Best Riding Lawn Mower Reviews 2023. Mower tracker

Best Riding Lawn Mower Reviews 2023

Tired of spending the best part of your Saturday walking behind a lawn mower? You’re not alone and our team has pulled together our recommendations for the best riding lawn mower in 2023. Whether you’re a homeowner or commercial Pro, or you’re on the hunt for a lawn tractor or zero-turn mower, we have you covered. Thinking about making the switch to battery power? We have thoughts on electric riding lawnmowers as well.

Considering walk-behind mowers? Check out our Best Lawn Mower main page.

Best Commercial Riding Lawn Mower

Hustler Hyperdrive Series Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

Professional lawn care crews who FOCUS on residential lawns (affectionately known aa “mow and blow” crews) have to hit a lot of lawns every day during the mowing season and they’re tough on their equipment. Exmark, Hustler, and Scag all come up frequently in conversations about the best commercial mower, and our top choice is the Hustler Hyperdrive series.

While the Super Z series is likely more popular, the Hyperdrive series adds additional durability to the transmission system, keeping your downtime to a minimum.

Deck sizes range from 60 to 72 inches and there are 35 to 40 HP engine options from Kawasaki and Vanguard. For those of you who like to mow at speed, you can run up to 16 MPH on this model. No matter what your mowing style is, Hustler has a 3,000-hour warranty on the hydraulic system and a 5-year/1200-hour warranty on the full mower.

Best Residential Riding Lawn Mower

Toro Timecutter Series Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers

For residential use, we recommend Toro’s TimeCutter as the best residential riding lawn mower for a variety of reasons. What it boils down to is that you get an excellent balance of performance, comfort, and reliability for the price.

The line currently includes 17 models (including CARB-friendly options). Deck sizes start at 34 inches for small lawns and run up to 60 inches for those of you with acreage to maintain. The base-level models are an excellent value for most people, but if comfort is a high priority, step up to the MyDrive models to get an upgraded suspension and easier ride.

Best Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower

Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX6 Series Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

While Toro earns our pick as the best overall riding mower for residential use, Cub Cadet’s Ultima ZTX6 series is the creme de la creme for those of you with a bigger budget. Earning our choice as the best residential zero-turn riding lawn mower, the ZTX6 is at the top of Cub Cadet’s residential-focuses Ultima line.

These mowers bridge the gap between residential and Pro needs, giving you a ride and performance that feels more professional while keeping the overall price down from premium professional mowers. The ZTX6 comes with a 25HP Kawasaki commercial-grade engine and either a 54 or 60-inch deck size. If you prefer a steering wheel over lap bars, there’s now a ZTXS6 option that has you covered.

Price: 8999.00 – 9299.00 (10299.00 for the 60-inch ZTXS6)

Best Lawn Tractor

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro FAB Series Lawn Tractor

Cub Cadet lawn tractors are very popular and consistently earn high ratings from owners. If you’re looking for the best lawn tractor among them, we recommend the XT1 Enduro FAB series. They’re a bit more expensive than others in the XT1 line, but they upgrade from a 13-gauge stamped steel deck to an 11-gauge fabricated steel one, improving the long-term durability.

Available with a 50 or 54-inch deck, these mowers are suitable for covering larger lawns than lawn tractors in the 30 – 48-inch range. Thanks to a Kohler 24HP engine, they have better overall performance than most of its competition as well. While they don’t turn as tight as a zero-turn, they do have a 16-inch turning radius that gives them a tighter turn than others.

Best Electric Riding Lawn Mower

Try as we may, we couldn’t pick just one electric ride-on lawn mower as the best. However, we do have three that stand out from the rest.

Commercial: Greenworks Commercial 82V OptimusZ Series Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers

Greenworks was one of the first to push into the commercial electric zero-turn lawn mower market and they have learned a lot over the years. The culmination of that experience and the best of today’s technology come together in the Greenworks OptimusZ zero-turn and earns our recommendation as the best electric commercial riding lawn mower.

The line includes both ride-on and stand-on models, and we even got to see an operational prototype of a fully-autonomous version. Focusing on the ride-on models, there are 48 – 60-inch deck sizes with either 18KWh or 24KWh battery packages. On the 60-inch mower, the larger battery bank can run up to 8 hours on a charge.

The top speed is impressive, reaching up to 16 MPH with the blades on. Security is already onboard thanks to the combination of 4G and GPS connections. If all that sounds great, but you’re still not sure it can hold up, keep in mind that Greenworks backs these mowers with a 5-year/2,000-hour warranty.

