When buying a lawnmower, most people forget how much gas a lawn mower uses to cut grass? The lawn mower is one of the best tools to maintain your yard. There are different types of mowers available on the market. For instance, if you are worried about cutting wet grass, you can find the best lawn mower for wet grass. The best thing about a lawn mower is that it only needs fuel and fewer maintenance to take care of your lawn. However, it is essential to know the usage of gas of your lawn mower.
How Much Gas Does a Lawn Mower Use
The amount of gas used depends on the size and type of the lawnmower. The gas consumption of an average lawn mower could be anything from 1 liter per hour to 1 gallon per hour. However, these figures can vary according to the mower engine size, how you use your mower, and the ground you are mowing.
An electric lawn mower has the capacity to mow about one-third of an acre on a single charge.
A push lawn mower can mow about half an acre on one tank.
The lawn size should be considered when computing the fuel amount you are going to use. A case study on lawn mower performance stated that a lawn with a size of an acre needs a gallon of gasoline.
The average size of the residential lawns in the United States is about an acre or 10,871 sq feet. However, the location may vary as there are some states where the size of the lawn is 17 times bigger than the average size.
For instance, an average residential lawn size consists of 73,979 square meters or 1.69 acres. So, you, the lawn mower, will need more than a gallon of gasoline to mow it.
Factors Affecting Gas Consumption in a Lawn Mower
As mentioned above, gas consumption depends on the mower type, engine size, and many other factors. For instance, a 200cc engine on a mower will need more gas as compared to a 110cc engine. There are also other factors like the distance traveled, cutting speed and inclines, etc. Take a look at the variables affecting the gas usage in a lawn mower.
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Distance
Every time you are mowing the lawn, the distance can vary, which leads to higher gas consumption.
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Engine Size
The bigger the engine of your mower is, the more gas it is going to use. Make sure to choose the best engine size according to your garden size.
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Terrain
One of the significant factors affecting fuel consumption is the terrain type. A terrain with lots of hills consumes up to 40% more fuel as compared to flat terrain. This is due to the higher load on the mower, which causes to use more fuel to climb inclines.
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Type of Mower
A riding mower needs a big engine. In simple words, it will use more gas. An experiment on a riding lawn mower proved that such type of mower uses about one gallon an hour when used to mow terrain with hills and variable inclines.
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Blade type
High speed of the lawn mower blades is excellent for cutting the grass, but it will also use more gas.
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Mower condition
A lawn mower with engine problems can lead to excess fuel usage. It is essential to maintain your mower properly to save gas while mowing.
What Type of Fuel Is Best for a Lawn Mower?
You can’t use any type of fuel in a lawn mower. If you use the wrong one, it could lead to severe damages. For a mower with four stoke engine, never mix the fuel with any oil. Make sure to use a fuel with not more than 10% ethanol and about 87 octanes. Don’t use a fuel containing a higher level of ethanol for a small engine of your lawn mower.
If your mower has two-stroke engines, it is essential to mix the fuel with some oil. The fuel ratio will vary according to the type of lawn mower.
However, sometimes you are confused about what type of fuel should be used for a lawn mower. The best way is to check the user manual for recommended fuel type. Don’t store the fuel in the mower for more than 30 days.
How to Reduce the Gas Consumption of a Lawn Mower?
There are some handy hacks that can help to decrease the gas usage of your lawn mower.
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Clean the Mower
Cleaning under the lawn mower helps to stop any friction created and makes the mower work more smoothly. As a result, it will use less fuel.
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High Altitude Adjustment
If you are aiming to mow at a high altitude, it is essential to make the proper adjustments to the engine according to the mower’s manual. If you haven’t made the appropriate adjustments, the mower will mow harder and use more fuel.
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Changing Air Filters and Oil
It is essential to clean or change the air filters to maintain engine efficiency. Make sure to change the engine oil regularly for the best fuel average.
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Keep It Lubricated
Lubricating the parts of the lawn mower regularly helps the movement of the mower stay smooth.
Final Words
Mowing is an integral part of every homeowner’s routine tasks. However, it can be both time and gas-consuming. It is essential to choose the type of gas that suits the need of your lawn mower to avoid damages to your machine. If you are confused, the user manual can help you to choose the right one. Following the hacks to reduce gas consumption are helpful to save money and time.
