Leaf vacuum mower attachment. FrontMount™ PowerVac™ Collection Systems

FrontMount™ PowerVac™ Collection Systems

With a PowerVac™ Collection System for your Grasshopper zero-turn mower, you’re getting the most powerful, maneuverable and efficient leaf-collecting, grass-catching and debris-removing equipment available for turf. Built on more than 50 years of airflow research, PowerVac™ Collection Systems deliver a professional, finished look every time you mow.

Every PowerVac™ features a deck-driven vacuum that will make a clean sweep through virtually any lawn debris, removing wet grass and high-moisture leaves, pine straw, dethatching debris, small sticks, seed pods and acorns, paper, litter and tough weeds. Simply adjust your mowing speed to your conditions for one-pass perfection every time.

The force of the cutting blades discharges clippings and debris directly into the trash-ingesting steel impeller. The vac-driven impeller reduces and compacts debris in the vacuum collector, so you’ll enjoy clog-free performance, even in wet, lush conditions, to leave a manicured look that will turn even the pickiest neighbors green with envy. Collectors are rear-mounted to retain the mower’s zero-turn maneuverability.

Grasshopper’s exclusive Quik-D-Tatch® Vac system allows quick conversion to side discharge or Down Discharge™ mulching in seconds without tools, and can be reinstalled just as easily, making PowerVac™ perfect for commercial operators servicing multiple accounts.

Explore the range of collector sizes and configurations available for your FrontMount™ PowerVac™ collection system.

PowerVac™ Mesh Bag Collectors

Twin or triple 4-cu. ft. (113.5 L) reinforced PowerVac™ mesh bags easily slide in and out to empty grass clippings, leaves and debris collected while mowing. Bags are made from UV-tolerant, commercial-grade, rip- and tear-resistant mesh fabric, and feature lift-up covers and protective steel side shields to guard bags from abrasions.

Model 8F. Features twin 4-cu.-ft. (113.5 L) slide-in mesh bags and a reinforced fabric top for an 8-cu.-ft. total capacity, and is compatible with 600 and 700 Series Grasshopper FrontMount™ zero-turn mowers.

Model 8HT. Features twin 4-cu.-ft. (113.5 L) slide-in mesh bags and a hinged fabricated metal top for an 8-cu.-ft. total capacity, and is compatible with 600 and 700 Series Grasshopper FrontMount™ zero-turn mowers.

Model 12F. Features triple 4-cu.-ft. (113.5 L) slide-in mesh bags with a reinforced fabric top for a 12-cu.-ft. total capacity, and is compatible with all Grasshopper FrontMount™ zero-turn mowers.

Model 12HT. Features triple 4-cu.-ft. (113.5 L) slide-in mesh bags with a hinged fabricated metal top for a 12-cu.-ft. total capacity, and is compatible with all Grasshopper FrontMount™ zero-turn mowers.

PowerVac™ Metal Hopper Collectors

Metal PowerVac™ hoppers feature tapered bottoms to compact collected debris and speed emptying. Metal hoppers can be emptied from the operator’s seat with power- or lever-actuated controls for productive, uninterrupted mowing and removal of grass, leaves and debris.

Model 15B. Features a 15-cu.-ft. (424.8 L) capacity metal hopper with a lever actuator for easy emptying. Compatible with all 600, 700 and 900 Series FrontMount(tm) zero-turn mowers.

Model 25. Features a fixed-mount, 25-cu.-ft. (708 L) capacity metal hopper with a lever actuator for easy emptying. Compatible with all Grasshopper 700 and 900 Series FrontMount™ zero-turn mowers.

Model 15B HighLift™ Metal Hopper Collector

The HighLift™ 15B allows operators to raise and extend the collector behind the power unit to empty the hopper onto a truck bed or over trailer sidewalls and other elevated spaces without leaving the operator’s seat.

The 15-cu.-ft. HighLift™ 15B collector offers infinitely variable emptying positions up to a maximum clearance height of 72 inches and extends up to 34 inches behind the power unit, controlled by a joystick mounted to the right steering lever. The two-part, upper and lower hose system forms a debris-free seal when collecting and easily separates when lifting the hopper.

The fully fabricated hopper features a tapered bottom that compacts debris for continued productivity with fewer stops, while specially designed Debris Xpel™ arms inside the hopper facilitate easy discharge of compacted debris.

