If you have ever shopped for a new lawn mower, you’ll probably have noticed that there are associated measurements given in either inches or centimeters, depending on where you are in the world. But what do these lawn mower sizes mean and how can they help you decide which is the best lawn mower for your garden?
The size of a lawn mower refers to its cutting width. Let’s say you have a 16 inch lawn mower; this means that the blade covers 16 inches of ground with each pass.
Knowing this measurement can help you choose a good sized lawn mower for your garden. For bigger spaces, you’ll need something with a larger cutting width as this will make mowing quicker. However, for a more compact garden, you’ll want to choose something smaller so it’s easier to navigate.
The lawn mower deck is a metal (or sometimes plastic) part that goes over the blade. Its primary purpose is to protect the user from the blade and to stop grass clippings from flying all over the place while you’re mowing.
When it comes to lawn mower dimensions, you will notice that the size of the cutting deck is always featured in product descriptions. This is because it tells you how much ground the mower will cover in one pass.
Mower Deck Size Chart
To make understanding lawn mower dimensions easier, I have included this handy mower deck size chart for your reference.
| Type of Lawn Mower | Width of Cutting Deck | Size of Lawn |
|---|---|---|
| Reel Mowers | 14 to 20 inches | Less than half an acre |
| Push Mowers | 16 to 30 inches | Less than one acre |
| Riding Mowers & Tractors | 36 to 54 inches | 1 to 4 acres |
| Zero Turn Mowers | 36 to 72 inches | More than 4 acres |
Different Types Of Lawn Mower Dimensions
In the world of gardening, there are lots of different choices of mower. From huge riding mowers to the more traditional reel mowers and everything in between. However, since these mowers all come in different sizes, it’s good to know which might suit your needs best.
Riding Mower Dimensions
If you have a larger garden then you might use a riding lawn mower. One of the most important things to consider when looking at riding mowers is the size of the cutting deck. These are normally much bigger than other types of mowers with a cutting width anywhere between 36 and 54 inches.
Generally speaking, a riding lawn mower will have a 42 inch deck but as we mentioned, this can vary.
But if you’re going to buy a large riding mower, you’ll also need to think about the overall dimensions rather than just the cutting width. One thing that a lot of people wonder is the length of a riding mower and this is normally in the region of six feet. On top of this, you have to keep in mind that your riding mower could be up to four feet tall.
You will need to make sure that you have somewhere suitable to store your riding mower so it’s imperative to take note of the dimensions before you purchase.
Zero Turn Mower Dimensions
If you’re thinking about getting a zero turn mower then you’ll need to keep in mind that the dimensions aren’t all that dissimilar to those of the riding mower. They’re normally around the same height and length but tend to have a much larger cutting width.
Some of these mowers can have a cutting deck that’s as large as 72 inches but some are much smaller at around 54 inches. The great thing about this is that there is enough versatility between zero turn mowers to allow you to find something that’ll closely meet your needs. That said, do keep in mind that, if your garden is any larger than 4 acres, you will definitely need to go for something larger if you don’t want it to take an age and a day to mow the lawn.
Gas Push Mower Dimensions
There is some difference between the size of the cutting decks on gas mowers but the choice certainly isn’t as diverse as a zero turn or a riding lawn mower. Normally, gas powered push mowers will have a cutting deck around 21 inches. That said, there are some that are smaller as well as those that are much bigger.
When it comes to choosing a gas powered push lawn mower, you will once again need to think about the size of your garden. If it isn’t that big then something with a 20 inch cutting deck might suffice whereas slightly larger lawns may benefit from a 30 inch gas lawn mower. But don’t just choose based solely on the size of your lawn; if there are any tight spots or awkward turns, something more compact will improve maneuverability.
But it isn’t only deck size that you have to consider when buying a gas powered push mower. These mowers are much heavier because of their engine so this can make pushing them around challenging. But most models are self propelled which makes life a lot easier.
Compared to riding mowers, gas push mowers are slightly smaller. They’re normally no bigger than three feet in height and around five feet in length which makes them easier to store, especially the ones that have a folding handle.
Electric Lawn Mower Dimensions
Electric lawn mowers are often favored by people that don’t want the hassle of maintaining a gas engine. They’re also more eco friendly which is making them more and more popular.
