase a gas powered mower with electric start. There are a lot of options for electric start mowers that are perfect for older women.

There are mowers with electric start are more expensive. This is because of the added battery and starter motor needed to start the mower.

There are some very good battery powered lawn mowers. Battery technology has improved dramatically in the past twenty years. You can mow a moderate sized lawn with a battery powered lawn mower on a single charge.

To start a battery powered lawn mower, just put in a freshly charged battery and flip a switch.

What about Corded Electric Lawn Mowers?

You may be wondering why I haven’t included electric lawn mowers that are connected to the household electricity. My reasons are simple. The cord can be a hassle to deal with. It can get tangled up, causing unnecessary frustration. It can become a safety issue if you happen to run over it with the mower.

Since battery technology has improved so much in the last ten years, a battery powered lawn mower would be easier for an older lady to operate.

Self Propelled is the Way to go

Another thing to consider is getting a self-propelled lawn mower. This feature can make a big difference. Self propelled mowers reduce the effort to simply guiding and turning the mower without straining to push it.

(An important note: If your self propelled mower doesn’t propel itself, check the instructions. An acquaintance purchased a new mower that was supposed to be self-propelled. That function wasn’t working. He worked far too hard mowing the lawn. It turned out that there was an adjustment that was not quite right. Once it was corrected, the mower propelled itself just fine.)

Choose a lawn mower that is lightweight.

Most gas mowers are very heavy. Some weigh as much as 100 pounds. This makes them hard to maneuver around the yard.

Battery powered mowers are much lighter. Plus, there are smaller units available to make maneuvering them easier.

The weight of these smaller mowers can be as little as 35 pounds. The downside is you will have to make more passes to complete the lawn. Another downside is, they do not have the self-propelled feature. It is the current trade off for the lightweight mowers. The upside is the smaller mowers are less expensive.

Choose a lawn mower that is durable.

Finding a lawn mower that is durable is important. You don’t want to replace the mower every couple of years.

Mower Deck Construction

Part of what makes a lawn mower durable is the material used to make it. Steel is used to make some of them. Others use aluminum alloy and others use plastic.

These materials are good, as long as they are sturdy enough to last. Also, know that thin steel is used to make some of the more inexpensive mowers. They will not hold up for very long.

Motor Size

The motor that spins the blade must be powerful enough to cut through thick grass without bogging down. It can also cause the mower engine to die, which can make for a frustrating job. Plus, an under-powered mower will have a much shorter life.

Other Considerations for a Lawn Mower for an Older Lady

Bagger, Mulcher or Side Discharge

It is important to consider your physical capabilities when buying a lawn mower. Specifically, if you have limited mobility, you might have trouble with a bagger. A mulcher or side discharge would be much less hassle to deal with.

A bagger attachment is useful for cleanup in the spring or fall. Wet grass clippings can be very heavy, but you can empty the bag frequently, you can avoid the excess weight. Dry leaves in the fall are not usually a problem.

Deck Height Adjustment

A lawn mower is used to cut the grass to a desired height.

While adjusting the height is not something that is done very often, having the option to change the cutting height of the mower gives you a choice.

One Additional Consideration When Choosing a Battery Powered Lawnmower

Most companies now have multiple tools that work with the same battery. You could get a leaf blower, a string trimmer and edger and more that will operate with the same battery.

3 Recommendations for a Lawn Mower that can be Used by Older Women

First, the lightweight cordless lawn mower.

Next, the self propelled battery powered lawn mower.

And finally, the electric start gas powered lawn mower.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

There are many lawn mowers on the market, and it’s difficult to determine which one is the best for you.

We hope this blog has helped you in finding the best lawn mower for an older lady. It is important to find the right lawn mower that is easy to use and fits your needs.