You will only enjoy mowing the loan using a riding lawn mower. We enjoyed trying out a few mowers to find out which one will be the best riding lawn mower for you. We found some interesting ones, and we are sure you will look forward to every mowing session.
What is a Riding Lawn Mower?
There are many ways to cut lawn grass using a loan mower. Many lawn mowers exist, but what sets the riding mower apart is that you can ride it while mowing the yard. Also known as the tractor mower, the riding mower is more powerful than other mowers.
Best Riding Lawn Mower
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Link |
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1) Husqvarna 26 HP Hydrostatic Zero Turn Mower
- 26 HP Kohler engine provides reliable startups and a max speed of...
- A patent-pending park brake system automatically activates or...
- Air induction mowing technology draws air from the top and bottom...
- Reinforced steel stamped cutting deck is made of heavy flat-stock...
- Clippings can be discharged, mulched or bagged (mulching kit and...
Husqvarna is a very special mower, which is why it is first on our list. We liked many things about the mower, the first being its hydrostatic transmission, which is rare in many riding lawn mowers. In addition, we like the transmission offers a higher power-to-weight ratio and reverse rotation capabilities.
image source: Husqvarna.com
Additionally, the lawn mower is a zero-turn mower, which is our favorite type of mower. The maneuverability is high, and there is a lot you can achieve with this machine.
With 26 horsepower and a speed of 6.5mph, your work will be done in no time.
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2) Husqvarna 2.7HP Briggs And Stratton Engine
- Powerful 24HP Kawasaki engine
- The robust frame and casters ensure durability and reduced...
- The deck lift system is spring assisted for ease of use and...
- The ergonomic control panel places everything conveniently at...
- LED headlights mounted to the front of the mower
Husqvarna makes it to second place again because the features are hard to beat. We thought this could be a more commercial choice. The mower is powerful and will deliver heavy-duty performance. The ground speed is fast and reliable, giving you more daily results than any other riding mowers would.
image source: Husqvarna.com
You can lift or lower the deck from your seat without having to ruin your comfort. This mower is the best lawn tractor for a professional and stands out in the zero-turn mowers category.
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3) Ryobi 100aH Electric Rear engine
- Includes: (1) Ryobi 38 inches 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine...
- 3 Brushless motors for superior power and performance
- Up to 2.5 hours of runtime or 2.5 acres of mowing
- Charges through standard 120-Volt outlet
- .
I would love to have this one mower at the top of my list. I have grown to love electric mowers more, and non fits the bill better than Ryobi. This mower has a steering wheel which reduces the learning curve significantly. You can buy the mower and start using it immediately.
image source: ryobitools.com
Ryobi has brushless motors for efficient functioning. With the great build quality and 2.5-hour battery time, you can comfortably mow up to two acres.
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4) Ego Power+ Zero Turning Mower
- Peak Power+ Technology combines the power of up to 6 EGO 56V ARC...
- Power of gas with 22 HP equivalent engine
- Cuts up to 2-Acres on a single charge with the included 4 56V...
- 3-7 MPH Speed, up to 8 MPH in travel mode. 3 driving modes:...
- 5 year tool, battery, and charger warranty with registration
An electric zero-turn mower is what I like to call a full package. This mower would be the ideal mower in my books. Electric vehicles are the future vehicles, and getting a zero-turn mower is one thing we highly advise. Therefore, the Ego mower cuts it as one of the best mowers you can lay your hands on.
image source: egopowerplus.com
The mower comes with four batteries to ensure a smooth mowing session. Together with the world's fastest charger, this is the mower to beat. In addition, the mower has a speed of up to 7 miles per hour, a speed that rides on mowers rarely achieve.
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5) Ariens Zero Turn Mower
- Ikon Limited Edition Zero Turn Mower
- Kawasaki FR691V 726cc V-Twin Engine
- 52 Inch Fabricated Deck
This mower is heavyweight, and we liked how easily it cut through thick grass. In addition, the mower has enough power to pull garden carts easily. You can use this mower on large to medium-sized lawns as a professional without worrying about delivering the project on time.
image source: ariens.com
Ariens has an automatic operation mode, and all you need to do is enjoy the ride.
