Cutting Deck Size Differences
The cutting deck of any lawn mower determines how much grass is going to be cut in a single pass. Generally, the larger the cutting deck, the fewer passes youll have to make as you cut your lawn. Cutting deck sizes range anywhere from 20 to 50 or more.
There are some great advantages to having a larger cutting deck, including less time spent mowing. However, there are other factors to consider:
How We Picked The Best Rider Lawn Mowers
As we evaluated each mower, we accounted for things like speed, cutting width, overall design, engine power and transmission type. Since these are very expensive machines, we also considered price, so we could find the best riding lawn mowers that offer the greatest value.
Our top choice had a favorable balance among all of these criteria. While we believe it is the best riding lawn mower for most people, it isnât necessarily the best fit for kind of terrain or purpose. For example, if you own a lawn care business, you need a machine that is built to handle more than the weekly mow.
Every model we feature was subject to scrutiny based on its specifications, feature set, and feedback from real-life users. Our final choices represent the best riding lawn mower each brand offers.
We also reached out to professionals who use riding lawn mowers on a daily basis. We spoke to Steve Hough of Hough Landscaping, who has used a dozen different types of riding lawn mowers for more than two decades, about what he looks for when he buys a mower for his business.
When he selects a new riding mower for his service, Mr Hough considers productivity, price, and the lifespan of the machine. Other considerations include serviceability, reliability and down time. For professional situations he prefers eXmark machines because theyâre lower priced and functional.
Ryobi Ry48111 Electric Rear Engine Lawn Mower
The Ryobi RY48111 Electric Rear Engine Lawn Mower was designed by the Ryobi engineers for the needs of homeowners and landscapers. The lawn mower is made from durable steel, which makes it easy to handle and use in all weather conditions. It has an electric motor and a front wheel drive system that makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
An electric rear engine lawn mower is a great alternative to gas powered mowers. It is lightweight, easy to use and very efficient. This lawn mower is an ideal choice for homeowners who want to trim grass or lawn in a shorter time without using gasoline or diesel engines.
Ryobi RY48111 Electric Rear Engine Lawn Mower is a high-performance lawn mower with a rear-mounted engine. It has the ability to cut grass quickly, easily and efficiently. This mower can also be used on any type of lawn, whether it is flat or incline.
Features:
The Ariens IKON XD-52 24HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower is a small, lightweight mower with a retractable blade. It has a 5-blade system that allows for more efficient use of the engine, and it uses hydraulics to adjust the cutting height for the optimal cut. The blade is made from steel and can be adjusted to different heights.
With the help of Ariens IKON XD-52 24HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower, you can now do your lawn mowing with ease. The mower is designed to cut grass and weeds in a smooth, efficient way. It features an electric start and a rear wheel steering system that is both safe and easy to use.
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What Are The Extra Features That You Should Consider When Buying A Riding Lawn Mower
When shopping for a riding lawn mower, you should consider the extra features that are included. Many models come with accessories such as a bagger to collect clippings, a mulching blade to chop up the clippings so they decompose faster, or a hitch to tow a trailer. Make sure you pick the model that has the features you need.
Another feature to consider is horsepower. The more horsepower the mower has, the more cutting power it will have. If you have a large lawn with lots of trees and shrubs, you may want to choose a model with more horsepower.
What Is The Best Engine For A Riding Lawn Mower
A quality riding lawn mower engine needs to hit a few checkboxes. The engine has to have the power you need to achieve the perfect cut, even on large lawns. It needs to be reliable, offering consistently quick starts with no hassle. And it needs to be made from durable components that will allow it to last for years. Briggs & Stratton engines hit all of these requirements and are some of the best engines for mowers on the market today. These engines were designed to deliver high-quality performance with a minimum of hassle.
And with a range of options available, such as single-cylinder and v-twin engines, these powerhouses can give basic riders, zero-turn mowers, and full-scale tractors with large cutting decks the optimum power they need to get the job done right every time. The reliability and performance offered by B& S are why many of the top brands out there, such as John Deere and Husqvarna, rely on their engines to serve as a backbone for their lawn-cutting workhorses.
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Best Riding Lawn Mowers In 2022
Today well show you the top 10 best riding mowers for 2022, because if your property is 1/2 Acre or Larger you know its a big job to mow that much yard especially if youre using a walk-behind lawnmower. Well, youll be glad to know that Extra-Large lawns are where the best riding lawn mower can do the very best work.
We have also included our 2022 Riding Lawn Mower Buyers Guide to help homeowners make a well-informed choice about what are the best riding lawnmowers.
Riding Lawn Tractors arent Cheap Theyre a big investment, thats why we have researched extensively and lined up the Best Riding Mower for the Money to help you decide which lawn tractor is the best one for your own needs.
