Best For Rough Terrain: Cub Cadet Ultima Zt1 50 In 23 Hp V
Not all mowers can handle rough, uneven terrain, so those with bumpy yards will want to invest in a model like the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1, a zero-turn mower that performs well on all types of ground. Its equipped with a 23 HP twin-cylinder engine for commercial-grade power, and its dual hydrostatic rear-wheel transmission can achieve speeds up to 7.5 MPH.
This mower has a 50-inch triple-blade deck with reinforced leading edges that create finer clippings, fewer clumps, and increased evenness, and the foot-operated deck lift and dial control knob allow you to easily set the deck height to your liking. The machines smooth-tread front wheels and 20-inch premium rear tires provide excellent traction and a smoother ride on uneven ground, and youre sure to love its adjustable ergonomic lap bar, dual-LED headlights, electronic fingertip blade engagement, and other premium features.
The RYOBI Electric Riding Zero-Turn Mower offers all the power and versatility of a high-end gas mower, but without any of the maintenance or emissions, making it a top pick for anyone with a large yard. If you have a particularly large yard, we recommend the Toro Time Cutter Mower , which has a large 54-inch deck to cut large paths on every pass.
Runner Up John Deere S120 42 Lawn Tractor
Why We Like It
As you continue reading, you will probably get the picture that were pretty big fans of this John Deere 42 Mower. And while the mowing deck is considerably smaller than our Editors Pick from Husqvarna, this smaller deck riding lawn mower from John Deere wins our Runner Up slot for the best riding mower in 2021.
The John Deere 42 riding lawn mower stands out as the best overall riding mower package in its class, with a V-Twin 22 hp Engine, Hydrostatic foot pedal controlled transmission, tight 16 turning radius, adjustable seat, and anti-scalp wheels.
Specifications
- 22 -horsepower V-Twin John Deere engine
- 30-second Oil Change System
- White-Glove Home Delivery From Home Depot
- Lumbar-supporting seat
- Hydrostatic transmission
Our Take Away
Thanks to its power, highly maneuverable 42 mowing deck, and range of convenience features, we find the John Deere S120 42 lawnmower is of the best mowers for any lot size up to 2 acres. The John Deere is a fantastic choice riding mower for the money, especially if you plan to use a riding lawn mower with an optional bagging attachment here.
For larger properties, areas with thick grass, and just tough jobs in general and if your budget allows it we can recommend an upgrade to the Husqvarna 54 Riding Mower See our Best Upgrade Riding Mower section below.
John Deere Editors Choice Best Riding Mower
The Product Comes With Detailed Instructions
Do you have questions about our product? You should know that all of the details for installation and care are included in a separate package with a set of detailed instructions.
That way, you can take your time to read through them thoroughly before starting on any project. If you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the manufacturer!
The product comes with detailed instructions on how to install it. The good news is that the installation process is relatively easy and can be done by anyone! It’s also very affordable, so you don’t have to break your bank account for this best buy on riding lawn mowers.
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The Best Way To Keep Larger Lawns In Top Shape
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Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Riding lawn mowers are no small investment, but theyre a worthwhile purchase for many homeowners. This style of lawn mower allows you to take care of your yard in less time, and dare we say that they even make lawn care enjoyable? With a nice riding mower, you can simply sit back with a drink and steer the machine instead of pushing it around your yard by hand.
There are several types of riding mowers to choose from, including lawn tractors, which can be used for many tasks, and zero-turn mowers, which often have larger decks and can turn on a dime. Theres also the choice between traditional gas-powered mowers and eco-friendly electric modelsboth have their merits, so its really a matter of which best suits your needs.
The following are the best riding lawn mowers for all types of yards.
Even those who have used gas lawn mowers their entire lives will be wowed by the RYOBI Electric Riding Zero-Turn Mower. This high-end electric mower is every bit as powerful as its gas counterparts, yet it requires none of the time-consuming maintenance like oil changes or spark plug replacementoh, and its eco-friendly, to boot.
Verdict And Recommendations For 2021
For the upcoming season, we would highly recommend you check out the products reviewed here, especially the Craftsman T225 Briggs And Stratton Gold Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower. It is easily the best small riding lawn mower 2021 has to offer for ones lawn and lawn manicuring needs. Not only does it provide all the right features that one would require for a small to a medium-sized yard, but it also has a built that can last you for many years.
Various upcoming technologies have the potential to change the entire structure of these machines and overhaul the lawn-mowing practices completely. For more information on the subject, check out the homemakerguide.com website where we review these products frequently, and update our list.
Contents
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Riding Lawn Mower Buyers Guide
Grass grows fast and Is there anything worse on a super hot day, than spending hours pushing a lawnmower around the yard? Even with a self-propelled mower, its a workout.