Remote Vac™

PTO-driven Remote Vac™ mounts in place of the deck on FrontMount™ power units for easy cleanup in hard-to-reach areas. A flexible, 12-foot, 6-inch-diameter hose with a hand-held swiveling nozzle rotates 360 degrees to vacuum leaves and debris for easier handling, depositing them into the PowerVac™ collector.

Introduction: How to Make a Cutout Template for a Leaf Vacuum Hose Adapter

This tutorial will demonstrate how I created cutout templates for the leaf vacuum hose adapter used on my lawn mower. The process was easy, took very little time, cost almost nothing (3 for a pack of 10” bamboo skewers) and was very accurate.

Getting a new pull behind leaf vacuum can be an exciting event, until you realize you will need to cut the universal vacuum hose adapter for the mower deck yourself. For some mower decks, you might be able to cutout a simple rectangular opening. For most lawn mower decks the task can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, my mower deck fell in the category of the latter – complicated – and thus the reason for this Instructable.

Since there are so many different versions and sizes of mower decks available, it would be near impossible for manufacturers to supply templates for mower decks. Thus, it falls upon new owners to figure out how to cut and fit the universal vacuum hose adapter that comes with the unit. The written instructions for this task are rather sparse and videos tend to be vague when it comes to the actual process. As a result, the process usually requires a lot of trial and error cutting cardboard templates and trying them for fit, and then repeating the process over and over until you get reasonably close or just get too frustrated and just use what you have up to that point.

This instructable will explain the process I used to easily create accurate cutout templates that you can then trace on to the universal vacuum hose adapter and then cutout.

This Instructable has four steps:

Step 1 – Determine the best deck location to mount the adapter

Step 2 – How to Accurately recreate the deck shape/profile

Step 3 – Position the templates correctly on the leaf vacuum adapter

Step 4 – Some other considerations.

Note: To view photos original size in this Instructable when uploaded, you need to select a photo, position the cursor near the bottom left of the photo and you should then see a Download Original icon. Simply press it and the photo will open to it’s original size. If the photo is white in the bottom left corner, you may not be able to see the icon, but you should still see the Download Original pop up.

Step 1: Determine the Best Deck Location to Mount the Adapter

Note: In my case it was easier to do the following steps with the mower deck removed; in the instructable I show the mower deck installed so that the reader can better visualize how it might look installed.

It is important that you first determine the approximate position/location where you prefer the adapter be mounted on the mower deck. To do this for my mower deck I simply held the adapter above the mower deck location I wanted and then marked lines and spots where the edges of the adapter crossed areas on the mower deck (photo 04 top right. purple line overlaid on the photo).

For example, the front deck position I marked with a line (photo 04, top left bottom left), the intermediate points towards the back I marked with short dashes (photo 04, top left top right), and the back deck position with a large dot (photo 04, top left bottom right).

Be sure to allow enough clearance for the vacuum hose movement, wheel clearance, etc (photo 03 of Intro).

Step 2: How to Accurately Recreate the Deck Shape/profile

In order to recreate the contour (profile) of the deck, I created a simple tool for the purpose. I used some stiff cardboard and inserted 10” bamboo meat skewers through the holes in the cardboard (photo 05). For the contour tool, I made the width of the contour cutout about 1” larger than the adapter cutout area (between the two blue arrows in the top left, photo 05). I made the contour tool cutout height 1” higher than the highest point of the deck above the deck rim (about 6 in my case). I then inserted the bamboo meat skewers through the corrugated cardboard holes as shown in photo 05, top right.

Next, I cut a blank section of cardboard the same size as the face of the universal vacuum hose adapter (6 ½” x 21”). I then placed the contour tool on the deck rim over the line I initially marked in step 1 and adjusted each skewer down to the surface of the deck. The contour tool must sit on the rim of the mower deck since that is how universal vacuum hose adapters are mounted when attached. (In photo 05, bottom right, I show the contour cutout slightly above those points only so that you can see the deck markings.)

I then placed the contour tool over the blank section of cardboard and recreated the actual contour onto the blank (photo 05, right middle). Next, I cutout the blank using the traced line as a guide. You should end up with a nice template, something like that shown in photo 05, bottom left.

Finally, always check your results on the deck contour to make sure you’ve not made any errors.

For the bottom contour, I cutout a section of cardboard the same width as the universal vacuum hose adapter and placed it directly under the deck using the same marker points on the deck (photos 06-08). I simply traced the outlines using the deck and marked a dash line allowing for the thickness of the mower deck. I then cutout the bottom template using the dashed line (photo 08). As a reminder, all of the adapters are mounted so that they sit on the outer rim of the mower deck.

