Powerful riding lawn mower. Best riding lawn mowers: 7 convenient buys for large lawns

Best riding lawn mowers: 7 convenient buys for large lawns

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Investing in the best riding lawn mower this spring is a Smart idea. Let’s be honest: cutting the grass is one of the chores that we avoid for as long as possible, until the sight of our unkempt lawns visits us in our sleep and we can’t ignore the nagging voice in the back of our head any longer.

Mowing the lawn can take up a lot of time, and can often leave us feeling flat-out exhausted. The best riding lawn mower will make a real difference not only to the state of our outdoor spaces, but to how we feel when the time comes around to trimming them.

If your land covers more than half an acre, we’re sure you already agree that the best riding lawn mower is a must-have, but they can also be a real game-changer for anyone who’s looking to make cutting the grass easier for themselves, whatever your garden looks like. A riding mower will save you hours of time and help you achieve an immaculate finish much quicker than a push mower alternative.

Whether you’re looking to replace an old riding lawn mower that you (or your garden) has now outgrown, or you’re keen to upgrade from a push mower for the first time, we’re here to help you make the right choice. Investing in the best lawn mower is no small feat given that it involves parting with thousands of dollars, so we want to make sure you feel confident before you take the plunge and invest.

We’ve selected the best riding lawn mowers on the market. There are options with a zero turning radius meaning you cover ground more quickly, and both electric and gas engines to pick from. Browse our picks below to find the best riding lawn mower for you.

The best riding lawn mowers 2023

You can trust Homes Gardens.

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Reasons to avoid

Gas-powered ride-on lawnmowers might be the go-to for most due to the added power they offer, but electric is worth a look if you prefer lower maintenance, less noise, and better eco-credentials.

The Ryobi 38in is powered by 75Ah batteries and offers up to two hours of runtime. That should be enough to get around a couple of acres with ease, and it can be charged via a standard 120-volt outlet when it needs it, which is handy. It’ll take about 14 hours to charge from the flat.

It features three brushless motors and a two-blade 38-inch deck, with 12 different cutting heights. It cuts well too, plus the ride is smooth, quiet, and fume-free.

Cruise control and automatic transmission are on board for an easy ride, plus there’s a battery indicator on the control panel that’ll tell you how much juice is remaining at a quick glance.

Of course, it’s worth remembering that for all the time and hassle you’ll save in servicing your mower as often as a gas one requires, the batteries of your electric mower will need replacing every now and then. They should last a fair few years though, so it’s far from a pressing concern.

Reasons to avoid

The Troy-Bilt Pony 42-inch riding lawn mower offers all the power and features you need to manage a few acres of lawn, as the high-end versions, but does so at a very affordable price point.

With a solid engine onboard and 17.5 horsepower to deal with, there’s plenty of power to go around, though you’ll need to know how to use a manual transmission with seven speeds to work through.

The 42-inch deck ensures you’re cutting a good amount of grass with every pass, with five cutting positions to use when in use. There’s also an 18-inch turning radius to ensure minimal re-mowing, plus the ability to mow in reverse, which isn’t a feature you see on a lot of the competition.

Next, there are additional features: automatic headlights, a cup holder, and a comfortable low-back seat.

Lastly, you will find accessories such as bagging and mulching kits also extremely useful and included.

Reasons to avoid

If your lawn is on the hilly side, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a machine that’s up to the job. The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is a superior option for situations like this, with 20-inch rear tires and a powerful commercial-grade 23HP engine to give it the extra oomph and control it needs up slopes.

With a large 50-inch cutting deck and all the precision a zero-turn mower offers, it should cut a strip of lawn in a single pass, with 15 cutting heights in quarter-inch increments to choose.

It also has a 7.5mph forward speed, with a 3.5mph reverse speed helping you to make quick work of those larger jobs, as well as a hydrostatic transmission for straightforward operation.

It’s a comfortable ride too. There is a fully adjustable lap bar and high-back seat, as well as ergonomic handgrips and electronic blade management at the touch of a finger.

Reasons to avoid

If you have the money to spend, and the space to make the most of what it’s capable of, the Toro Titan is a beast of a machine, and nothing short of a powerhouse.

