Cub Cadet vs. Husqvarna Brand Comparison | The Saw Guy. Cub cadet riding lawn mowers

The Best Riding Lawn Mowers Make Maintaining Giant Properties a Breeze

Take one of these lawn mowers for a spin to keep your grass looking sharp and even.

If your property has a yard that spans more than half an acre, then you know a walk-behind lawn mower simply isn’t big enough to keep your grass trim all spring and summer. Unless you want to spend a few hours out of every weekend mowing your acre-sized lawn, you should invest in a riding lawn mower that could cut your grass-trimming time in half.

Riding lawn mowers vary quite a bit from model to model: From small rear-engine mowers for one-acre yards, to lawn tractors for larger lawns, and zero-turn lawn mowers for NFL-length fields to mow.

Any model, regardless of your needs, is an expensive piece of heavy machinery. You don’t want to rush into a purchase without figuring out if you’ll get exactly what you need. Luckily, we’ve put in our fair share of miles on these large yard machines and can help you find the best riding mower for your lawn.

Best Riding Lawn Mowers

 

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Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT46

 

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Troy-Bilt 30 in. 10.5 HP Briggs and Stratton Engine 6-Speed Manual Drive Gas Rear Engine Riding Mower with Mulch Kit Included

 

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Craftsman T2200 Hydrostatic Turntight Riding Lawn Mower

 

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Ryobi Brushless 30 in. Electric Rear Engine Riding Mower

 

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Toro 42-inch TimeCutter

 

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John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor

 

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Cub Cadet Ultima Z1 50 in. 23 HP Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower

What to Consider When Picking a Riding Lawn Mower

There are three types of riding lawn mowers to choose from–rear engine, tractor, and zero-turn. Picking the right one for you largely depends on the size of your green space and your budget, but there are important technical distinctions among them and it pays to know one from another.

Lawn tractors have an engine mounted on the front of the mower, with a driver’s seat and steering wheel, giving them a tractor-like look. (That’s where the name comes from!) With wide mowing decks averaging around 45 inches wide, they can tackle lawns that are several acres large.

In addition to cutting grass, the tractor design is also great for towing other large yard equipment, such as an extra-large fertilizer spreader, lawn aerator, or pull cart.

Lawn tractors are ideal for cutting large lawns and towing yard equipment, but they have a wider turning radius than other mower types and the engine placement limits your visibility from the driver’s seat, which combine to make them fairly hard to drive precisely. If you have a lot of trees, gardens, and landscaping beds, you may want to go with a rear-engine or zero-turn model.

Rear engine mowers are the smallest type of riding lawn mower, with a chassis small enough to make tighter turns than a full-size lawn tractor. Since the engine sits behind the driver’s seat, there’s nothing to block your view as you’re mowing, making it easier to navigate around landscaping beds and trees.

Of course, they mow a smaller strip of grass–around 30 inches wide– which makes them a good fit for yards up to an acre in size. Since they’re smaller, rear engine mowers also tend to be the cheapest of the three core designs, so they’re ideal for budget-conscious buyers.

Zero-turn mowers combine huge mowing decks with unparalleled maneuverability. Instead of driving with a steering wheel, you control it with a pair levers that allow you to turn the mower on a dime. Since there’s nothing sitting in front of the driver’s seat, you get a wide open view as you’re mowing.

Zero-turn mowers are big and fast. They move faster than lawn tractors, and cut grass with wider decks–up to 6 feet!–making them ideal for mowing massive yards. Plus, since they have a low center of gravity, they can also mow on steeper grades than lawn tractors or rear engine mowers without the risk of flipping over.

The downside, unsurprisingly, is the price tag. Even the most affordable zero-turn mowers cost several thousand dollars.

Deck Width

Riding lawn mowers have a steel frame called a mower deck, that sits between the axles near the ground and holds the mower blades. The width of the deck determines how wide a swath of grass the mower cuts with each pass.

Ideally, you want to look for a riding mower that allows you to cut your grass in about an hour to an hour and half. A deck width of around 30 inches will allow you to cover about an acre in that time. Move up to a larger mower with a 42-inch deck for yards up to 1.5 acres. Finally, upgrade to deck size of 50 inches or more for any property larger than 2 acres.

