Best Riding Lawn Mowers. Fast riding lawn mower
The best riding lawn mowers in 2023
The best riding lawn mowers let you tame your property in comfort, no matter the size of the yard.
Cutting grass with ease doesn’t have to mean sacrificing valuable garage space.
This gas-powered pick makes even large yards manageable.
An affordable option with plenty of power.
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Riding lawn mowers are a powerful, durable machine that makes cutting grass as effortless as possible. Lawn equipment has come a long way since the days of a sickle and elbow grease. Modern riding mowers cram the power of a farm tractor and the maneuverability of an ATV into one fun-to-ride, easy-to-control tool.
If you’ve never bought a riding mower, or are upgrading and replacing an old mower, you will be surprised and potentially overwhelmed with today’s options. Front engine? Rear engine? Do you need the best riding lawn mower for hills or zero-turn agility? And what about the transmission? Where do you start? And how do you know if you’re getting the right size mower with all the features you need or the best riding lawn mower for the money? That’s why we’re here: to take the mystery out of this lawn care equipment and find the best riding lawn mowers for every yard, lawn, and field.
The best riding lawn mowers: Reviews Recommendations
Best small: Toro 42″ TimeCutter 452cc Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed
If you have a smaller yard, this Toro lawn tractor is the versatile lawn slicer to keep your grass in check quickly. While riding mowers can be smaller, the smaller models are slower and feel underpowered. If you want a ride-on mower with strength and speed, go straight to a lawn tractor instead of a riding mower. It’s a great riding lawn mower for yards up to two acres. It’s not a huge, monstrous machine but still gives you plenty of cutting power. The steering is smooth and responsive. Plus it can be easily stored and maintained. For backyards, front yards, and small sidelots, the Toro riding lawn mower is the perfect fit.
Best for hills: Husqvarna TS 354XD 54-inch Garden Tractor
Husqvarna riding lawn mowers are some of the best on the market, including for hills. And the Husqvarna Garden Tractor is the mighty lawn mowing tool used by professional landscapers and backyard amateurs alike. The hydrostatic transmission makes the ride feel smooth and comfortable, even up and along hills. Its three strong blades, housed in the 54-inch cutting deck, can chew through anything in its path. And a 24 HP engine gives you the oomph needed to safely traverse inclines and wet surfaces. If you’re tasked lawn maintenance of a space larger than three acres, you need a garden tractor made of durable, dependable materials, and this Husqvarna lawn mower checks all the necessary boxes as the best riding mower for hills.
Best zero-turn: Husqvarna MZ54F 54 in. 24 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower
The best riding lawn mower must have what it takes, and then some. The power of the Husqvarna MZ54F riding mower is obvious: its 24 HP Kawasaki engine is more powerful than most consumer riding mowers. All that power helps the 54-inch cutting deck mow through a five-acre lawn with one tank of gas. The zero-turn steering allows for quick, smooth pivots making the heavy-duty steel frame feel light and nimble. It’s easy to use, after reading the instructions and taking it out for a few test cuts. For any lawn that creeps past the three-acre mark, the Husqvarna riding mower is the best beast to tame the suburban jungle.
Best budget: Troy Bilt 30-inch 382cc Riding Lawn Mower
The 30-inch cutting deck of the Troy Bilt riding mower makes it the best riding mower for yards smaller than one acre, and the best riding lawn mower for the money. It’s a small riding lawn mower that’s easy to store and maintain. And the 382cc single-cylinder Troy Bilt engine is powerful enough to chew up and spit out just about any lawn. Maneuvering around trees and along fences is fluid and comfortable, thanks to the Soft Touch steering wheel. While not as versatile as a lawn tractor, you can add mulching attachments to help keep the yard looking sharp. For anyone with a smaller yard, who doesn’t need a monstrous machine, the simple yet effective Troy Bilt riding lawn mower is the perfect fit.
Things to consider for picking the best riding lawn mowers
The best riding lawn mower is the one that efficiently mows your specific patch of grass because not all lawns are created equal. Even in your own neighborhood, one type of mower works best for one yard and another riding mower works best for the house next door. The right mower in the right hands can greatly speed up the grass-cutting process.
Before you rush out and buy the most expensive mower on display, however, take a close look at your own yard. Take measurements of the area that needs mowing (your property minus the footprint of your house, driveway, decking, landscaping, etc.), so you know how big an area you will maintain. As a general rule, riding lawn mowers work best on yards larger than one-half acre (anything less can be mowed more effectively with a gas-powered, walk-behind mower).
Also, know what type of terrain you will drive over, and know the difference between the types of lawn mowers. A ride-on lawn mower is an investment, so you want a machine that lasts. These are motorcycles with blades; understanding and respecting the engine and cutting mechanism is important to making sure your riding mower keeps going season after season. Regular maintenance will be required, but there are riding mowers that are easier to care for than others.
Safety and comfort are also important factors to consider when browsing any lawn or garden tool. Lumbar support and armrests on a riding lawn mower can reduce sore muscles and eliminate next-day chore hangovers. And comfortable steering not only helps your arms and legs, but also gives you greater control to chop grass in eye-catching patterns. Arm yourself with the knowledge (and our handle selections below) and you’ll find the best riding lawn mower for your property.
Calculate what you need to find a riding mower for small yards
The key to finding the best riding lawn mower is to get the right amount of power with the most effective cutting deck. If your yard is smaller than two acres, don’t waste money on horsepower you don’t need and cut widths too large to work in small areas.