Offering a commercial-grade 24.5HP engine, with a large 60-inch deck and upgraded blades, it’ll make quick work on acre after acre. You’ll be fine servicing lawns of up to seven acres with this machine, be that your own or a client’s.

With a maximum speed of 8.5mph, you can cover a decent amount of ground pretty quickly with this mower, and hills are tackled without issue, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

You can choose between cutting heights of 1.5 to 4.5 inches and enjoy a number of thoughtful features that make it incredibly comfortable to operate. This includes a step-through front end for easier obstacle clearing, smooth steering, and a comfortable padded seat and armrests.

Reasons to avoid

Advances in battery power motors mean there are some great riding lawn mowers that can take on the gas-powered models, running off battery alone. Ego Power has designed this model with a 22 horsepower brushless motor to tackle large yards up to two acres.

The EGO POWER 22-HP Brushless Motor Direct Drive 42-in Zero-turn Lawn Mower comes with four batteries but it can hold six. And to get that two acres you really need the six so factor in the cost of buying a few extras.

It is zero-turn too so ergonomically designed for those who have got the hang of this style of driving. Plus, there are three driving modes: Control, Standard, and Sport. Where ‘Control’ helps users maneuver around items like trees, ‘Standard’ is great for clear and open yards. It is also quieter than most gas mowers and great on slopes.

Also, the added tech features may appeal. There are lights so if you want to mow in the evening, you can. Bluetooth capability and an app mean you can customize your cut from your phone to control the blade and travel speed. Plus, little things like a USB port to charge your phone while you mow do make this a great mower for the busy landowner.

Reasons to avoid

If your previous mower has struggled to cut through tough grass, this 46 Zero-Turn Riding Mower from Craftsman is definitely one to consider. Powered by a 24HP 724cc Briggs Stratton Platinum Series OHV V-Twin engine, it’s able to easily maneuver difficult terrain. The Hydrostatic transmissions will also give you a ride that is smooth and comfortable, so no bumping around in your seat when you’re trying to get the job done.

We also love this one because you can connect it to an app on your phone, where you’ll be able to check in on the mower, troubleshoot issues, and get service notifications. All this makes maintaining the mower a lot easier than if you were relying on physically checking it for mishaps yourself.

A hand lever lets you adjust the cutting height to eight different positions, so you’ll be able to achieve that immaculate finish whatever your lawn looks like. And obviously, the zero-turn radius means you don’t have to worry about re-mowing, which is a huge bonus.

With the price point being on the higher side, we wish Craftsman had added some headlights to the mower, so you wouldn’t be limited to mowing in daylight. But, considering the battery is 12v, you could fix your own lights on if you wanted.

Reasons to avoid

Mowing the lawn has never been so comfortable with this IKON-XD mower from Ariens, which is fitted with a plush, high-back seat and padded armrests so you’ll never associate cutting the grass with an achy back again.

We’re also impressed with the width of the 52-inch cutting deck, as well as the 13 different cutting positions afforded by the dial-operated lever, which will make that neat finish all the more easy to achieve. The tubular steel frame means strength and durability are built into the mower, so it’s likely to last you for years.

The mower arrives pre-assembled, and the only thing you need to attach is the seat. There is the choice to attach a powered 2-bin bagger to catch your grass clippings, which we’d recommend if you value your time and want to get the end result quicker.

It also comes with a 3-year warranty, so if you had any problems (which hopefully you won’t), there’s plenty of time for a replacement. The design feels fresh with the bright orange color, making a fun choice for spring.

powerful, riding, lawn, mower, best, mowers

How did we select these riding lawn mowers?

There are several things to consider when buying a ride-on mower, including engine power, deck size, transmission, and ease of use. You might also want to look into how ergonomic the seats are and how grass clippings are collected, and of course, you can choose between gas and electric.

Our picks are largely gas-powered due to the extra power and exact run-time offered. However, if you don’t need those things, there are some sensational electric options out there that will be cheaper to run, easier to start, and quieter, too.

You’ll see some of our choices split into a ride-on and zero-turn. Regular ride-on lawnmowers have a wider turn radius, which will require a little bit of going back over already-cut grass to complete the job.

A zero-turn mower can turn 180-degrees to leave no strip of grass uncut, saving you time and effort. You’ll pay for the privilege of this, of course, but are coming down, and those of you with large lawns may find it worthwhile.

