Purchasing a lawn mower is significant. The right model can make lawn care effortless, saving you time and energy on weekends, while the wrong one can do the opposite. A crucial number to consider when selecting a new lawn mower is the CC rating, which stands for cubic centimeters.
CC is essentially a measurement that indicates the capacity of any internal combustion engine, from cars to mowers. A higher CC rating allows the engine to burn more gas, making the mower more powerful. However, not all mowers use internal combustion engines. Electric mowers are powered by batteries, whereas reel mowers rely solely on manual effort, so they lack CC ratings.
Gas mowers are categorized into a few types. Some models are manually pushed, with the engine powering the grass-cutting. Others are self-propelled; the engine moves the mower while you steer. Both are known as walk or walk-behind mowers since you walk behind them as you mow. Additionally, there are riding mowers. Each category has a different standard CC range: push lawn mowers range from 140cc to 190cc, self-propelled mowers range from 125cc to 190cc, and riding mowers range from 400cc to 700cc. Typically, a higher CC rating is reflected in the price, but purchasing more than necessary isn’t advisable.
How to Choose the Right Mower CC Rating
CC measures the size of the engine’s combustion chamber. A higher number indicates that the lawnmower’s engine is more powerful, allowing it to handle challenging terrain and thicker grass more efficiently than a mower with a lower CC rating. Selecting the appropriate type of lawnmower and the optimal CC rating depends primarily on the type of lawn you have.
The first consideration is size. For a small lawn under 4000 square feet, a push mower is often sufficient. Larger lawns require a self-propelled or riding mower to maintain the lawn within a reasonable time frame. Terrain type is equally important — even if your yard isn’t large, push mowers are heavy and difficult to maneuver over hills. Hilly terrain warrants a higher CC mower for better handling.
It’s also essential to use the right mower for your grass type. For coarse grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, or tall fescue, or if you have weeds to mow, opt for a mower with a higher CC rating even if your yard is small — around 190cc to 300cc depending on the size and terrain type. If your lawn consists of finer grasses like bentgrass, tall fescue, or Kentucky bluegrass, a lower CC rating will suffice, as low as 140cc for small flat lawns.
How CC Ratings Affect Fuel Consumption and Maneuverability
Fuel consumption is another factor to consider when selecting the appropriate CC rating. Larger and more powerful engines consume more fuel, impacting the environment and increasing costs. For context, push mowers use about 0.2 to 0.5 gallons of gas per hour, while riding mowers use 1 to 2 gallons per hour; this adds up over a season. Although higher CC mowers can handle larger or hillier yards in less time, the efficiency may not offset the extra fuel costs. Maneuverability is also a consideration — higher CC engines are larger and heavier, which is noticeable if you’re using a push mower instead of a self-propelled one.
To ensure you’re purchasing a lawnmower that meets your needs, consider other factors beyond the CC rating, such as drive, transmission, starter, wheel type, and special features. For instance, front-wheel drive is better for flat surfaces and maneuverability, while rear-wheel drive is ideal for hills. Front caster wheels allow for smoother turns but aren’t suitable for bumps and hills. Ball-bearing wheels facilitate mowing large yards, and for rougher terrain, look for a mower with larger rear wheels than front wheels. Lastly, consider how the mower handles grass clippings. Some modern mowers bag and/or mulch clippings, saving you time.
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