When it comes to choosing a mower, many property owners ask: Is there such a thing as too much mower? Is bigger better? The simple answer to both questions: No. But there is definitely such a thing as not enough mower, and there’s more to consider than machine size and horsepower when talking numbers.
Mower size is top of mind when you’re replacing a mower that no longer performs how you expect. Maybe you’re looking for a change, or the mower you bought for a different property isn’t working for the yard you maintain today. Or maybe you want to do more than cut grass with your mower and you’re in the market for a machine that can multitask and offer labor-saving benefits for tasks like collecting leaves.
All of these considerations play into your mower buying decision.
At Grasshopper, we understand from an engineering perspective why there’s no such thing as too much mower. The key is to select a machine that can optimally perform on your property based on its size, maintenance needs, and your long-term goals for the mower. We’ll explain.
A mower that is underpowered, undersized, or lacking features like the capability to attach implements will work harder to keep up with the tasks at hand. While your Grasshopper will live well through its warranty and deliver on its built-tough, quality-cut promises, assigning a mower to a property that’s pushing its limits will eventually take a toll. Compare it to buying a truck that can barely pull your camper or boat. It can do the job, but if you’re maxing out the truck’s capacity, you’re causing more wear and tear on the vehicle, and it might not be able to make a cross-country trip, especially through any kind of mountainous terrain.
When you work a mower harder than it is designed to run, its lifespan shortens, maintenance increases, and your investment doesn’t go as far. You will eventually be steps behind with a mower that’s too small in cutting deck size, horsepower, transmission capacity, implement capabilities, or all of the above.
When talking mower size, how do you define big or “too much?” Some property owners associate cutting deck and frame size as measures of a mower’s capabilities, and others hone in on horsepower. There’s more to it.
While engine horsepower is an important factor, an often overlooked factor is transmission size. Cutting deck and frame size don’t matter if the “powertrain” (engine and transmission) isn’t properly suited to the machine’s weight. Implements add another factor into the size equation. They can require more engine and transmission muscle and a stronger mower frame to handle attachments that work hard. (Read on for some signs that your mower is overworked and it might be time to upgrade.)
Matching your mower to the property and its demands is how to choose the right-sized machine—and be sure to think long-term. It’s better to pay more for a mower that exceeds what you require today (without going overkill) than to just buy enough to handle lawn and landscape tasks you manage now. Otherwise, you will end up overworking your machine, decreasing its longevity and resulting in an “early retirement” and another mower purchase, which means a more expensive machine and figuring in the cost of inflation.
The bottom line: Evaluate your mower needs today, factor in how you might use the mower in the next 5 to 10 years, and invest in future savings.
If your mower is sluggish when grass is longer or you’re mowing over the same area multiple times to achieve a clean cut, your machine is likely underpowered for the job. Your mower will speak up if there’s a power struggle. That said, mowers were designed to cut grass and not sweep away prairie like a brushhog. Look for signs like frequent overheating or stalling from an overheated engine that gets too hot when tackling harder work, grades, or uneven terrain.
Also, a mower that is working too hard will require more frequent maintenance. If belts and blades are wearing out faster than expected based on your mower’s recommended maintenance schedule, this also could indicate you need to replace it with a mower that has more power and capacity.
Your Grasshopper mower can clear snow, collect leaves, and manage a range of landscape tasks with implements. Because attachments multiply what your mower can accomplish, some that require a powertrain also increase the demand on engine power and transmission strength. For example, are you going to want to clear the widest path possible through the snow? Then you need a 700 Series or a 900 Series. The same is true with a PowerVac. If you want more collection capacity, you need a larger machine.
The take-away: For land owners who want a multitasking machine, mower configuration is key, as is sizing the implement to your machine. If you plan to do more than cut grass with your mower, a front-mount configuration is ideal, and if implements requiring a powertrain are a priority, choose a mower that can support heavier-duty tasks. Your Grasshopper dealer can advise on mower options to align with your goals.
The bottom line: It pays to have more mower than not enough. With the right balance of horsepower, transmission, deck, and frame, your Grasshopper Mower will deliver the durability, versatility, and performance you expect, season after season, year after year.
Learn how your Grasshopper mower can power through your property maintenance needs. Our network of dealers can help you select productivity-boosting attachments to suit your needs. Just ask us how we can help.