This website is about reviews of lawn tractors and zero turns but I have noticed that many of you are looking for your very first riding lawn mower. You really don’t know what size, what brand or what type you really need. Here is a list of articles that I have written on the different features of lawn tractors. These articles will help you decide what type to buy and the features that will make your lawn mowing the best experience for you.
From someone who was helped here: I’ve never done this, but I just want to give you a quick thank you for your website. I’ve never owned a lawn tractor and I’m in the process of buying one. It is super daunting, there are just way too many options. I found your reviews incredibly helpful! I try to be an informed consumer and utilize the internet as best I can. I gotta say, I trust your opinion more than anything else I have found on the internet! I spent quite a bit of time reading your reviews and they were all super helpful. Thank you! Amon
My Basic Philosophy About Finding The Right Mower For You It may seem arrogant for me to say, “perhaps this isn’t for you.” My goal here is to find the right mower for you. Unlike the small dealer who has 2 brands and 14 mowers on his sales floor I have access to all the mowers on the market and I really don’t care which one you buy, as long as it is the one that is right for you. I treat each one of you differently. Understand that I am working to delight you, not sell you what I have. Is that arrogant? Not to me. I know that the best or even the cheapest is not always the best for you. What is arrogant is when I drive across town or take time off of work to visit a dealership and that dealership assumes that you have come to buy one of the mowers they have in stock. Is it the best for you? Maybe, but there may be a better one for you sitting in a nearby warehouse. It is arrogant that I will tell you anything including berate my competition just to get you to buy what I have to sell. Adapted From: The humility of the artist by Seth Godin
Right Click on the links to open them in a new window.
I am going to start you out with a list of all the different types of riding mowers. Zero-turns are getting a lot of publicity lately and this article will help you decide if you need one: Lawn Tractor/Zero-Turn Types
Next I suggest you read about the different types and sizes of decks: What is the best deck for my yard
How Much Time Do You Have? Here is a chart that tells you how long it will take to mow your lawn: Acreage Chart
Transmissions: What is the difference between an automatic, hydrostatic or manual transmission? This article explains them: Lawn Tractor Transmission Types
Engines: Not all engines are built the same. There are different quality engines for different applications. Some brands use cheaper motors to keep the cost down. There are different grade engines for “WalMart Specials,” economy, homeowner, professional, and commercial applications. In addition the rating game for engines has changed: 2014 Tractor Engine Rating Standards
Zero Turns: You hear that a zero turn will save you time. It’s the latest fad. Do you really want one? 16 reasons why you may not want a zero turn mower
Did you know that only four manufactures make all of the lawn tractors for sale in the U.S? Here is a complete list who makes what: Who Makes What?
How To Get The Best Deals. Today buying a mower at a retail store or website is more than just going in and dropping your credit card on the counter. Most of the major retailers have loyalty programs that give you a better deal if you give them your email. In fact, many of the best deals by these retailers will be online through their websites. Here is an explanation of how a typical rewards program works: How To Get The Best Deals At Sears
Price:
Once you have figured out what is the best size and type of mower then determine how much you want to spend. There is a wide price range of mowers in every size. Here are 4 lists to help you get started
2015 Lawn Tractors under $1500
2015 Lawn Tractors over $1500
2015 Residential Zero Turn Mowers (R-ZTR)
2015 Landowner Zero Turn Mowers (L-ZTR)
Beware of Too Many Reviews
When you are out on the web reading reviews of mowers beware that usually only one person out of a thousand will write a review. Also be aware that a larger percentage of reviews will be from people who had issues with the mower. Many more people write reviews when they are upset than when they are happy with an item. My point is be wary of a seller that has hundreds of glowing reviews for a given mower. They may be giving people an incentive to write glowing reviews, may be using employees to write glowing reviews or they are taking old reviews and rewriting them for the new item. Also be aware that many of the negative reviews are operator error. (It won’t start because I left un-stabilized fuel in it all winter or I ran over a stick and it got stuck in the belts and they destroyed themselves) Please read the reviews on the sellers website with a grain of salt.
