Where Are Lawn Boy Lawn Mowers Made
Lawn Boys story is, admittedly, a complex one . However, one salient fact in the brands favor is that production of Lawn Boy mowers has never strayed from US soilat least not entirely.
Currently,Toro produces Lawn Boy mowers in Shakopee, Minnesota Windom, Minnesota Sanford, Florida and El Paso, Texas and elsewhere. It should be noted though that some of the engines used in these lawnmowers originate from Japan.
What To Look For When Buying A Riding Lawn Mower
When shopping for these machines, look at recognized brands that have good warranties and convenient servicing locations.
- Be sure the unit has enough power to perform up to your expectations
- Try the seat for comfort
- Ensure the pedal is located to suit your easy operation, and
- Look for a machine with power steering and power deck lift that makes your task easier.
Best Budget Riding Lawn Mower
The Troy-Bilt Pony 42 packs an impressive amount of features into a compact frame, like a 7-speed transmission and anti-scalping wheels, while costing significantly less than similar options.
- Model number: Pony 42
Pros: Cup holder, 5.5 mph speed, five height settings
Cons: Lacks zero-turn capability, 500cc engine may not be powerful enough for some users
If you’re looking for an affordable riding mower that’s capable of efficiently cutting lawns up to two acres, the The Troy-Bilt Pony 42 could be just what you’re looking for. Its 42-inch deck is large enough to make quick work of smaller yards, and also makes this mower compact enough for those who are short on storage space.
The 7-speed transmission is simple to use, and a separate lever allows you to mow in reverse, a feature not found on similar mowers. If you have an awkwardly-shaped yard, or have numerous landscaping elements, you’ll really appreciate this feature. A pair of automatic headlights also make it possible to safely mow when the sun begins to go down.
A pair of anti-scalping wheels on the deck reduce the chances of you ending up with patches of “scalped” grass, which makes this mower especially useful for those who have uneven or hilly yards. Plus, it has a rear-tow hitch included, so you’re all set to haul a small trailer or cart around the yard, for those non-mowing projects.
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Different Types Of Ride
There are several different types of ride-on lawn mower, and the type you should choose depends on your lawn.
There are two main types of ride-on lawn mower: those with front-mounted cutting decks, usually categorised as a traditional ride on mower, and what is often called garden tractors, which have the cutting deck mounted in the middle of the body.
The advantage of a front-mounted mower is that you can easily get in everywhere, especially on winding areas of grass. On the other hand, these mowers are almost exclusively built for mowing lawns and not for any other task.
Lap bar mowers are another type that its worth knowing about. You control these ride-on lawn mowers with levers instead of a steering wheel. Zero-turn mowers are usually lap bar mowers.
Ride-on lawn mowers can also be divided based on their power source either battery or petrol.
Petrol-powered ride-on lawn mowers run on four-stroke fuel. These have the advantage that you can always use them immediately you need them, provided you have petrol at home. You also get good performance at a reasonable price. The downside is that these machines emit exhaust fumes and make a lot of noise.
As well as these different terms, manufacturers sometimes have their own names for lawn mower types. For example, rider, mini-rider and zero-turn.
Finally, it’s useful to know the different techniques ride-on mowers use to deal with your grass.
Snapper Ztx250 Zero Turn Ride
A robust and hardwearing mower, this Snapper model features a welded steel frame, thick-walled front axle and steel mower deck. Not only is it made to last, but it can also handle tricky terrains.
Happily, you wont have to compromise on comfort either, as the seat is fully adjustable and comes with ergonomic armrests. You can also control the deck lift function with your feet, and store any extra tools or equipment in the rear cargo bed.
Perhaps this models most exciting detail is its zero turning circle, making it one of the best ride-on mowers for gardens with trees or tricky shapes to negotiate.
If you’re looking to save water as well as keep your grass looking great, read our list of the best water butts.
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What Size Mower Should I Get
It’s up to you how big of a mower you’re comfortable handling or paying for, but the general rule of thumb is, the larger your lawn, the wider you probably want your mower deck to be. This is because the wider your deck, the more grass you’ll be cutting with each pass, and the fewer passes you’ll need to finish the job. That being said, extra-wide mowers can sometimes struggle with hills and steep inclines and can have trouble maneuvering around landscaping features, ponds, and garden beds. A mower with a smaller deck might be a more practical choice in these cases, and even though they cut less grass on each pass, their superior mobility could get the job finished quicker in the end.This can be a lot to think about, which is why Blake mentioned the importance of consulting with an experienced outdoor power dealer, explaining that “whether you have 1 acre or 20, let your dealer help you with size so you don’t buy too small or too big, since you want your choice to last you for years.”
