Riding Lawn Mower: Batteries, Belts and Engines

Lawn mowers provide an easy way to maintain your lawn. These tools are designed to cut grass to the desired level. Riding lawn mowers are a powerful garden equipment and also fun to ride. Mowing your lawn with lawn mowers becomes a simple task. Riding lawn mowers are extremely useful and save considerable amount of energy and time spent during yard work. For a large lawn, a riding lawnmower is the best choice. The prices of these machines vary from $1100 to $6500.

Riding Lawn Mower Batteries
All riding lawn mower batteries manufactured by various companies are rechargeable. This doesn't mean that they will last for an unlimited period. Most riding lawn mower batteries last for about 5 years. It is essential to purchase quality batteries so as to keep your mower running smoothly. Battery replacement is essential when you frequently face difficulties in starting your lawn mower. Before you purchase riding lawn mower batteries, it is necessary to understand the different types of batteries available for lawn mowers.

Lead acid and nickel cadmium are the 2 types of batteries, each with their own advantages. However, many prefer nickel cadmium batteries as they are more durable and provide better performance. These batteries can operate on either 6 volts or 12 volts. To know which type of battery is suitable for your lawn mower, you can consult the owner's manual. The most popular brands in lawn mower batteries are the Toro and Snapper. Check the warranty details of the battery and make sure your purchase it from a reputed manufacturer. The biggest advantage of using battery-powered lawn mowers is that they are economical and much quieter than gas-powered lawnmowers.

Riding Lawn Mower Belts
A riding lawnmower comes with three belts that are located on the mower deck. The top most belt is called the power takeoff belt. This is the power clutch belt that controls the clutch. The lower belt, also known as the arbor belt, activates the blades for cutting the grass. Although riding lawn mower belts are durable, they tend to wear out quickly due to exposure to the environment. Depending upon the usage, they may crack after a couple of seasons. To replace a belt on the lawn mower, removing the mower deck would be quite helpful. Sometimes riding lawn mowers vibrate unusually when in operation. A damaged or twisted belt is often the cause of excessive vibration. So before you start mowing, find out whether the belts are in good condition and routed properly. Inspect all the belts carefully for cracks or tears.

Riding Lawn Mower Engines
Engine power is the most important criteria when it comes to buying a riding lawn mower. In case your yard is not more than a acre, then you should select an engine that has a minimum of 14.5 horse power. An engine with a horse power between 14.5 and 16 is ideal if the area is around 2 acres. Rear engine riding lawn mowers with low horse power are a good choice for homes that have large lawns.

Batteries, engine and the belts are the major parts of a riding lawn mower, so their repair and maintenance should not be overlooked. For smooth working of riding lawn mowers, it is essential to keep these parts in good shape.