Residential: EGO 56V E-Steer Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

EGO is making it easier to transition from gas to battery power and into the zero-turn market with the 56V E-Steer riding lawn mower. It takes the lap bars and exchanges them for a steering wheel, making for a much more approachable mower if you’re not used to traditional ZT steering. Beyond that, the design team shifted the controls/info screen onto the steering wheel where they’re easy to keep an eye on while you’re mowing.

The mower sports a 42-inch deck with cutting speeds between 4 and 8 MPH and matches the power of a 22HP gas engine. For the power source, EGO uses the same 556V batteries that power its other mowers and handheld tools. With a full load of six 12.0Ah batteries, expect to cut nearly four acres on a charge. With the four batteries that come with the mower, there’s enough juice to cover 2.5 acres.

Price: 5999.00 with four 12.0Ah batteries and onboard charger (scheduled for May 2023 launch)

Residential: Ryobi 80V iDrive Series Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

Ryobi’s iDrive zero-turn lawn mowers break the mold of lap bars, but not with a steering wheel. It uses joystick controls, making you feel a bit more like a lawn-cutting fighter pilot (without the missiles, of course). While it certainly breaks the norm, our crew was able to adjust to the steering quickly.

There are three deck sizes covering 30 to 54 inches and they primarily use 80V suitcase-style batteries for power. These mowers also have slots to use Ryobi’s 40V batteries if you need to extend your runtime beyond what the 80V packs offer.

The power ranges from a 28HP – 42HP gas equivalent with runtime covering 1 – 4 acres, depending on which model you go with. Plus, this mower uses the CrossCut stacked blade system to give you better cut quality than you’d get with single blades.

Take a look through our full list of Best Electric Lawn Mower recommendations!

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Small Lawns

John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor

Lawn tractors are great for small to medium-sized lawns and the John Deere S130 lawn tractor is our choice as the best riding lawn mower for small lawns. The S100 comes in at a lower price, but moving up to the S130 is worth it in our opinion.

Both feature a 42-inch mowing deck, but the S130 has a significantly stronger 22HP V-twin engine and it has John Deere’s super-easy 30-Second Oil Change system. The S130 also upgrades with cruise control and an electronic PTO system. Overall, it balances ease of ownership and performance well while keeping a safe distance away from the price of zero-turn mowers.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Medium Lawns 1 Acre to 5 Acres

Husqvarna Xcite Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers

The best riding lawn mower for medium-sized lawns is the Husqvarna Xcite. There are two models available featuring a 54-inch 10-gauge deck that’s a great size for those 1 – 5–acre properties.

What’s exciting about the Xcite is a combination of innovative features and a design that feels more Pro even though these target residential users. Starting from the top, your start/stop and blade engagement controls are on the lap bar ends where you can easily reach them with your thumbs. Then there’s the suspension system. 4 bar links and 10 adjustment settings let you customize the setup based on your size, weight, and preferences to dial in a comfortable ride.

Depending on the model, you get either a 24HP or 26HP Kohler engine with a top speed of either 7 or 9 MPH. On the business end, Husqvarna puts stock blades that can go up to 5 years without needing to be sharpened. Husqvarna targeted a Pro feel with the convenience and ease of ownership homeowners crave with the Xcite and they nailed it.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Large Properties

Exmark Lazer Z Series Deisel Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

When it comes to maintaining large areas where you need a cleaner cut than a bush hog leaves behind, there are a few large-deck options. Leading the pack in size and with a robust professional resume’, the Exmark Lazer Z Deisel is our choice as the best riding lawn mower for large properties.

When we say large, we mean it. The Lazer Z diesel line includes 60, 72, and 96-inch options along with a monstrous 144-inch model. Ang get this—Exmark rates the largest mower’s cutting rate at up to 11.5 acres per hour! In terms of productivity, that’s going to be tough to beat.

These mowers aren’t cheap, though. They start at just over 27,000 and the 144-inch model is over 35,000.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Hills

Cub Cadet Pro Z 972 Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

If you have hills, you need both power and traction to mow effectively. In our team’s opinion, the best riding lawn mower for hills is the Cub Cadet Pro Z 972 series SD/SDL models. What sets these mowers apart is a combination of their dually rear wheel and steering wheel designs.