Hilly Terrain Or Slopes
Since zero-turn mowers have front caster wheels, they are almost uncontrollable when mowing uphill or downhill. You cant control where the vehicle will go. There are some zero-turns designed for slopes up to 15 degrees so if you are not sure then why not check out Best Riding Mowers for Hills which has a selection of suitable zero-turn mowers and standard riding mowers for most hilly or sloppy terrain.
If your yard is hilly, I recommend picking a tractor or rear engine riding mower because they have steering wheels for turning the front wheels, so you have more control when directing the vehicle.
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John Deere X350 Lawn Tractor
No list of ride-on lawn mowers would be complete without a John Deere. While models from this brand do sit at the higher end of the scale when it comes to price, theyre widely considered to be some of the best mowers around.
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This one comes with hydrostatic, two-wheel drive with Twin Touch foot controls. Theres a 107cm cutting width, and the cutting heights increase in 6mm steps between 2.5cm and 10.2cm.
A 13.2L petrol tank, adjustable wheels and a luxury seat are also included as part of the package. Plus, there are a few special additions, including cruise control and a backlit, car-style display.
- Buy now from B& Q .
The Mountfield MTF 84M mower is a compact choice – small enough to fit through most standard garden gates, large enough to cover a garden up to an acre and a half in size.
The ride-on lawn mower is more than capable of giving your grass the treatment you’re after, with seven cutting heights from 25mm to 80mm, and an 84cm cutting width. Plus, it has manual transmission with five forward gears and one reverse gear.
Where To Buy A Ride
Whether you decide to shop online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the shop’s returns policy.
Popular online retailers that sell ride-on lawn mowers include:
- Toolstation sells ride-on mowers from AL-KO, the cheapest of which is around £1,600.
Discover which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best and worst shops.
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Run Time: Fuel Or Battery Cell Capacity
Following up on the engine power above, the size of the gas tank determines how long you can run the mower before refueling. The larger the tank capacity , the better. However, with electric mowers, you need to check the ampere-hours .
Amp Hours
An ampere-hour is a unit of electric charge that manufacturers use to show the battery capacity. The higher the rating, the more power the battery can hold, which means a longer run time.
Greenworks 25302 Simply The Best Lawn Mower
The GreenWorks 25302 model is another eco-friendly mower that comes with powerful 40V Li-lon batteries that consist of 2 batteries and charger. This features multiple tools that give you a complete mowing resolution as well.
The cordless mower model is perfect for medium sized lawn and the 20 inches wide cutting deck gives a good cutting performance along with exact equilibrium of maneuverability. The mower uses a dual blade cut edge in order to give a better quality cutting. It is great for bagging capabilities with better mulching as well.
The mower comes with a smart cutting technology in order to adjust the power it needs depending on how thick the grass is. The greatest part is that it has a robotic battery power changer that will automatically switch its power to the other battery when the first one loses its charge.
The Pros:
The Lawn-Boy 17734 mower model comes with several improvements on self drive to help you mow your lawn. The mower is powered by a Kohler engine that has a 3-year Tru-Start Commitment and comes featured with electric start and grass catcher.
It has a 21 inches wide cutting deck that is standard to cut grasses. This model is the absolute best lighter gas mower right now. It weighs 72 pounds only. For easy maneuverability, being light and self driven, this takes its place at the top of our list.
We would recommend the mower model for anybody who wants to buy a reliable mower that could meet their mowing requirements.
The Pros:
The Cons:
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Honda Hf 2417 Hm Premium Garden Tractor
- Buy now from Just Lawnmowers .
Honda vehicles are known for their reliability. So, putting your money towards one of the brands sit-on lawn mowers could be a wise move if you want to avoid swapping parts over the years.
Although Honda is famous for its cars, it has a broad range of lawn-care products, from everyday mowers to robotic models, and even brushcutters and tillers.
This ride-on lawn mower is a great option for anyone with a lot of grass to trim. It collects the clippings in a huge 300L bag, so theres no mulching system, but there’s an indicator to tell you when it’s time to empty it. This model has variable hydrostatic transmission and seven cutting heights between 30mm and 90mm, so its fairly easy to adapt to your specific needs.
Best Lawn Tractors 2021 Review
People are always in the market for the best riding lawn tractors to help them handle different garden types. Lawn tractors are best used on rough terrains, hills, pulling heavy loads, and thick or chewy grass.
Using them will greatly help reduce the effort and time taken to mow your acreage or yard. They are also much safer than the walk-behind models and a better alternative when you have to trim a large yard during hot-humid weather.
Aiming to find the best of the best among the vast choices of lawn tractors in the market, we analyzed several models and brands and consulted seven lawn tractor experts. This helped us to come up with our top five best lawn tractors, with each one selected for their outstanding quality, features, and performance.
To help our readers make the right choice, we have also listed some of the essential factors any buyers have to consider before settling on any lawn tractors. Furthermore, to better get a glimpse of their deals on Amazon, do not forget to click on the buttons below the products.
