Best Riding Lawn Mower Reviews

Factors to Consider Before Making Your Purchase

Features

Always consider the features that are important to you. The type of lawn you have determines the aspects of the lawn tractor. If you have a flat home turf, your choices are nearly unlimited. However, most homeowners have undulating yards. Consider the number of obstacles, how vital maneuverability is to you, the cutting path, whether or not you need to bag the grass, etc. Below are a few features that you should take into account.

1. Handling – Garden tractors have different configurations for different yards. Depending on your yard type, you can purchase a zero-turn handling, a front drive, or a rear drive.
2. Speed – If you have a vast open ground, you will need a machine that will get the job done quickly. On the other hand, you will need to slow down if your lawn has obstacles, say trees, shrubs or flowers. However, other than having to choose between a fast and a slow one, look into multi-speed units. These can slow down around obstacles, and when cutting long or wet grass. Also, they speed up on open grounds or when cutting shot and dry grass. By and large, the multi-speed systems save time and increase efficiency.
3. Cutting Path – Garden tractors have an array of cutting widths. The deck size is equivalent to the cutting width. Therefore, select a tool that will match your cutting path.

Engine Considerations

Most homeowners make the mistake of only considering the engine power when making your purchase. There more issues to look into if you want a machine that will serve you better longer. First, consider the cooling system. Purchase a lawn tractor that keeps the engine temperature down as it will extend the life of the machine. The oil system is something else you should look into. Not only should it be effortless to change the oil, but the filtering system too should be top-quality lengthening the time between oil changes.

Think about the air filters too. They should be easy to access and DIY. Finally, consider the fuel type and whether it’s a twin or single cylinder engine. On the topic of fuel, it can either be petrol or fuel. We advise you purchase a diesel engine one as is cheaper to run and has more torque than a gasoline powered one. About the cylinders, you will get more power from a twin cylinder engine over the single cylinder.

Torque and Horsepower

You will probably find horsepower, torque, and engine displacement on most ride-on lawn mowers. The power is what moves or accelerates the machine. Torque, on the other hand, is a force. It gives it the might to keep turning the blades even under stress. Thus, if you reside in a slightly wet area or you don’t plan on mowing your lawn often, we advise you get a machine with higher torque. You will also need more horsepower if your property is undulating. Otherwise, don’t spend exorbitant amounts of money on a garden tractor if you reside in a dry area, if your yard is flat, or if you will be regularly cutting your grass.

Transmission

When choosing a transmission type, you can choose between manual, automatic or hydrostatic transmission. An automatic one works like an automatic transmission vehicle. They are easy to operate and especially if you have many obstacles on your property. They will slow down around trees and shrubs without sacrificing speed on open ground. A hydrostatic transmission works like the automatic transmission. The only difference is that the hydrostatic option uses fluids to transfer power to the wheels, unlike the automated system which uses belts. As a result, the hydrostatic rides are smoother, and the machines last longer with little maintenance.

Finally, we have the manual transmission mowers. These use a clutch and gears to change speed. They are ideal for homeowners with large open yards and are cheaper than the rest.

Additional Features

Other than the ability to make mowing more comfortable and faster, what else can the machine do? Remember that the more activities a garden mower can handle the more expensive it will be. Some add-on features you can consider are:

1. Aerators to aerate your lawn.
2. Sweepers – These tow-behind sweepers to brush up the clippings and leaves.
3. Dump carts that help you move items across the yard.

FAQs

How long is the warranty?

Riding lawn mowers aren’t exactly cheap. Yes, some are more affordable than others, but it is still a considerable investment. You want to know the warranty the manufacturer has in place before you make a purchase. The manufacturer too could have insured some parts, e.g., the transmission belt. You want to check that too.

Is the machine assembled or do I have to do it myself?

Some of these mowers are easy to put together while others are challenging. A great example is the Troy-Bilt premium ride-on. Despite being exceptional value for money, it takes close to an hour to assemble with the right know how. If not, it will take you longer. You might also want to consider if the delivery person will put the item together for you. By and large, assembly should be one of your key concerns when purchasing one.

What should my routine maintenance look like?

Check your engine oil to ascertain that the levels are appropriate. Too much or too little oil can damage the engine. Also, check the air filter before you mow. Experts also advise you replace your air filter, spark plugs and oil filters annually.

What parts often need to be replaced?

Eventually, some components will wear out. The most affected parts are the grass catcher components, the trail, discharge cover and the blades. With worn out blades, you will only damage your lawn. The rest of the parts can expose the moving components or throw objects damaging the machine. Regularly check for damaged components and replace with original equipment manufacturers parts so as not to compromise safety and performance.

Do I need attachments?

Well, this depends on what you intend to use it for. If it’s solely for cutting grass, there is no need for attachments. However, you might want to use it to clear your driveway, or for gardening. If you plan to use it for more than mowing, you will need to purchase the necessary add-ons.

Conclusion

Cutting your lawn doesn’t have to be an arduous task. With the appropriate tools, you can quickly trim any grass. Getting the right option depends on you and your preferences, but there are some guidelines you can follow to ensure you purchase a premium product. Our list points out some of the best riding lawn mowers currently available, but you can use it just as a guideline. If we have missed any top option, let us know in the comments below.