Four rear wheels help prevent the back end from slipping, even in wet conditions. The steering wheel makes it easier to manage on slopes and there’s an option for a pivoting seat that keeps you more upright on those hills. As part of Cub Cadet’s commercial mower lineup, you can expect a commercial-level build and high-end comfort features as part of the package.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For The Money

Toro Timecutter 42-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

What’s the best riding lawn mower for the money? For that, we return to the Toro TimeCutter series. Specifically, it’s the 42-inch 75746. This isn’t the least expensive 42-inch in the line, and it’s not the most expensive, either. By upgrading from the entry-level version (3299), you’re moving from a 15.5 HP Briggs Stratton engine to a much stronger 22HP Kohler engine. up to a more durable 10-gauge fabricated steel deck.

If your lawn is 2 acres or less, this model offers the best balance of performance, durability, comfort, and price. But what if you have more then 2 acres? Stick with the Toro TimeCutter and move up in deck size to match your lawn.

What We Look For In The Best Riding Lawn Mower

Lawn Tractor or Zero Turn?

When you’re choosing the best riding lawn mower for your lawn, the first thing to decide is which style you want.

Lawn tractors have several advantages. They tend to be a smaller overall size, are less expensive, and are easy to use with their steering wheel/pedal control systems. The downsides are that they tend to be slower and don’t reach larger deck sizes. They also aren’t as efficient in your mowing pattern because they require a larger turning radius.

Zero-turn lawn mowers make it easier to efficiently mow straight lines. While they’re more expensive, larger, and can take some time to get used to lap bar controls, you can get larger deck sizes, they have higher speeds, and they’re better for large properties. If comfort is a high priority for you, you’ll find better options with ZTs and lawn tractors.

Gas or Battery?

Now that battery-powered riding lawn mowers are at a point where they really can replace gas, the conversation is shifting away from just power and runtime.

Gas mowers tend to be less expensive and you can usually find someone to service/repair them within a reasonable drive of your home. The trade-off is the noise, emissions, managing fuel and oil, and more required maintenance.

Battery-powered mowers have a push-button start system that’s ready when you are, assuming you charged the batteries. They’re remarkably quiet compared to gas, have no emissions, and your HOA isn’t going to suddenly rewrite the rules to eliminate them. Maintenance primarily boils down to blowing off the deck and maybe rinsing under the deck. The primary downsides at this stage are that you don’t have as wide of a selection as gas, they’re more expensive, the batteries need replacing every 3 – 5 years, and there aren’t nearly as many service centers close by.

Durability and Reliability

As you go up in price from entry-level riding lawn mowers to mid-range and high-end models, there are significant changes. A more powerful engine is only part of it. The design of the engine and its quality typically improves as you move up the line, giving you a more reliable engine to go along with the higher performance of more horsepower.

You also see the strength of the build improve. Some of it is the thickness of the metal or moving from stamped steel to fabricated steel on the deck. Other components come into play as well, with higher quality transmissions and electronics packages improving.

Generally speaking, if you’re looking at an entry-level model, see if your budget has room to move up into the middle or even high end of the line. The durability and reliability you gain are worth it in the long run.

Deck Size

The deck size you need depends on the property you’re mowing. 42-inch riding lawn mowers are a good starting point for lawns up to an acre or where you need to squeeze through a narrow gate. If you have more than an acre, go ahead and look at models up to 60 inches.

Realistically, it’s a matter of finding the right balance between how much lawn you have to cut, how much storage space you have available, and what your budget is.

Speed

Speed is primarily a concern for professional lawn crews who need to move from one property to the next quickly or on campuses with significant travel distance between the shop and where they’re mowing. They usually want a mower with a top speed over 10 MPH.

Even homeowners can make their mowing chores more efficient with some decent top-end speed, though. 7 MPH or more is a good benchmark for those models. If you tend to take your mowing more casually, 5 – 6 MPH is just fine.

Comfort

The larger your lawn, the more time you need to spend in the driver’s seat of your riding lawn mower, and the more comfort comes into play. Entry-level mowers are going to bounce you around more than mid-range and high-end models. Look for a seat with plenty of cushioning, an adjustable tension knob, and enough travel for you to sit without having to scrunch up.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested anything or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves, and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 350 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

Pro Tool Reviews consults with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites. We consult with them extensively on testing methods, categories, and practical applications.

Our site will provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers. That includes objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

Mower tracker

A riding mower is a self-propelled vehicle operated by a person in a seated or standing position. It is designed for cutting grassy areas such as residential lawns, golf courses, cemeteries and parks.