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Best Overall: Ryobi Ry48111 100 Ah 38 Electric Riding Mower
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Great performance, even in thick grass
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Quiet operation
Who else recommends it? Bob Vila also picked the RYOBI Electric Riding Mower,
What do buyers say? 1,300+ Home Depot reviewers rated this 5 stars.
It may surprise some people, but our top pick is this battery-powered model from RYOBI. The zero-emissions model easily matches gas mowers in terms of power, cutting through thick grass with ease while demonstrating impressive maneuverability. Plus, it’s fume-free and practically silent, generating only minimal noise.
The RYOBI electric mower has a 38-inch deck, and its 48-volt batteries can run for two and a half hours per charge, allowing you to cut up to two and a half acres in a single session. The two-blade deck has 12 different cutting heights, and the mower offers convenient features like cruise control, LED headlights, and USB charging. There are no belts, spark plugs, or filters, making it easier to maintain than a traditional riding mower.
Our only complaints? The seat gets uncomfortable if you’re mowing for long periods, and it doesn’t have a mulch setting. Still, if you’re in the market for a reliable ride-on mower and ready to switch to a battery-powered model, this is your best bet.
Price at time of publish: $3,199
Cutting Width: 38 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 678 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres
Gas Versus Electric Mowers
Many riding lawn mowers are gas-powered, meaning they require gasoline to operate. Others, meanwhile, are electric and use a battery-powered motor that needs to be charged. Though gas riding mowers are more durable and typically better suited for large lawns, Hill cautioned that theyre usually much louder than their electric counterparts and are less eco-friendly since they emit fumes.
Electric riding mowers can be cheaper and easier to maintain since they dont require purchasing or changing out the engine oil, among other upkeep requirements. However, electric riding mowers do have their downfalls: Their functionality is limited to the amount of time they can be used in a single charge if you have several acres of land , the power may not be enough to cut your entire lawn in one sitting.
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Lawn Tractors Are Better For Hilly Or Sloppy Lawns
Do you have a lot of slopes and hills in your yard? If this is the case, you will have a much easier time mowing your lawn if you use a tractor.
With lawn tractors, you can keep the mowing process moving along without any problems as they have the power to climb hills and slopes easily.
However, steeper than 15 degrees is still considered hazardous, and for your own protection, you should only use a standard push mower on extremely steep slopes.
So, if you have a very steep yard, you should always have a push mower as a backup.
Best Overall: Husqvarna Yth 18542
For the best overall riding mower, look no further than the Husqvarna YTH18542, which is hands down one of the most popular offerings when it comes to riding mowers for several years running. At $2,099, the YTH18542 is a humble 42-inch mower thats known for dependability and surprising power behind its 18.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine. Owners also love the 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Its hydrostatic transmission is smooth, requires no shifting, and breezes through hills. Owners also appreciate its compact size for storage, the ergonomically-designed seat, and a 16-inch turning radius that makes tough sections of your lawn easy to reach.
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Best Lawn Tractor: John Deere S120 42 In 22 Hp V
Courtesy of Home Depot
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Wide range of accessories available
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30-second oil change system
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Bagging and mulching kits sold separately
Lawn tractors like the John Deere S120 offer more flexibility for homeownersin addition to mowing, this gas-powered machine can be used to spread grass seed, sweep your lawn, and even snow blow in the winter. Its compatible with a wide range of multi-season accessories, and its also a solid riding mower with a 22 HP engine and 42-inch deck.
This lawn tractor has a fully-welded steel frame and 13 different cutting heights. The seat can be adjusted to 10 different positions to keep you comfortable, and the tractors 30-second oil change system makes it easier to maintain. The mower has a new easy-read fuel gauge, and it even has cruise control for effortless mowing in large yards.
Price at time of publish: $2,699
Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 444 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.5 to 2 acres
Best Lawn Tractorjohn Deere Riding Lawn Mower
This John Deere is a great mower for large yards up to four acres. Most riding lawn mowers cant boast a V-twin hydrostatic transmission with three blades that can cut grass with a more even and smoother cut like this one can. The sizeable 2.4-gallon fuel tank capacity guarantees it can cut most lawn sizes without refueling.
It also has a rear-wheel drive that allows it to grip sloped or uneven ground with ease. One buyer wrote, Using it at a camp in Maine that has some pretty tough, uneven terrain as well as a field. So far, so good It performs really well. Cuts through large amounts of grass and leaves post-winter with ease. Easy controls to use. Very powerful.
Specifications
Acres covered: 24 acres
Cutting width: 48 inches
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Choosing A Riding Lawn Mower
As a rule of thumb, you need a 42-inch deck to mow two or more acres. However, considering other factors, like the terrain and obstacles, I lowered the minimum size to 38 inches to simplify navigation.
Before we look at specific models, we need to review the various riding mowers available. There are three main categories on the market: Garden or lawn tractor, rear engine riding mower, and zero-turn mower.