Plus, most homes should aim towards a residential-grade riding mower. Though, for those with significant acreage, you can find commercial-grade mowers that are suitable.

Of course, you can expect to pay a lot more for them, but if your needs warrant it, it could be worth the investment.

How much should I spend on a riding mower? Can I negotiate the price?

While you can pick up the most budget ride-on mowers for upwards of 1,000, good riding mowers for residential use will generally start around the 1,500 mark and can go up to around 3,000-4,000. If you step into the more commercial-grade territory, you can be looking to spend 5,000 or more, so this is no small purchase.

Negotiating the price will be dependent on where you go to buy your mower. You’ll probably find some of the best from online retailers, and they will be non-negotiable.

Go to your local dealer, and there may be some movement based on how old the stock is and whether you’re paying cash or credit.

Don’t expect significant savings, but there might be something to be gained by asking. A credible local dealer can be a handy contact when it comes to servicing your mower too.

Do I really need a riding lawn mower?

It depends on how big your lawned area is or how much you need to reduce the physical activity of pushing a mower around your yard. There’s also your budget to consider too.

Those with many acres of grass to cut would almost certainly benefit from the speed and ease a riding mower offers, as would those struggling to get around seamlessly. However, if you don’t have the budget to spend on one that’ll do the job well, it may be worth paying for a gardener to do it instead.

Got the money to spend? We say do it. Unless you’ve got a smaller scale lawn, a riding lawn mower takes the time and stress out of keeping your grass neat and tidy.

How do I take care of a riding mower?

Keeping your riding mower in good working order is essential to ensure it operates at its best, and one of the most essential parts of this is simply keeping it clean. Ensure the mower deck is clear of grass and leaves, take a look under the hood to brush off any debris, and do a general check of the outside, ensuring wheels are free of twigs and hazards.

You can avoid too much wear and tear on your mower’s moving parts by using a grease gun to keep them lubricated, while keeping your mower topped up with oil will ensure a good performance too.

You’ll want to carry out an annual change of your spark plugs and air filter to keep your mower running at its best, plus you should keep an eye on your riding mower belts to ensure the correct tension.

You can do all of this maintenance yourself with some know-how, but you may prefer to find an experienced local dealer who can do it instead, something which would probably save you time in the long run.

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Brittany Romano wrote for Homes Gardens as a U.S. Shopping Editor. A graduate of New England College, Brittany started her career as a freelance fashion market assistant at Marie Claire. She later joined AMI, where she designed a highly profitable commerce vertical. Noted for her award-winning content, she’s covered everything from celebrity beauty hacks to the most lavish home decor.

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Welcome to the one and only riding lawn mower buying guide you need to look at, before you bite the bullet and buy one yourself.

Here’s what I did to make this the most thorough guide out on the internet. Believe me most websites want to sell one of these instead of simply reviewing it, so there are very few unbiased opinions out there.

I researched all the best selling riding lawn mowers on Lowes, Home Depot, and Sears websites for this comparison guide. Each mower is listed below with the data you need to make a proper buying decision. I actually used this data to buy my own riding mower, wait till you hear about how my purchase went from really good to really bad, and what I did to fix the situation.

The Only Data Really Worth Mowing Over:

Pros and Cons by Model # (Discover cool features and reliability problems.) Currently I’m still sifting through hundreds of reviews, but I will be posting the pros and cons very soon. Remember you will still have access to the most popular data people use to choose a lawn tractor, such as deck size, horsepower, brand, total reviews, average review rating, and of course price. My pros and cons section will be very insightful and loaded with info you can only learn by reading a ton of customer reviews.

Total Customer Reviews (Top sellers usually indicate a good product.)

Average Review Ratings (A good riding mower should rate well.)

Cost Where to Buy (Click on the model and go right to the retailer who sells it the most).

So these are the basics I used to create this buying guide. I suggest to any serious buyers that they read the latest customer reviews on the mower they’re considering. This is easily done by simply clicking on the hyperlinked model name above each tractor photo. Once clicked, a new page or tab will open where you can finalize your opinion by reading what others have complained or praised about. If you want to continue shopping simply close that window to go back to this buying guide.