Riding mowers are distinct from agricultural and industrial tractors, which “are designed as utility machines for multiple uses with a variety of implements and attachments.” (State of California Department of Industrial Relations). Roll-over protection for agricultural tractors is covered by the OSHA standards in Section 1928 subpart C, Roll-Over Protective Structures.

A sulky is a “[r]emovable trailing seat or stand-on platform with wheels or skids designed to carry an operator while controlling a self-propelled, pedestrian-controlled lawnmower.” (Source: ANSI/OPEI B71.4-2012, page 5). This webpage is not meant to apply to mowers with sulkies attached. Workers and employers should see other guidance, such as ANSI/OPEI B71.4-2012, Sections 10.5 and 20.7.

Incidents

On August 30, 2004, a groundskeeper at a mission in Santa Barbara, California, was mowing near the top edge of a retaining wall when his riding mower hit a rock and went over the ledge. The mower fell three feet and landed on top of the groundskeeper, killing him instantly.

On May 7, 2012, a groundskeeper for the National Park Service (NPS) was mowing alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway at an overlook near Asheville, North Carolina. He was operating a zero-radius-turn riding mower that was equipped with a roll-over protective structure. As he maneuvered his mower behind a trash can in a narrow section of the terrain, his mower went over an embankment and fell at least 100 feet, killing the worker.

Safety Considerations for Using Riding Mowers

Workers operating riding mowers face serious safety issues. Their employers need to make sure that the equipment in use is designed and maintained with safety in mind. The employers must make sure that workers are trained to avoid hazardous surroundings. Finally, the employers must ensure that mowing operations are performed safely.

The guidelines discussed below are based on safety principles issued by the California Department of Industrial Relations, which includes Cal/OSHA; the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety; and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

Employers Must Ensure Equipment Safety

Use and maintain all available safety equipment. Pay particular attention to the following points:

• Some riding mowers are designed by their manufacturer to be equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). The ROPS can either be standard or optional equipment. See the footnotes in the “Applicable Consensus Standards” section of this Hazard Alert for links to consensus standards governing which mowers must be equipped with a ROPS.
• If the mower a worker will be using does not have a ROPS, look for unused bolt holes or brackets near the seat or frame to see if the mower should be equipped with a ROPS. Do not operate any mower that was intended to be equipped with a ROPS without its ROPS in place. In many cases, retrofit kits are available. Contact the manufacturer to see if there is a kit for the mower you will be using.
• Mowers with a ROPS should also be equipped with a seat belt. Provide and use approved seat belt assemblies on all riding lawn mowers on which a ROPS has been installed.
• Where vertical clearance does not allow for a ROPS to be in the raised (active) position, the ROPS may be temporarily placed in the lowered (inactive) position. Also, workers should not wear a seat belt while operating a riding mower with the ROPS in the lowered position. Return the ROPS to the raised position as soon as the riding mower is in an area where the vertical clearance allows its use and reconnect the seat belt.
• Equip riding mowers with an operator presence control system that shuts off the blades when the operator dismounts the machine or rises out of the seat.
• Equip riding mowers with interlocks that ensure that the engine cannot start while the mower is in gear or if the blade is engaged. Inspect mowers to ensure that operator presence systems and all safety features are always in place and operable.
• Keep riding mowers in good working order, and inspect them periodically for an insecurely or incorrectly attached ROPS or seat belt.
• Mower operators should use a standard checklist to do a general inspection of the equipment before use. For example, the checklist should include checking the tire pressure and checking for missing or damaged guards, etc.
• Experienced service personnel should inspect riding mowers for the necessary safety features and overall maintenance at least annually. Only qualified personnel should service and repair riding mowers.

While it is essential to have the proper safety equipment in place on riding mowers, you should think of that step as just the beginning of your safety program.

Determining the Safety of the Surroundings

Employers should be familiar with the conditions of the terrain on which their mowers are being used. They should ensure that their workers take the following precautions:

• Do not operate mowers on slopes that exceed the angle limits specified by the manufacturer. Look for a label on the mower with this information.
• When the manufacturer’s instructions are not available or do not specify the angle limits for operating on sloped surfaces, evaluate the terrain and slope conditions to ensure that the mower is operated in a safe manner. Avoid mowing on slopes with an angle of over 15 degrees if there is no other information available.
• Use a slope indicator, also known as a clinometer or inclinometer, if you need one. Used to determine slope angles, inclinometers are devices that attach to equipment; applications for mobile devices; or printable versions that can be downloaded online. Refer to the “Additional Resources for Employers and Workers” section of this webpage, and Figure 1 (Slope Indicator) below. Clicking on the indicators will open separate printable documents.
• Always remove the key when you are leaving a mower unattended, but never leave mowers unattended on a slope. After turning off a mower, the rider/operator should set the brake, remove the key and wait to make sure that all the moving parts have stopped before leaving. The rider cannot assume that the moving parts will stop.
• Do not operate mowers in areas where the drive wheels are within five feet, as measured from the outside wheel edge, of the unprotected edges of retaining walls, embankments, levees, ditches, culverts, excavations, or similar locations that present an overturn or roll-over hazard. Use a string trimmer or a push mower instead.
• When it is necessary to operate riding mowers near ponds, creeks, reservoirs, canals, sloughs, lakes, golf course water hazards and similar bodies of water, evaluate the terrain and any slope conditions. Establish a safety zone to ensure that the mower is operated at a safe distance from such hazards. Sometimes, a distance of two mower widths is sufficient.

Training for Workers

Employers are responsible for providing workers with training before they can operate any lawn-mowing equipment. Training ensures that each operator is competent to operate a riding mower safely. Training must be provided in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand. Training should cover topics on the safe operation of specific riding mowers and other equipment that workers will use. These topics include:

• A review of all safety devices to ensure that ROPS, guards, seat belts, and shields are securely in place and properly used.
• The importance of surveying the terrain for hazards prior to mowing.
• How to identify obstacles in the mowing path, such as large rocks, man-made hazards such as signs and trash receptacles, tree stumps, soft or wet spots, and the areas where the use of riding mowers is prohibited.
• Reading and understanding the operations, maintenance, limitations and warning sections of the equipment manual.
• Speed control, steering and maneuvering such as:

• Decrease speed when the mower is traveling down slopes or around sharp corners to prevent tipping.
• Be particularly alert when backing up or while operating in low-light conditions.
• Do not mow from side-to-side when operating mowers on unlevel or sloped ground. Always mow slopes in the up-and-down direction.

• Use all required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times: hearing and head protection, safety glasses, work boots, etc. Avoid wearing jewelry and loose-fitting clothing that can easily become entangled with moving parts.
• Never carry passengers. Riding mowers are one-person machines.
• Always start the mower from the driver’s seat. Never start the machine while standing beside it. Keep both feet on the machine at all times while it is running.
• Never place the mower in motion until a worker is ready. Putting the mower in gear unintentionally could make it jerk forward without warning.
• Never mount or dismount a mower while it is running, as there may be enough space for an operator’s toes to pass under the mower housing and be struck by the blade. Perform proper shutdown procedures before dismounting.
• Never stop or start a riding mower suddenly when it is going uphill or downhill. Avoid all sudden starts, stops, or turns.

In addition, agility and quickness do not ensure invincibility. The mower involved in the North Carolina incident, for example, was a zero-radius-turn mower.

Finally, the safe operation of a riding mower is similar to the safe operation of a motor vehicle. drive defensively and expect the unexpected. Employers should train workers to operate the mower as if there were no roll-over protective structure (ROPS) in place. A protective structure is not unlimited in its ability to protect the operator, as indicated by the incident in North Carolina described above.

Retraining and evaluation are necessary to ensure that workers maintain their competency to operate a riding mower safely. Provide refresher training to workers when:

• An operator has been observed operating a mower in an unsafe manner.
• An operator has suffered an injury or been involved in a near-miss incident.
• An operator receives a new job assignment that includes operating a mower or machinery with which the operator is unfamiliar.
• An operator receives a new job assignment that includes mowing on terrain or surfaces that present hazards unfamiliar to the operator.

How One Employer Responded to an Incident

This webpage began with the descriptions of two incidents, one of which occurred at a National Park Service site in North Carolina. This NPS site covered a landscaped area of 30,000 acres along a 500-mile long parkway. Following the incident, the NPS suspended all its mowing operations and did a site assessment to identify which equipment was appropriate for use in the different types of terrain that workers have to mow. Site assessment is a good practice for employers to follow before buying equipment and starting operations, because there are different types of equipment, with some designed for use only in specific terrain or on certain slopes.

