Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Buy A Used Lawn Mower
How to Buy A Used Lawn Mower. In these budget conscious times instead of springing for a new lawn mower why not buy a used lawn mower. Here are some ways to go about looking for one and what you should look for.
In these budget conscious times instead of springing for a new lawn mower why not buy a used lawn mower. Here are some ways to go about looking for one and what you should look for.
Things You'll Need
A helpful, knowledgable friend
Look at Craigslist first. Look under the Farm and Garden section and you will find plenty of choices this time of year. Another place to look is a pawn shop. Finally the best place is one that fixes lawn mowers. You can be more sure you'll get a decent mower if you are lucky enough to score one this way.
Determine the type of lawn mower you need based on the size of your yard, how much muscle you want to put into mower, and how green you want to be.
Choices of lawn mowers include push mowers (for the hardy), electric (with cord), rechargeable battery operated, gas, and riding mowers. On the green scale I've listed them in order of most to least. Horsepower will tell you how much oomph the mower has. I bought one with 6.5 horsepower and that was plenty for me. Also for those without the muscle self-propelled is the only way to go.
If you aren't mechanical take a friend with you to check out the lawn mower. Be sure to take a test run to be sure everything it working properly. Make sure nothing is smoking. Ask them how old it is, when the blades were last sharpened, and when it last had any maintenance. For engines Honda and Briggs and Stratton are the best.
Once you have it home change the oil and air filter to ensure a better running engine. If it hasn't has recent maintenance it would be a good idea to take it in to a place that does mower repair.
Tips & Warnings
You should also check the spark plug after you buy it. These are cheap and easily replaced and will help it run more smoothly.
If the engine is not running smoothly it might need a carburetor overhaul.