Step 3: Position the Templates Correctly on the Leaf Vacuum Adapter

First, make sure the profile cutouts match the profile of the deck surface where you want it to be positioned.

Using the templates, trace the templates onto the adapter surfaces. Double check that you positioned them correctly before cutting out the adapter.

Using a jigsaw, cutout the adapter openings along the lines you traced in the last step (photos 09 10). Do a test fit to make sure things matched up as expected. The final step is to install any mounting hardware the manufacturer supplied with the adapter. If yours was like mine, you will probably need to make a few modifications for just the right fit (photos 11 12).

Step 4: Some Other Considerations.

There were several other thoughts I’m including here that might be of interest:

Trailer hitch (photo 14). My leaf vacuum manufacturer recommended the hitch height be between 8-15” above ground. I added a hitch adapter that met the height requirement as well created a stronger pull rating in the process. The hitch I used can be found searching for “CNSY Universal Lawn Tractor Hitch 3-Way Garden Trailer Hitch with Support Brace Kit”.

Cotter pin modification on hose support (see yellow arrow in photo 15). All pull behind leaf vacuums I have seen have a vacuum hose support rod. The rods routinely pop out during use, so I secured mine with a cotter pin.

Longer, more rugged hose for vacuuming piles of leaves (photo 16) and place vacuum hose “markers” on ends and middle (photo 17, top photos bottom left). According to the manufacturers estimate, the vacuum hose that comes with my unit should have been long enough for most lawn tractors. Unfortunately, my tractor has a sharper left turn radius than normal, so I needed a longer vacuum hose. They offered an extension, however it would have been too long and added unnecessary weight, so I just purchased a longer, more rugged, lighter vacuum hose instead. The hose I use is from (https://www.cyclonerake.com/flex-tube-pu-hose/). I also placed markers on the hose and attachments to make it quicker to put on and remove the hose each time when using or storing.

Box strap as a handle when using as vacuum hose (photo 17, bottom right). My leaf vacuum came with a quick release coupling to allow accessory hoses to be attached. I attached a box strap near the quick release end of the hose to use as a handle when picking up large piles of leaves.

Keep vacuum hose off the ground so it doesn’t wear out on bottom side (photo 16). Recommend the hose support keep the hose elevated to prevent unnecessary wear on the vacuum hose bottom. Many of the leaf vacuum units I seen installed by owners allow the hose to drag along the ground rather than keep it elevated.

I need to store my leaf vacuum in an outdoor shed, so when storing I remove the vacuum hose to conserve space. I use a duct vent cover to keep mice out of the leaf vacuum motor inlet while stored (photo 18).

I hope you find this Instructable useful.

Leaf Vacuums

A commercial leaf vacuum is a perfect machine for maintaining lawn areas in tip-top condition during all weather and seasons and can be used on the tarmac and other hard surfaces.​Our leaf vacuum range is available as towed or trailed and is suitable for private and commercial uses for collecting leaves, grass clippings, and other debris, from gardens and golf courses, to sports grounds, paths, and parkland.

Leaf Vacuum trailer

This leaf vacuum trailer is perfect for clearing large areas from leaves, cuttings and debris and ideal for commercial use. This unit has a powerful 9HP Honda engine, mounted onto a two-wheel chassis with an integral tow bar. The best way of using the FGPSU commercial leaf vacuum is to attach it to the rear end of the leaf collector trailer. This unit can be supplied with a kit to modify your own trailer, or collected from Fresh Group Products and modified to suit your trailer. The discharge hose is attached to the rear of the trailer, for an efficient and easy waste collection. This machine is best used by two people, one acting as the driver and the other one operating the hoover for quick clearing of road edges and other areas. This vacuum chops the leaves through its fan, reducing the trips to the dumping areas, saving you money and time. The unit can be used in conjunction with a hand held leaf blower, blowing out leaves from flower beds and awkward areas and then collecting them with the collector trailer. The fan belt of the machine is driven and not fitted directly onto the crankshaft of the engine.

Large Capacity Commercial Leaf Vacuum

​This large capacity vacuum unit can be towed behind a tractor and is described as twin cut. Tractors have a centre rear discharge, blowing the cut grass/leaves into a limited size collection hopper where frequent emptying is extremely time-consuming and frustrating.

