Six Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Lawn Mower (2024)

Whether you’re a first-time homeowner wanting to invest in lawn care gear or a seasoned pro looking to expand your power equipment arsenal, you’ll need a lawnmower to make landscaping a faster and easier process. You’ll be able to trim the grass in your yard in less time and with more accuracy if you have a good lawnmower in your shed, saving your money on a professional landscaper. Find the best riding lawn mower for sale using professional assistance.

If you have a tiny yard, a riding lawn mower is ideal. If your yard is more than a quarter of an acre or you want to spend less time mowing it, you might consider upgrading to a riding lawnmower. This article will assist you in selecting the best one by looking at aspects like the size of your lawn, the kind of terrain, and particular features to look for.

If you’re thinking about buying a riding lawn mower shortly. Here are some of the factors you need to consider before buying:

Read More: Riding Lawn Mowers vs. Push Mowers: Which Should You Choose?

Understand the Different Types of Riding Mowers

There are two main types of riding lawn mowers. The tractor-style riding mower is the most popular, with either an automatic or manual gearbox steering wheel and pads. Compact variants of tractor-style riding mowers are more agile and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. For larger operations, there are larger models that are more powerful and offer broader cutting widths.

Six Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Lawn Mower (1)

A zero-turn riding mower, on the other hand, has left-right steer-drive handlebars for more versatility. Zero-turn lawn mowers are better suited to backyards with a lot of obstacles, trees, or oddly shaped garden beds. Also, it has an extremely tight turning radius thanks to a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel-brake steering.

Consider Your Budget

Looking at secondhand riding lawn mowers, if you have a limited budget, may be a good idea. When properly maintained, a used mower will last for many years and will likely cost less than half as much as a new model. If you are unfamiliar with mowers, it is a good idea to bring someone who is.

If you decide to explore any older riding lawn mowers, it is a good idea to bring someone who is an expert in identifying the quality of the tractor. This will make it easy to assess the mower’s overall condition and establish whether the asking price is reasonable.

Ensure Mulching Feasibility

If you own a mower, chances are you have had to deal with mowing your lawn and dealing with the time this takes. While there are many different types of mowers, whether riding or pushing, of course, one common problem that most people faced in the past was how to best handle the clippings.

A number of lawn mower models offer mulching options. Front-discharge and side-discharge models work well with medium or long grass. Models with larger cutting decks (61 cm/24 in.) can mulch longer grass than those with smaller cutting decks (50 cm or 20 in.).

If you have a short-cut lawn, rear-rear discharge works best. Rear-catcher mowers collect the clippings as they cut them, making it perfect for lighter cutting conditions. Some walk-behinds may be converted to rear discharge by installing a special mulch plug into their mowing deck.

Inspect the Weight of the Riding Lawn Mower

Ride-on lawnmowers are very heavy, weighing approximately 150kg. The center of gravity is raised when the rider’s weight is on top of the lawnmower, especially with tractor-style versions. While side-mowing is possible and convenient, you will find that steep slopes over 10 degrees are not doable on a ride-on lawnmower.

If you’re planning to use your ride-on for areas of steeper grades than this, it may be better to invest in a walk-behind lawnmower – though if you need something versatile that can both side-mow and go up embankments (making it very useful as part of a gardening business) then getting a pair of either standard or high capacity rear wheels might just be the answer!

Explore Mower’s Transmission Type

When shopping for a new lawnmower, it’s important to consider how quickly you need to mow your lawn. For larger jobs or uneven terrain where ramps are needed, try a self-propelled mower with variable speeds and high wheels that can better maneuver around objects.

You may also want to incorporate various add-ons to get the kind of results you need. For example, if you want your lawn mowed evenly, think about a model that includes height controls so you have precision when choosing how tall of a blade you wish to use for your yard.

Some models even include advanced settings for each wheel, so there’s no guesswork when attempting different types of terrain. It would be wise to pick one that allows speed adjustments on each wheel independently so that one side doesn’t creep ahead as the other drags (this is especially useful if you are ever having problems with traction).

Consider Size of the Your Lawn & Engine Power

Six Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Lawn Mower (2)

The size of your lawn will play a huge part in deciding which tractor will suit your needs. Depending on the sizes of your lawn, different sized tractors with varying Horse Power are needed to meet the varying demands.

So, make sure you obtain the correct tractor for the size of your lawn.

  • 1/2 acre to 1 acre: You’ll need a riding lawn mower with a cutting width of up to 42″ and a 14 HP engine for a lawn this size.
  • 1 – 2 acres: A riding lawn mower with a 42″ or 46″ deck and a 14 – 16 HP engine is required for yards in this size range.
  • 3 Acres or More: You’ll need a garden tractor with a 46″ – 54″ deck and an 18 – 24 HP engine for this size lawn.

Recommended Reading:

Find the Best Riding Lawn Mowers for Sale in Texas

Knowing what you need, how much you can spend, and what sort of protection you can get against breakdowns and system malfunctions are all important considerations when purchasing a riding lawnmower.

Take your time and look at a number of models that are within your budget and have the features you need to make lawn care easy. By weighing all of your options, you’ll have a better chance of finding a mower that you’ll like for many years to come.

At Diamond B Tractors & Equipment, we help our clients choose the best tractor model that helps to augment their experience by providing hassle-free customization & maintenance. Let it be a small tractor for sale in Texas or high-end maintenance; we provide you with the best-in-class tractor sales & services all across South Texas.