The solution: offering much higher speeds and cutting paths than walk-behind mowers, the best riding lawn mowers featured today, will make cutting your lawn a quick, efficient and dare we say fun job.
Our riding lawn mower buyers guide below explains the most important features to consider, when buying a riding mower:
Tractor House And American Freight
Both websites are very old and reputed platforms for finding popular riding lawn mowers from major brands.
Visit their websites and you will find lots of options keeping which makes it similarly important to other big online players.
With a little bit of luck, you can find some of the best deals there.
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Where To Buy Used Riding Lawn Mowers From
We have already talked about why people would buy a used or second-hand lawn mower. Now, let us tell you where you can find one. A new lawnmower will be available anywhere. But a used lawn mower can be really hard to find.
You can find most of the used lawn mowers on online platforms. This platform has become larger than any other shop as it enables you to look through more products than in regular mower shops. Also, you can recheck if you are spending your money on the right thing.
Some of the online platforms for buying used lawn mowers are-
Husqvarna Yth18542 42 In 185 Hp Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Riding Mower
The gas-powered Husqvarna YTH18542 riding mower has a ton of useful features that riders can maximize. For example, it has a foot-pedal operated hydrostatic transmission that allows you to change speed and direction effortlessly. It also has an ergonomic steering wheel thats both responsive and easy to control.
Our team of experts particularly loves the side-discharge mechanism because its just as effective without a bagger. But users who want to attach a bagger also have that option. One other amazing feature about this riding mower is its reverse operating system that lets you mow in reverse by simply flipping a switch.
Pros
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Types Of Lawn Mowers & Tractors
Your options for the best walk-behind or riding lawn mower range from $170 gas push models to lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers that can cost upward of $4,000.
If you’re worried about noise, know that our tests show gas mowers are much noisier than their battery-powered counterparts. Nearly all the gas-powered machines we tested emitted more than 85 decibels at the user’s ear, and only a few were somewhat quieter. For all, we recommend hearing protection.
Quick List Of Customer Reviews Of Best Riding Lawn Mowers Under $1000
Troy Bilt Pony :
This seems to be a solidly built machine. The 547cc engine has more power than you will need. Does well on hills and rough grounds.-Customer Review.
Ryobi RY48111 :
Pretty decent mower, always had an issue with the blades. I would have to turn them on and off a couple of times, sometimes to get them to turn on. -Customer Review.
Husqvarna Z246 :
This gem was exactly what I was looking for! I rarely write reviews, but had to share how pleased I am with this mower. Customer Review.
Cub Cadet :
It has a lot of great features and I have two prior mowers to use for comparison. Customer Review.
Troy Bilt Neighborhood
For the size and price, this has been an excellent investment for our appx. 1 acre property surrounded by woods. My experience has been excellent. Customer Review.
Craftsman R105 :
I opted to initiate this since we had a piece of shrubs and plants to trim around and our yard is a good 1/4 area of land. It clutches rapidly. Customer Review.
Yard Machines :
This mower is very easy to maneuver. I am thrilled with it! The various gears make it much easier to mow on slight inclines. I would highly recommend it! Customer Review.
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What Are Riding Lawn Mowers Exactly
Riding lawn mowers are usually quicker and easier to use than push or self-propelled lawn mowers due to their large engines and wider mowing decks, which can cut a larger area of grass in one pass. The ability to ride the mower around can also be crucial for homeowners who experience any back issues and cant walk behind an average lawn mower without fatigue, said McKenzie.
Experts said that shoppers with more than three-fourths of an acre of yard would benefit from a riding lawn mower since they can significantly cut down on mowing time. However, if your yard is less than a half an acre, a riding lawn mower can make mowing your lawn more tedious than it needs to be because of the size of the machine in comparison to the yard, said Steckel. At that point, its easier to use a push or self-propelled lawn mower these types of mowers also turn the lawn mowing process into an opportunity for exercise and physical activity.
There are three main types of riding lawn mowers to consider: traditional lawn tractors, zero turning radius mowers and rear engine riding mowers.
Lawn tractors are gas-powered machines with a front mounted engine and a steering wheel for easy maneuvering you simply sit on top and steer while the machine cuts the grass. This is the most common and price-effective type of riding lawn mower, said Steckel. They also usually have a wide turn radius, making them a good option for big lawns with slopes and hills.
Find The Right Balance
So now you know some of the key things to consider when choosing a lawn mower. The final step is to weigh the features you want against your budget. Also, keep in mind that some manufacturers such as John Deere offer financing incentives. Better yet, if you pay off the loan within the promotional period, you’re not on the hook for interest charges.