7 Best Commercial Zero Turn Mowers in 2022

Without further waiting I present to you that 2015 list of the best selling riding lawn mowers at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears retailers.

19 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

A19A42 42 in. 19 HP Briggs Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower

20 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

4.4 out of 5

Ariens A20VA46 46 in. 20 HP V-Twin Briggs Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower

20 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.6 out of 5

17.5 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

4.2 out of 5

powerful, riding, lawn, mower, best, mowers

John Deere D105 42 in. 17.5 HP Automatic Front-Engine Riding Mower

22 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

John Deere D140 48 in. 22 HP V-Twin Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower

19 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

3.5 out of 5

Cub Cadet LTX1040 42 in. 19-HP Front-Engine Automatic Drive Riding Mower

19 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

John Deere Model # D110 42 in. 19 HP Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower

25 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

John Deere D170 54 in. 25-HP V-Twin Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower

19 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

Ariens A19A42 42 in. 19 HP Briggs Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower

20 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

Ariens 46 in. 20 HP V-Twin Briggs Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower

24 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.5 out of 5

Husqvarna YTH24V48 V-Twin Hydrostatic 48-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable

22 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

John Deere D130 V-Twin Hydrostatic 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs Stratton Engine and (Mulching Capable)

22 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.3 out of 5

Husqvarna YTH22V46 V-Twin Hydrostatic 46-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable

15.5 Horsepower

Hydroc Transmission

3.8 out of 5

Troy-Bilt Pony Shift-on-the-Go 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable

17 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

3.7 out of 5

Troy-Bilt Bronco Automatic 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Kohler Engine and Mulching Capable

19 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

powerful, riding, lawn, mower, best, mowers

4.0 out of 5

Craftsman 19HP Briggs Stratton 46” Riding Mower

420cc ? Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

3.5 out of 5

Craftsman 420cc 42 Riding Mower Front Engine

19 Horsepower

Hydrostatic Transmission

4.5 out of 5

Craftsman 19HP 42” Turn Tight® Riding Mower

22 Horsepower

Automatic Transmission

4.0 out of 5

Craftsman 22HP 42” Turn Tight® Fast Riding Mower

Comparing Riding Mower Features and Options List

Hours Meter. A analog or digital counter that logs total amount of hours on machine.

Deck Size: Typical residential deck sizes range from 42 to 46. A larger deck will allow you to save time. This is especially useful for people that have to mow lawns of 1 acre and above.

Transmission Types:

6 Speed. Just like a manual transmission on a car, a lawn tractor can be outfitted with a manual transmission. Typical usage requires the engagement of a clutch to change gearing. Riding the clutch to assist in braking will wear down the clutch as in a regular car. I’ve noticed several complaints throughout the years about clutches wearing out prematurely, and based on the other reviewers, I have concluded that most of the clutch problems stated in reviews are most likely user error generated.

To Clutch or not To Clutch Ride is the Question and a reoccurring topic on Car Talk with Click and Clack, The Tapport Borthers. If you’re a car nut like I am, you need to check out the NPR Peabody Award winning radio talk show online. I routinely download episodes using a tunein.com app onto my Samsung Galaxy (soon to be replaced S4. I’ll be doing a Smartphone Consideration article soon. I’m mostly looking to acquire the best virtual assistant in my next Smartphone and Cortana from Microsoft Windows 10 is looking really promising. BTW: Sign up for a Microsoft Windows 10 Technical Preview and download the new beta version operating system for free.). http://www.cartalk.com/

Automatic Transmission. Automatic transmissions work similarly to what you will find in a Ford Explorer 6-speed SelectShift Automatic or a Hyundai Elantra 6 speed automatic.

Variable or CVT Transmission. A gear-less transmission, single speed transmission, or one speed automatic are all part of the nomenclature a constant variable transmission (CVT ) is known for.

Hydrostatic Transmission. An internal pump and motor drive system where hydraulic oil pushes out pistons and it’s those pushed out pistons that cause the motor to turn. With this type of transmission there are only 2 pedals on the floor board and no gear lever. Pressing the go pedal firmly causes the mower to reach full speed, pressing it lightly causes the mower to move slowly, kind of like a car. The reverse pedal works the same way, the only thing that changes is that pressing it causes an opposite set of pistons to turn the motor in reverse. This is typically a sealed system that is not meant to be serviced.

