Where to Get a New Lawn Mower in Duluth, MN (2024)

Lawn mowers are available at most big box stores and garden centers. Denny’s Lawn & Garden, Duluth Lawn & Sport, and Acme Tools Duluth are among the best lawn mower dealers in Duluth. They sell top brands like Cub Cadet, Toro, Stihl, and Ariens.

If you’re unsure whether to buy or rent a lawn mower, we recommend buying one. Lawn mowing is a recurring task, and purchasing a mower can help you save more money in the long run.

Key Takeaways

Denny’s Lawn & Garden, Duluth Lawn & Sport, and Acme Tools Duluth are reputable lawn mower dealers in Duluth. They deal with various brands, from Cub Cadet to Toro to Ariens.

Push, self-propelled, riding, and robotic mowers are the primary types of lawn mowers.

Setting up the charging station, installing the boundary wire, and programming the mower are the steps involved in installing a robotic lawn mower.

Lawn Mower Dealers in Duluth

You can buy a mower online or from a showroom. We recommend purchasing from a showroom because you can test the mower and examine its build quality and ease of use. Here are some of the best lawn mower dealers in Duluth:

• Denny’s Lawn & Garden (Cub Cadet, Toro, Ariens)
• Duluth Lawn & Sport (Toro, Ariens, Stihl, John Deere)
• Acme Tools Duluth (Cub Cadet, Toro, Ariens, Stihl, Husqvarna)

Types of Lawn Mowers

There are various types of lawn mowers, and the best choice depends on the size of your lawn, your budget, and how much manual effort you’re willing to put in.

• Push mower
• Self-propelled mower
• Riding mower
• Robotic mower

Push Mower

A push mower has a motor to drive the blades, but the wheel action depends on you. It’s lightweight and easy to use, so you don’t have to put much effort into pushing the mower. A push mower is ideal for lawns smaller than 5,000 square feet. Any more than that can be very tiring.

Many Duluth homeowners use a push mower as a backup for trimming grass around obstacles and tight corners. If you live on a slope, we recommend choosing a self-propelled mower because pushing uphill requires a lot of manual labor.

A hand or manual lawn mower is similar to a push mower, except that it doesn’t have a motor to drive the blades. It relies on the force you apply when pushing to cut the grass. We don’t recommend this mower unless you’re on a very tight budget.

• Ideal for: Small lawns (less than 5,000 square feet)
• Maintenance requirements: Low
• Noise levels: None
• Maneuverability: Easy
• Physical effort: High
• Cost in Duluth: $121 (approx.)

Some of the best options:

Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel (Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart)

Earthwise 1715-16EW 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel (Amazon, Walmart, Lowe’s)

American Lawn Mower 1815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel (Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart)

Self-Propelled Mower

A self-propelled mower has an engine to propel it forward. You just have to guide it and not push. It’s easy to operate and is an excellent choice for mid-sized lawns (up to 20,000 square feet).

We recommend choosing a self-propelled mower with adjustable speed so you don’t have to chase it, especially if you’re mowing on a slope. This mower has an engine, so it requires more maintenance than a push mower. However, self-propelled mowers are usually very reliable, so you don’t have to worry about them failing.

A self-propelled mower is more expensive than a push mower, but the extra money spent is worth it because it mows faster and requires less effort. This mower comes in both gas-powered and electric options.

• Ideal for: Mid-sized lawns (up to 20,000 square feet)
• Maintenance requirements: Moderate
• Noise levels: Moderate
• Maneuverability: Easy
• Physical effort: Moderate
• Cost in Duluth: $418 (approx.)

Some of the best options:

PowerSmart Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower 21-inch (Amazon, Walmart, PowerSmart)

Craftsman Self-Propelled Gas Powered Mower 21-inch (Amazon, Craftsman)

SENIX Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower 22-inch (Amazon, Lowes, Walmart)

Riding mower

Riding mowers are ideal for lawns over 20,000 square feet. They require minimal manual effort — you just have to sit and ride to cut the grass. Even a basic riding mower is significantly more expensive than a self-propelled mower, but it cuts down on the mowing time by a huge margin. Here are the different types of riding mowers:

Lawn Tractor

It has a front-mounted engine and a center cutting deck that’s 42- to 54-inch wide. Lawn tractors are difficult to maneuver, so if your yard is small or has many obstacles, they won’t be the right choice for you.

Lawn tractors are powerful, with 15 to 25 horsepower engines. Entry-level models have a single-cylinder engine, while the higher-end ones are twin. Lawn tractors cost approximately $2,396. Here are some of the best options:

John Deere S120 42-inch (Home Depot, Van Wall)

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 42-inch (Home Depot, L & M Fleet Supply)

Troy-Bilt Pony 42-inch (Home Depot, Troy-Bilt)

Front Deck Mower

It looks similar to a lawn tractor except that it has a cutting deck at the front that’s 30- to 50-inch wide. Front deck mowers have rear-wheel steering, so they are easier to maneuver compared to lawn tractors.

Front deck mowers are similar to lawn tractors in power, with single-cylinder engines ranging from 10 to 25 horsepower. These mowers aren’t as common, but Troy-Bilt Briggs and Stratton 30-inch is an excellent choice. They cost around $1,894.

