Lawn mower vacuum hose. How to Make a Cutout Template for a Leaf Vacuum Hose Adapter

26.07.2023 Boath hose, lawn, mower, vacuum

Introduction: How to Make a Cutout Template for a Leaf Vacuum Hose Adapter

This tutorial will demonstrate how I created cutout templates for the leaf vacuum hose adapter used on my lawn mower. The process was easy, took very little time, cost almost nothing (3 for a pack of 10” bamboo skewers) and was very accurate.

Getting a new pull behind leaf vacuum can be an exciting event, until you realize you will need to cut the universal vacuum hose adapter for the mower deck yourself. For some mower decks, you might be able to cutout a simple rectangular opening. For most lawn mower decks the task can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, my mower deck fell in the category of the latter – complicated – and thus the reason for this Instructable.

Since there are so many different versions and sizes of mower decks available, it would be near impossible for manufacturers to supply templates for mower decks. Thus, it falls upon new owners to figure out how to cut and fit the universal vacuum hose adapter that comes with the unit. The written instructions for this task are rather sparse and videos tend to be vague when it comes to the actual process. As a result, the process usually requires a lot of trial and error cutting cardboard templates and trying them for fit, and then repeating the process over and over until you get reasonably close or just get too frustrated and just use what you have up to that point.

This instructable will explain the process I used to easily create accurate cutout templates that you can then trace on to the universal vacuum hose adapter and then cutout.

This Instructable has four steps:

Step 1 – Determine the best deck location to mount the adapter

Step 2 – How to Accurately recreate the deck shape/profile

Step 3 – Position the templates correctly on the leaf vacuum adapter

Step 4 – Some other considerations.

Note: To view photos original size in this Instructable when uploaded, you need to select a photo, position the cursor near the bottom left of the photo and you should then see a Download Original icon. Simply press it and the photo will open to it’s original size. If the photo is white in the bottom left corner, you may not be able to see the icon, but you should still see the Download Original pop up.

Step 1: Determine the Best Deck Location to Mount the Adapter

Note: In my case it was easier to do the following steps with the mower deck removed; in the instructable I show the mower deck installed so that the reader can better visualize how it might look installed.

It is important that you first determine the approximate position/location where you prefer the adapter be mounted on the mower deck. To do this for my mower deck I simply held the adapter above the mower deck location I wanted and then marked lines and spots where the edges of the adapter crossed areas on the mower deck (photo 04 top right. purple line overlaid on the photo).

For example, the front deck position I marked with a line (photo 04, top left bottom left), the intermediate points towards the back I marked with short dashes (photo 04, top left top right), and the back deck position with a large dot (photo 04, top left bottom right).

Be sure to allow enough clearance for the vacuum hose movement, wheel clearance, etc (photo 03 of Intro).

Step 2: How to Accurately Recreate the Deck Shape/profile

In order to recreate the contour (profile) of the deck, I created a simple tool for the purpose. I used some stiff cardboard and inserted 10” bamboo meat skewers through the holes in the cardboard (photo 05). For the contour tool, I made the width of the contour cutout about 1” larger than the adapter cutout area (between the two blue arrows in the top left, photo 05). I made the contour tool cutout height 1” higher than the highest point of the deck above the deck rim (about 6 in my case). I then inserted the bamboo meat skewers through the corrugated cardboard holes as shown in photo 05, top right.

Next, I cut a blank section of cardboard the same size as the face of the universal vacuum hose adapter (6 ½” x 21”). I then placed the contour tool on the deck rim over the line I initially marked in step 1 and adjusted each skewer down to the surface of the deck. The contour tool must sit on the rim of the mower deck since that is how universal vacuum hose adapters are mounted when attached. (In photo 05, bottom right, I show the contour cutout slightly above those points only so that you can see the deck markings.)

I then placed the contour tool over the blank section of cardboard and recreated the actual contour onto the blank (photo 05, right middle). Next, I cutout the blank using the traced line as a guide. You should end up with a nice template, something like that shown in photo 05, bottom left.

Finally, always check your results on the deck contour to make sure you’ve not made any errors.

For the bottom contour, I cutout a section of cardboard the same width as the universal vacuum hose adapter and placed it directly under the deck using the same marker points on the deck (photos 06-08). I simply traced the outlines using the deck and marked a dash line allowing for the thickness of the mower deck. I then cutout the bottom template using the dashed line (photo 08). As a reminder, all of the adapters are mounted so that they sit on the outer rim of the mower deck.

Step 3: Position the Templates Correctly on the Leaf Vacuum Adapter

First, make sure the profile cutouts match the profile of the deck surface where you want it to be positioned.