Engine

A riding lawn mower is a piece of heavy machinery, which means it is only as good as the engine that drives it. A riding lawn mower engine powers both the blades in the mowing deck and the wheels that propel the mower forward. A mower with a powerful engine will cut a crisp lawn quick and clean. An underpowered one will drive slowly and require more passes to get your grass sharp and even.

When looking at a riding lawn mower, pay attention to the engine’s horsepower. An 11- to 15-horsepower engine can adequately power a mower with a 30-inch deck. For mowers with decks between 41-46 inches, you should look for no less than 16 horsepower. For the largest mowers, with decks between 52-60 inches, you want an engine capable of producing 22-24 horsepower.

Fuel Types

The majority of riding lawn mowers are powered by gas engines, but there’s been an increasingly large surge of battery-powered riding mowers making their way onto the market, especially as states consider bans on gas-powered yard machines. California claims it will phase out the sale of gas powered engines for lawn mowers and other yard equipment by 2024. Other states like Rhode Island and an increasing number of local municipalities may follow suit.

Battery-powered mowers offer low-maintenance motors that don’t require oil changes. They are also better for the environment and run at lower noise levels. As with other outdoor appliances, though, battery-powered mowers lack the raw power of traditional gas-powered riding mowers. Gas-powered lawn mowers produce about twice as much torque as their electric counterparts.

Charging time is also a potential issue. Battery-powered mowers can run for a couple of hours on a single charge, then need to charge for a full day before their next cut. Most gas-powered riding lawn mowers will last for the same two hours on a single tank of gas, but you can fill them back up in a few minutes and keep on going.

Cub Cadet vs. Husqvarna Brand Comparison | The Saw Guy

There is not very much that is more “American” than a tractor. Tractor mowers, also known as riding mowers, riding lawn mowers, and garden tractors, have become an iconic symbol of the American way of life. Cub Cadet vs. Husqvarna is a solid head to head comparison of two iconic brands. Which is best for you!

If you’re considering buying a tractor lawn mower, two of the best options out there are the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42​ and the Husqvarna YTA24V48​. Each of these machines is a great option for taking care of your larger lawn, but they both have pros and cons.

In this piece, we’ll take a look at the differences between these two riding mowers so you can decide which one is the better option for your lawn.

 

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Cub cadet riding lawn mowers

Engine Disclaimer: The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. See your local Cub Cadet Dealer for warranty details.Pricing Disclaimer: Posted price is in USD Dollars and is manufacturer's suggested sale price. Models and pricing may vary by location. Taxes, freight, set-up and delivery not included. Optional equipment, accessories and attachments sold separately. See your retailer for details. Image Disclaimer: Products may vary from depicted model image in design, required attachments, safety features and non-functional appearance, and may not reflect dealer inventory or unit specifications. Specifications Disclaimer: Specifications subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect retailer inventory and/or unit specifications. Operator's Manual Disclaimer: The operator's manual posted is for general information and use. To ensure the download of the operator's manual specific to your unit, we require a model and serial number. Speed Disclaimer: Actual vehicle speed varies based on load, use and environmental conditions. Battery Disclaimer: Battery and battery powered product performance varies with load, use and environmental conditions. Software Disclaimer: Software available on Company websites is provided on an "as is" basis without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The download and use of any software is done at the user's own risk. Professional Products: Cub Cadet commercial products are intended for professional use. UTV: Cub Cadet Utility Vehicles (UTV) are intended for off-road use by adults only. Please see the operator’s manual and the warning labels posted on the vehicle itself for more details. Email disclaimer: Sign up to receive communication on services, products and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. Please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Get to Know Your Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower

If you've just purchased a new Cub Cadet riding lawn mower and you aren't sure where to start, here is a quick overview of lawn mower basics to get you going. You'll also find helpful lawn mower tips to keep your machine running strong through the years. Before beginning any maintenance on your Cub Cadet lawn mower, ensure your mower is on a flat, level surface.