Financing like that could also give you the flexibility to purchase a more powerful lawn mower, or even the machine of your dreams. And with regular maintenance, your lawn mower could provide many years of valuable service.
Read more:
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Wondering How To Get Rid Of An Old Lawn Mower
When you have an old, broken lawn mower, you know that getting rid of it can be difficult, frustrating, and time-consuming. Were here to help! From lawn mower disposal to donation, read on for some great ideas about how to dispose of your old mower.
How to Dispose of Lawn Mowers:
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Where To Buy Used Lawn Mowers
So, your old lawn mower kicked the bucket and your budget wont allow you to spend hundreds of dollars on a new machine. Its not uncommon for folks to seek out used lawn mowers in these situations. Used riding mowers are especially popular due to the higher cost of buying new.
But the process of buying a used product is very different from buying a new one. Were here to guide you through the labyrinth of used mower purchasing, helping you navigate the many risks and pitfalls. You can apply similar principles to other used lawn equipment such as used string trimmers, brush cutters, etc.
When buying a used mower, do your research, inspect the machine, and assess the risks.
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Q: What Is The Average Life Of A Riding Lawn Mower
A: The average life of a lawn mower is between 7 and 10 years but this is only possible if you take care of it and ensure that you complete proper maintenance and care and store it in the proper conditions when not in use. If you neglect to take good care of your mower, then you can expect it to last much less, perhaps as little as half the time.
Sometimes, mowers will not base their life expectancy on years, but instead mowing hours. Here, you will find statements anywhere between 200 hours and 500 hours . From here, you can determine how long your mower will last based on how big your cutting area is and how often you mow your lawn.
Taking the time to do proper maintenance on your mower will help save money on extra parts and replacements in the long run and will avoid you needing to buy these considerable investments every five years.
It isnt just maintenance that affects the lifespan of your mower. If your lawn is overgrown, thick, and generally not-very-well-maintained, it will put a greater strain on the blades and the engine, meaning there is great potential for damage much sooner than expected. Try to avoid cutting your lawn too infrequently and, if you can, try to improve your lawns condition to make it easier for the mower to do its job.
How To Choose The Best Small Riding Lawn Mower
There are various features that one should be on the lookout for when getting a lawn mower. Lets take a look at the most important ones that will ensure that you make the correct decision.
Speed
The speed of the mower will determine how much time one can save while mowing. For these purposes, zero-turn mowers are ones best bet since they provide speeds up to 8mph, which is quite fast in and of itself. Lawn tractors, on the other hand, are work-horses but are not the fastest of the lot.
Cut Width
The range of the cutting width of a riding lawn mower can be anywhere between 26 and 66 inches. This essentially translates to cutting a lot of grass in a small amount of time. However, larger cutting width does not equate to better results. For instance, a mower with a small cutting width is ideal for a lawn that has a lot of tricky areas and tight spots.
Engine Type
There are three different types of engines that can be found in the best small riding lawn mower 2021. These are rear engine, tractors, and zero turning radius mowers. Users who cherish a relaxing mowing experience, the best rear engine riding mower, is ideal. Those who are looking for something a little more robust, a lawn tractor would be advisable. Lastly, those who want to finish off their work quickly would do well to get a zero turning radius mower.
Electric
Gas
Engine Power
Fuel Capacity
Safety
Transmission
Price
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The Best Riding Lawn Mower For Extra Large Lawns
- Lawn size: Up to 5 acres
- Terrain type: Hilly or flat with obstacles
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
Pros: Dual LED headlights, 3 year warranty + unlimited hours, comfortable seat
Cons: Expensive, bulky size might not be ideal for users who don’t have a lot of room
Time is obviously a big factor when it comes to mowing oversized lawns, and the Cub Cadet‘s forward and reverse speed are a big reason why we chose it as our top pick in this category.
The hydrostatic rear wheel transmission allows you to reach speeds of up to 7.5 mph, and 3.5 mph in reverse. The large rear tires of this mower are also designed to protect your grass from divots, as well as provide enough traction to keep you moving even on uneven ground. It also features 15 quarter-inch deck adjustments, which are adjusted with a spring-assisted foot pedal, making it quick and easy to customize the deck height as you mow.
I’m most impressed by the heavy-duty frame, which is constructed of square tubular steel. This design not only makes it durable enough to handle the wear and tear that comes from tackling large jobs and heavy use, it also provides the sturdy foundation a large mower like this needs. This focus on durability extends to the deck as well, which is made of 11-gauge steel and coated with a corrosion-resistant finish.
Editor’s note: We’ve noticed ths model’s stock varies significantly by ZIP code.