Considerations for Purchasing Your New Lawn Mower

Regardless of the size of your lawn, purchasing a lawn mower is always an investment. Like any other investment, there are a variety of options on the market. If you choose to purchase a cheap lawn mower, it is not going to last as long as a high-quality mower. Make the right investment by choosing a quality lawn mower that will last!

What is the typical lifespan of a lawn mower and what can affect it?

Mower lifespans cannot be measured in an exact number of years, instead, they are measured in hours. The reason behind this is that a mower used two hours a week during the growing season is going to last longer than a mower used 15 hours a week.

The hours a lawn mower will last vary based on several factors, such as the size of the mower, the manufacturer, proper usage and maintenance, and more. However, estimates can be made based on the brand, size, average usage, and care of the mower.

How long will a residential lawn mower last?

The average residential mower is used for 1-2 hours per mow with 35 cuts per year. Based on that usage, a lower-quality line of residential mowers is expected to last 450-500 hours, while a John Deere residential lawn mower will last around 1,000-1,500 hours. Those estimates are made assuming that proper care and regular maintenance are taking place. Mowing extra thick grass with twigs can quickly cut down your mower’s lifespan.

How long will a commercial lawn mower last?

For commercial mowers that are made to mow more often and for longer periods of time, the hours of life expectancy increase. A lower-end commercial mower will last around 1,200-1,500 hours, while a John Deere commercial mower is built to last for 2,000-2,500 hours.

What is the lifespan of various lawn mower parts?

While your lawn mower may have thousands of hours to give you, some of the key parts aren’t going to last you as long as the lawn mower itself will. Part of getting the most out of your lawn mower means routinely caring for and replacing some key parts of the lawn mower.

Blades

There’s no question that sharp blades cut through the grass easier and require less work from the engine of your lawn mower. Regularly sharpening your blades will help you extend the life of both the blades and the engine. Sharpening your blades three times throughout the growing season is ideal to keep them operating properly. On average, taking routine sharpening into consideration, a set of mower blades will last you around 100-200 hours under normal operating conditions. With the purchase of high-quality John Deere blades, you can expect a lifespan of around 400 hours with proper care.

Batteries

The average lifespan of a lead-acid lawn mower battery is around 3 to 4 years. A good practice to help increase the health and life of your lawn mower battery is to charge it a couple of times during the winter months when it is not being run regularly.

Filters

For most lawn mowers, you will find two or three filters. These include an oil filter, fuel filter, and air filter. Filters are parts that are often overlooked when it comes to at-home maintenance. An easy rule to follow to ensure your filters are working properly for you is to replace them every time you change the oil. Filters are easy to replace, and it won’t take much longer to replace your filters while you are already changing the oil.

Spark Plugs

On average, spark plugs should be changed after about every 100 hours. Old spark plugs are hard on the engine and can cause damage. Replacing the spark plugs regularly helps prevent damage to the overall performance of your lawn mower.

Is it worth repairing a lawn mower?

Most lawn mower repairs can be somewhat simple and inexpensive compared to replacing the lawn mower completely. Small issues like batteries, spark plugs, or belts are going to be worth the cost of repairs. When it comes to larger issues such as engine or hydraulics, repairs can become costly and serious consideration should be taken before choosing to repair or replace your lawn mower. Knowing you can expect your residential lawn mower to last you around 450-500 hours is helpful in the decision-making process. The closer you are to the end of the expected lifespan, the more you should consider replacing it if a large issue occurs.

How do I extend the lifespan of my lawn mower?

Routine service and maintenance are vital to ensuring the lifespan of your lawn mower. Key things you can routinely do to help increase your lawn mower’s lifespan include:

Regularly change the oil
Regularly clean the air filter
Use consistently (ex: Don’t leave it sitting for a 12-month span)
Keep blades sharpened
Maintain belts
Check and replace spark plugs
Properly maintain the battery

Where can I get my lawn mower serviced?

Service and maintenance of your lawn mower don’t have to feel overwhelming. Koenig Equipment offers KoenigCare Lawn & Garden Equipment Inspections to help ensure your equipment is getting the proper care. You can also choose to take part in one of our customizable Performance Edge Lawn & Garden Maintenance Packages. Either of these programs helps take the guesswork out of at-home lawn mower maintenance. The trained and certified John Deere technicians will properly inspect and maintain your lawn mower to help extend the lifespan of your investment. Contact your local Koenig Equipment Service Department today to learn more!