But when it comes to deck size, these mowers aren’t really all that different to their petrol cousins. In fact, the choices are pretty much identical.
On average, the cutting width of an electric push mower will be around 18 inches. There are, of course, those that are bigger and smaller depending on the size of the lawn. But you’ll also want to think about how the mower is powered compared to the size of your lawn as this will affect your decision.
If you have a small to medium sized lawn then a corded electric mower might be a good choice. However, if the yard is much bigger, this can limit how much ground you can cover so choosing a battery powered lawn mower might be the better option. Just keep in mind that, compared to a gas lawn mower, battery models might not run for as long so you’ll need to wait to recharge or have replacement batteries in the wings.
In terms of how large an electric lawn mower is, there’s not much difference in size compared to a gas model. They’re generally around three feet tall and five feet in length but as always, this will vary between models.
Reel Mower Dimensions
There are still reel mowers on the market and, unlike those from back in the day, they’re actually incredibly effective at cutting your lawn. However, they’re designed for much smaller gardens and tend not to have a cutting width more than 14 inches. There are some models that are bigger but 14 inches is what you’d normally see.
They’re also a lot smaller than electric and gas push mowers so are perfect if you need something compact for storage. Normally, they’ll only be around two feet in length and about three feet tall.
Implications That Different Lawn Mower Dimensions Can Have
When you choose a lawn mower based on its size this can affect how well, or not, the mower performs. This is why it’s very important to think carefully about the right sized lawn mower for your garden and consider the following potential implications.
Bigger Deck Size Means Quicker Mow Time
It doesn’t take us to tell you that, the wider a lawn mower is, the more ground it will cover. This means that it won’t take as long to cut the entire lawn. This might not mean much for people who have a smaller garden but for those with a big yard, those few additional inches can make all the difference.
Even swapping between a large gas push mower and a huge riding mower could see you covering the entire lawn in a much faster time than you have ever been used to.
Storing Big Mowers vs Small Mowers
Correctly storing your lawn mower is a must if you want to get the best out of it. It’s important to store it indoors and away from extreme temperatures and moisture. Leaving it in a shed or outbuilding is the most common choice but what if it’s huge?
It’s obviously a lot easier to store a mower with smaller dimensions and if you only have a small garden, you might want to choose something with a smaller cutting width to make storage easy.
Think about how much room you’re willing to give to your mower in the shed. If you’re going to have a large riding mower, you’ll probably need to park in the garage.
Size Affects Maneuverability
Imagine trying to move a huge lawn mower around a small garden with lots of tight spaces; it’s just going to be more of a challenge than it’s worth. Moreover, if you have a sloped garden then lugging a massive gas powered push mower up and down is really going to take it out of you.
For this reason, you should take size into consideration. Don’t buy anything bigger than what you need unless you want to struggle to move it around. Smaller mowers are more lightweight and therefore, easier to maneuver.
What Size Lawn Mower Should I Have?
When it comes to choosing the right size lawn mower, you need to think about how big your yard is. There’s really no point in getting something too big as this will just make it harder to move around a compact scape. Conversely, getting a small lawn mower for a massive lawn is only going to mean a hell of a lot more work for you.
Generally speaking, if you have something over 4 acres, you’ll want to get a riding mower with a 54” or more deck. For small lawns that are less than an acre anything up to 36 inches should be enough. While medium sized lawns can have anything between these dimensions.
s worth. Moreover, if you have a sloped garden then lugging a massive gas powered push mower up and down is really going to take it out of you.
For this reason, you should take size into consideration. Don’t buy anything bigger than what you need unless you want to struggle to move it around. Smaller mowers are more lightweight and therefore, easier to maneuver.
Final Thoughts
When you buy a lawn mower, one of the things that you will need to decide is the appropriate cutting width. When it comes to lawn mower dimensions, you have a wide range of options but these should always be in line with the size of your garden.
The bigger your lawn, the bigger the cutting width will need to be. For smaller gardens, you could use a 20 inch electric lawn mower or even a reel mower. However, if you have anything over 4 acres, we’d suggest a riding mower for the best efficiency.