The NPS evaluated the landscaped acreage and broke it down geographically. For every area that required mowing, whether covered by string trimmers, push mowers, tractors with PTO-driven flail mowers, tractors with a side-mounted, hydraulically driven, sickle bar mower attachments or riding mowers, the officials performed a site assessment to see which equipment was appropriate. (There are tractors on which flail mowers are mounted at the end of a hydraulically positioned boom, but this employer had none of those.) String trimmers and push mowers can be used on any terrain. Beyond them, the choice of allowable equipment is based on the slope of the terrain. The slope limits of 15 and 22 degrees are based on instructions provided by manufacturers.

• 0- to 15-degree slope.- riding mowers or tractor mowers are approved for these areas.
• 15- to 22-degree slope.- tractor mowers are approved for these areas.
• 22-degree and up slope.- these areas are mowed with string trimmers, push mowers or specialized equipment. Specialized equipment can be riding mowers intended for use on slopes; i.e., slope mowers. The employer had about a half-dozen to a dozen mowers with such abilities.
• Within 5 feet of a drop-off.- a buffer zone is maintained. Only string trimmers and push mowers can be used inside this zone.

For more information on performing a risk assessment, see Managing risks and risk assessment at work. Accessed December 18, 2020.

Applicable Consensus Standards

Be prepared. Information and templates on setting up an injury and illness prevention plan can be found at this website:

Three consensus standards cover riding mowers:

• ANSI Standard B71.1-2012 contains safety specifications that “are intended to apply to products specifically intended as consumer products for the personal use of a consumer around a house. These specifications are not intended to apply to commercial products customarily used by hired operators or to products designed primarily for agricultural purpose. ” (1)
• ANSI/OPEI Standard B71.4-2012 contains the specifications for “powered (a) pedestrian-controlled machines, (b) ride-on machines and (c) implements for use with pedestrian and ride-on machines intended for marketing as commercial turf care equipment and that are customarily used by hired operators.” (2)
• ISO 21299:2009 “Powered ride-on turf care equipment. Roll-over protective structures (ROPS). Test procedures and acceptance criteria,” sets forth test procedures for roll-over protective structures. (3)

On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Services for Employers

OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing safety and health management programs. To find the On-site Consultation programs nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit OSHA On-Site Consultation.

What Rights Do Workers Have?

• Work in conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm.
• Receive information and training (in a language and vocabulary they can understand) about workplace hazards, methods to prevent harm and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.
• Obtain records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Get copies of test results done to find and measure hazards in their workplace.
• File a complaint with OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA standards. When requested, OSHA will keep all identities confidential.
• Use their rights under the law without retaliation or discrimination.

Many states operate their own OSHA-approved safety and health program, with standards that may be different from but are at least as effective as Federal OSHA standards. For further information, please visit OSHA State Plans.

Additional Resources for Employers and Workers

Information on Regional Emphasis Programs (REPs) and Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs) can be found at OSHA’s Local Emphasis Programs website.

There are additional resources available outside of OSHA:

Slope Indicators. Inclinometers. Clinometers

An inclinometer/clinometer (slope indicator) is included with this webpage. It can be printed as separate, machine-readable pages. Printable slope indicators can be found at the websites of some riding mower manufacturers.

Inclinometers are available as applications for mobile devices that run the Apple iOS, Google Android, PalmOS, WebOS and Windows 8 operating systems. Some are free.

American Society of Safety Engineers, “Ride-On Lawnmowers. The hazards of overturning.” Accessed December 18, 2020.

ANSI B71.1-2012, “American National Standard for Consumer Turf Care Equipment. Pedestrian-Controlled Mowers and Ride-On Mowers. Safety Specifications.” American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ANSI.org. Accessed March 12, 2013.

ANSI/OPEI B71.4-2012, “American National Standard for Commercial Turf Care Equipment. Safety Specifications.” American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ANSI.org. Accessed March 12, 2013.

California Department of Industrial Relations, Title 8, §3563, Power Lawn Mowers. Subsection (e) discusses a program of training for operators of all powered mowers. Power Lawn Mowers. Accessed March 12, 2013.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Landscaping. Riding Lawnmowers. Landscaping. Riding Lawnmowers. Accessed March 12, 2013.

This is one in a series of informational webpages highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

U.S. Department of Laborwww.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

(1) ANSI B71.1-2012, “American National Standard for Consumer Turf Care Equipment. Pedestrian. Controlled Mowers and Ride-On Mowers. Safety Specifications.” Accessed March 12, 2013.

(2) ANSI/OPEI B71.4-2012, “American National Standard for Commercial Turf Care Equipment. Safety Specifications.” Accessed March 12, 2013.

