According to J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Study, 70 percent of respondents said they considered more than one brand of tractor when forming their decision, up from the 62 percent who said the same in 2009. Only about 30 percent of respondents had a predetermined brand in mind before visiting a store, the organization said.
"Without spending much time up front investigating what lawn mower best meets their needs, the shopper is likely to base their decision mainly on price," Christina Cooley, senior manager of J.D. Power and Associates' real estate and construction industries practice.
When it comes to picking between new or used tractors, consumers should consider a number of factors, including the size of their property. If it would take longer than an hour to trim it with a push mower, they may consider buying a riding model.
Another option to consider is if a push mower provides any self-propulsion, which can make cutting a lawn easier on an operator.