The FGTRCL commercial leaf vacuum can collect large amount of leaves in one fill, speeding up labour and saving costs. The powerful motorised fan unit mounted onto the front of the machine collects up the green waste from the cutter deck and propels it into the collector trailer which has a low centre of gravity, making it extremely stable even on hilly ground. ​ A deflector plate on the discharge shoot is adjustable for even loading of different materials. Although this unit cannot be emptied by tipping it, a web strap anchored at one end, when pulled, removes most of the waste from the machine via a large rear hinged tail gate. Wide profile pneumatic wheels greatly reduce markings on soft lawns. This leaf collector can also be used on yards, level tarmac and gravel surfaces. Side discharge cutter decks can be fitted with a ‘boot’ to accept the collection hose.

FGTRCL Specifications: Collector size W890mm (35)/H1120mm (44)/L1580mm (62). Overall Length: 3050mm (120). Blower Diameter: 530mm (21). Engine Size: Honda 5.5Hp. Suction/delivery hose: 200mm (8). ​Conecting hose to ride on mower = 1.5Mx8. Weight: 162kg.

The best riding mowers: Mow your lawn faster

Up your summer lawn care game with a riding mower that makes for a faster, more eco-friendly mowing experience.

Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovel.

Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovel.

Riding mowers are a popular mower choice for homeowners, especially if you have a big property to maintain every summer. They have cutting decks measuring from 42 to 72 inches, so you can make short work of everything from typical lawns to large properties, like sports complexes and golf courses.

Unlike their push mower counterparts, riding mowers have more features to consider in order to find the right fit for your yard. You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission, so you can set and forget your speed or operate your mower like a car. You can even get riding mowers with cruise control or all-wheel drive for better traction.

While gas engines are far more common among riding mowers, there is a wide selection of battery-powered models if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly solution for lawn care. My pick for the best overall riding mower is the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP for its 24HP engine, 54-inch cutting deck, and ability to mow up to four acres with a full gas tank. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as well as our other top picks.

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP

Best riding mower overall

• 24HP engine
• 54-inch cutting deck
• Automatic transmission
• Attachments and accessories available

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP tech specs: Engine: 24HP Kohler | Cutting width: 54 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 4 acres

The Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP riding mower is an excellent choice for a variety of lawns. It’s built with a 24HP Kohler engine and a 54-inch cutting deck to let you handle inclines and rough terrain or haul tools, mulch, and potting soil around your property.

The hydrostatic, automatic transmission makes operation similar to a typical car, so you can spend more time actually cutting your grass and less time learning how to drive your mower. With a 3-gallon tank, you’ll be able to mow up to 4 acres at a time.

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

Best electric riding mower

• 2.5 acre max range
• Quick-charge batteries
• LCD heads-up display
• USB charging ports

Ryobi 80V electric lawn tractor tech specs: Engine: 80V brushless electric | Cutting width: 46 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 2.5 acres

Electric riding mowers have become more popular in recent years as homeowners and landscaping professionals look for ways to make lawn care more eco-friendly. The Ryobi 80V electric lawn tractor features a 46-inch cutting deck and enough power to let you mow up to 2.5 acres on a single charge, and you can recharge your mower batteries in as little as 2.5 hours.

This means you can take care of other tasks, like weeding or landscaping, while you’re waiting for your mower to recharge. An LCD screen gives you a heads-up display of run time, battery levels, and reminders to inspect and sharpen your mower blades. It even has two USB ports for charging your phone while you mow.

Toro Titan Max

Best zero-turn riding mower

• Mows up to 7 acres at once
• Highly maneuverable
• 10-gauge steel construction
• Tool-free air filters

Toro Titan Max tech specs: Engine: 26HP Kohler 7000 | Cutting width: 60 inches | Transmission: Dual hydrostatic/automatic | Max yard size: 7 acres

Zero-turn riding mowers are popular with homeowners who have larger properties or lots of obstacles like trees or specialized landscaping. The Toro Titan Max’s exceptional maneuverability and larger cutting decks make quick work of yards up to 7 acres in size, while the 26HP Kohler 7000 engine uses a dual hydrostatic drive for smooth, intuitive operation.

Toro also made regular maintenance a bit more streamlined with tool-free air filters. The deck and mower body are made from tough, 10-gauge steel to stand up to dings, rocks, run-ins, and anything else your lawn can throw at it.