Using the templates, trace the templates onto the adapter surfaces. Double check that you positioned them correctly before cutting out the adapter.

Using a jigsaw, cutout the adapter openings along the lines you traced in the last step (photos 09 10). Do a test fit to make sure things matched up as expected. The final step is to install any mounting hardware the manufacturer supplied with the adapter. If yours was like mine, you will probably need to make a few modifications for just the right fit (photos 11 12).

Leaf Blower Vacuum Conversion

Step 4: Some Other Considerations.

There were several other thoughts I’m including here that might be of interest:

Trailer hitch (photo 14). My leaf vacuum manufacturer recommended the hitch height be between 8-15” above ground. I added a hitch adapter that met the height requirement as well created a stronger pull rating in the process. The hitch I used can be found searching for “CNSY Universal Lawn Tractor Hitch 3-Way Garden Trailer Hitch with Support Brace Kit”.

Cotter pin modification on hose support (see yellow arrow in photo 15). All pull behind leaf vacuums I have seen have a vacuum hose support rod. The rods routinely pop out during use, so I secured mine with a cotter pin.

Longer, more rugged hose for vacuuming piles of leaves (photo 16) and place vacuum hose “markers” on ends and middle (photo 17, top photos bottom left). According to the manufacturers estimate, the vacuum hose that comes with my unit should have been long enough for most lawn tractors. Unfortunately, my tractor has a sharper left turn radius than normal, so I needed a longer vacuum hose. They offered an extension, however it would have been too long and added unnecessary weight, so I just purchased a longer, more rugged, lighter vacuum hose instead. The hose I use is from (https://www.cyclonerake.com/flex-tube-pu-hose/). I also placed markers on the hose and attachments to make it quicker to put on and remove the hose each time when using or storing.

Box strap as a handle when using as vacuum hose (photo 17, bottom right). My leaf vacuum came with a quick release coupling to allow accessory hoses to be attached. I attached a box strap near the quick release end of the hose to use as a handle when picking up large piles of leaves.

Keep vacuum hose off the ground so it doesn’t wear out on bottom side (photo 16). Recommend the hose support keep the hose elevated to prevent unnecessary wear on the vacuum hose bottom. Many of the leaf vacuum units I seen installed by owners allow the hose to drag along the ground rather than keep it elevated.

I need to store my leaf vacuum in an outdoor shed, so when storing I remove the vacuum hose to conserve space. I use a duct vent cover to keep mice out of the leaf vacuum motor inlet while stored (photo 18).

I hope you find this Instructable useful.

I’ve Tried It: The Best Vacuum For Detailing – Ridgid WD4070

The best vacuum for auto detailing is one of the first things people look for when getting started. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting a detailing business or you just want to keep your personal vehicle neat and tidy, you’re going to need a good vacuum.

Any popular wet/dry vacuum can technically get the job done. There are a few factors that will decide whether a vacuum is really great for auto detailing though. Suction, size, shape, and available accessories are all important to consider. That’s why my pick (and many others) is the Ridgid WD4070.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money or buy a vacuum specifically made for cleaning your car. This Ridgid vacuum can be purchased at many local stores or here online. It’s easy to maneuver, has plenty of power, and won’t break the bank.

Why is the Ridgid WD4070 so popular for auto detailing?

It’s quite possible that you’ll see a mobile detailer pull this vacuum out of their rig when they arrive on site. There’s a good reason for that – it simply works well. This vacuum is priced at an enthusiast level, but can absolutely handle professional use.

The WD4070 has plenty of suction for cleaning vehicles. It’s important to know that no vacuum can handle every aspect of interior cleaning by itself with no technique involved. This isn’t a carpet extractor or a steam cleaner. But with the right technique, I believe you can avoid needing either of those machines for 90% of interior detailing tasks.

As long as you take care of your vehicle, you shouldn’t need more than a vacuum, some brushes, and an all-purpose cleaner. Perhaps I’ll explain those strategies further in a future post. For now, let’s stick to the vacuum itself.

The 4 gallon capacity is more than enough for detailing cars. This isn’t something you need to worry about. As long as you empty it out and clean the filter periodically, you’ll never have an issue.

This vacuum has a 5 peak HP rating. To be honest, I chose it based on its popularity among other people who do what I do. I didn’t spend hours going over and comparing specs. Apparently, there’s a certain level of conspiracy over horsepower ratings on vacuums anyways.

All I can tell you is that this thing sucks. (see what I did there?)

This vacuum takes up very little space whether you’re traveling with it in your vehicle or keeping it in your garage at home. Its small size combined with its large handle and light weight make it very easy to grab and go.