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6) Apex Zero Turn Mower
- The all new Ariens Apex 52
- Powerful 23 hp/726 cc Kawasaki FR691 engine
- Featuring a 52” fabricated deck that’s 5½” deep and made...
- Hydro-Gear ZT-3100 Transaxles
- High Back Premium Seat w/ Padded Armrests
A v-twin engine with 24 horsepower is a machine I would be willing to put my money on. It is almost expected that if you are going to get a lawn tractor, it is better to get a zero-turn mower, and Apex is a great option. The Apex mower is at the top of the chain for anyone looking for a professional choice.
image source: ariens.com
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How to Care for Your Riding Mower
During our time with the different riding lawn mowers we used, we discovered some best practices for your mower. There is no need to buy the best riding lawn mower only to have it stalled after a few months. We aim to help you get the mower to serve you for years to come without fail. Lawn tractors can be the best thing to happen to your home or the biggest headache if you do not take good care of them.
image source: lowes.com
Here are some ways to care for your riding lawn mower.
a) Clean After Every Session
Few people clean their tools and machinery simply because they will get dirty again. But unfortunately, we used to do this at first, and we learned the hard way. Within no time, there was a buildup of dirt underneath the mower, and the performance reduced significantly.
image source: cubcadet.com
You will not only be dealing with dirt only but sticks, twigs, and grass clippings that will be all over the mower. Cleaning these off ensures the blade works efficiently without any hindrance.
We realize that a dirt buildup can lead to overheating because the cooling fins will not be as efficient as required. So when the mower overheats, you will be dealing with a different machine.
b) Keep in the Garage
Remember, the mower is a vehicle like your car and is susceptible to the elements like your car is. I have been guilty of this before. After a whole afternoon of mowing and the night creeping in, the exhaustion sets in pretty fast. Leaving the mower to continue the work the next day is the easiest thing to tell oneself. However, it is a wrong move.
image source: cubcadet.com
When you leave the mower outside, it can pick some dew; soon enough, you will be dealing with rust. Riding mowers are not the best once the rust is set in. Keep the mower in a garage to protect the battery and the electronic parts. Even the best riding lawn mowers will not do well when mishandled.
Ensure you have storage for the mower before making a purchase.
c) Keep the Tank Empty
image source: Toro.com
You should never keep the mower with gas in it for a month. This will not be suitable for your mower to use. After two or so mowing sessions, you should know how much gas your mower uses to avoid wastage. If there has been gas sitting in your mower for a month, then you need to get rid of it before you use the mower.
d) Change Engine Oil Annually (at most)
Your engine power relies on the efficiency at which it runs. The engine oil in the riding mower plays an important role in ensuring the engine power is sustained without the engine struggling. You want to ensure no friction in the engine when using the riding lawn mower. Before putting your hands on the steering wheel, you must ensure the mower will be up to the task.
image source: LawnChick.com
Here are the steps to safely follow when draining the engine.
- Ensure the mower is on a flat surface. Engage the brakes, and the mower should be in gear to avoid unintentional movement.
- Near the bottom of the mower engine, you will find a drain pipe.
- Before you start draining, ensure there is a container to collect the engine oil.
- Using a wrench, loosen and remove the cap on the pipe to allow it to drain.
- Some riding mowers have a valve that you have to turn on for the oil to flow. Mower features are different in different brands.
- Once all the engine oil is drained from the mower, close the pipe properly to avoid leakage.
e) Clean the Air Filter
Riding lawn mowers are powerful mowing machines that can upset dirt when in action. For this reason, the air filter can have a lot of dust. Therefore, cleaning the air filter after a given period is good practice. Remember that the air filter is made of paper-like material and will not do very well with water.
image source: SearsPartsDirect.com
Here are some steps to clean the air filter in your lawn tractor.
- Ensure the engine is turned off and the riding lawn mower is not running. To confirm the engine will not start accidentally, unplug the spark plug.
