Lawn mowers, like every other engine-powered outdoor garden equipment – from turf cutters to chainsaws – are divided into two categories: commercial and residential. They may seem the same, yet they have various levels of usefulness.
Deciding on the best lawn mower for your household or business can be difficult. So, it makes sense why so many homeowners wonder if commercial ride-on mowers are acceptable for residential usage or if they should stick to a typical residential push lawn mower.
For example, some homeowners with extensive lawns or several properties that require regular mowing may want to consider investing in a commercial lawn mower.
There are many types of lawn mowers on today’s market, from push mowers, riding lawn mowers, zero-turn, to even robotic mowers. As a result, many distinctions meet the eye between commercial and domestic mowers, so let’s unpack how residential and commercial lawn mowers compare.
Durability
One of the most important lawn mower characteristics is durability, which is crucial for the consumer concerned with return on investment. A lawn mower’s long-lasting parts include everything from the engine to the tyres. Commercial lawn mowers are often made of more expensive parts of higher quality and hence last a lot longer than residential lawn mower parts.
Since commercial lawn mowers cover an enormous areas of ground for up to 12-hour days, they cannot overheat or break down in the middle of the day. Instead, theyare often made of more expensive parts of higher quality and survive significantly longer than household mowers.
Cutting Decks Quality
The cutting decks are another key distinction. A good commercial deck allows for faster blade speeds and little clumping, capable of readily cutting down even the tallest grasses.
Features
If you want a lawn mower with more features and better components, commercial lawn mowers come with more features and better parts than home-use lawn mowers. As a result, commercial mowers require less maintenance to stay in top shape for a longer amount of time.
If you want a professional cut, you’ll need to invest in a professional lawn mower. Residential lawn mowers are fantastic at keeping lawns short, but they don’t offer a professional cut. But, on the other hand, commercial lawn mowers can give more fantastic results and even healthier-looking grass, depending on your preferences.
Engine Size
Another distinction between commercial and household lawn mowers is the commercial mower’s engine. Such engines are often larger, more dependable engines that can be started and used in various applications without exhibiting any signs of problems.
Commercial mowers should have high-quality engines, ideally with two cylinders, with a higher horsepower rating of 21-41 and a larger displacement. Various additional features, such as handles, tyres, gearboxes, and controls, are also key differences that make mowing simpler.
Warranty
Finally, warranties might be a crucial consideration. For example, commercial lawn mowers often have warranties equivalent to those of their residential counterparts but are built to withstand the punishment of everyday mowing.
Price
Whether walk-behind or riders, residential and commercial mowers have a significant price difference, always compare the choices and accessories available on models in your region while researching them.
Residential
- Self-propelled walk-behind lawn mowers range from $200 to $800.
- Riding lawn mowers range from $2,000 to $6,500.
- Zero Turn mowers range from $4,500 to $6,500.
Commercial lawn mowers
- Self-propelled walk-behind from $2,000 to $9,000.
- Riding lawn mowers (also known as stand-up mowers) range from $6,500 to $15,000.
- Zero Turns range from $8,000 to $30,000.
Why Choose a Commercial Mower?
Even though commercial lawn mowers are designed for use by lawn maintenance companies, some circumstances may necessitate their purchase by homeowners, including:
If you need to mow it more than once a week for more than an hour, a commercial lawn mower may be the best option for you. Commercial mowers are built to mow 2-20 times per day or for 12 hours straight, whereas household mowers are built to mow 1-2 times per week and for 6 hours or fewer every mow. To boost productivity, commercial mowers are constructed with a higher speed.
If you have a property that is more than 2,000 square metres and the terrain looks to be uneven with many slopes, it may be in your best interests to investigate commercial models to get your lawn in shape. A commercial mower will also retain its worth considerably longer than a household mower. In contrast, mountainous or challenging terrain might harm household lawn mowers and exhaust the user.
Because of these variables, it makes sense to invest in a mower that will lower the overall amount of time required to mow a lawn and last long enough to provide a better return on the initial investment. Commercial lawn mowers outperform residential lawn mowers in these areas because they are more efficient, durable, and come with a plethora of valuable features that make the mowing process both simpler and easier.
Why Choose a Residential Mower?
Residential lawn mowers have a compact design and fewer controls than commercial ones. Residential mowers are designed to be used on the lawn for a short period (preferably less than an hour, no more than two days per week), and frequent use might wear them out considerably faster.
Many homeowners choose a residential lawn mower for their property because of the cost. Commercial lawn mowers are the best in terms of quality, durability, and functionality. However, if you only use your lawnmower once or twice a week for a few hours, it defeats the purpose of spending so much money on one.
As a result, a domestic lawn mower will suffice. However, keep in mind that using a residential lawn mower for commercial use will only cause the machine to break down much more quickly because they are not designed to withstand the demands of heavy-duty operation.
Above All: Sourcing Your Lawn Mower from a Reputable Retailer is the Most Crucial Factor!
At the end of the day, deciding whether a commercial or residential model is more suitable for you is actually completely up to you. Nevertheless, you must ensure you buy your new lawn mower from a professional lawn mower retailer as they can ensure you are getting a quality product and can help guide you on any further questions you may have.