Out of the box, the WD4070 is set up for general use as opposed to car detailing. It’s got a 20 foot long power chord which is really nice. There have been times where I haven’t even needed an extension chord thanks to this. It also has a small storage bin on the end that you can use to hold accessories.

Vacuum accessories for auto detailing

Speaking of accessories, there are a few of them that I highly recommend if you’ll be using it for car detailing. These aren’t absolutely required, but they’ll make your life a lot easier.

Crevice tool

First and foremost is a crevice tool like this one. This isn’t included with the vacuum itself and is needed to fit down between car seats and other tight areas. This is cheap to buy and will make all the difference in being able to reach every corner of your interior.

Higher quality hose

Another important accessory is a professional grade hose. My only real complaint about this vacuum is the plastic hose that it comes with. I’d heard other people talk about the downsides of the stock hose, but didn’t think it was that big of a deal.

After fighting with the original hose like the Crocodile Hunter for a few months, I finally caved and bought the Ridgid VT2570 pro-grade hose. The difference was night and day.

I no longer have to worry about pulling the hose too hard and dragging the vacuum into the side of a vehicle. It flexes and moves much more naturally and completely changes the user experience. Knowing what I know now, I’d recommend skipping the stress and upgrading to this hose right away.

Rubber pet hair brush

If you don’t have any animals, this might not be very important to you. If you do, it will really help to pick up that hair. You can use a pet hair brush like this one to gather the hair into bigger clumps that the vacuum can suck up easier later on. A squeegee or even a rubber glove will also work well depending on the size of the area you’re working on.

Small, soft-bristled detailing brush

I find a small detailing brush like this one comes in really handy for reaching dirt in the cracks of dashboards, center consoles, and gear shifts. These areas are hard to reach with a just a towel, so using a brush in one hand and the vacuum nozzle in the other is a great way to break the dirt loose and suck it up simultaneously.

Warranty for Ridgid vacuums

The final selling point of this vacuum is Ridgid’s lifetime warranty. I love any company that stands confidently behind their product. I don’t have any concerns about the reliability of the WD4070, but it’s nice to know that I’m covered in the event that something does go wrong.

I’ve used this vacuum on some pretty gnarly interiors (or as some customers in the detailing world put it: “not too bad!“) and I’ve never felt like I needed more power. It’s hard to go wrong with this one thanks to its relatively low price and excellent performance. The addition of the accessories I mentioned make this a great choice for auto detailing.

Pros:

Great price
Perfect size
Lifetime warranty
Plenty of power
Long power chord

Cons:

Stock hose isn’t great
Extra accessories needed for optimal use
I’m not crazy about the orange accents

Tips for vacuuming your car interior:

Tim is the creator of Canadian Gearhead. His experience with auto detailing and working for Toyota shows through all of the articles posted here. He runs the Canadian Gearhead site and YouTube channel full-time now and currently owns a 2007 4runner, 2006 Tacoma, and 1991 MR2. Read more about Tim:

The 10 Very Best Vacuums

If you want to know which vacuums work best, ask those who tackle the trickiest messes. That’s exactly what I did, reaching out to an array of experts — including home organizers, chefs, cleaning specialists, nannies, and pet pros — to see what vacuum each recommends. (One thing to note: Robot vacuums aren’t included here.) These opinionated authorities have sucked up everything from dust to dog hair to Play-Doh. They’ve also considered if a vacuum works better on one surface than another (or if it works equally well on hardwood floors and shaggy carpets) and how easy it is to maneuver. Additionally, I’ve tested over a dozen top-rated models myself to get a front-row seat to all the superlative suction. So read on for the intel and our picks for the ten best vacuums.

What we’re looking for

Over time, bagless vacuums have overtaken bagged ones as the standard because they’re easy to clean and don’t require the additional purchase of extra vacuum bags. (In fact, all of the vacuums we picked are bagless.) But there’s still a fair amount of debate about which type of vacuum is best. There are three main options: upright, stick, and canister. Upright vacuums are the most traditional, with a handle on top, a swiveling brush head, and a corded power source. Stick vacuums have become more popular thanks to Dyson, and they’re often cordless (though you can find corded options). Canister vacuums, which are usually corded, are the most compact full-size option and come with a long hose that makes it easier to get into nooks and crannies.