There are four types of ride-on mowers to choose from: riding mower, lawn tractor, garden tractor, and zero-turn mower. While they all cut grass, they do so in different ways. A riding mower with a rear-mounted engine will be the least expensive option, but also the slowest and weakest. Riding mowers are the smallest of the bunch and have a maximum cut width of 30 inches. That’s a plus for small lawns (anything up to an acre).
A lawn tractor, however, is what most people envision when they think of a “riding mower.” Lawn tractors have the engine in the front, the cutting deck is between the front and rear wheels and they can be modified to do more than just cut grass. Garden tractors are bigger, more powerful, more versatile versions of a lawn tractor. And zero-turn mowers have a rear-mounted engine with their unique push bar steering to sharply maneuver around any obstacle.
If you have a yard too large for a push mower, yet smaller than an acre, a riding mower or small lawn tractor is the most efficient grass chopper to get. If you want horsepower and functionality, go for the lawn tractor. A lawn tractor can do more than cut grass and has the power to drive on any lawn.
Tackle tough inclines with the best riding lawn mower for hills
The best riding mowers are fierce vehicles with the handling of a car. But not all mowers can be the best riding lawn mower for hills. If a yard has a wide variety of inclines and valleys, trying to mow it can be frustrating and dangerous. Even small hills can be a hassle. Zero-turn mowers are notoriously horrible on hills, and low-powered riding mowers lack the strength needed to mow up and along a sloped lawn. A garden tractor with powerful maneuverability is the only ride-on mower that can safely keep your entire yard in order, even on hills.
Garden tractors are bigger than lawn tractors, making them better for yards larger than three acres. But these beasts can be more complicated. To make the larger tractors easy to control, it may use a hydrostatic transmission, which provides better speed and steering but can be more expensive to maintain and repair.
Still, the difference between a manual transmission and a hydrostatic transmission can be felt immediately as you simply, safely drive the mower up and along hills. With greater control comes tighter turns and quick maneuvering around the terrain. A high-quality hydrostatic garden tractor gives you commercial-grade cutting power in a user-friendly package, making it the best riding lawn mower for hills.
Zero-turn riding mowers cut the largest lawn with a twist
The benefits of a zero-turn riding lawn mower are clear: maneuverability and speed. These powerful lawn mowers can zip around trees, rocks, decks, pools, fences, or anything else that dots your landscape. They shift from forward to reverse in a snap and are ideal for making intricate patterns on the lawn. And the quick speed and wide cutting deck make them perfect for large lawns, fields, and anywhere else grass needs to be taught a lesson.
For lawns larger than four acres, you want a cutting deck wider than 54 inches. Generally speaking, a 54-inch cutting deck on a riding mower traveling at medium speed can cut four acres in an hour. Besides a large cutting width, you also want good horsepower to efficiently travel across the yard. A mower with 25 HP will provide enough muscle for large yards and fields. You can go higher, but most consumer models are between 11 HP to 25 HP. Anything above that may be too much muscle for one home.
The agility comes from the unique steering of a zero-turn riding mower. The left and right push-bar accelerators control each rear wheel independently. Push both forward and you move forward. Pull them back and you slow down and move in reverse. Push one bar forward and you spin around the stationary wheel. It may sound complicated, and there is a mild learning curve to mastering the mechanism, but your brain will pick up the steering and turning will be reflexive with just a few minutes of practice. Of course, take it slow at first and do not try to make sharp turns until you feel comfortable, and always be careful on hills. The weight distribution of zero-turn mowers can make inclines difficult to cut.
The rear-mounted engine gives operators a great view of what’s ahead. And zero-turn mowers are often faster than other ride-on mowers. While they may look intimidating and the steering is not like a car, zero-turn mowers are some of the best tools for cutting grass in big areas and tight corners.
Here’s the best budget riding lawn mower you can get
If the for ride-on lawn mowers give you sticker shock, rest a little easier knowing great and inexpensive riding mowers are out there. While you won’t be able to find anything useful for less than 1,000, once you reach the 1,500 ballpark you can find decent models that get the job done.
Between riding mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers, the traditional riding mower will be the cheapest option. The main tradeoff for the lower price is cutting width, horsepower, and speed. The less expensive riding mowers have a 30-inch cutting deck (as opposed to the 50-inch decks of lawn tractors). These tiny grass gobblers are better for those with less than an acre of ground to mow. In fact, if your yard is smaller than an acre, smaller is better. Anything larger than a 30-inch riding mower is overkill.
A small, inexpensive riding mower performs only one task: cuts grass. They can’t plow sow, haul lumber, or turn on a dime. They are little more than a standard walk-behind mower with a chair, but the low price makes up for the lack of functions.
FAQs
Q: How long does a riding lawn mower last?
A riding lawn mower should last anywhere between five and 10 years. But the years don’t matter as much as the hours of use. Consumer riding mowers are made to last about 300 hours. If you have a two-acre lawn, you may spend 60 hours a year using the mower and the mower will last five years. This varies based on where you live, rainfall, type of grass, type of terrain, etc., so it’s only to give you a rough idea. Make your mower last longer with routine maintenance and storing it properly during the off-season.
Q: What is the best riding lawn mower for one acre?
The Troy-Bilt TB30 (mentioned above) is the best riding lawn mower with just enough power to tackle one acre of grass, and the best riding lawn mower for the money if on a budget. For any yard larger than an acre, invest in a lawn tractor, like the 42-inch Craftsman riding lawn mower (mentioned above). It will be fast and efficient. expensive models and zero-turn mowers won’t be as helpful or efficient on smaller yards, so spending more is not always the best answer. And for anything smaller than one-half acre, a walk-behind mower is the most effective.
Q: When is the best month to buy a riding lawn mower?
