John riding lawn mowers. Best Riding Lawn Mower Reviews 2023

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.

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  • Best Commercial Riding Mower (Find a Dealer)
  • Best Residential Riding Lawn Mower (Buy at Tractor Supply)
  • Best Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower (Buy at Acme Tools)
  • Best Lawn Tractor (Buy at Tractor Supply)
  • Best Consumer Electric Riding Lawn Mower (available at Lowes or Home Depot)
  • Best Riding Lawn Mower For Small Lawns (Buy at Lowes)
  • Best Riding Lawn Mower For Medium Lawns
  • Best Riding Lawn Mower For Large Properties
  • Best Riding Lawn Mower For Hills
  • Best Riding Lawn Mower For The Money (Buy at Tractor Supply)
  • What We Look For In The Best Riding Lawn Mower
  • Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

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.

Price: Contact your local dealer

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.

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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.

Price: 5999.00 – 7999.00 ready to mow

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.

Price: Starting at 27,099.00

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.

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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

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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.

I tested John Deere’s premium 100-series lawn tractor for two weeks during spring cleanup season. Here’s what I discovered.

By Mark Wolfe | Published Apr 21, 2022 9:10 AM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

For anyone maintaining a half-acre or larger property, a lawn tractor makes life easier. A really good lawn tractor offers a combination of power, maneuverability, reliability, and operator comfort for a wide range of chores. than simply a ride-on mower, a lawn tractor might be used to collect leaves and grass clippings, tow a dump cart or lawn aerator, push a snow blower or snow plow, or assist in many other chores. The John Deere S130 has established a solid track record as a premium lawn tractor for midsize properties.

John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor: At a Glance

Rating: 8.5/10

PROS

  • Excellent power and size for 0.5 to 2 acres
  • Tight turning radius
  • Smooth, comfortable ride
  • High vantage point
  • Easy maintenance
  • Compatible with many handy attachments
  • Manufactured in Greeneville, Tennessee

CONS

  • Higher price than the similarly equipped competition
  • Limited capability on hilly terrain

Get the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor at:

What Is the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor?

Built in Greeneville, Tennessee, the S130 marks the point of separation between entry-level and premium John Deere 100-series lawn tractors. It uses the same 42-inch Edge mower deck as the S100 and S120 models but boasts numerous performance and convenience upgrades found on the S140 and higher models, such as:

  • 724-cc, 22-HP Briggs Stratton 44 V-twin gas engine
  • TLT 200 hydrostatic transaxle
  • Single-lever throttle with spring return choke
  • Electric blade engagement
  • Dash-mounted fuel gauge
  • 20 x 10.0-8 rear tires
  • John Deere Easy Change 30-second oil change system

The powerful engine with a full-pressure lubrication system, 12-gauge solid steel frame, solid cast-iron front axle, and many other quality construction details indicates that this machine is built for decades of dependable service. John Deere S130 attachments include both branded and universal implements, like baggers, snow blowers, dump carts, and many others (sold separately) that expand its capabilities well beyond summertime and mowing.

How Comfortable Is this John Deere Lawn Tractor?

Immediately after accepting delivery, I couldn’t resist taking the S130 for a quick drive around the yard at dusk. A few details stood out immediately. First, sitting on the mower provides a high vantage point. At 32 inches above ground level, the seat base was 3 inches higher than my old lawn tractor. And the seat itself is made in two sections, the bottom and the backrest with a small space between rather than a one-piece molded seat. The configuration allowed for good ventilation, and I found it to be quite comfortable.

Regarding the controls and startup, the S130 has a convenient layout. The easy-to-read fuel gauge, parking brake, single-lever spring-assisted choke and throttle, electric push-switches for blade engagement and mowing in reverse, and the ignition are all located in the dashboard cluster around the steering wheel. The ergonomic spring-assisted deck lift lever is located on the mower frame to the right side of the seat. On the floorboard, side-by-side forward and reverse pedals are located on the right and the brake pedal on the left. The fuel tank fill cap is located beneath the seat where it is very easy to access, rather than being tucked under the hood as in many other lawn tractors.

A few more features stood out as I drove around the yard. The hydrostatic transmission operates quietly, with almost none of the typical whining noise. The large 20×10 tires, both taller and wider than those on other lawn tractors, provided excellent cushion to smooth out the bumps. Also, where other lawn tractors skid their front wheels around the tightest turns, the S130’s front wheels tracked extremely well to deliver tight, articulate turns. Finally, the headlights were super bright and effective working in near-dark conditions.