Corded vacuums are great if you’ve got a larger space and don’t want to worry about running out of battery halfway through your cleaning session. But of course, they’re limited to areas where you can find an outlet. That’s why we’ve listed the length of the cord, which ranges from 15 to 27 feet. For the cordless vacuums, we’ve listed the maximum run time, according to the manufacturer. (Of course, that run time is variable in real life, and it can change depending on whether the battery is fully charged and which power setting you’re running it on. But it will give you a good sense of whether the vacuum has enough battery life to clean your whole apartment or if it’s better for spot treatments.)

If the vacuum is too heavy to carry around, you probably won’t want to take it out often and clean. In general, stick vacuums are lighter than upright or corded ones.

Best overall vacuum

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 70 minutes | Weight: 7.72 lbs.

Dyson owners are so loyal to the brand, I wasn’t surprised to find a slew of Gen5detect diehards, even though it just landed on U.S. shores in June. Emily Ranager, director of business operations at Shelfie, an NYC-based organizing service, is “obsessed” with her Gen5detect and says it’s a favorite of many in her circle. In addition to its 70-minute run time, she’s a fan of its dust-illuminating technology that has twice the power of previous versions. “It illuminates invisible dust and hair on my floors, so I can be sure I’m sucking up as much filth as possible.” Ranager also raves about how it converts to a handheld vacuum, which is ideal for countertop spills. That’s likely why Toni Roberts, the executive pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, loves using her Gen5detect in the kitchen. “It’s superlight and gets all kinds of dusty bits,” she says. “It also has multiple cleaning heads that can be swapped in, and the filter is washable, so there’s less waste.”

When I tested a Gen5 myself (I got my hands on a Gen5outsize, which has double the run time and a dustbin that’s over twice as large as the Gen5detect), what blew me away was the vacuum’s built-in LCD screen that gives you a satisfyingly grotesque count of how many particles it nabs from your floors. One pass beneath my writing desk yielded 108 million microscopic crumbs — an impressive amount of WFH bagel bits.

Best less expensive vacuum

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 60 minutes | Weight: 8.9 lbs.

For best overall vacuum, it was neck and neck (wand and wand?) between the Dyson Gen5detect and the Shark Stratos. Ultimately, the Dyson snagged the top spot for its run time, but the Shark has some major tricks up its cordless sleeve and is less than half the price.

For one, the stick bends at a right angle so you can slide the whole vacuum under tables, couches, and beds. Ceramicist Liz Burns says, “It’s a dream to slide my Shark Stratos under my pottery wheel and beneath nearby shelves to pick up dust and debris with ease. Plus the whole thing folds in half for super-compact storage — it’s seriously amazing how small it becomes.”

In addition to its contortionist capabilities, the Shark Stratos, like the Dyson Gen5detect, automatically boosts its suction power when it comes across bigger messes. This feature, called Clean Sense IQ in the Stratos, visually shows you when debris is detected and when it’s clean. I tested the Stratos after hosting my three kid nephews for dinner, and we laughed that it works as a messy-eater detector when you run it under each dining chair.

Best vacuum for hard floors

Type: Canister | Cord length: 16 feet | Weight: 10.23 lbs.

Sarah McAllister, founder of the cleaning site Bleach, Pray, Love and creator of the Instagram account GoCleanCo, says the Bissell Zing is especially great for hard floors and small spaces. Plus it proves that maneuverability isn’t reserved for only stick vacuums. “It’s lightweight, so you can carry it around to get in tight or high-up spaces,” says McAllister. And the price doesn’t disappoint either. “If you’re looking for a vacuum that packs a punch and is under 75, this is a go-to. All of my staff carry them.”

Strategist editor Maxine Builder is also a fan of the Bissell Zing, especially because the canister design fits easily at the bottom of a coat closet. And though it’s ideal for cleaning up after her (very hairy, part-husky) dog on the hardwood floor of her Brooklyn apartment, she notes that it’s not quite as effective on other floor types. “It struggles a bit more on rugs,” she says. “I usually have to go over the runner two or three times to get all the pet hair out.”

Best vacuum for carpet and rugs

Type: Upright | Cord length: 27 feet | Weight: 13.65 lbs.

While cleaning expert Sarah McAllister relies on the Bissell Zing for hard floors, she counts on the Bissell CleanView for carpets, noting once again that she prefers a corded option. “For carpets,” she says, “we like an upright vacuum with replaceable filters that you can clean easily,” which helps the filters last much longer — up to eight months. With a specialized roller head covered in heavy-duty bristles, the CleanView loosens, lifts, and sucks up deeply embedded debris from carpets. McAlister says that even after running other vacuums over carpeting first, the CleanView still manages to scrounge up a good amount of additional dirt, providing a truly thorough cleaning.

Best canister vacuum

Type: Canister | Cord length: 18 feet | Weight: 13 lbs.

