More About Mower Fuel Choices

There’s a lot on your plate when you’re running a professional landscaping business and you have a lot of decisions to make, from getting the right equipment to the right fuel. With the bottom line at stake, you have to take in every piece of information that can affect efficiency and performance, which is what stands between a flourishing business or one that’s become an unsustainable model.

At S&H Farm Supply, we know it’s not merely the equipment but also the fuel choice that can have a long-term impact on your business. As your local mower dealer, we’ve created this short guide on fuel types for mowers and how they can affect your operations, so you can decide what are the best practices for you. 

If you need more information or would like to check out some quality mowers for sale in Missouri, head to one of our four dealerships in the state. We proudly serve the good people of Springfield, MO!

Gasoline

Gasoline is the standard fuel choice for many commercial and personal mowers because it is very easy to get from all your local gas stations. Its convenient availability is perhaps its highest attribute. A lot of people think gas engines require little to no maintenance, which just isn’t true. However, gasoline engines are so common that most small engine repair shops only work on gasoline engines.

When you check our mowers for sale, you’ll see that gasoline-powered commercial mowers usually have the lowest upfront cost. Because these machines have become so popular, manufacturers often increase their efficiency or increase the time between services. If simplicity and convenience are your primary requirements for fuel, then gasoline is a great choice.

Diesel

There are some benefits to choosing diesel fuel for commercial mowers. Diesel engines are often more efficient than their gas counterparts, so your overall running cost for a mower will be much lower. Because of this efficiency, the service intervals are longer, which means you spend less on the shop. The same applies to diesel engine components as well, including less oil and filter replacement, as well as a reduction in the overall wear the engine experiences. That means diesel mowers can last significantly longer than gasoline mowers.

Though it may seem like the obvious choice, diesel benefits come at a price: diesel mowers simply cost more. This is because their engines are costlier to make. Also, keep in mind that diesel is more expensive than gasoline and sometimes more difficult to acquire. However, if you’re running a business and use your commercial mower every day, the longer life and more efficient running cost will give you a better deal in the long run.

Propane

With the rising gas prices, propane mowers have started to become more popular. One of the main advantages of propane is that it is a clean-burning fuel, which has very little environmental impact—a growing concern among landscapers. Since propane engines don’t experience the same carbon build-up as gasoline ones, they can last much longer (though perhaps not as long as a diesel mower that’s well maintained). Many municipalities, government agencies, colleges, and homeowners associations require contractors to use propane-burning lawn mowers as part of sustainability efforts, so using a propane mower could turn out to be a competitive advantage for acquiring new clients!

It’s rather quick and easy to refuel a propane mower. You usually just disconnect one tank and slip another one in its place. That means more uptime for your mower and little worry of spillage. While propane isn’t as easily available as gasoline, most gas stations have propane available, so it’s easy to stock up at the beginning or end of the day. However, this isn’t always the case, and some propane mowers only accept tanks designed specifically for the mower, making it much more difficult to keep a working supply of fuel on hand.

As you can tell, each fuel type has its perks and drawbacks. It’s up to you to consider your needs and find the right machine for your operation. If you need more information or you’re ready to check out some top-notch mowers for sale, head to S&H Farm Supply at one of our locations across Missouri. As your local mower dealer, we’re here for all your lawn equipment needs! We welcome all our patrons from Springfield, MO.