Q&A: Where does Consumer Reports test lawn mowers?

Apr 18, 2008 12:01 AM

I noticed that Consumer Reports is based on Yonkers, New York, which means you can't review new lawn mowers and tractors over the winter. Where do you test this kind of equipment?

To test walk-behind mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers each year, project leader Peter Sawchuk heads a team of experts in Fort Myers, Florida. We prepare our six acres of test fields in late fall so they are ready in midwinter for us to put dozens of models through their paces with enough time for us to prepare a test report for the May issue of Consumer Reports and for the kickoff of prime outdoor-power-equipment buying season. If you’re in the market for a new model, see our latest reviews of mowers, tractors, and string trimmers. (Get your lawn mower in shape for spring and see how we test mowers and tractors.)

But grass isn’t all that flourished in the meadows during our six weeks of testing in February and March. Frequent visitors to the test fields included two pairs of red-shouldered hawks and a comical flock of white ibises.

By far, though, the most ubiquitous and numerous visitors were cattle egrets, one of which (shown) chanced upon a Toro zero-turn-radius mower parked near our test shed. Trying to nab uprooted insects, cattle egrets follow behind horses and cattle—and our tractor. Our feathered friend stayed put for several minutes before alighting for apparently greener or other bug-filled pastures.

As fun as it was to see the birds, our 2008 testing featured these more-interesting highlights:

• All of the gas-powered walk-behind mowers cut adequately. Four models were excellent overall, with the greatest differences revealed in side-discharge of clippings.

• Mower engines that don’t require priming or for you to engage the choke before startup are more prevalent this year⎯a plus if you find bending difficult. (Note that most of the tested models have a bulb primer.)

• Another feature that has spread beyond Toro walk-behind models is the washout port, which lets you connect a garden hose to wash the mower deck. Cleaning the deck after mowing maintains cutting performance (especially if you mulch) and reduces deck corrosion. More lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers are including this feature as well. Learn how to keep your deck clean.

• We tested new electric push models that use a cord or battery as well as more than 20 new gas-powered self-propelled and push mowers. For smaller lawns, an electric mower is one path to a greener lawn. Read about the top-rated Black & Decker CMM1200 and learn about programs that promote mower exchanges.

• With lawn tractors and zero-turn-radius mowers, choices have increased if you need tight turning around trees and other obstacles but prefer a steering wheel to the control levers of a zero-turn model. One such model offered some of the best side-discharge mowing we’ve ever seen

• Among the 15 new tractors and zero-turns we tested, some use three bags rather than two to collect cuttings; you might think that three bags collect more clippings and get the job done more quickly. In our tests, however, we’ve found that the third bag on three-bag collection attachments rarely fills up more than a small amount. What’s more, three-bag attachments cost more and take up more room when stored.

• While no new safety features have appeared on this year’s tractors and zero-turns, there is something to squawk about: Instructions on existing features are improving. All lawn tractors, for instance, have some form of reverse-override switch that prompts you to look behind before cutting in reverse. (Nearly all zero-turn models still lack this safety feature. In addition, zero-turn tractors can loose traction and be hard to control on hills.) New models from Craftsman and Husqvarna, in particular, come with clearer warnings for using this feature than they did in the past.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Before you shop for a new mower or tractor, visit our updated Lawn Mowers and Tractors page. And see our Ratings (available to subscribers) of self-propelled and push lawn mowers and lawn tractors and zero-turn-radius mowers to find the best model for your yard.