The best month to buy a riding mower is April or August. Shoppers are most likely to find the model they want in spring, at the start of the mowing season. The won’t be the lowest, but availability is at the highest. Look for good sales during the summer, especially around Labor Day. At that point, many home goods stores are looking to clear floor space for fall/winter products. Options will be somewhat limited, but you can still find the make and model you’re looking for or something comparable. The cheapest of the cheap riding lawn mowers can be found in the fall, but who knows what stores will have left. And most stores don’t even sell riding mowers in the winter. While it’s not an exact science, stick to the months that begin with the letter A when shopping for a riding mower.
The final word on finishing chores in comfort with the best riding lawn mowers
Finding an effective, efficient ride-on mower isn’t too difficult once you know what to look for. Understanding the difference between a riding mower, lawn tractor, garden tractor, and zero-turn mower will make you a Smart shopper. To inform your lawn equipment decision, think about your lawn: How big is it? How many obstacles are in the way? Are there any hills? Using the wrong mower will make hot days doing yard work in the sun seem endless, but the best riding lawn mower will give you enough time to relax and enjoy the season…before you need to break out the snowblower.
Best Riding Lawn Mowers
In some sense, a lawn is a face of your yard. For keeping it groomed, you should purchase a riding lawn mower. Driving this device, you will be able to serve large areas effortlessly. Read our review and choose the best model! Read more
The front axle is made of heavy-duty cast-iron. The chassis features a fully robotically-welded frame with a new e-coating corrosion defense system. The LED headlight will allow you to drive this thing around your yard at night. The Cub Comfort high-back seat offers some additional comfort to the user with its 10-degree incline and slide.
If you’re looking for the best riding lawn mower for hills, the Cub Cadet LT46 XT1 Enduro Series Riding Mower is the model for you. If you have a sizable yard and you don’t feel like spending hours mowing it with a less powerful and effective product, this is also the model for you. And if your yard is relatively small and all the ground is relatively even, this is a bit of an overkill.
LED headlight, cruise control, Cub Comfort high-back seat, SmartJet high-pressure deck washing system, Cup holder
The machine allows you to mow in reverse, so you’ll be able to easily maneuver in and out of trouble spots. Its 15-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels give you excellent clearance and easy, long-lasting mobility around the yard. The mid-back seat that keeps you comfortable and delivers extra support.
With Craftsman T150, you will be able to keep the lawn nice and clean with very little effort on your part. The model will allow you to maneuver around the yard with ease and precision. The tractor is durable and easy to maintain. Plus, it looks sleek but imposing, a nice thing to have in your lawn maintenance arsenal.
The 1.3-gallon fuel tank comes equipped with a fuel sight window, allowing you to keep tabs on the gas levels. The compact size of the model will allow you to easily reach the areas that are simply inaccessible to larger mowers. The manual power take-off is there to ensure fast blade engagement without any complications.
What we have here could probably be described as a mini riding lawn mower, so if you have a smaller lawn, this is a model that you might want to consider. And, keeping in mind that this is also one of the most affordable options out there, there’s really no reason not to give it a try if you happen to be on a budget but would still like to enjoy the benefits of a riding mower.
The pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission allows you to manage the speed and direction via pedals, letting you keep both hands on the steering wheel for improved driving control. The Cruise Control feature makes sure the tractor maintains consistent speed, even through the roughest terrain.
There are many things that allow the Husqvarna TS348 riding lawn mower to edge out its competition. You can FOCUS on the robust, highly durable build. You can highlight the overall ergonomic design. You can talk about its ridiculous functionality and ample smaller and bigger details that make the model such a pleasure to work with.
LED headlight, Cruise control, ClearCut fabricated cutting deck, Electric blade engagement, Front bumper, Fuel indicator, Deck washing system, Cup holder
The 75 Ah battery will be able to offer you up to 2 hours of runtime, which should be enough to mow about 2 acres of land. The model is also capable of reaching the speed of up to 8 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest riding lawn mowers on the market. It involves no belts, spark plugs, or filters, so it doesn’t require a lot of attention in terms of maintenance.
This battery powered riding lawn mower is a powerhouse of convenient features and Smart solutions. That said, the price is a bit stiff, so we would recommend this particular model to the environmentally conscious people first and foremost. The vehicle’s virtually silent operation will allow you to mow the lawn in peace and quiet.
Built to Endure
Taking care of a large lawn requires a lot of time and dedication. And, honestly, it is a monotonous process that bores the hell out of most people. Furthermore, the larger your lawn is, the more of a chance that it includes uneven terrain with a number of bumps and hills. Mowing that kind of lawn can be a nightmare, to put it mildly. That is unless you have the XT1 Enduro Series LT46 from Cub Cadet at your disposal.
What we have here is a front-engine lawn tractor and that alone makes the model suitable for heavy-load jobs. As the “enduro” part of the name suggests, this is a model that is built to endure anything your lawn might throw its way, from some serious bumps to the roughest grass. Though the whole thing is comprised of rugged materials that are as sturdy and reliable as it gets, we would first like to point out the front axle that is made of heavy-duty cast-iron. The people behind the mower in general and this particular component, in particular, are so confident in its endurance that they have decided to extend the warranty of the axle to 5 years. As for the other parts, the cylinders of the engine are made of twin and cast-iron as well, the transmission housing is comprised of cast aluminum, and the chassis features a fully robotically-welded frame with a new e-coating corrosion defense system. Again, not dissimilar to the front axle, the manufacturers have extended the warranty of the frame to 5 years as well.
