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VideosThe best mower for cutting grass and clearing snow in Maryland
May 2, 2012
During the winter of 2009-2010, several storm systems moved through the Central Atlantic coast and New England, dumping higher than average snowfall amounts and causing power outages, traffic gridlocks and government shutdowns. For Pat H., who lives in central Maryland, more than five feet of snow fell that winter. Using a walk-behind snowblower, he spent quite a bit of energy and time clearing one to two feet of snow after every snow from his 375-foot driveway. I decided that I needed something better, Pat says. I needed something that would mow and clear snow. I had a John Deere tractor, but I wasnt interested in getting large farm equipment. After months of careful research and interactions with equipment dealers across the state, Pat determined that a Grasshopper FrontMount 723T mower with a 60-inch snowthrower was exactly what he was looking for. He says that the Grasshopper and snowthrower are just a totally different experience than using the walk-behind snowblower. Since I bought it, we havent seen the snow we did a few years back, but for the snow we have had, the snowthrower has worked perfectly. I can go down the drive and back once and clear that one or two feet of snow in no time, he says. Pat says he believes in buying the best tool for the job not necessarily the most expensive, since there is a big difference between relative cost and value. He also wanted a machine that would outlast him, and he feels like he nailed it with Grasshopper. Some of the brands I looked at cost more, and I could have bought something for less. Some homeowners probably would, but I want the best value in equipment I can get, says Pat. I talked to several of the pros in my area in addition to Mike Lawson at Lawsons of New Market. They all told me Grasshopper was the best. They were right. I cant say enough good about it. Pats property sits on a two-acre clearing surrounded by large oak trees, and he can mow the entire area in one hour, even with all the trees and landscaping to mow around. He always keeps a spare set of Grasshopper GrassMax blades sharp and changes the blades every other time he mows. That helps keep the lawn looking good, but the mower does a great job cutting anyway, he says. And that PowerFold deck lift is fantastic. It really makes changing blades and cleaning the mower deck easy. Since the clearing was carved out of the forest, small saplings and scrub brush pop up around the lawn. So Pat went back to Lawsons and bought a dozer blade for his Grasshopper. It performed even better than I thought it would, he says. Not only does it clear brush and overgrowth easily, it also moves snow extremely well. Plus, I love how easy it is to switch from the deck to the snowthrower to the blade. Its just really well designed. Overall, Pat says hes glad he invested in a Grasshopper. As far as Im concerned, this machine is the top of the line, and its been everything I expected and more.