The 3 Best Lawn Mowers Under 5,000 (2023)

Why Buy A Front Engine Riding Mower Instead of a Self-propelled Lawn Mower?

Once again I did my over the top OCD research, because we just bought a house with too much land for a typical self-propelled lawn mower to handle.

Our property is only a half acre but it’s not perfectly flat, and it takes hours to mow with a standard lawn mower. Since I can’t waste time, because I’m always working on making videos and articles for you guys, I simply had no choice but to abandon the self-propelled Honda mower I picked from my other guide, and decided to allocate 4 x more money for a lawn tractor.

At first I hated the idea of spending 2,000 on a lawn mower, but after I used it to cleanup an entire yard full of leaves with minimal effort and actual fun, the money factor became less of an issue for me. I actually can’t wait to mow my lawn this year, and clean up the leaves using the riding mower I found by doing this OCD research. I hope you guys like it, and share it in your social sphere because if it wasn’t for you guys doing that for me, I wouldn’t be making these in-depth buying guides and how-to videos.

This fall I went to Glastonbury Home Depot to buy one of the last tractors that was still in a crate in Connecticut. The guy helping me knew very well why I drove 30 minutes to his store when I have one 5 minutes away from my house. It was because I wanted a brand new untouched machine.

What happened was that a few days later a guy comes to my house and delivers a machine that’s been sitting outside at Bristol Home Depot for months. They did not even bother cleaning any dirt or leaves off the machine. I was pissed off, because I didn’t originally have plans to spend two grand on a lawn tractor and I can’t imagine what putz would deliver something so expensive in such bad shape. When you spend 100 on a brand new product, you expect that product to be clean and in it’s original packaging right. then what the heck were these morons doing that day?

But the icing on the cake was that they gave me someone’s returned bagger that was missing parts, a manual, and it was disgustingly dirty; it looked like it was used for years prior to the return. Well, after my wife calmed me down, I called Glastonbury HD, spoke to a manager, they apologized, then scheduled a pickup and a delivery of the crated tractor, and a brand new bagger from Glastonbury, which was hand delivered by the store manager. They wanted to cheap out on the delivery cost at Glastonbury, and Bristol HD just had a careless manager and employees working that day.

Most of the time they get it right, but when they don’t you have to talk to someone that can do something about it. This year I literally spent a small fortune at these stores remodeling our house, and dealt with more than one headache. But one time, I made a mistake in ordering the wrong whirlpool tub, and it sat at my house for months before I opened the box. I called HD up, and they had that thing on a truck the very next day to process the return. I ended up upgrading that tub to something better at a different store instead. I’m not so sure it would go this smoothly at a small mom and pop shop who already spent your money on their overhead costs the month you bought it.

Explore Riding Lawn Mowers

A complete lineup of zero-turn mowers, lawn and garden tractors, and electric mowers, all featuring the strength and durability that bring your lawn to life.

Lawn Garden Tractors

Built in America since ‘61 and backed by the industry’s strongest warranty, Cub Cadet® lawn and garden tractors all come standard with the strongest cutting systems for mowing performance, refined ergonomics designed around you and an array of attachments and accessories for year-round versatility and utility.

Zero-Turn Mowers

Designed with strength, comfort and the ability to get the job done 50% faster than riding tractors, each Cub Cadet zero-turn riding mower is engineered to handle a range of terrain and cover up to 5 acres, with steering wheel options that increase ease.

Electric Riding Mowers

We took the proven strength and performance of our gas-powered machines and combined them with a powerful and convenient lithium-ion battery to create electric lawn mowers with no power fade and reduced noise for a more enjoyable ride.

How to Choose a Riding Lawn Mower

With so many options and features available on riding lawn mowers, how can you make an informed decision about what type of mower to buy? There are two popular options when it comes to riding lawn mowers, both of which provide all-season functionality:

Most lawn and garden tractors look like a traditional riding lawn mower and have an engine mounted in the front and a steering wheel that steers using the front wheels, like a car. Some have the engine in the back with a simple steering column in front, allowing for increased viability and increased maneuverability for the driver. Zero-turn riding mowers pivot on the rear wheels, meaning there is zero-degree turning radius, and the mower can actually spin in a circle to cut one area or maneuver around obstacles.