While some vacuums are like meaningless flings — in and out the door, never quite right for your lifestyle — others are for going the distance. Miele vacuums are the latter, according to Leah Guadagnoli, an artist and the founder of the monthly dinner party Fancy Feast Supper Club, which she often hosts in her upstate New York home. “For deeper cleans, I’m in love with my Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction,” she says. “It works great for getting in between the crevices in my wood floor where flour and crumbs annoyingly always accumulate. This is for those nitty gritty corners of my kitchen and home.” It’s also the vacuum she uses to prepare for her mother coming over. “Mom’s coming to visit?” she says. “Better bust out the Miele!”

Shara Kay, a certified professional organizer and the founder of SK Organizing in Beverly Hills, agrees about the reliability of Miele canisters. She praises their high suction, efficient size, and retractable cord storage. “They’re expensive but last for decades,” she says.

Best vacuum for pets

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 40 minutes | Weight: 5.58 lbs.

Among pet pros, Dyson gets a lot of love. The Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum landed the “best overall” title in our story about the best vacuums for pet hair. And here, the animal lovers I spoke with recommended the V8, a similar but older model. Kelly Crook — who fosters both cats and dogs and founded an ice cream company for canines called the Pupper Cup — appreciates how efficiently it sucks up animal hair in her Bronx apartment. “The V8 is lightweight, easy to maneuver, cordless, a breeze to empty (a.k.a. not gross!) and has never clogged, even though I’m vacuuming up tons of fur every day,” she says. Andrea Arden, founder of Andrea Arden Dog Training appreciates that it transforms into a handheld and “eliminates the need for an additional device.” Arden keeps a V8 as well as a Dyson Cyclone V10 at each of her five NYC locations.

Beyond fur, Jen Jordan, a hairstylist who often works out of her Brooklyn apartment, raves about the V8’s ability to pick up human hair. “Brooms and Swiffers push the cut hair into unreachable corners while this attachment has a felt roller at the front that draws the hair (and dust and cat litter) into the vacuum.” Meanwhile, Patrice Novkov, who founded the NYC-based Mulberry Nanny Agency, relies on the V8 to suck up Play-Doh and car-seat crumbs.

Best less expensive vacuum for pets

Type: Stick with cord | Cord length: 15 feet | Weight: 2.6 lbs.

This extremely lightweight, amazingly affordable vacuum (it’s less than 10 percent of the price of the Dyson) gets the job done for pet parents, according to Twila McGee, CEO and founder of pet-care company Nola’s Finest Pets. “Even though it’s extremely light, this vacuum has a powerful suction that makes picking up pet hair on carpet, rugs, and hard floors a breeze,” she says. And if you think such a bargain price means the vacuum won’t last, McGee notes that she’s had hers for almost two years now and it still works like it did on the first day. Like the Dyson, it can be converted into a handheld, but unlike the Dyson, it comes in bright colors, which is fun. Get a FeatherWeight and you just may have the only lime-green vacuum on the block.

Best vacuum for allergy sufferers

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 60 minutes | Weight: 8 lbs.

Longtime Shark fan and even longer-time allergy sufferer Naveen Singh became an instant Miele convert after testing the Triflex HX2. “I’ve always assumed Miele vacuums are all canister design, so it was cool to find out I could get the maneuverability of a cordless stick with the power of a Miele motor,” he says. Singh was impressed by the Triflex HX2’s ability to capture dust on both hardwood floors and rugs — something he doesn’t mess around with in order to keep sneezing and runny noses at bay. With its HEPA lifetime filter, this model claims 99.999 percent filtration, picking up dust, allergens, and viruses. “Plus it turns into a handheld, so I can use it in my car, too,” Singh says. “I’m the kind of guy who even keeps a mini trash can in my car, so this level of trustworthy cleanliness is major.”

Best vacuum for storage

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 60 minutes | Weight: 5.95 lbs.

At first, the more than three-foot storage tower that’s included with the CordZero seems like overkill. Sure, other cordless sticks lean (and fall) awkwardly when not in use, but when mine arrived I wondered if it was really necessary to pair such an easy-breezy, lightweight machine with such a sizable station. However, once I vacuumed my entire apartment off one charge and docked this cordless stick, I realized the true beauty of the tower — once the CordZero returns to its stand, the dustbin empties automatically. Within the tower, the dust is funneled into a bag that you pop out and throw away when full (about once a month). No more hovering over a garbage can to dump dirt, only to accidentally spill dust back onto your clean floors. The CordZero’s hands-free auto-empty feature makes it especially great for allergy sufferers (no wonder it’s earned certification from the British Allergy Foundation). The tower also charges the vacuum and stores its attachments too.

When Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo tried another LG CordZero model (the A9 Kompressor Stick Vacuum with Power Mop) she was amazed by how much dust, dirt, and dog hair it picked up from her rug and how it outperformed her robo vac. “Please don’t judge me when I say this, but the dustbin on the LG filled up and needed to be emptied after just 20 minutes of vacuuming,” she says.

Best wet/dry vacuum

Type: Upright | Cord length: 25 feet | Weight: 12.5 lbs.

The name of the vacuum game these days is multifunctional: Uprights transform into handhelds, pet-hair erasers also clean upholstery, and dusters become brooms. So when I heard about the CrossWave HydroSteam — a vacuum, mop, and steamer in one — I had to give it a go. Fortunately, the aftermath of a family BBQ presented the ideal testing opportunity with a minefield of mustard-strewn tile, crushed Cheetos on an area rug, and the remnants of a pukey mess in the entryway from a friend’s daughter who went too hard on the bounce house.

For a machine that promises so much, setup is surprisingly easy. The CrossWave HydroSteam comes with sterilizing formulas (for both hard floor and multi-surface), so you simply fill a tank with water and formula, then snap it into the back of the vacuum. You switch between modes (hard floor, steam wash, or area rug) on the handle, which sits at the end of a, dare I say, lovely copper stick. Within minutes I tackled my multi-surface mess and was very happy with the ease of cleanup and end results. You do have to empty a dirty water tank after each cleaning, but you’d have to do that anyway if you were mopping. Plus, an automatic self-cleaning cycle takes care of the brush roll, which is more than you can say for any mop head.

The best riding mowers: Mow your lawn faster

Up your summer lawn care game with a riding mower that makes for a faster, more eco-friendly mowing experience.

Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovel.

Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovel.

Riding mowers are a popular mower choice for homeowners, especially if you have a big property to maintain every summer. They have cutting decks measuring from 42 to 72 inches, so you can make short work of everything from typical lawns to large properties, like sports complexes and golf courses.

Unlike their push mower counterparts, riding mowers have more features to consider in order to find the right fit for your yard. You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission, so you can set and forget your speed or operate your mower like a car. You can even get riding mowers with cruise control or all-wheel drive for better traction.

While gas engines are far more common among riding mowers, there is a wide selection of battery-powered models if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly solution for lawn care. My pick for the best overall riding mower is the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP for its 24HP engine, 54-inch cutting deck, and ability to mow up to four acres with a full gas tank. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as well as our other top picks.

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP

Best riding mower overall

24HP engine
54-inch cutting deck
Automatic transmission
Attachments and accessories available

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP tech specs: Engine: 24HP Kohler | Cutting width: 54 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 4 acres

The Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP riding mower is an excellent choice for a variety of lawns. It’s built with a 24HP Kohler engine and a 54-inch cutting deck to let you handle inclines and rough terrain or haul tools, mulch, and potting soil around your property.

The hydrostatic, automatic transmission makes operation similar to a typical car, so you can spend more time actually cutting your grass and less time learning how to drive your mower. With a 3-gallon tank, you’ll be able to mow up to 4 acres at a time.

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

Best electric riding mower

2.5 acre max range
Quick-charge batteries
LCD heads-up display
USB charging ports

Ryobi 80V electric lawn tractor tech specs: Engine: 80V brushless electric | Cutting width: 46 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 2.5 acres

Electric riding mowers have become more popular in recent years as homeowners and landscaping professionals look for ways to make lawn care more eco-friendly. The Ryobi 80V electric lawn tractor features a 46-inch cutting deck and enough power to let you mow up to 2.5 acres on a single charge, and you can recharge your mower batteries in as little as 2.5 hours.

This means you can take care of other tasks, like weeding or landscaping, while you’re waiting for your mower to recharge. An LCD screen gives you a heads-up display of run time, battery levels, and reminders to inspect and sharpen your mower blades. It even has two USB ports for charging your phone while you mow.

Toro Titan Max

Best zero-turn riding mower

Mows up to 7 acres at once
Highly maneuverable
10-gauge steel construction
Tool-free air filters

Toro Titan Max tech specs: Engine: 26HP Kohler 7000 | Cutting width: 60 inches | Transmission: Dual hydrostatic/automatic | Max yard size: 7 acres

Zero-turn riding mowers are popular with homeowners who have larger properties or lots of obstacles like trees or specialized landscaping. The Toro Titan Max’s exceptional maneuverability and larger cutting decks make quick work of yards up to 7 acres in size, while the 26HP Kohler 7000 engine uses a dual hydrostatic drive for smooth, intuitive operation.