How Powerful Is the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor?

Most 42-inch riding mowers are built with engines rated between 17 and 20 horsepower, so the S130’s 22 horsepower exceeds expectations. Testing coincided with my yearly extra-low mow to remove the excess brown foliage on my warm-season grass as the new growth started pushing out. The extra horsepower prevented the blades from bogging down, allowing the mower to proceed at a normal pace.

Also during the test period, I was working on a project that required hauling a dozen 60-pound bags of concrete to the back corner of the yard, for a total weight of 720 pounds. The maximum tongue weight for this lawn tractor is 443 pounds, and my route included a few upward slopes. I attached my garden trailer via the S130’s drop pin hitch and loaded a 360-pound load, stacking the bags just forward of the trailer axle where they would transfer downward pressure onto the rear wheels of the mower. The result was mixed.

Although there were no symptoms that the weight was too much for the engine, the tires lost traction in a couple of the steep spots so that I had to push the weight farther forward to complete the run. It is worth noting that the manufacturer instructs owners not to mow on slopes greater than 13 degrees (about 4.5 feet in elevation change in 20 linear feet) to avoid accidents and injuries. The wider than average tires increase surface contact but reduce pounds per square inch, which is a great formula for protecting grass but not the best for grip. For snow removal, I would recommend purchasing rear weights and tire chains for best performance.

Is the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor Worth the Money?

At an MSRP of 2,399, the John Deere S130 is priced as much as 500 higher than other 42-inch ride-on mowers from top brands at nationwide retailers. However, a long list of features on the S130, like the hydrostatic transaxle, 22-horsepower V-twin engine, heavy-duty steel frame, large rear tires, electric blade engagement system, and more place it in lonely territory at the top of the list. This lawn tractor is built for decades of dependable hard work, year round. Compared to competitors’ products, it appears to be fairly priced for premium equipment.

Is the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor Right for You?

If the lowest price is your number one concern or if your property is much less than a half-acre, then the John Deere S130 may not be the best fit. It may not be the right choice for properties larger than 2 or 3 acres, or where steep hills present a challenge. But for shoppers with 0.5 to 2 acres who are looking for power, durability, versatility, comfort, and overall performance at a fair price, this lawn tractor should be a top contender.

Two of John Deere’s closest competitors in this category are the Cub Cadet XT1 LT46 (2,399), and the Husqvarna YTH22V46 (2,299). While the Husqvarna beats the S130 price by 100, John Deere covers the 100 difference with added comfort and performance. Both Husqvarna and Cub Cadet boast similar 22-horsepower engines and larger 46-inch decks, but the S130 has a higher vantage point, tighter turning, and larger rear tires for a smoother ride. Additionally, John Deere’s 30-second oil change system is a game changer for routine maintenance. From my experience with the S130, I am convinced that it would be a great choice.

Where to Buy the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor

Get the John Deere S130 Lawn Tractor at:

John Deere’s First All-Electric Riding Mower: Everything You Need to Know

It seems everything is going electric these days, from your pickup truck to your grill. Now, John Deere is joining the EV revolution — with their first-ever fully-electric residential riding lawn mower.

Residential electric riding mowers have existed for a while, but we’ve never before seen John Deere enter the space before — and they’re making a pretty big splash with their debut effort. The new zero-turn mower is called the Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower, and it’s the first in what’s expected to be a wave of electric mowers and lawn tractors from the legendary manufacturer. You likely have a lot of questions about John Deere’s big electric shift, so here’s everything you need to know about this innovative new zero-turn mower.

2023 John Deere S130 Mower Review & Walkaround

The John Deere Z370R Electric Is Easy to Charge

You can kiss your gas cans goodbye, since the Z370R Electric doesn’t need any. Instead, all you have to do to charge the mower is plug a standard outdoor extension cord into a 110-volt grounded outlet. There’s no need to remove the battery or purchase any special charger, meaning you’re likely already set up to charge the mower out of the box.

The John Deere Z370R Electric Requires Less Maintenance

Outside of the obvious benefits of going electric — like less noise and a lack of polluting emissions — is the reduction in maintenance. According to John Deere, the Z370R Electric will be much easier to maintain than its gas-powered brethren, since you won’t ever need to change its oil or replace any filters or belts.