Quick Summary
Best Craftsman Riding Mower
Why We Like It
Next on our list of best riding lawn mower reviews is the Craftsman T225 Riding Mower. The super-dependable T225 Riding mower combines a powerful 19 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, and a large 46 mower deck with a built-in power wash. A powerful combination of size and power, that checks all the boxes, and could well be the best mower for your own needs.
Featuring turf-saver wheels, pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission, and a High Back adjustable seat the Craftsman T225 surely checks all the boxes a homeowner could need.
Specifications
- Ready Start
- 19HP Gold Briggs & Stratton Engine
- High Back supportive adjustable seat
- Responsive handling
- Bright headlights
Our Take Away
In terms of convenience, its tough to beat this Craftsman riding mower. The mow-in-reverse feature is especially helpful when cutting in reverse through wet grass or in other demanding conditions. Overall, we were extremely impressed with this mower and can recommend it as an excellent runner-up to the Craftsman T225, and is only named runner-up, as its a bit pricier than our Editors Choice from Husqvarna.
CRAFTSMAN T225 46 Riding Lawn Mower
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Husqvarna Mz61 61 In 27 Hp Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Mower
Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Mower is a popular lawn mower brand. Many people have bought Husqvarna lawn mowers because it has been very durable and easy to use. It is also affordable for most people who are looking for a reliable lawn mower brand to buy.
This mower can be used for both riding and mowing lawns. The hydrostatic power of this machine helps it to cut through the toughest grasses and weeds with ease. It has a 27-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine that has been designed for reliability, so you can use it for years without having to replace its parts.
This is a very handy lawn mower for small to medium sized lawns.
It can work well even in the rain. It has an electric start and a 72-volt battery which gives it a longer run time. The only drawback is that it doesnt have an engine oil cooler, which means you will be using your own water to cool down the engine.
Features:
- 27 HP Briggs Endurance engine
- Fabricated 11-gauge steel cutting deck
What Is The Best Brand Of Riding Lawn Mower
Since a reliable, high-quality lawn tractor can cost up to $6,000, its important to make sure that the model youre planning to invest in is up to the job. One smart way to ensure this is to stick to one of the best brands making riding mowers today. You can expect dependability, high performance, power, and quality results by purchasing a mower designed by one of these reputable brands. Some of the best brands out there today are John Deere, Cub Cadet, and Husqvarna.
All three of these leading manufacturers have built a solid reputation for themselves thanks to their knack for offering high-quality, powerful outdoor power tools. All three brands offer well-designed, sleek mowers built from sturdy materials, capable of delivering years of quality performance. From some of the best zero-turn mowers to rear engine mowers, youre sure to find one for you.
Whether you want a foot-operated deck lift for your mowing deck, something smaller that resembles a push lawnmower to avoid your flower beds, or another feature, find it with these brands. Under the hood, all of these manufacturers offer impressive specs with powerful engines and smooth, automatic transmissions.
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Smallest Riding Lawn Mower: Snapper Classic 2020
This 28-inch wide cutting deck from Snapper makes this the smallest riding lawn mower available. It has a powerful Briggs & Stratton Intek engine with 11½ horsepower and 452cc displacement. Plus, the cutting deck height is adjustable with five positions between 1½ and four inches alongside a turning radius of 28 inches.
The hydrostatic transmission makes the whole mower easy to operate and fun to use, reaching a top speed of 4½ mph. Its excellent for flat yards with some obstacles.
|
Pros |
|
| Super small yet fun and simple to operate | Limited availability, only made in 2020 |
| Convenient and easy to store | Not good for rugged terrain |
| Powerful engine in a small package | Slow for a riding mower |
Comfort Safety And Convenience Features
A comfortable adjustable mid-back seat and 13-inch soft-grip steering are added comfort features that would set the difference in a users mowing session. Additionally, because of its compactness, it has little storage space requirements.
If you are a homeowner with a standardly sized yard with even terrain and a gentle slope, the Troy Bilt Neighbourhood riding mower makes a good option. It is backed by a 2-year limited warranty as a quality and durability guarantee.
Pros:
- Compact and easily maneuverable reaching areas that larger mowers cannot reach.
- Sight window on the fuel tank offers an at-a-glance view of gas levels.
Cons:
- It only has side discharge, lacks mulching and bagging capabilities.
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Best Riding Lawn Mowers Of 2022
Buying a riding lawn mower is a significant investment, and figuring out which of the hundreds of options is best for you can be frustrating and time-consuming. To make your decision easier, weve rounded up the 9 best riding lawn mowers based on price point, engine power, and overall performance.