Cub Cadet CC30E

Best compact riding mower

• Battery-powered
• Great for yards up to 1 acre
• Compact design great for small storage areas and narrow spaces
• Push-button cruise control

Cub Cadet CC30E tech specs: Engine: 56V electric | Cutting width: 30 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 1 acre

Compact riding mowers like the Cub Caded CC30E are great for suburban lawns on the smaller side. The CC30E features a smaller design that is perfect for storing in multi-use sheds and garages or maneuvering through gates and narrow spaces. The 30-inch cutting deck and 56V battery let you mow up to 1 acre (or one hour) at once.

It uses a hydrostatic drive for smooth, intuitive driving while the 18-inch turning radius lets you easily mow around trees and other obstacles. It even features a push-button cruise control, so you can set-and-forget your forward speed and concentrate on mowing around obstacles, as well as staying aware of your surroundings.

DeWALT Z160 Commercial

Best riding mower for large properties

• Mow up to 10 acres
• 5.5 gallon gas tank
• Dual hydrostatic drive
• Great for hills and inclines

DeWALT Z160 Commercial tech specs: Engine: 24HP Kawasaki V-Twin | Cutting width: 60 inches | Transmission: Dual hydrostatic/automatic | Max yard size: 10 acres

The DeWALT Z160 Commercial zero-turn riding mower is designed from the ground up to handle large properties. The 60-inch cutting deck and 24HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine let you mow up to 10 acres at once, making it an almost perfect choice for rural properties or landscaping professionals. The dual hydrostatic drive makes operation smoother, though the twin-stick steering does take some getting used to.

With 22-inch rear wheels, you can easily take on inclines and rolling hills that may be on your property. A 5.5-gallon fuel tank means you’ll spend more time actually mowing and less time refueling. And if you opt for the bagger attachment, you’ll be able to gather up to 11 bushels of clippings before you need to empty.

What is the best riding mower?

I chose the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as the best riding mower you can buy. It features a 54-inch cutting deck and 3-gallon fuel tank, letting you mow up to 4 acres in a single go. The 24 horsepower engine also lets you take on steeper inclines and rough terrain or haul tools and gardening supplies around your property. The hydrostatic drive makes operation similar to a typical car, while an LED display gives you accurate usage hours for streamlined maintenance.

Best riding mower

Cutting width

Transmission type

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

Which is the right riding mower for you?

Other than your budget, there are a lot of features and scenarios you have to consider while shopping for a new riding mower. The size of your yard will determine how wide the cutting deck should be, though either a 42 or 46-inch version will be more than enough for most yards.

You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission. A manual model lets you set and forget your speed so you can FOCUS, while hydrostatic models operate more like cars, going faster the harder you press the pedal. This makes them more intuitive to operate but also more expensive.

Zero-turn mowers are designed for mowing in oddly-shaped areas or around lots of obstacles like trees, lamp posts, and lawn ornaments. They’re called zero-turn because they have a zero-inch turn radius; you pivot around either rear wheel for ultra-tight turning.

Buy this best riding mower.

If you need.

A well-rounded riding mower. The 54-inch cutting deck and 24HP engine let you mow up to 4 acres at a time.

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

An all-electric riding mower. The electric engine requires less maintenance than gas models, making your lawn-care routine more eco-friendly.

An excellent zero-turn riding mower. Precision maneuvering lets you mow around trees, landscaping, and other obstacles with ease.

A compact riding mower. The 30-inch deck and smaller build make this riding mower perfect for smaller suburban lawns.

A riding mower that can handle larger properties. This commercial-grade, zero-turn riding mower lets you cut up to 10 acres at once.

How did we choose these riding mowers?

I used to work for MTD Products (now owned by BlackDecker), which assembles a variety of lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other powered lawn equipment. Using the expertise and knowledge I gained during my time there, I looked for riding mowers with these qualities:

• Motor size: You’ll want a riding mower with at least a 10HP engine to give you enough power to handle minor inclines and lawns up to half an acre. Larger riding mowers like the John Deere Z530M have more powerful engines, often topping out over 20HP to let you tackle rough terrain and even haul equipment.
• Cutting width: Many riding mowers have either a 42 or 46-inch cutting deck, which is great for lawns between.5 and 1.5 acres. However, if you have a large, multi-acre property, you’ll want to choose a larger cutting deck. Many brands have options between 50 and 72-inch cutting decks.
• Transmission type: The less expensive riding mowers will have either a 6 or 7-speed manual transmission. This means you will use a dedicated lever to set your engine’s forward and reverse speeds, with a single brake pedal for stop control. The more expensive models feature a hydrostatic drive, which operates in a similar way to an automatic transmission in a typical car or truck.
• Accessories: Lawn care goes beyond regular mowing. I chose riding mowers that have the ability to hitch small trailers or wagons for hauling tools, mulch, or potting soil. I also chose mowers from brands that make after-market add-ons, like rear bagging units for collecting grass clippings, mulching kits for re-feeding lawns, and snow plows for year-round use.