(3) ISO 21299:2009 “Powered ride-on turf care equipment — Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) — Test procedures and acceptance criteria.” Accessed March 12, 2013.

Lawn Mower Hauling Services

Tractor Transport is the best company to haul your lawn mower anywhere in the United States. We provide farm mower transport solutions for farmers, agricultural specialists, and more. As a family-owned business, Tractor Transport understands the importance of having your lawn mowers delivered safely and on time. The details matter for hauling mowers, that’s why we double and triple check every aspect of transport before the driver gets on the road.

Call Tractor Transport For a Free Shipping Estimate(877) 373-0109

CALL US AT (877) 373-0109 OR FILL OUT OUR EASY FORM FOR A SHIPPING ESTIMATE.

Shipping John Deere 2280 Mower

Tractor Transport shipped this John Deere 2280 Mower from Burlington, WA to its destination in Greeley, CO. The front piece of this John Deere was 14 feet wide. Our agent Matt at Tractor Transport was able to arrange for the front piece to be taken off and turned sideways to make it within legal limits. This saved the client thousands of dollars. If you need any agricultural equipment transport call Matt at Tractor Transport.

Transport Specialist: Matt (954) 234-2862

Hauling Massey Ferguson 6255 Mower

Tractor Transport recently transported this Massey Ferguson 6255 mower with the boom arm. This Massey-Ferguson was picked up in Hazlehurst, GA and delivered almost 1,300 miles to its destination in Marquette, Mi! The mower was 18 feet long, 8 feet 4 inches wide, 9 feet high and weighed 14,000 pounds. Trust Tractor Transport to handle your next load! Call and speak to our agent Brian G. today to schedule your next shipment!

Transport Specialist: Brian G (754) 203-9267

Shipping Kubota ZD331 Zero Turn Mower

Tractor Transport recently shipped this Kubota ZD331 Zero Turn Mower from Morris, Illinois, to Randle, Washington. The trip covered 2,100 miles. Weight: 2,650 pounds. Length: 7 feet 6 inches. Width: 6 feet 6 inches. Height: 4 feet 6 inches. To ship your Kubota mower to its next destination, call Brian at Tractor Transport directly.

Transport Specialist: Brian (754) 203-9267

How to Transport Farm Mowers and Attachments with Tractor Transport

Tractor Transport can ship your mowers, as well as tractors, using a flatbed trailer. Some of the larger mower attachments will fold up for travel. Unlike hay rakes, mower attachments don’t travel vertically on trailers. Mower attachments don’t have tires, which means they can be placed horizontally for travel. Depending on what you need to be shipped, the friendly logisticians at Tractor Transport will determine the correctly sized trailer and rig with enough power to ship your lawn mower.

Simply start with a phone call to Tractor Transport. We’ll gather the information about your load and your timeline and schedule a mode of transport for you. You’ll receive door-to-door service and a unique code to track your mowers and other equipment online in real time. We also handle all paperwork needed, from weigh stations to customs, if you need to ship internationally. Haymaking begins around the middle of May in southern areas of the country, and a couple of weeks later in the north. Schedule your shipments for earlier in the Spring. Provide plenty of lead time, and you might be able to include your mower attachment (or zero-turn mower) as a partial shipment. Call now for a farm mower transport rate! (877) 373-0109

How to Prepare Your Mower for Transport

Whether you’re shipping a riding mower, zero-turn lawn mower, or tractor mower, there are steps to take to insure your equipment is ready for transport.

Drain any gas or other liquids from your mower. This is a safety precaution to prevent any oil, gas, or other fluids from leaking during transport.

Clean your mower. Anytime you transport equipment, you want to take pictures before loading, after, loading, and upon delivery. Cleaning your mower means you will be able to see any dings or scratches, and ensures your mower is delivered in the same condition it was picked up.

Remove all blades and attachments. Another safety precaution. Especially for tractor and farm mowers. Making sure everything is detached means the crew can load the trailer the safest way possible.

Disconnect the spark plugs. While it’s exceedingly rare, you want to prevent your lawn mower, depending on the type, from somehow starting up during transport.

Take pictures of your mower. Everything is good to go. So now you need to take the pictures we talked about earlier. Do this both before and after transport, and keep them for your records.