Big yard, small yard, tight purse strings, or bottomless budget whatever your needs, our top picks include a riding mower thats perfect for you. Even if you arent quite sure what youre looking for, we have you covered. We also have put together a buyers guide with everything you need to know when shopping for riding lawn mowers.
Riding Lawn Mower Options
Your choice of riding grass-cutters is limited to three options: zero-turn mowers, garden or lawn tractors, and rear engine mowers. Ill take you through the three alternatives.
Zero-Turn Mower
The zero-turn mower or ZTR has gained the reputation of the lawn mowing worlds Ferrari. They stand out due to their excellent speed and controls. But perhaps their greatest attraction is the unsurpassed maneuverability.
This riding mower allows you to turn without leaving behind small semi-circle or tear-shaped patches of uncut grass. It can make sharp turns, pivot, and deliver a remarkable all-around cutting performance. Furthermore, you can cut much closer to obstacles and against landscaped edges to deliver a better finish.
Finally, the machines have excellent steering abilities to offer you an efficient mowing experience, even on irregularly shaped lawns. Youll likely get the easiest mowing with the mowers capacity to trim lots of grass within the shortest timelines.
If you need precision cutting then choosing the smallest Zero Turn mower you can find is the best option ride-on mower for your lawn.
Garden or Lawn Tractor
The garden tractor may be familiar to you already with its front-mounted engine that is likely to come to mind when thinking about a ride-on mower. Its deck width ranges from 42 and 54 inches, making it a great choice if youre looking to fix anything of 1 acre upwards.
Rear Engine Riding Mower
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Best Small Riding Lawn Mowers Of 2021
by Sean Brendlinger | Jan 11, 2020 | Lawn Mowers, Uncategorized
Mowing the lawn is enjoyable when you have a small riding mower, especially when you have a large yard. Riding lawn mowers are becoming more common because they are well made, easy to care for, and affordable.
The best small riding lawn mowers have the horsepower that ranges between 10 and 30. The decks have widths between 28 and 60 to meet the needs of various sized lawns. They also are available with gas-powered motors as well as with green battery-powered engines. There are plenty of options that will fit the needs of homeowners with small, medium, and large yards.
At a Glance Our Top Picks
The Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Mower is consistently named one of the best in the industry. It comes with a Briggs & Stratton Intek Engine, which starts right up with the turn of a key, just like a car.
Why We Like It
28-33 inches
Our Verdict
This is a tried-and-true lawn mower that gets the job done. It is easy to use, compact, and easy to store. The Briggs & Stratton motor and the Snapper transmission are reliable and require very little maintenance. This mower can be conveniently stored on its vertical edge, too.
Editor Rating: 5/5
Best Budget Lawn Mower
*At the time of publishing, the price was $449.
If you simply want a solid gas mower at a great price, we recommend the Toro SmartStow Recycler 20340. This is a popular, reliable model with great feedback, and it stands out from similarly qualified machines because it can be folded up and stored in an upright position. According to Toro, this reduces the 20340s storage footprint by up to 70 percent over that of a traditional mower. And though thats not a completely unique feature, it is rare enough for us to single out the 20340even if it lacks the convenience of the Egos or the finesse and mulching ability of the Honda.
The Toro 20340s storage feature is called the SmartStow system, which is made possible by the Briggs & Stratton engines unique design. Its a simple process: You fold the handle over the body of the mower and lock it in place. Then , you set the mower upright or wheel it around like a piece of luggage, much like you would a cordless model. It makes storage easy, not to mention cleaning the underside of the mowing deck or inspecting the blade.
The 20340 comes with Toros unique control system, Personal Pace. In a nutshell, the variable-speed mower adjusts to how fast youre walking based on the pressure applied to the control bar . If youre walking fast, you press it forward if you slow down, the mower does too. The same system works well on the Toro SnowMaster .
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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:
What Is The Best Riding Lawn Mower For Hills
A sloping or hilly landscape might add tons of character to your property, but its certainly not easy to mow. In fact, a lawn with hills can be up to 20 times tougher to maintain than a flat yard, especially if youre using a walk-behind model to mow uphill or downhill. Trusty push mowers wont be able to deal with it. You need to look at riding mowers such as self-propelled mowers or zero-turn mowers to tackle hills.
Luckily, this is why these mowers are so convenient for tidying up your lawn and collecting grass clippings. While these powerful models make mowing the grass easy, its best to make sure you purchase one thats perfect for uneven terrain. This will ensure that your rider is both efficient and not prone to slipping or tipping over.
One of the best options for tackling hilly areas is the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 Zero Turn Mower. With a command center optimized for comfort, youll find this riding mower a breeze for mowing over rough terrain.
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