Surprisingly Agile
When it comes to performance, the 46-inch cutting deck driven by a powerful 22 HP Kohler engine will be able to handle even some of the larger-sized yards and the 3-gallon fuel tank will make sure that you won’t have to refill the tank before getting the job done. The hydrostatic transmission drive offers simple and convenient operation as it essentially eliminates the need for shifting, just push a pedal and get going. And d espite the fact that we’re talking about a sizable vehicle, it offers a 16-inch turning radius, meaning that you will be able to maneuver around all kinds of obstacles with relative ease.
Now, we could talk about the capabilities of this lawn tractor for hours, but everything that’s already been said should allow you to paint a pretty accurate mental picture. So, before wrapping this thing up, we decided to mention a few features that either simplify the operation or make it more comfortable and convenient. First off, there’s the SmartJet high-pressure deck washing system that simplifies the process of maintenance. Then, there’s the Cub Comfort high-back seat that offers some additional comfort to the user with its 10-degree incline and slide. The cruise control option provides soft touch engagement and the LED headlight will allow you to drive this thing around your yard at night.
All in all, this is a fairly simple choice. If you’re looking for the best riding lawn mower for hills, the Cub Cadet LT46 XT1 Enduro Series Riding Mower is the model for you. If you have a sizable yard and you don’t feel like spending hours mowing it with a less powerful and effective product, this is also the model for you. And if your yard is relatively small and all the ground is relatively even, this is a bit of an overkill.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | 0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B00R82P2TC |
Ride On
Craftsman T150 is a really interesting tractor. For the most part, the model is great, easily one of the best riding lawn mowers we’ve seen lately. But we can’t say that this is necessarily the most well-thought-out and well-balanced product on the market today.
For example, the powerful and reliable 19 HP Briggs and Stratton ReadyStart engine leaves very little room for complaints, incorporating an easy and dependable starting system with no prime and no choke.
But, considering the powerful engine, the model’s 1.3-gallon fuel tank is underwhelming and could use some improvement in the volume/capacity department.
That is probably the biggest gripe we have with the product. Apart from that, there are hardly any major issues here.
There are very few riding lawn mowers out there right now that give you the same combination of power and control.
With its 18-inch turning radius, the tractor offers easy and overall impressive maneuverability. You’ll be able to cruise around the yard and turn wherever you want with very little effort on your part.
On top of that, the model boasts an excellent hand-controlled hydrostatic transmission. It allows for smooth transitions in speed and direction, further making the tractor an absolute pleasure to work with.
Sleek but Imposing
At a certain price point, some things are a given but have to be covered regardless. A good example of that would be the machine’s wide 46-inch cutting deck. With its help, you’ll be able to cut, trim, and clip grass in one quick sweep. The deck wash that comes with the tractor saves lots of time when you go for underside cleaning.
Though we have already covered a few, there are other things here that contribute to the model’s practically uncompromising maneuvrability and control. Among other things, Craftsman T150 allows you to mow in reverse, so you’ll be able to easily maneuver in and out of trouble spots. Its 15-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels give you excellent clearance and easy, long-lasting maneuvering around the yard.
Other than that, it’s the little and not-so-little things, like the 46-inch reinforced stamped steel deck that allows the tractor to almost always come out unscathed and the mid-back seat that keeps you comfortable and delivers extra support.
In other words, with Craftsman T150, you will be able to keep the lawn nice and clean with very little effort on your part. The model will allow you to maneuver around the yard with ease and precision. The tractor is durable and easy to maintain. Plus, it looks sleek but imposing, a nice thing to have at your disposal.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | 0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07NW8XQL2 |
A Bargain on Wheels
Though certain people stick with regular lawn mowers due to their conservative viewpoints, it is the question of money that’s the biggest reason most people don’t make the transition to riding mowers. Your standard corded lawn mower generally costs about a hundred bucks, so just about anybody can afford it. Their riding counterparts, on the other hand, could cost you around thirty or even forty hundred dollars, so we’re talking about a major investment here. On that note, we would like to introduce the Troy-Bilt 382cc, one of the most affordable riding lawn mowers on the market that packs quite a punch for such an inexpensive model.
First things first, the vehicle comes equipped with a fairly powerful 382cc OHV engine. Of course, with just 12 HP on board, it has its limitations, and you won’t be able to move faster than 4.5 miles per hour. But we’re talking about a model with just a 30-inch cutting deck, so it should go without saying that it is suitable mostly for small and medium-sized lawns. And when it comes to those, the mower boasts enough power to get the job done. Plus, talking about conveniences, the 1.3-gallon fuel tank comes equipped with a fuel sight window, which is quite an underrated feature as it will allow you to keep tabs on the gas levels.
A Smaller Frame
Though the smaller frame of the mower certainly presents a challenge or two when it comes to medium-sized lawns, it’s not like it comes without its advantages as well. For instance, the compact size of the model will allow you to easily reach the areas that are simply inaccessible to larger mowers. Plus, the fact that it is relatively small, with just about 62 x 34 x 26 inches in overall dimensions, will prove to be a blessing in no disguise as you won’t have any issues trying to find some space for it in your garage or a shed.
As we have implied earlier, this isn’t the most versatile option on the market, but it is a good riding lawn mower in terms of comfort and convenience. The blades include 5 height adjustment options, so as long as you have a relatively even terrain in your backyard, cutting the grass and keeping your lawn clean will be a walk in the park. Plus, the manual power take-off is there to ensure fast blade engagement without any complications. All in all, with an 18-inch turning radius, you’ll be able to easily maneuver around the yard. The 13-inch steering wheel has a soft grip to it that makes controlling the mower a process that is both simple and comfortable. Unfortunately, the only available cutting mode is self-discharge. However, you can easily fix this little issue by acquiring a bag and mulching accessories that are sold separately.