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The John Deere Z370R Electric Is Just As Powerful As Gas Models

The Z370R Electric shares many components with John Deere’s gas-powered models. Its 42 Accel Deep Mower Deck is the same one you’ll find on gas zero-turn mowers, and the electric transaxle has the same maximum forward travel speed of 7 mph that you’ll find on the gas-powered zero-turn Z300 ZTrak mowers. Its 3.2 kWh (3.56 kWh maximum) lithium-ion battery also allows the Z370R to mow up to 2 acres on a single charge, which is the same maximum runtime you’ll find on Z300 ZTrak mowers.

Top 4 Best John Deere Lawn Tractors Review 2023

The John Deere Z370R Electric Mows in the Rain

Not that you’d want to mow your lawn in the rain, but just in case, the Z370R is set up to do so. Both the battery and the mower deck motors are sealed to prevent water ingress, and the mower is rated to be used in the rain and on wet grass without worry. It’s also safe to store outdoors and wash with a hose.

The John Deere Z370R Electric Is Expensive

So far, this electric Deere sounds pretty great, but it’ll cost you. The Z370R is being launched with an MSRP of 6,399. For comparison, the closest gas-powered model specs-wise in John Deere’s lineup is the Z320R, which also has a 42 deck and ZTrak zero-turn capabilities, and those go for 3,699.

The John Deere Z370R Electric Can Be Pre-Ordered Today

While there’s no exact release date for the mower yet, you can get a jumpstart on John Deere’s Electric Tomorrow by pre-ordering your Z370R today. The brand’s online store is taking orders, and the mower is listed as a 2024 model, so it’ll likely be some time before you take delivery. Our Electric Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

Which Lawn Tractor is Best for Hills?

Not all properties are level, which means most people have to mow on slight slopes or hills. While this might not be the first thought when looking to purchase a new mower, it should be. Not all mowers are created equal when it comes to mowing on slopes or hills and safety should be a priority in those situations. Continue reading for tips, insights, and mower recommendations for mowing hills.

How to choose the best lawn tractor for hills

The first option that comes to mind when needing to mow a slope or hill is usually a push mower. While push mowers are the best options in some situations, that may not always be the case. The versatility of a John Deere lawn tractor or residential mower makes them the best mowers for hills. John Deere lawn tractors and residential mowers are built with durability in mind and can cover different terrain while maintaining a clean, even cut to keep your lawn looking its best.

Tips for operating a riding mower on a hill

When operating a riding mower on a hillside or slope, it is important to make sure you do so safely. Here are a few tips for making sure you are safe while mowing a hill or slope.

  • Only mow when the grass is completely dry.
  • Turn around or change directions at the top or bottom of the hill where the ground is flat.
  • Operate at a slower speed for better traction and response time.
  • Mow vertically, not horizontally, to avoid rolling over.
  • Ensure the area is cleared from toys, rocks, wires, and other obstacles, so it doesn’t get thrown by mower blades.
  • Add weights to the front of the lawn tractor.
  • Do not stop in the middle of the hill.

Best riding mowers for hills

John Deere offers a full lineup of lawn and garden tractors to help you tackle the hills on your property. The models within the X300 Series, X500 Series, and X700 Series mowers offer power and stability to get the job done. Some specific model recommendations include:

The larger wheels and tires on the John Deere X380 make it a great choice for varied terrains, including slopes. With a 54-in. Accel Deep™ mower deck and 22 HP engine, the X380 is designed with maneuverability in mind. This model is for homeowners that mow up to 3.5 acres and is built to handle light-to-moderate duty tasks around the yard.

The John Deere X570 model comes with heavy-duty tires and a hydrostatic transaxle with traction assist, both of which provide safety and durability for mowing slopes. The X570 is perfect for helping you tackle various landscaping jobs with a steel frame, low-effort steering, and 24 HP engine.

When it comes to steeper mowing jobs, the John Deere X739 lineup reigns supreme with four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, electronic fuel injection, and heavy-duty tires. All of these features, along with 25.5 HP make the X739 mower a fit for some of the steepest slopes. With the addition of heavy-duty attachments, the John Deere X739 makes landscaping jobs throughout the year a breeze.

Where can I find riding mowers for hills around me?

At Koenig Equipment, our priority is making sure you have the right mower that works best for you and your terrain to ensure you can get the job done, all while being safe. Our trained sales staff will work with you to understand your needs and the terrain of your property to help you select the best mower for any slopes or hills you mow. Visit your local Koenig Equipment to learn more about the mowers we have to offer to help you mow your hills today!

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