Zero-turn riding lawn mowers are available in both gas-powered and electric.

Types of Riding Mowers

Lawn Tractors

Looking like the stereotypical riding lawn mower, a lawn and garden tractor is the best compromise between performance and cost. Much smaller than zero-turn counterparts, they’re easy to store in a garage or a shed and have plenty of power and maneuverability for small to medium sized yard, all without breaking a sweat like you would with a push mower or walk-behind mower.

Garden Tractors

Garden tractors look very similar to a lawn tractor or traditional riding lawn mower, however they are usually a bit larger due to their more powerful engines and transmissions. This added power allows for more utility work and ground-engaging jobs, such as use with plows and other attachments. The added weight of a garden tractor also makes it better on hills, but it will have less maneuverability than a lawn tractor.

Zero-turn riding lawn mowers

If you have a large yard, or a yard with a lot of obstacles and tight corners, a zero-turn riding lawn mower is the right mower for you. Zero-turn mowers are available with a wide range of deck sizes and turn more quickly than both lawn and garden tractors and walk-behind mowers, meaning that mowing your lawn will take about half the time with a zero-turn riding lawn mower. Zero-turn mowers come with a lap bar or steering wheel control. Lap bar steering is the most common way to steer, while steering wheel control has little to no learning curve and is needed for mowing along the side edges of slopes and hills due to increased control in the front wheels.

Gas mowers vs. Electric mowers

No matter whether you decide on a tractor riding lawn mower or a zero-turn mower, either can be purchased in either gas or electric. Our electric mowers have a cutting time of 1 hour or more, making this the ideal choice for small to medium sized yards. If you’re environmentally conscious, or live in a city with noise ordinances, place your trust in one of our electric riding lawn mowers. With no spark plugs, fuel, or oil changes, electric mowers require less maintenance than their gas counterparts.

The Best Riding Mowers for Different Yard Types

Small to Medium Yards

For small to medium yards, both lawn and garden tractors are recommended. These are two high-performing, yet cost-effective options for those who don’t want to hassle with a push mower. Lawn tractors and garden tractors also allow for much more utility with attachments like snow blowers, leaf collectors, and pull carts.

Medium to large yards

As the yard and the mowing job gets bigger, it’s worth considering additional options other than a lawn and garden tractor. A zero-turn riding lawn mower will allow you to get the job done faster and with more maneuverability.

Yards with obstacles

For yards with obstacles, such as landscaping, trees, rocks, and so on, we highly recommend a zero-turn mower. Trying to cut around landscaping and trees can be frustrating and time-consuming without the highly maneuverable zero-turn mower. For yards with fences, be sure to compare the deck size of the mower with the fence opening size to be sure it will fit. Even for residential homes, professional mowers can be a great option, as they’re designed for spaces with landscaping and other obstacles. With professional and commercial models, you also have different configuration models, such as stand-on and stand-behind mowers with excellent maneuverability.

Sloped yards

If your yard has a notable incline or decline, there are a couple very important factors to consider: traction control and stability. Meeting these needs will allow you to safely negotiate your yard’s hills and slopes. For sloped yards, you should consider a steering wheel zero-turn as the steering wheel provides more control when mowing along slopes, compared to lap bar steering.

Types of Attachments for Riding Lawn Mowers

There are a variety of attachments for your riding lawn mower to make your lawn care a breeze: Baggers. Double and triple baggers are available for all models of tractor and zero-turn riding mowers. Baggers collect the cut grass from the discharge for easy disposal.

  • Snow blowers. You can attach a snow blower to the front of your tractor and turn your riding lawn mower into a riding snow blower. They have an auger that feeds snow into the discharge, moving the snow away from walking or driving paths.
  • Snow cabs. Snow cabs are like tents that attach to your mower and cover the top and sides so you can plow or snow blow without getting covered in snow. These can also be used in warmer months to help prevent bug bites.
  • All-season plows. Plows are available for tractors and zero-turns, and can push dirt, snow, or gravel. There’s no discharge with a plow attachment, just pushing to displace.
  • Mulchers. Mulchers take the grass clippings that usually come with cutting grass, and instead of collecting the grass from the discharge chute, the mulcher cuts the grass into fine pieces, which falls into the soil and breaks down, giving nutrients back to the soil.
  • Striping kits. On zero-turn mowers, you have the option of adding a striping kit. This adds those classic manicured stripes into your lawn while you cut.
  • Leaf collectors. With a larger chute, a leaf collector picks up leaves and debris from under your mower and collects it all into a bag for easy disposal.
  • Pull carts. These attach to the back of your riding lawn mower, allowing you to transport tools, soil, or mulch.