Step 1. Connect the battery cables on your Cub Cadet lawn mower

Remove the red battery terminal cover from the red terminal and attach the red cable to the positive terminal. Next, remove the black battery terminal cover from the black terminal and attach the black cable to the negative terminal. Once both cables are attached, place the red cap on the positive terminal. Do not allow the wrench the come in contact with any metal.

Step 2. Check the oil on your riding lawn mower before each use

Check your engine's oil level with the dip stick before every use since too little or too much oil can damage your engine. You should also examine the oil quality every so often to know when it will need to be changed.

Step 3. Fill the fuel tank

Using gasoline mixed with a stabilizer like STA-BIL, to extend the shelf-life of the gas, fill the fuel tank before each use so you don't run out while mowing. If you do run out, wait until the engine cools before adding fresh fuel.

Step 4. Know lawn mower basics before starting your riding lawn mower

To start the mower, be sure you are seated back in the seat. If you are too far forward, the mower may not start. Engage the parking brake. Check to be sure the PTO lever is in the off position and activate the choke.

Step 5. Start your riding lawn mower

Turn the key to the start position. Once the mower has started, release the key and allow it to return to the on position.

Step 6. Operate your mower with our lawn mower help tips

To begin driving your mower, move the throttle to the rabbit position. Move the shift lever to forward, press the brake pedal to release the parking brake, and press the drive pedal to increase your speed.

Step 7. Activate cruise control (on appropriate models)

Your LTX 1040 riding lawn mower is equipped with cruise control. Once you achieve a desired mowing speed, lightly press the cruise control lever downward and hold it in that position. Slowly release your foot from the drive pedal and then release the cruise control lever. You cannot engage cruise control in the fastest drive speed. Never attempt to engage cruise control while in reverse.

Step 8. Release cruise control for complicated turns, smaller yards or when anyone is nearby

To disengage the cruise control on your riding lawn mower, simply press either the drive pedal or brake pedal.

Step 9. Engage lawn mower blades

To engage the blades, be sure that your throttle or choke is in the rabbit position. Then, push the PTO or blade engage lever forward into the on position.

Step 10. Learn how to operate your riding lawn mower in reverse

Properly operating your machine in reverse is one of the most important lawn mower basics. To set the mower in reverse mode, come to a complete stop and turn the blades off. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever into reverse position. Finally, turn the key to the reverse/caution mode. Push the PTO/blade lever to the on position to engage the blades. Before pressing the drive pedal, check the area down and behind your riding lawn mower to make sure there are no objects in your path.

Step 11. Perform proper lawn mower maintenance

Before each time you mow, check your air filter for dirty, loose or damaged parts. It is highly recommended that the air filter, spark plugs, oil and oil filter are replaced every year when you prepare your mower for off-season storage.

Find other tools and accessories that help you do more with your riding lawn mower

There are many attachments and accessories available to help keep a beautiful lawn. For example, bagging is a highly recommended method of helping maintain a healthy lawn be reducing thatch build-up, increasing oxygen and nitrogen absorption and encouraging grass to grow in the bare areas of your yard. You can find baggers, plow attachments, utility carts, spreaders and sweepers for your Cub Cadet lawn mower in the operator's manual or online.

XT1-ST54 KH Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower

 

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The Operator's Manual is an important part of your new outdoor power equipment. It will help you assemble, prepare, maintain and safely operate your machine. Your outdoor power equipment was built to be operated according to the rules and instructions for safe operation which are contained in the operator's manual and on the machine itself.

Safety rules and instructions, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of the operator and others. Read and follow all instructions in the manual before attempting to operate your outdoor power equipment. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. Your machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the safety rules and instructions, both on the machine and in the Operator's Manual, could result in serious injury or death.

IMPORTANT: MTD, its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, is concerned about the safety of its customers and others. Due to the size of the Operator's Manual, some Operator's Manuals are broken down into two or more segments so that the entire Operator's Manual can be downloaded easily. Cub Cadet is requiring all those who wish to download a copy of the Operator's Manual to acknowledge that he/she will download the portion of the Operator's Manual that contains the Important Safe Operation Practices section, as stated below. This is to ensure that this section is reviewed and accessible when operating, servicing and/or maintaining the machine.