Are you looking for the best Mahindra Tractor Dealers and Mahindra tractor parts in Texas? Get in touch with us to get the best deals possible on your new ride!

Six Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Lawn Mower (2024)

FAQs

Six Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Lawn Mower? ›

One effective way to measure a mower's capabilities is its cut width, which tells you how wide a strip of grass it can clear in a single pass. The bigger the cut width, the more grass you'll be able to mow at once. A yard less than 1 acre would do well with a cutting width of 30 to 42 inches.

What questions to ask when buying a used riding lawn mower? ›

Things to check before purchasing a used ride on
  • Check for product recalls.
  • Research the make and model.
  • Check the overall condition of the mower.
  • Review the service history.
  • Check the running hours.
  • Review service network.
  • Ask for a test drive.
  • Avoid 'sold as seen' ads.

How to select a ride on mower? ›

One effective way to measure a mower's capabilities is its cut width, which tells you how wide a strip of grass it can clear in a single pass. The bigger the cut width, the more grass you'll be able to mow at once. A yard less than 1 acre would do well with a cutting width of 30 to 42 inches.

What makes a good ride on mower? ›

Most ride-on lawn mowers have blades underneath the seating area, but opting for one with a 'front-cut' design gives you a better view of the ground you're trimming. Invest in this model and you'll get all-wheel drive with foot-operated hydrostatic transmission, and a mulching system at the back.

What is the best time of the year to buy a riding lawn mower? ›

Consumer Reports says that the best months for consumers to make a lawn mower purchase are April, May, August, September and October. One popular school of thought is that it's best to buy a mower right after mowing season ends.

Who makes the most dependable riding lawn mower? ›

More
  • Best Overall: Cub Cadet Ultima ZTS1 Zero Turn Riding Mower » ...
  • Best Budget: Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Riding Lawn Tractor » ...
  • Best Electric: EGO Power+ Z6 e-Steer Electric Riding Lawn Mower » ...
  • Best Gas-Powered: John Deere Z530R Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower » ...
  • Best Zero-Turn: Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower »

What is a good horsepower for a riding lawn mower? ›

So, make sure you obtain the correct tractor for the size of your lawn. 1/2 acre to 1 acre: You'll need a riding lawn mower with a cutting width of up to 42″ and a 14 HP engine for a lawn this size. 1 – 2 acres: A riding lawn mower with a 42″ or 46″ deck and a 14 – 16 HP engine is required for yards in this size range.

What size yard should you get a riding mower? ›

Standard riding mowers and lawn tractors are recommended for property of 1/2 to 3 or more acres. They have a cutting deck size of 38 to 54-inches.

What size lawn tractor for 1 acre? ›

For lawns from ¼ of an acre to two acres, you'll most likely want a rear-engine riding mower, light-duty lawn tractor, or a residential-duty zero-turn mower. Anything more than two acres and you'll need a commercial-duty zero turn mower.

How much should I pay for a good lawn mower? ›

Above $400 you could be paying for gimmicks, but under $200 and you're missing out on mowers that mow right to the edge of a lawn, or mowers with mulching plugs. All in all, the experts recommend spending around $200 for a good mower. Whenever someone asks for a lawnmower recommendation, this is my choice.

What is a good CC for a lawn mower? ›

Gas engines sizes run from 140 cc to 190 cc. Larger engines produce more torque and are less likely to stall in tall grass at the beginning and end of the cutting season. A larger engine also helps drive self-propelled mowers more effectively uphill.

What is the difference between a riding lawn mower and a riding lawn tractor? ›

Riding mowers tend to be small and light, making them a great piece of equipment for navigating tight spaces across a lawn and making tight circles around trees. Lawn tractors on the other hand are often heavier and larger pieces of equipment, which offer more stability on uneven terrain, steep hills, slopes, etc.

How to choose the best ride on a mower? ›

We recommend you assess your garden's needs, including:
  1. Lawn size. The size of your lawn will determine the engine power and cutter-deck width needed for efficient mowing.
  2. Terrain. Is your garden smooth and flat, or rough or sloped?
  3. Garden layout. Do you have intricate landscaping features and/or restricted access?
Sep 5, 2023

What is the best make of ride on mower? ›

After six months of testing, our best overall pick is the Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower. We've found that it's easy to use and does a great job cutting grass consistently across different conditions. Our best budget pick is the gas-powered John Deere S100 42-Inch Riding Lawn Mower.

What is the average life of a riding lawn mower? ›

How Many Hours Should A Riding Mower Last? Most riding mowers last between 500-700 hours, although some can run for as much as 1,000 hours if cared for and maintained properly.

How many hours is good on a used riding lawn mower? ›

How Many Hours Should A Riding Mower Last? Most riding mowers last between 500-700 hours, although some can run for as much as 1,000 hours if cared for and maintained properly.

How many miles is a lot for a riding mower? ›

As a rough rule of thumb, a single-cylinder mower with 500-750 hours would be considered a high miler, but that's not to say it's all worn out.

How many years should a riding lawn mower last? ›

The lifespan of a well-maintained riding lawn mower typically falls in the range of 10 to 15 years. Several factors influence the longevity of these machines, including the frequency of use, maintenance practices, storage conditions, and the quality of the mower.

What maintenance is required for a riding lawn mower? ›

Throughout mowing season, make sure to keep spindles and pivot points lubricated. And, don't forget to check the air filter and change it out if needed. It's a good idea to replace spark plugs yearly as well as the fuel filter. Also, check the drive belts and replace if they're dry or worn.

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