- The filter is in housing which you need to open for access.
- In some cases, the filter is held in place using bolts. Be careful to avoid dropping the bolts inside the engine.
- When you remove the filter, an inlet has been left open as a result. Block this passage with a clean piece of cloth.
- Do not stuff the cloth inside, so you will be unable to remove it when you are done.
- Examine the filter and decide whether it needs replacement or cleaning. Do not return a worn-out filter, as this will put your engine at risk
- There are different air filters, and you clean them using different methods.
- If the filter is made of paper, you can use a hose blower to clean the filter.
- Before you blow the air filter, you can hit it softly against a hard surface to remove the loose dirt on the surface of the filter.
- Insert a cloth inside the filter to prevent dust from moving from one side to the other.
- If the air filter in the mower is made of foam, you can use soapy water to clean the filter.
- Re-install the filter and ensure the compartment is well covered to keep the engine and the carburetor free of dust.
f) Sharpen the Blades
Sharpening the blades ensures the riding lawn mower's efficiency and neat results. Riding mowers are often used for large-scale projects like mowing a field. Imagine how untidy a field mowed using blunt blades would be.
image source: CNET.com
Your blades will not last too long if they are not sharp enough. The riding lawn mower will have more to contend with than if the blades were sharper.
g) Change Spark Plugs
image source: Fiix.com
Changing your spark plugs often ensures that your riding mower will start efficiently every time. The spark plugs are not very costly and will not set you back too much. You do not have to use one for longer than necessary.
h) The Battery
image source: StrandedatHome.com
The battery is a vital part of the mower that you have to keep checking on. Ensure the battery is charged and each time you store the mower, ensure the battery is not at risk of getting damaged. The battery is sensitive to weather, temperature, and time. Therefore, you do not want the riding mower to fail just when you are about to start mowing.
Types of Riding Mowers
You will find two main types of riding lawn mowers; gas mowers and electric riding mowers. Both mowers have advantages and disadvantages that you need to compare before settling on the one you want. The main difference between the gas and the electric riding mower is the source of power used to run the engine. The electric riding lawn mower has to be charged while the gas riding lawn mower uses gas to function.
image source: Deere.com
Here are some advantages of mowers and their disadvantages.
1) Gas Mowers
As we have stated above, gas riding mowers use gas to function. Therefore, you will not need to charge a gas-powered mower before you hit the yard.
a) Advantages of Gas Mowers
i) Cheaper
A normal zero-turn mower will be cheaper than an electric riding mower. Therefore, when buying a new riding lawn mower, the pricing point is one of the major considerations. In addition, the powering method is one of the major factors affecting the prices of riding lawn mowers.
image source: blog.MachineFinder.com
You can get the best riding mower for your backyard at a fair price if it is a gas mower.
ii) Schedule Friendly
Once the power in your electric riding mower runs out, you will have to charge it till it's full before using it again. After that, all you need to do for the gas mower is refuel, and you are well on your schedule to finish mowing the lawn.
iii) Easy/ More Accessible Maintenance
You may find someone to help you maintain your gas riding mower than a professional specializing in electric mowers. Most riding lawn mowers are a bit easy to handle. However, in some cases, you need the help of a professional. So you better hope there is help nearby when you need one.
image source: thespruce.com
iii) Available Spare Parts
Spares are the lifeline of any vehicle. When buying a car, one of the major factors you consider is the availability of spare parts. The same applies to riding lawn mowers. A lawn tractor has parts that need to be changed after a while, and the easier you can access them, the longer your lawn mower will serve you.
b) Disadvantages of Gas Mowers
All vehicles have challenges they face. We can say they are disadvantages or just things to pay attention to. Here are some things you need to pay attention to when you own a gas-powered riding lawn mower.
i) Noise
image source: insider.com
Gas engines tend to be too loud. This is where the electric riding mowers take the lead. You will have to do with the noise that the mowers will make. Worse, your neighbors will also have to put up with the noise. The mowing season is one of the loudest of the year.
ii) Regular Maintenance
Gas-powered riding lawn mowers tend to be too needy. You will have to maintain the mower and check it up every other time to ensure the mower will start the next time you are powering it. In addition, you have to check on the engine, the oils, the battery, and more.