Ryobi 80V Lawn Tractors Expand Mower Lineup

Spring 2023 marks a big season for Ryobi as it expands its riding mower solutions with two 80V HP lawn tractors. The two Ryobi 80V lawn tractors add to the company’s 80V joystick zero-turn mowers and 80V 30-inch lawn mower. Emphasizing mini-tractor-like power over speed and maneuverability, these mowers could prove the utility solution for homeowners looking to do more than simply cut their lawns.

Best of all—Ryobi makes both these mowers in its Anderson, SC plant.

Ryobi 80V HP 46″ Lawn Tractor (RYRM8070)

Power and Runtime

Ryobi’s 46″ electric riding lawn tractor—the premier model in its spring 2023 lineup—promises the power of a gas lawn mower with the convenience of cordless. It utilizes 4 brushless motors in total (one for each of the three blades and one for the rear-drive system). The Ryobi RYRM8070 mower cuts at up to 7 mph.

Specifically, Ryobi compares the overall power to a 23-horsepower gasoline engine. It uses that power to achieve up to 2.5 acres of mowing on a single charge. Under the hood…or rather the rear gate, you find three (3) 80V 10Ah suitcase-style lithium-ion batteries. Those batteries feature onboard charging and they top off fully in around 2.5 hours.

The 46-inch model includes three CrossCut blades. That essentially gives you six blades cutting underneath the 10-gauge fabricated steel deck.

Author’s Note: Check out this section of our video where we explain Ryobi CrossCut blade technology.

Ryobi 80V HP 46″ Lawn Tractor Notable Features

An LCD display just in front of the steering wheel displays the following information on the screen:

• Runtime
• Remaining battery charge
• Blade speed setting (Low/Med/High)
• Drive speed setting (Low/Med/High)
• Headlight controls
• Blade check reminders

Physical buttons exist for Blade and Drive speed modes as well as headlights and Bluetooth pairing. Regarding that last item, Ryobi lets you use its Riding Mower app to connect to the unit and monitor both battery levels among other things.

High-intensity LED headlights further assist in the flexibility of mowing times, whether morning, afternoon, or dusk. You can also adjust the cutting height in any of 13 positions from 1.5-4.5 inches.

In the rear, the Ryobi has a storage bed that makes this more than a cutting lawn tractor. It gives you the ability to haul tools and anything else that you’d like to either keep with you or transport. Front and rear 2-inch square tow hitches net you a tow rating of up to 500 lbs. Ryobi also offers a Tow Behind Dump Cart (ACRM025) as well as a Soft Top Bagger for easy cleanup while mowing.

While we don’t see any air ride features or armrests, Ryobi calls this a premium seat. It does, of course, adjust forward and back to allow for varying user heights. Lastly, you get both front, rear, and side storage—enough to haul around small tools, plants, or other items to help you work.

Additional Features:

• 10-gauge fabricated steel deck with 90-second quick release
• Mulching, side discharge, and bagging capable
• High-intensity LED headlight
• USB-C and USB-A charging ports
• 80V 1440W Hyper Charger
• Cup holders

Ryobi 80V HP 42″ Lawn Tractor (RYRM8060)

For those with smaller lawns, the Ryobi RYRM8060 42″ lawn tractor dials back the deck width to utilize just two Crosscut blades. That also means this Ryobi 80V HP lawn tractor needs just 3 brushless motors (two for the blades and one for the drive system). It has the same top speed of 7 mph and delivers power equivalent to a 21-horsepower gasoline engine.

Cutting up to 2 acres of land per charge, the three 80V backpack-style batteries recharge in just 2.5 hours using the included 80V Hyper Charger.

Ryobi gives you the same 2-inch square tow hitches on the front and rear. You also get ample storage compartments on the front, rear, and sides of the lawn tractor. Deck height and cutting speed are virtually the same as well.

One of the differences has to do with discharge. Only side-discharge mulching is available with the Ryobi RYRM8060 lawn tractor.

Features Summary:

• 3 brushless motors
• 10-gauge fabricated steel deck with quick release
• CROSS CUT Multi-Blade System
• Side discharge mulching, and bagging capability
• LCD screen and control panel
• Front standard 2″ receiver hitch for attaching Ryobi riding mower accessories
• Front, side, and rear storage
• High-intensity LED headlight
• Up to 2 acres of run-time
• 80V 1440W Hyper Charger

Final Thoughts

Both lawn tractors are sold exclusively at The Home Depot and carry an impressive 5-year tool and battery warranty. That gives you some peace of mind when spending this much on a lawn tractor. We look forward to testing these out on our property and seeing how well they perform compared to competitive battery and gas products.