To sum it all up, what we have here could probably be described as a mini riding lawn mower, so if you have a smaller lawn, this is a model that you might want to consider. And, keeping in mind that this is also one of the most affordable options out there, there’s really no reason not to give it a try if you happen to be on a budget but would still like to enjoy the benefits of a riding mower.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | 0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B01MUDUCNM |
A Tough, Rugged Machine
The folk at Husqvarna are often able to do a good job betting on power but without sacrificing functionality and convenience in return. That philosophy very much applies to Husqvarna TS348. Equipped with the 24 HP Kohler engine (44.2 cu. inch), the model is an absolute powerhouse. With its help, you’ll be able to trim and cut any lawn in no time at all.
But, again, it isn’t just about the power but the balance between power and utility. With that in mind, let’s pivot a little. First, there’s the ClearCut fabricated cutting deck. The all-new fabricated design incorporates welded 10 gauge-steel construction with additional welded reinforcement strips giving the lawn tractor exceptional durability.
A similar sentiment can be extended towards the heavy-cast front axle. With its robust construction, the axle offers improved balance and stability, even with a collector setup going on. This pivoting action will help you smooth out the roughest terrain.
We can also mention the robust steel chassis and the cast-iron spindle housings with sealed ball bearing but you get the point, this is a tough, rugged machine that isn’t afraid of any challenge.
Chop-Chop
Husqvarna TS348 isn’t cheap. There are many things that contribute to its price and many things we can cover here.
We can cover the pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission that allows you to manage the speed and direction via pedals, letting you keep both hands on the steering wheel for improved driving control.
We can cover the smaller things, like the fact that the seat comes with armrests so that you’re able to maintain high comfort levels while mowing the lawn.
We can definitely briefly cover the electric blade engagement setup that lets you engage the cutting blades with but a switch pull on the control panel.
Some would argue that the Cruise Control feature is particularly important here, considering how it allows the tractor to maintain consistent speed, even through the roughest terrain.
The large, wide-rear wheels aren’t too shabby either, giving you improved traction and far less risk of damaging delicate grounds.
The Reverse Operating System is great too, disengaging the cutting blades when driving in reverse.
The transparent fuel indicator that makes it particularly easy to check the fuel level is present as well, another nice little detail that separates this tractor from its inferior peers.
Long story short, there are many things that allow the Husqvarna TS348 riding lawn mower to edge out its competition. You can FOCUS on the robust, highly durable build. You can highlight the overall ergonomic design. You can talk about its ridiculous functionality and ample smaller and bigger details that make the model such a pleasure to work with.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | 0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07BC5VTJL |
Gotta Go Fast
As a rule of thumb, the majority of riding lawn mowers run on gas as the sort of firepower they require to operate can be hard to achieve via other means of energy. Well, there’s an exception to every rule, and the Ryobi RY48110 is one of the best examples of those exceptions. This is a vehicle that has quite a lot going for it and we will try to briefly touch upon every one of its aspects that we deem to be of some importance, but the most defining characteristic is easily the mower’s engine. Instead of your standard engine that runs on gas, the model comes equipped with dual electric brushless motors. By removing fuel and fumes from the equation, the manufacturers present you with a much more environmentally friendly choice compared to traditional mowers.
Of course, you might think that choosing a greener alternative would mean sacrificing performance and efficiency in return, but that isn’t the case here. The 75 Ah battery will be able to offer you up to 2 hours of runtime, which should be enough to mow about 2 acres of land. The model is also capable of reaching the speed of up to 8 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest riding lawn mowers on the market. Now, it probably won’t allow you to successfully compete in NASCAR, but the mower will offer you enough oomph to get the job done as quickly as possible.
Low Maintenance
Before moving on from the electric engine and all that it entails, we would also like to mention one last benefit of this type of setup. low maintenance. That’s right, a gas-powered engine doesn’t just carry with it fuel emissions, but also a number of archaic components that require a whole lot of attention. This electric riding lawn mower, on the other hand, involves no belts, spark plugs, or filters, so you won’t have to constantly take care of those parts in particular and the mower in general. Well, aside from low maintenance, there’s also the model’s quiet operation that may have something to do with the electric engine.
When it actually comes to cutting the grass, the vehicle comes equipped with quite a few features that make the entire process convenient and effortless. We like to believe that riding a mower like this one can be quite a lot of fun. But if you’re not of a similar mindset or you simply happen to be in a less of a joyous mood on any particular occasion, the model has you covered with a cruise control feature that will do the bulk of the job for you. And, as you’re cruising along, go ahead and plug your phone into the USB charger that was thoughtfully added to the control panel, along with a cell phone compartment and a cup holder. Plus, the adjustable seat will help you find the most comfortable position.
Though some people find them less than effective, the LED headlights will help you cut the grass during the nighttime. Finally, not all lawns are created equal, so the company behind this one made sure to implement a 12-position manual deck adjustment option that will allow you to adjust to any terrain and height of the grass in order to deliver that clean cut to your lawn.
All things considered, this battery powered riding lawn mower is a powerhouse of convenient features and Smart solutions. That said, the price is a bit stiff, so we would recommend this particular model to the environmentally conscious people first and foremost. The vehicle’s virtually silent operation will allow you to mow the lawn in peace and quiet.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | 3,598.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07BPM7T8R |
What Is a Riding Lawn Mower?
If you are a lawn owner, you know that cutting grass with a handheld lawn mower requires much time and physical effort. To solve this problem, you should ponder on purchasing a riding lawn mower. This device will take minutes to tidy up your grass. In general, a riding lawn mower combines features of a golf cart and a petrol lawn mower. Thus, all you need to do is adjust the height of the grass cut and ride this lawn mower. That’s all! Besides, most lawn mower models allow carrying lightweight cargos and using attached implements for better grass cutting. Sure, even the cheapest options on the market may be more expensive than their stand behind counterparts, but the kind of performance and convenience riding lawn mowers offer you make that price well worth it.