It is better to look at the needs as best practices. For example, you must maintain the riding lawn mower because it does a good job of maintaining your yard.
2) Electric Mowers
a) Advantages of Electric Mowers
i) Less Noise
image source: insider.com
You can say goodbye to the noise you would have to put up with had you gotten their gas-powered counterparts. An electric riding mower will not put you in bad books with your neighbors or your household.
ii) Environmentally Friendly
No noise is one of the ways the electric riding lawn mower is friendly to the environment. Additionally, no fossil fuel is burning whenever you use an electric mower. Therefore, you will not have to put up with annoying fumes that can negatively affect your health.
iii) Less Maintenance
You will maintain the electric mower way less than the gas-powered one. This is a huge advantage in saving you costs in the long run. You will not have to buy spark plugs every so often. Other parts like the air filter, belts, and other pulleys are not part of the build, significantly reducing the cost of maintenance.
iv) Longer Lasting
image source: ZDNet.com
Due to the little maintenance required, the electric riding mower will last longer than the gas mower. This is good for anyone using the mower regularly.
b) Disadvantages of Electric Riding Lawn Mowers
i) Recharge Time
When recharging an electric riding lawn mower, you can not use it until it is fully charged. The best way to keep the power on is to buy multiple batteries to keep you going when one battery runs out. Battery-powered riding mowers are great if you can continue working and keep your schedule.
ii) High Initial Cost
While the mower is cheaper in the long run, it will cost you more when purchasing than the gas-powered mower.
Things to Check Before Buying a Riding Lawn Mower
1) Power
How much horsepower rating does the mower you are buying have? Professionals go for the best riding lawn mowers for doing whole football fields, and you can be sure they put their money on the power a mower can pack.
If you have a small yard, there is no need to go for the meanest beast. Instead, you can get a small riding lawn mower that will be sufficient for your backyard.
image source: Gravely.com
2) Price
Price will be a factor that will determine a lot of what you will be getting out of the lawn mower. Therefore compare different lawn mowers at the same price to see which one suits you most. We have outlined the best riding lawn mowers from what we experienced after trying a number out.
3) Additional Features
The competition is pretty high, and you are getting a lot of exceptional features in different lawn mowers. For example, you can get cup holders, USB chargers, storage compartments, and more for your comfort. But, of course, the best lawn tractor has to do more than just cutting grass.
4) Mower Deck
The mower deck will determine the outcome of the cut you are getting. So if you are to cut a decorative finish on your grass, the deck is the part you must count on most.
image source: insider.com
Ann adjustable deck will make it possible to choose the height of grass you wish to see. Not all the time will you want grass cut to the ground.
The cutting deck width is another factor you need to pay attention to. If the deck is wider, it will cut larger sections. These kinds of mowers are great for large lawns. However, the larger the deck, the more expensive the mower could be.
5) Engine
Apart from the engine power, there are front engine mowers and rear engine mowers. Rear engine riding mowers are great for smaller lawns. The riding lawn mowers are cheaper than the front engine riding lawn mowers. In addition, a rear-engine mower will be more compact, and the visibility will improve.
image source: ZDNet.com
The downside of rear engine mowers is the difficulty making angles on the grass.
Front engine mowers are used more for larger projects. This is because the mowers are more expensive and have higher power ratings than the other riding mowers.
6) zero Turn Mower
You can find mower options using the rear or front wheel. While the zero-turn mowers are more expensive, they are more efficient. You will take some time getting used to steering using the hind wheels, but it will grow on you in no time.
Final Thoughts
image source: bumpercroptimes.com
Tending your yard is an endless process because the grass will keep growing. The best thing you can do is get a good lawn mower to get the job done each time it comes up. The best option is to get a riding lawn mower to turn your mowing sessions into less work and more relaxation. We have outlined the most comfortable options in the market.