Zero-Turn Mower

It’s highly maneuverable and the easiest to use of all riding mowers. A zero-turn mower has a center cutter deck that’s 32- to 72-inch wide. Zero-turn mowers have two rear driving wheels and two front castor wheels controlled by lap bars. These mowers can cut the most grass in the least time and provide the best finish.

Zero-turn mowers have powerful, single-cylinder engines with 12 to 25 horsepower. They cost approximately $3,288. Here are some of the best options:

Cub Cadet Ultima 42-inch (Home Depot, Tractor Supply)

John Deere Z315E 42-inch (Home Depot, John Deere)

Toro TimeCutter 42-inch Briggs and Stratton (Home Depot, Toro)

• Ideal for: Large lawns (over 20,000 square feet)
• Maintenance requirements: High
• Noise levels: High
• Maneuverability: Easy (front deck and zero-turn mower); Moderate (lawn tractor)
• Physical effort: Low

Robotic Mower

A robotic mower operates automatically and requires little to no effort from you after installation. It uses sensors and programming to navigate obstacles and is an excellent choice for lawns between 10,000 and 30,000 square feet.

Many homeowners in Duluth have switched to robotic mowers because, once set up, they handle everything on their own. Even if the mower runs out of battery, it recharges itself by returning to the docking station.

If there’s a stone or any obstacle on the grass, the mower will automatically lift its blades. It also knows when the grass is too wet for cutting. Robotic mowers don’t collect grass clippings, but they cut the grass into tiny pieces that decompose and provide nutrients to your turf.

• Ideal for: Mid- to large-sized lawns (up to 30,000 square feet)
• Maintenance requirements: High
• Noise levels: Low
• Maneuverability: Automatic
• Physical effort: None
• Cost in Duluth: $1,272 (approx.)

Some of the best options:

WORX Landroid Robotic Lawn Mower (Amazon, Lowes, Worx)

Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower (Amazon, Lowes, Husqvarna)

Greenworks Robotic Lawn Mower (Lowes)

How to Install a Robotic Lawn Mower

Setting up a robotic lawn mower can take some time, but it’s a one-time process. Once you install the mower, it’ll handle all the dirty work for you. Follow these steps to install a robotic lawn mower:

Get the Tools Ready

Keep a hammer and pliers handy before setting up a robotic lawn mower. Boundary wire and pegs usually come included in the box.

Prep Your Lawn

Walk around your lawn and remove any sticks, tree branches, stones, or other obstacles. Once done, mow your grass to the recommended height to install the wire close to the ground.

Sketch Your Lawn

No matter the size of your lawn, sketch it on paper with all the boundaries and obstacles like trees, flower beds, and furniture to set up the charging station and lay the cable.

Set up the Charging Station

Find a flat, level surface near a power outlet and under shade to set up the charging station. Some good spots include areas under a patio, awning, or garden shade. You can also install the charging station on the side of your home under the soffit.

Most robotic mowers come with a long power cable, so you can install a power outlet slightly away from the charging station and use it for multiple purposes.

Install the Boundary Wire

The boundary wire prevents the mower from going onto the road. Connect one end of the wire to the charging station and then lay the wire around the perimeter of your lawn. Leave a 30 cm gap from hard borders like walls or fences and 10 cm from the pathway.

Secure the wire with pegs and hammer them into the grass. Connect the other end of the wire to the charging station.

Lay the Guide Wire (Optional)

A guide wire isn’t necessary if your lawn is open. However, if your yard has narrow corners or obstacles like trees, flower beds, and furniture, install the guide wire in the center to help the mower find its way back to the charging station. After installing, connect the guide wire to the boundary wire.

Program the Mower

Robotic lawn mowers usually come programmed from the factory. The default settings work for most lawns, but you may need to adjust the timer and mowing height.

Test the Mower

Set the mower at the highest cutting setting and let it mow your lawn. Ensure the mower stays on the right track and avoids obstacles. Make adjustments to the boundary and guide wire as needed.

FAQs

How can I remove snow from my Duluth lawn?

Duluth is among the snowiest cities in the United States and receives nearly 70 inches of snow every year. Here’s how to remove snow from your Duluth lawn:

• Add some cooking oil to prevent snow from sticking to your shovel.
• Clear the snow by shoveling in an upward motion.
• Avoid salt-based products like rock salt because they can dehydrate roots and harm plants.

What are the best grasses for Duluth lawns?

Here are the best grass seeds for Duluth:

• Kentucky bluegrass
• Perennial ryegrass
• Fine fescue
• Tall fescue

What’s the best time to plant grass seed in Duluth?

Cool-season grasses perform the best in Duluth’s warm summers and freezing winters. Late fall to early summer is the best time to plant them. Here’s a detailed guide on when to plant grass seeds in Minnesota.

How can I save water on my Duluth lawn?

Here are some water-saving lawn care tips for Duluth:

• Choose drought-tolerant plants
• Water in the morning
• Recycle water when possible
• Use a smart water-saving device like a rain sensor or irrigation controller

When to Hire a Professional

Regular mowing is necessary to keep your grass growing green and healthy. If you’re busy or just want to spend your weekends exploring Duluth instead of mowing your lawn, get in touch with LawnStarter Duluth pros. Our lawn care specialists will do all the dirty work for you and make your yard stand out in your neighborhood.

Main Photo Credit: Adobe Stock