Beware of Negative Reviews, Negative Dealers, and Negative Neighbors:
It doesn’t do a lot of good to read the negative reviews and assume that a lawn tractor or zero-turn is bad. Why? Because there are millions of these items sold every year and usually thousands of each particular model. So if there are 2 or 10 or even 50 bad reviews that doesn’t mean that the product is inherently bad. Instead look at the percentage of bad verses good reviews. If there are 50 good reviews and 5 bad ones there is a better than good chance that the product is just fine. In addition, many of the negative reviews are from owners who are inexperienced, owners who had problems with an older model or customers that have “bone to pick” with the retailer or brand. I spend a lot of time reviewing reviews and if there is a product that has issues, a retailer or dealer that is not holding up their end of the customer service agreement – I’ll let you know. (Feel free to ask anytime about a certain brand or product)
OK! You are finally ready to read a review. I put together one comprehensive review that goes into every detail of a lawn tractor. If you read this review you will be able to use the information you learn to clearly decide which riding mower, lawn tractor or zero-turn is best for you: Yard Tractor Review
Plenty Mowers Service Melbourne
Thanks for sharing the information. We also offer a huge variety of lawn mowers to choose among. you can visit Plenty Mowers Service Melbourne for buying or repairing your gardening tools.
Nat Reeves
Thank You so very Much Paul, It is critical to get the right equipment for the job to be done. Too big can be just as big a problem as too small. This will make it easier to get it right.
Natalie
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful reviews. My husband and I are about to purchase a 5 acre property in PG county, MD. about 3.5-4 of the 5 acres are fenced for horses with a pretty mild slope. The rest is fairly flat lawn. We are looking to purchase something that will allow us to mow both the yard as well as the pasture, but also to be able to do other small tasks as well- move snow, possibly drag the pasture, etc. Do you have any suggestions for us? Or would we be better suited to have a lawn tractor and a separate small tractor with attachments for the pasture/snow removal?
Paul Sikkema
Hi Natalie, Yes, I would suggest a separate lawn tractor for the lawn. All the tractors that are designed to mow your house lawn are not heavy duty enough to mow the pasture and do the other tasks.
For the lawn: (Just use the search box at the top of the page to see my articles on these) Craftsman 25081 minimum. Craftsman 20442 is a great choice. Also Cub Cadet XT1 46 inch, John Deere D125 or D130, Husqvarna YTH22V46.
For the rest. If you spend the money on a compact tractor you will have something that will last 20 years or more. 22-30 hp. I also suggest getting a front end loader. That will be invaluable for moving hay bales, cleaning up around the horse barns, leveling potholes and moving snow.
A 5 to 6 foot, 3 pt bush-hog (field mower) is always the best choice for the pasture. It will cut the grass at the right height for the horses and also cut any brush (trees) that may get started. There are many other attachments like an arena rake that will greatly reduce the effort needed for a horse farm.
There are about 50 brands of compact tractors on the market. Look around your area and find the local dealers. These dealers will usually also have farm machinery. Mahindra is the most popular, I’ve always liked Kubota. John Deere’s are a little over-priced but the service is great. New Holland, International, Kioti are also good brands with full lines of attachments. If you find a different brand feel free to ask me a question about them.
Jim, Forest VA
Hi Paul, thanks for such a great service you are providing with your website and question/answer forum. Rather than a specific make/model, I’m just looking for advice on what type of machine you would steer me towards. I am considering buying a home with a .6 acre lawn and my only concern is the slope. It’s a measured 25 degrees / 47% at its steepest, and this portion runs about 200 ft wide by about 30 ft deep. Big picture: should I steer toward a lawn tractor, a ZTR, a walk-behind wide-area machine, or buy a different home? Thanks!
Jim, Forest VA
By the way, I’ve read through your comments and recognize that a ZTR isn’t recommended. Is a lawn tractor more capable on hills than a ZTR? Thanks again.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Jim, In the “under $3000” range a lawn tractor will handle hills better than a comparable ZTR. When you get into the $4000-7000 zero-turns you then get heavier machines that are capable of slopes.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Jim, Yes I would not use a riding mower of any kind on that slope. It’s too steep.
I do suggest a good rear wheel drive walk-behind. The rear wheel drive will give you good traction on the slope and most of these mowers will bag, mulch or side discharge well.
There are 4-wheel drive walk behinds but I feel they are harder to use. A rear wheel drive like the Craftsman 190cc* Briggs & Stratton Platinum Engine, 22″ Rear Drive Self-Propelled EZ Lawn Mower
, Ariens Lawn Mowers Razor 21 in. Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Walk-Behind Lawn Mower 911175
or Toro Lawn Mowers Personal Pace Recycler 22 in. Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine 20332
will do the job well.
tracy
Thanks for all the great info on this site. I’m from Walpole Mass and have 1/2 acre land that has an uneven surface with slight sloping (less than 15%) over 25% of land, other is relatively flat. There aren’t many obstacles, couple of trees with mulch around and a small flower bed. I will not need for snow plowing because already have separate snow ploy. I want to spend less then $1500. From what I read I should go no larger than 42-46. I want a rider because of less physical then self propelled and quicker, however if there aren’t anything reliable for my price range then I may have to stick to self propelled (do you have any recommendations for those or where to find info). Do you have any advice on a rider in my price range that is good for 1/2 acre with some uneven surfaces. Thanks
Paul Sikkema
Hi Tracy, In my opinion the most reliable in that price range is the 42 inch Craftsman 25081 and 46 inch Craftsman 25083. The only difference in these two mowers is the deck size.