Attachments are available for lawn tractors, garden tractors, and zero-turn riding lawn mowers. Be sure to check specifications on the attachments you’re interested in to see what mowers it’s compatible with.

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Top 5 Riding Lawn Mowers for 2023 To Gain the Advantage Over Your Grass

If you’re looking for a riding lawn mower to conquer your lawn in 2023, one of these models from John Deere, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, or Ryobi might serve you well.

Summer is around the corner, and for some owners, riding lawn mowers are the only way to stay on top of lawn maintenance. However, the market is full of options, from EFI-equipped large-deck options to fully-electric mini mowers. Fret not; one of these five riding mowers can deliver what you need to conquer your grass in 2023, like the John Deere S130, S120, and Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT.

What are the top five riding lawn mowers?

When it comes to well-rounded riding mowers for small to medium lawns, these five are some of the most capable on the market.

  • Husqvarna YTH18542
  • John Deere S130
  • Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT
  • John Deere S120
  • Ryobi RY48111

Depending on your needs, these five models have varying deck sizes and everything from an 18.5-horsepower gas-powered engine to electric power. For instance, the Husqvarna YTH18542 and John Deere S130 offer 42-inch decks for well-rounded performance in small to medium-sized lawns. over, the John Deere S120 and Ryobi RY48111 provide great bang for your buck when tackling your small yards.

The Husqvarna YTH18542 features a 42-inch deck, hydrostatic transmission, and a narrow turn radius for negotiating tight lawns. over, the Husqvarna lawn mower model has a helpful mow-in-reverse feature, so riders can mow in both directions without turning around and approaching a patch from the opposite direction.

Additionally, the Husqvarna YTH18542 boasts two sets of cutting blades instead of a single cutting surface. However, the deck can be difficult to dismantle for sharpening, per ZDNet. Further, the YTH18542’s 18.5-horsepower Briggs Stratton engine is more than enough to handle challenging lawns and hills. The Husqvarna model starts at around 2,399.00.

What engine is in a John Deere S130?

John Deere’s S130 riding lawn mower packs a 22-horsepower, 724cc Briggs Stratton engine. As a result, the S130 is a more powerful riding mower, albeit more expensive than the Husqvarna YTH18542, per Bob Vila.

over, the John Deere model will mow in reverse, packs multiple blades, and delivers easily controlled throttle via a hydrostatic transmission. Better yet, Bob Vila says the S130 will eagerly handle a two-acre lawn, but anything over three acres might be pushing it for the green machine.

Is a Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT one of the best riding lawn mowers?

With a 19.5-horsepower Kohler engine and a 42-inch deck, the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT is an excellent gas-powered alternative to the John Deere S130 and Husqvarna YTH18542. over, with starting price point of 2,399, the Cub Cadet XT1 model is comparably priced in the segment.

Better yet, potential owners won’t be compromising compared to close competitors; the Enduro LT packs a smooth hydrostatic transmission and twin-blade cutting system.

How much is a John Deere S120?

The John Deere S120 starts at 2,699.00, making it a pricier option than a comparable Husqvarna YTH18542 or Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT. However, the S120 shares many of the features of the S130, like the 22-horsepower engine and a 42-inch cutting deck.

over, the V-Twin-powered John Deere model has a two-year, 120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty for peace of mind. Of course, the warranty coverage extends to two years or 120 hours, whichever comes first.

Is a Ryobi RY48111 a good electric riding mower for small lawns?

The Ryobi RY48111 is an excellent option for potential owners seeking an electric mower to tackle their small to mid-size lawns. With a low-maintenance, fully-electric 100 amp-hour battery system, the Ryobi model can continuously cut up to 2.5 hours.

What do you use for your lawn? Share your thoughts in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!