But if you have a small lawn in your backyard and want to keep it groomed, we advise you to consider our electric lawn mowers and gas lawn mowers.
What Features to Compare
Engine
Thinking of the option to trim and mow your lawn effectively yet easy? A riding lawn mower will help. However, before you go buy one, decide on the type of a riding lawn mower you need and the terrain you’re going to groom. Basically, there are three main types of riding lawn mowers. Lawn Tractors, Zero-Turn-Radius and Rear-Engine Riders. The lawn tractors are highly-capable and performing riders, compatible with the variety of attached implements. than other riding lawn mowers, they are suitable for heavy-load jobs. If you own a large, rough lawn, this one is the best to go for. Zero-Turn-Radius riders are designed in a way to easily maneuver and swivel in one place, enabling mowers to mow the areas with lots of all sorts of obstacles. Rear-Engine riders are in many ways similar to Lawn Tractors, but they’re smaller in size. They work brilliantly on medium-sized lawns and terrains.
The type of the engine directly determines overall mowing performance while its capacity specifies what jobs it’ll be best for. You may find quite a number of different configurations, but the most widespread types of engine are one-cylinder and V-twin two-cylinder. The riders powered by the one-cylinder motor are more basic and less expensive but they might not cut the grass as good and efficiently as those powered by V-twin two-cylinder. Still, they’ll do their work at best on half to one-acre lawns. The riders based on V-twin two-cylinder are more performing and capable, they don’t heat up as fast and thus, last considerably longer when used for long-term jobs. The use of additional air filters and oil filtration system will greatly extend the service life of the engine, so beware.
There are also several types of transmission that you just as well may want to consider since it strongly affects the ease of operation. If the lawn is big, flat and smooth, you can opt for a model with a manual type of transmission. It’s well suitable for setting the most accurate speed for short, tall and wet grass. The riders with an automatic type of transmission ideally work on the areas with lots of obstacles, lumps and bumps. As a rule, their turning radius is zero. than any other riding lawn mowers, they are massively purchased by professional mowers.
Performance
Now, there are some other things that are of high importance worth your consideration. Those consumers who’re seeking for a true powerhouse to mow rough lawns should definitely pay attention to the following aspects. the cutting width, the number of blades, tank capacity, cutting speed, height adjustment and working modes.
Consider the maximum cutting width if you want to cut more grass in one pass. The wider it is, the fewer circles you’ll have to ride. The riders with a bigger number of blades will better cut the grass without tearing it up. High speeds ideally suit for mowing big areas and rough terrains while the height adjustment allows varying the optimal angle of cut. The riders can also mulch, bag, side-discharge and collect the cut grass, making the whole process much easier.
Conveniences
Finally, a consumer should pay attention to lawn mower’s conveniences. Seat dimensions, a steering wheel, lever coating material, a footrest, an armrest, and a cup holder are important for comfortable use. Furthermore, a water hose connector allows you to clean the mower after its performance. Take into consideration that a folding floor provides comfortable access to the blades while a fuel indicator helps to control fuel consumption. Besides, an electric blade system provides a quick turning on and prolongs the lifespan of the drive belt. To crown it all, a special indicator alerts you about the necessity to change the oil.
All these conveniences provide comfortable use and timely maintenance of the mower.
Did you know?
Ride Your Own Ride
If you ask us, riding lawn mowers serve as the perfect testament to mankind’s ingenuity, with laziness almost always being the biggest driving force behind that ingenuity. We wanted to keep a pristine lawn but we didn’t want to put in the effort that was required to maintain that lawn, so we came up with these machines that do the bulk of the job for us. They’re effective, they’re efficient, and, honestly, they’re quite a lot of fun. So, aside from the obvious financial question, why so do many people feel reluctant about switching from a regular lawn mower to a much more efficient alternative? Well, a part of it could certainly be attributed to the good ol’ baby duck syndrome, a principle that suggests people often tend to stick with the very first iteration of a particular technology since they believe it to be far superior to everything that came after it. But we all know that, in this case, this is simply false, don’t we? Aside from the fact that about 68,000 people suffer all sorts of injuries while operating a regular lawn mower, you’d be hard-pressed to come up with a solid argument that supports the theory that those regular mowers do a better job of taking care of the lawn than riding lawn mowers. And if you don’t feel like that is actually the case, here are a few advantages of these types of mowers that may just convince you otherwise.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a self-propelled lawn mower, a push mower, a reel mower, or even a robotic lawn mower, none of them is capable of offering the same kind of efficiency as riding mowers do. Frankly, any type of mower that requires you to stand behind it doesn’t even come close when it comes to getting the job done as quickly as possible. The speed with which you can mow the lawn using a riding mower is simply unparalleled no matter how you slice it. if we’re talking about a large yard, one of these vehicles will be able to save you hours every single week.
Well, this one is a bit of a no-brainer, isn’t it? Unfortunately, the majority of yards are not completely flat, and even if they were, you would still be working a lot harder trying to mow your lawn with a self-propelled model or any other stand behind mower. And don’t even get us started on those scorching summer days when it feels like you might evaporate after a few minutes outdoors, so the last thing you want to do is push a heavy piece of machinery around your yard for a minimum of half an hour. Besides, taking care of your lawn is a monotonous, tedious task. But a riding lawn mower makes it as exciting as it can possibly be.
