Shopping for Lawn Mowers Made in the USA
Shopping for lawnmowers made in the USA can be confusing. It's not always easy to tell, and even if it carries a "Made in the USA" label, that does not automatically ensure quality. If you want a lawnmower that is manufactured in the USA and also high quality, here are a few options worth considering.
Gas Push Mowers
Craftsman offers a wide variety of gas push lawnmowers made in the USA. The Craftsman 38918 has a 21-inch cutting swath and has an excellent reliability history. It can side-discharge, mulch or rear bag. It also comes with a handy washout port, ergonomically shaped handle and tall wheels in the back. The high wheels make it easier to push when the bag is full and the washout port will be handy when it's time to clean the mower. You won't have to tip it over and worry about spilling gas. It retails for about $250. The Craftsman 38917 has the same features as the 38918 except for tall rear wheels.
The Yard Machine 11A-B16M is a 21-inch gas push mower that mulches and bags to the rear. It does not side discharge. It’s priced around $200. This is a much more basic mower, but is also more affordable. It's great if you want a basic, simple mower. Side discharging has its disadvantages since it leaves a mess you usually have to rake, so not having that feature should not be reason not to look at this mower.
Electric
Toro offers a nice electric mower that is made in the USA, the 20360. It has a 20-inch cutting swath. The battery will last about 50 minutes and takes 16 hours to recharge, so it's not for a large lawn. It retails for about $400. It's cordless, which is a big advantage when it comes to electric mowers. The last thing you want to worry about is cutting an extension cord, since those can get expensive. This mower can either rear bag or mulch.
Riding
The John Deere X304 is a 42-inch, 17-horsepower lawn tractor that features 4-wheel steering. It has a 4-year warranty and retails for about $3,600. It is not a zero-turn mower, but does offer increased stability. The John Deere Z225 is similar to the X304, however it is a zero turn mower and costs about $3,000. If you have hills, you may want to go with a lawn tractor with more stability. If not, then a zero turn mower will allow you to cut faster.
These guidelines will help you find a great mower while supporting the USA.