How do you decide which riding mower to buy?

Assuming you have a budget in mind, the first thing you need to do is find out how big your lawn is. You can either find your lot size on your memorandum deeds if you’ve bought your house, or you can check your city’s website to see if you can request lot measurements if you’re renting. If your lot measures about an acre, you’ll be able to use a 30 or 42-inch cutting deck without any issues. For lawns up to two acres, a 42 or 46-inch deck is ideal. And if your lot is over two acres, you can get a mower with up to a 72-inch cutting deck to handle larger areas.

The transmission type is also important. Many newer models have what is known as a hydrostatic drive. This means that they operate similarly to how a car drives: You push the pedal and it moves forward or backward. And the harder you push, the faster you go. This makes it easier to learn how to drive, but that also makes the mower more expensive. stripped-back models have variable speed manual transmissions, which allow you to set and forget your speed so you can FOCUS on paying attention to obstacles and people who may be nearby.

And finally, you’ll want to consider the power source for your new riding mower. Gasoline engines are far more common, but there is now a wider variety of battery-powered models to choose from. The perks of a gas engine are that you’ll get near-infinite run times (as long as you have enough fuel to keep the engine going) and a bit more power for handling steep inclines and rough terrain. The downsides are dealing with exhaust emissions and maintenance that can be a time and money sink. Electric models don’t need engine maintenance, so you save a bit of money in the long run. But they usually have a maximum run time of about an hour, which means that you may have to plan your mowing over several days if you have a larger yard.

How big of a yard do I need for a riding mower?

Riding mowers are best suited for yards measuring one acre or larger. A model with a 42-inch cutting deck is great for mowing up to two acres, so if you have more land than that, you’ll want to spring for a 46, 54, 60, or 72-inch cutting deck.

If you’re right on the threshold, you can get what’s known as a mini rider. They usually have compact bodies for easier storage and 30-inch cutting decks to make short work of lawns that are just a touch too large for a push mower.

How long should a riding mower last?

No matter if you choose a gas or battery-powered riding mower, proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your mower. For gas engines, you should change the oil and filters, clean the spark plugs, and sharpen the blades before you mow for the first time in the spring. And you should use fuel treatments like STA-BIL to prevent gas in the tank or extra jerry cans from going bad from moisture contamination. This prevents buildup of gunk that can ruin your engine, improves engine performance, and gives you a cleaner cut for a healthier lawn.

Electric mowers don’t need engine maintenance, but you should perform thorough inspections at the start of mowing season to check for battery damage, corrosion on battery contacts, damage to the battery housing, and also to sharpen the blades. If you do regular maintenance, not only will you save money by avoiding big repairs from worn-out parts, but you can also expect your riding mower to last 10 years or more.- which is great news, since they can be an expensive investment.

What is the cheapest riding mower?

Unfortunately, riding mowers aren’t ever really what we consider budget-friendly. However, there are models like the Murray MT100 that retail for less than 2000 without sacrificing power or cutting width.

Are there alternative riding mowers worth considering?

Whether you’re shopping at a big-name DIY store like Lowe’s, a local hardware store, or an authorized brand dealer, there are tons of options for a new riding mower. You can choose either gas or battery-powered models, cutting deck widths from as small as 30 inches to as wide as six feet.

Here’s a short list of other riding mowers I thought were great choices:

John Deere Z530M

The John Deere Z530M features a 60-inch cutting deck for making quick work of large properties. Exceptional maneuverability lets you mow around trees, lawn decor, and other obstacles with ease.

Husqvarna YTH1942

The Husqvarna YTH1942 features an updated, 19 horsepower engine and 42-inch cutting deck to take on inclines and haul dirt, mulch, and gardening equipment.

Murray MT100

For under 2000, you’ll get a 13.5 horsepower engine, a 42-inch cutting deck, and a 6-speed manual transmission with the Murray MT100.