Toro also made regular maintenance a bit more streamlined with tool-free air filters. The deck and mower body are made from tough, 10-gauge steel to stand up to dings, rocks, run-ins, and anything else your lawn can throw at it.

Cub Cadet CC30E

Best compact riding mower

Battery-powered
Great for yards up to 1 acre
Compact design great for small storage areas and narrow spaces
Push-button cruise control

Cub Cadet CC30E tech specs: Engine: 56V electric | Cutting width: 30 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 1 acre

Compact riding mowers like the Cub Caded CC30E are great for suburban lawns on the smaller side. The CC30E features a smaller design that is perfect for storing in multi-use sheds and garages or maneuvering through gates and narrow spaces. The 30-inch cutting deck and 56V battery let you mow up to 1 acre (or one hour) at once.

It uses a hydrostatic drive for smooth, intuitive driving while the 18-inch turning radius lets you easily mow around trees and other obstacles. It even features a push-button cruise control, so you can set-and-forget your forward speed and concentrate on mowing around obstacles, as well as staying aware of your surroundings.

DeWALT Z160 Commercial

Best riding mower for large properties

Mow up to 10 acres
5.5 gallon gas tank
Dual hydrostatic drive
Great for hills and inclines

DeWALT Z160 Commercial tech specs: Engine: 24HP Kawasaki V-Twin | Cutting width: 60 inches | Transmission: Dual hydrostatic/automatic | Max yard size: 10 acres

The DeWALT Z160 Commercial zero-turn riding mower is designed from the ground up to handle large properties. The 60-inch cutting deck and 24HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine let you mow up to 10 acres at once, making it an almost perfect choice for rural properties or landscaping professionals. The dual hydrostatic drive makes operation smoother, though the twin-stick steering does take some getting used to.

With 22-inch rear wheels, you can easily take on inclines and rolling hills that may be on your property. A 5.5-gallon fuel tank means you’ll spend more time actually mowing and less time refueling. And if you opt for the bagger attachment, you’ll be able to gather up to 11 bushels of clippings before you need to empty.

What is the best riding mower?

I chose the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as the best riding mower you can buy. It features a 54-inch cutting deck and 3-gallon fuel tank, letting you mow up to 4 acres in a single go. The 24 horsepower engine also lets you take on steeper inclines and rough terrain or haul tools and gardening supplies around your property. The hydrostatic drive makes operation similar to a typical car, while an LED display gives you accurate usage hours for streamlined maintenance.

Best riding mower

Cutting width

Transmission type

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

Which is the right riding mower for you?

Other than your budget, there are a lot of features and scenarios you have to consider while shopping for a new riding mower. The size of your yard will determine how wide the cutting deck should be, though either a 42 or 46-inch version will be more than enough for most yards.

You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission. A manual model lets you set and forget your speed so you can FOCUS, while hydrostatic models operate more like cars, going faster the harder you press the pedal. This makes them more intuitive to operate but also more expensive.

Zero-turn mowers are designed for mowing in oddly-shaped areas or around lots of obstacles like trees, lamp posts, and lawn ornaments. They’re called zero-turn because they have a zero-inch turn radius; you pivot around either rear wheel for ultra-tight turning.

Buy this best riding mower.

If you need.

A well-rounded riding mower. The 54-inch cutting deck and 24HP engine let you mow up to 4 acres at a time.

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

An all-electric riding mower. The electric engine requires less maintenance than gas models, making your lawn-care routine more eco-friendly.

An excellent zero-turn riding mower. Precision maneuvering lets you mow around trees, landscaping, and other obstacles with ease.

A compact riding mower. The 30-inch deck and smaller build make this riding mower perfect for smaller suburban lawns.

A riding mower that can handle larger properties. This commercial-grade, zero-turn riding mower lets you cut up to 10 acres at once.

How did we choose these riding mowers?