As much as we all would like to be in an optimal, tip-top condition every single day of our lives, we’re afraid the reality is seldom so lenient. Whether you simply do not feel well on a particular day or you happen to have some kind of a long-standing injury, operating a stand behind mower can be simply out of the question. On the other hand, a riding lawn mower is a lot more forgiving when it comes to your health concerns and there’s a good chance you will be able to continue maintaining your own yard in the majority of cases unless, of course, we’re talking about a critical condition situation here. If the latter is the case, you might want to pay your physician a visit before concerning yourself with gardening matters.
Sources:
Roger Cook How to Choose a Riding Lawn Mower, This Old House.
Lawn Mower Tractor Buying Guide, Consumer Reports. September 2016
Kelly Burgess Lawn Tractor Buying Guide, ConsumerSearch. May 12, 2016
Evan Gillespie Diesel Lawn Mowers Vs. Gas Lawn Mowers, SFGate.
Tessa Miller How Often Should You Mow a Growing Lawn? Lifehacker. October 8, 2013.
Roy Berendsohn How to Mulch Leaves With a Lawn Mower, Popular Mechanics. November 26, 2012.
Abby Tripp Heverin Riding Mower Buyer’s Guide, Hobby Farms. April 26, 2013.
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How to Make a Lawn Mower Go Faster (9 Tricks!)
Mowing the lawn is time-consuming, that’s no secret. Maybe you don’t particularly enjoy the activity, or maybe you’re just in a hurry. It’s only natural to look for ways to make a lawn mower go faster so you can get back to enjoying your afternoon. There are a few simple tweaks you can make, as well as some more complicated projects and modifications that’ll get your mower cutting as efficiently as possible. In this article, I aim to show you some of the most common ways of how to make a lawn mower go fast.
How to Make a Lawn Mower Go Faster (9 Tricks!)
If you’ve been wondering how to mow the lawn faster, one way is by making modifications to parts of your mower, such as the governor spring, tires, and pulley wheel. These modifications can increase the speed of your mower. You can also make it go faster with some simple additions to your lawn mower maintenance routine such as checking the oil and keeping the tank topped up. Some of these tricks are easy to implement, taking only minutes (after a trip to the hardware store, but I love those). Others are complicated projects that should be started at your own risk. Are you ready to make your lawn mower go faster? Great—read on to find out how!
Changing your Mower’s Air Filter
The first and most simple way to make your lawn mower go faster is to replace the air filter. Over time, these get clogged up, allowing dirt and refuse to enter your engine—causing damage, and startup problems of various kinds. Also, a clogged filter will prevent your engine from getting enough oxygen flow, causing it to run inefficiently, which in turn makes your lawn mower slow.
A fresh air filter will increase the speed of your lawn mower, especially if you’ve owned and used it for a long time. You can find new air filters for your lawn mower at your local hardware store or online—check your owner’s manual for reference.
Checking and Changing the Oil
Check the oil level and quality regularly. This is an important step in keeping your mower’s engine running at maximum efficiency. This is because oil degrades with time and use, and will eventually start damaging the engine if left unchecked.
For a push mower, it’s recommended to change the oil every season, or after roughly 50 hours of use – whichever comes first. The same goes for riding mowers, though they will run for around 100 hours before needing an oil change. I’d also recommend changing the stock oil of your mower for something of higher quality after the first 5 hours of use.
Not sure how to check your mower’s oil level? Don’t worry – it’s easy. First, unscrew the dipstick from the oil reservoir. Wipe the readings and replace the cap. Always top up the oil by pouring slowly, being careful not to overfill the compartment. For a full oil change, it’s best to consult the owner’s manual for their intended method, though for most push mowers you simply tip the machine on its side and place a plastic dish to catch the oil in before disposing of it responsibly (recycle if you can!).
Changing the Length of the Governor Spring
Something else you can do is change the length of the governor. It’s a small spring that controls the fuel flow to the engine. Increasing the spring’s length will allow for more fuel to flow to your engine, thus making it go faster.
Similarly, removing the governor entirely will significantly increase your lawn mower’s horsepower. To adjust the governor, you may need to remove the starter insert and flywheel housing (don’t forget to replace these, that’s important). Once the spring is removed, bear in mind you are now operating the machine outside of its recommended use-case scenario. Be cautious and stay safe.
Keep the Tank Topped Up
This may sound obvious to some, but it’s good to know that if your tank isn’t full, your mower isn’t operating at maximum capacity—so keep it topped up. This is because as your tank empties, the available volume of air in the tank is increasing—and fuel fumes are evaporating into this air—decreasing fuel efficiency. Just don’t overfill the tank.
You can also opt for some high-octane fuel, just make sure you empty the tank before using a different kind of fuel. As usual, always refer to the owner’s manual to gauge the types of fuel that are compatible with your lawn mower.
How To Make A Riding Lawn Mower Fast
How about riding mowers specifically? There are a few tips specifically suited to making a riding mower go faster.
Sharp Blades
The most important thing you can do to increase the speed of your riding lawn mower (any mower, really!) is to keep the blades sharp. This sounds simple, but it’s easy to forget. A sharp blade cuts with less resistance, leading to less friction as well as helping prevent grass buildup on your blades as you mow for extended sessions.
Bigger Tires
One of the most common tweaks is to install bigger tires. With bigger tires, you cover more ground per wheel rotation, translating directly into increased speed. You should make sure the tires on the mower are the same width. This will make the mower respond quicker and maneuver smoothly.
Better Airflow
In addition to making sure the air filter is clean, you can opt to remove the hood of your riding lawn mower entirely! Doing so will drastically increase the airflow to your engine, giving it some extra juice.
