What Does CC Mean On Lawnmowers And Why It Matters

Buying a lawn mower is a big deal. The right choice can make lawn maintenance feel like a breeze, taking less energy and time out of your weekends, while the wrong choice can do the opposite. One important number to look for when shopping for a new lawnmower is the CC rating, which stands for cubic centimeters.

CC is essentially a measurement that describes the capacity of any type of internal combustion engine, from cars to mowers. The higher the CC rating, the more gas the engine can burn, and the more powerful the mower. Importantly, not every mower uses an internal combustion engine. Batteries power electric mowers, while reel mowers don't use any power at all except for manual effort, so they don't come with CC ratings.  

Gas mowers fall into a few categories. Some models are pushed by hand, with the engine powering the grass-cutting. Other models are self-propelled; the engine moves the mower for you while you steer. Both of these are also called walk or walk-behind mowers since you, well, walk behind them as you mow. Then there are riding mowers. Each category has a different standard CC range: push lawn mowers range from 140cc to 190cc, self-propelled mowers range from 125cc to 190cc, and riding mowers range from 400cc to 700cc. A higher CC rating is usually reflected in the price, but there's no reason to buy more than you need.

To get more specific, CC measures the size of the engine's combustion chamber. A higher number tells you that the lawnmower's engine has more power, which allows it to efficiently handle more challenging terrain and thicker grass in comparison to a mower with a lower CC rating. Choosing the right type of lawnmower and the best CC rating to look for within that range depends largely on what type of lawn you have.

The first factor is size. If you have a small lawn under 4000 square feet, a push mower often works just fine. Those with bigger lawns will need a self-propelled or riding mower to have any hope of maintaining the lawn in a reasonable amount of time. But the terrain type is just as important — even if your yard is not very big, push mowers are heavy, so they're difficult to maneuver over hills. Hilly land is a good reason to look for a higher CC mower to handle tricky terrain.

Using the right lawn mower for your grass is essential as well. If you have lots of coarse grass such as Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, or tall fescue, or if you have weeds to mow, look for a mower with a higher CC rating even if your yard is small — around 190cc to 300cc depending on the size and the type of terrain. If your lawn is full of finer grass types like bentgrass, tall fescue, or Kentucky bluegrass, a lower CC rating will do, as low as 140cc for small flat lawns.

Another consideration when choosing the right CC rating for your needs is fuel consumption. Larger and more powerful engines also use more fuel, which comes with environmental impacts and costs more money. For context, push mowers use about 0.2 to 0.5 gallons of gas per hour of mowing while riding mowers use 1 to 2 gallons per hour; that adds up over the course of a season. On the other hand, higher CC mowers are powerful enough to cut larger or hillier yards in less time, but the efficiency doesn't necessarily offset the extra fuel costs in those situations. Maneuverability also comes into play — higher CC engines are larger and heavier, which could be noticeable if you're using a push mower instead of a self-propelled one.

To make sure you're buying a lawnmower that will meet your needs, you also need to look beyond the CC rating to other factors, such as the drive, transmission, starter, wheel type, and any special features. For example, front-wheel drive is better for flat surfaces and overall maneuverability, while rear-wheel drive is better for hills. Front caster wheels allow for more graceful turns but aren't ideal for bumps and hills. Ball-bearing wheels will help ease the load of mowing a large yard, and if you need to navigate rougher terrain, look for a mower with bigger rear wheels than front wheels. Lastly, consider what the mower does with the grass clippings. For example, some modern mowers will bag and/or mulch the grass clippings for you, a real time-saver.