I used to work for MTD Products (now owned by BlackDecker), which assembles a variety of lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other powered lawn equipment. Using the expertise and knowledge I gained during my time there, I looked for riding mowers with these qualities:

Motor size: You’ll want a riding mower with at least a 10HP engine to give you enough power to handle minor inclines and lawns up to half an acre. Larger riding mowers like the John Deere Z530M have more powerful engines, often topping out over 20HP to let you tackle rough terrain and even haul equipment.
Cutting width: Many riding mowers have either a 42 or 46-inch cutting deck, which is great for lawns between.5 and 1.5 acres. However, if you have a large, multi-acre property, you’ll want to choose a larger cutting deck. Many brands have options between 50 and 72-inch cutting decks.
Transmission type: The less expensive riding mowers will have either a 6 or 7-speed manual transmission. This means you will use a dedicated lever to set your engine’s forward and reverse speeds, with a single brake pedal for stop control. The more expensive models feature a hydrostatic drive, which operates in a similar way to an automatic transmission in a typical car or truck.
Accessories: Lawn care goes beyond regular mowing. I chose riding mowers that have the ability to hitch small trailers or wagons for hauling tools, mulch, or potting soil. I also chose mowers from brands that make after-market add-ons, like rear bagging units for collecting grass clippings, mulching kits for re-feeding lawns, and snow plows for year-round use.

How do you decide which riding mower to buy?

Assuming you have a budget in mind, the first thing you need to do is find out how big your lawn is. You can either find your lot size on your memorandum deeds if you’ve bought your house, or you can check your city’s website to see if you can request lot measurements if you’re renting. If your lot measures about an acre, you’ll be able to use a 30 or 42-inch cutting deck without any issues. For lawns up to two acres, a 42 or 46-inch deck is ideal. And if your lot is over two acres, you can get a mower with up to a 72-inch cutting deck to handle larger areas.

The transmission type is also important. Many newer models have what is known as a hydrostatic drive. This means that they operate similarly to how a car drives: You push the pedal and it moves forward or backward. And the harder you push, the faster you go. This makes it easier to learn how to drive, but that also makes the mower more expensive. stripped-back models have variable speed manual transmissions, which allow you to set and forget your speed so you can FOCUS on paying attention to obstacles and people who may be nearby.

And finally, you’ll want to consider the power source for your new riding mower. Gasoline engines are far more common, but there is now a wider variety of battery-powered models to choose from. The perks of a gas engine are that you’ll get near-infinite run times (as long as you have enough fuel to keep the engine going) and a bit more power for handling steep inclines and rough terrain. The downsides are dealing with exhaust emissions and maintenance that can be a time and money sink. Electric models don’t need engine maintenance, so you save a bit of money in the long run. But they usually have a maximum run time of about an hour, which means that you may have to plan your mowing over several days if you have a larger yard.

How big of a yard do I need for a riding mower?

Riding mowers are best suited for yards measuring one acre or larger. A model with a 42-inch cutting deck is great for mowing up to two acres, so if you have more land than that, you’ll want to spring for a 46, 54, 60, or 72-inch cutting deck.

If you’re right on the threshold, you can get what’s known as a mini rider. They usually have compact bodies for easier storage and 30-inch cutting decks to make short work of lawns that are just a touch too large for a push mower.

How long should a riding mower last?

No matter if you choose a gas or battery-powered riding mower, proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your mower. For gas engines, you should change the oil and filters, clean the spark plugs, and sharpen the blades before you mow for the first time in the spring. And you should use fuel treatments like STA-BIL to prevent gas in the tank or extra jerry cans from going bad from moisture contamination. This prevents buildup of gunk that can ruin your engine, improves engine performance, and gives you a cleaner cut for a healthier lawn.

Electric mowers don’t need engine maintenance, but you should perform thorough inspections at the start of mowing season to check for battery damage, corrosion on battery contacts, damage to the battery housing, and also to sharpen the blades. If you do regular maintenance, not only will you save money by avoiding big repairs from worn-out parts, but you can also expect your riding mower to last 10 years or more.- which is great news, since they can be an expensive investment.

What is the cheapest riding mower?

Unfortunately, riding mowers aren’t ever really what we consider budget-friendly. However, there are models like the Murray MT100 that retail for less than 2000 without sacrificing power or cutting width.

Are there alternative riding mowers worth considering?

Whether you’re shopping at a big-name DIY store like Lowe’s, a local hardware store, or an authorized brand dealer, there are tons of options for a new riding mower. You can choose either gas or battery-powered models, cutting deck widths from as small as 30 inches to as wide as six feet.

Here’s a short list of other riding mowers I thought were great choices:

John Deere Z530M

The John Deere Z530M features a 60-inch cutting deck for making quick work of large properties. Exceptional maneuverability lets you mow around trees, lawn decor, and other obstacles with ease.

Husqvarna YTH1942

The Husqvarna YTH1942 features an updated, 19 horsepower engine and 42-inch cutting deck to take on inclines and haul dirt, mulch, and gardening equipment.

Murray MT100

For under 2000, you’ll get a 13.5 horsepower engine, a 42-inch cutting deck, and a 6-speed manual transmission with the Murray MT100.

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