Reduce Weight
As an added bonus for removing the hood from the previous trick, you have now significantly reduced the weight of your machine, which helps it go faster. Remember to replace the hood between uses to help keep the engine clean, especially if you keep it outside.This trick doubles as a legitimate argument for why my older teenager should be mowing the lawn for me sometimes. He’ll be faster at it because he’s smaller than me, it’s simple physics!
Bigger Pulley
The real modification, however, is the infamous pulley mod. By changing your pulley to a bigger one, you can substantially increase the speed of your mower.
Is A Bigger Pulley Going To Increase My Mower Speed?
You can change the size of the engine pulleys on your riding mower to increase the speed. This is a relatively complex procedure—more of a weekend project than a quick tweak. If you’re considering this, you should definitely consult your manual, as well as have a wide selection of tools on hand. Every mower is different, and you may need to make some major modifications.
One pulley is connected to the engine, and the other pulley is behind it. By installing a bigger pulley (and matching belt), you will increase the speed of your mower—just bear in mind this will most likely void your warranty. Not to mention, there are obvious safety concerns when operating your machine outside of its intended range.
That’s all Folks!
All in all, it’s completely possible to increase your lawn mower’s speed. You can do so with some simple additions to your maintenance routine, or you can venture into the more advanced methods such as adjusting the governor spring or looking at increasing the size of your pulley wheel. If you’re unsure about your ability to make these modifications yourself, or if you’re concerned about the safety of it all, you can consult a professional to make the modifications for you. If you have any other tips tricks on how to make your lawn mower go faster, share them with the community in a comment below!
About Tom Greene
I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the “lawn mower guru” (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!
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What is the Cheapest Riding Lawn Mower? Trim Your Garden Without Overspending
If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. Read more here.
Riding lawn mowers are incredible machines for cutting extensive grass on lawns. They make an excellent option for homeowners who own massive lands, plus, they make cutting fun.
However, most of them are expensive and those available can easily overwhelm the budget buyer. That is why our experts curated this list of the tried and tested cheapest riding lawn mowers in the market for you to make the right choice.
Reviews of the Cheapest Riding Lawn Mowers
Husqvarna Z254 54-In 26HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower
If you want a combination of efficiency and beauty, this Husqvarna zero-turn riding mower has it all. This lawnmower is designed with a heavy-duty steel material to enhance durability and ruggedness.
What makes Husqvarna Z254 Riding Mower exceptional is its powerful 26HP Kohler engine. This engine powers the mower and enables it to attain a maximum speed of 6.5 MPH [1].
The lawnmower includes a park brake system that automatically turns on or off whenever you move the steering levers. The brake system improves the user’s safety.
Additionally, the mower is incredibly easy to navigate and comfortable to handle.
What We Like
- Powerful engine capacity
- Made with durable steel material
- Easy to navigate
- Superior cutting prowess
Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
This budget riding lawn mower includes what you need to mow your medium-sized and small lawns in a timely fashion. Also, it is constructed with high-quality steel materials to maximize its longevity.
The Troy-Bilt 382cc 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower has a 30-inch cutting deck that allows you to cut a medium-sized yard. Plus, the mower is powered by a potent engine and six-speed transmission for more cutting efficiency.
Our experts were satisfied with the 18-inch turning radius as the mower made sharp turns. With the adjustable settings and soft steering wheel, navigating the mower won’t pose an issue.
What We Like
- Comfortable seat
- Quite easy to maneuver
- Highly-durable
- Impressive cutting performance
- Adjustable blades for more efficiency
Cub Cadet XT1 LT42” Riding Mower
If you’re looking for a lawnmower to handle some inclined and somewhat flat lawns of more than an acre, Cub Cadet XT1 LT42″ is a great choice.
Although it has a relatively smaller engine, the 18-HP engine is powerful enough to mow on flat lawns of up to two acres.
The mower is easy to handle, as the tight 16-inch turning radius and automatic hydrostatic transmission allow the machine to move quickly and smoothly. Also, it includes a high-back seat that makes riding comfortable.
Cub Cadet XT1 LT42″ has a 42-inch cutting deck that enables the mower to cover an extensive area in no time.
(For a more powerful engine capacity, you can also check the 26-HP Husqvarna Z254 mower here )
What We Like
- Various cutting heights
- Mows in reverse
- Adjustable seat for more comfort
- Three-year warranty
- Narrow turning radius
Cheap Riding Lawn Mower Buyer’s Guide
When buying a mower, it’s best to test it out to ensure that it has everything you need. However, in a scenario where you cannot test before making a purchase, you should consider the following factors first.
Build and Size
The best riding lawn mowers sizes differ. They come with different cutting deck sizes and cutting heights that determine how well and fast they would be when cutting grasses.
The bigger mowers perform better on large lawns due to their large cutting decks, while smaller zero-turn mowers are better on a small land area. There are top-performing riding mowers that can be used in hills as well.
In terms of the build, you should purchase a lawn that’s constructed with premium-quality materials, such as steel, as they impact the machine’s lifespan.
Type of Riding Lawn Mower
Riding lawnmowers differ in types and designs. They are categorized into three – lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers. and rear-engine riding mowers.
Lawn tractors are notable for their large sizes and heavy weight. They come with powerful engines that are front-mounted. These engines are usually equipped with one or two cylinders and can come with a lever-operated transmission or variable transmission.
Zero-turn mowers are smaller than lawn tractors. They are easy to control, and the rear wheels can turn the mower 360 degrees. This type of mower is better on lawns that are shapeless. They are the most expensive type of riding lawn mower, but as powerful as the other types.
Rear-engine riding mowers have their engines located on their backs. They have relatively smaller decks and are compact, making them easy to navigate. Also, they come with single-cylinder engines and a continuously variable transmission.