You can read my review here: Craftsman 25081 Review
tracy
Thank you for your suggestion, just curious on why you choose vs ie craftsman 13AP78XS099, similar pricing.
Thanks
Paul Sikkema
Hi Tracy, The 13AP78XS099 is a $1200 lawn tractor with a Kohler engine. The model I choose is a lot more versatile. It has better steering, a heavier frame, a better engine and ergonomically sits and rides better. In addition you can do more with it if you want. you can install a snow blade, snow blower and has a better selection of baggers.
Carl in Vermont
Hey Paul. So I took your advise and got the Craftsman 25081 for $1399 right from the store, and must say it’s fantastic. My only issue is the auto transmission is very touchy. When you first engage, it takes right off, and same putting in reverse. It also tends to slip if you have slightly engaged (trying to back up slow, etc…), and I find I have to keep my hand on the shifter for the slower travel. Other than that, mow in reverse works very well, turns extremely tight, and rides well. Thanks again for the recommendation!
Paul Sikkema
Hi Carl, Thank you for your review. I’m going to ask the manufacture if there is a way to make the fender control a little less jerky when starting out.
Pat
HI Paul, Awesome site. I live in Twin Cities area of MN and we are buying a new house in Ramsey, MN with approx. 1 acre of grass with probably 30 trees mostly oaks. I also have a 120 ft drive way.
The current owner has a Husky 2748GLS. Still not sure if he is willing to sell it with the property. If not I am wondering what would be good my yard. I don’t necessarily need snow removal ability as I have a Ariens 30″ Platinum snow blower, but I may be adding a new garage with additional parking area in the future so I would like it to be an option to add it if possible.
I also have a fairly gradual slope of 6 to 9 percent on the front and west side of the house or half the yard. The rest is pretty flat. The drive way has a 4 percent grade.
Also I am not sure what dealers are like near our new house as it is on the other side of the twin cities from where we currently live. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks,
Pat.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Pat, The comparable machine today is the Husqvarna GT48XLSi. It is a nice machine but it may be more than you need.
Craftsman, Husqvarna and Cub Cadet tractors are the best choice if you are looking to add a snow blower later on.
One acre with lots of trees tells me you may want a machine that turns well. The 5-6 inch tight-turning on the Craftsman’s allow you to make one pass around a tree instead of two or three with a conventional 16-18 inch turning radius.
Here are a few to get you started:
Craftsman 20391 at Sears: You can read my review here: My Review 20391
At Sears: Craftsman Pro Series 24 HP V-Twin Kohler Elite 46″ Turn Tight Extreme Riding Mower. My review: Craftsman Pro 20442
John Barclay Photography
An amazing resource! WOW! I am in the market for a replacement mower that will handle snow removal from a flat small driveway as well as a small yard. Driveway is 80 feet by 25 feet. I’ve had a sears 42 inch 17HP tractor which has worked just fine. I’m struggling to understand what I need to handle the snow. I see your comments about 8mph drive. Can you help direct me. I think its an over $1,500 and maybe in the $2,500 range but its not clear which will accept a plow attachment. Or do I want a blower and not a plow.. Thanks in advance.
Paul Sikkema
Hi John, A tractor mounted snow blower works well on longer driveways because it takes quite a bit of room to turn around. 80 feet is fairly short. They are also a lot of work to install in the fall and then take off in the spring.
If I read your question correctly I think you are looking at the Craftsman 42 inch single cylinder 25081 or the V-Twin 20390. Here are the links:
25081
20390
42 inch attachments
John Barclay Photography
Sorry if I was not clear. I was just saying my current 42″ Craftsman has been okay. So are you saying a blower is NOT necessary in my case. Im thinking its not with a short flat drive. If I understand that correctly, each of the mowers linked above should work?
Paul Sikkema
@John, Yes, You’ll hate a tractor mounted snow blower on that short of driveway. The links all have the high speed tranny so they will work well with a snow blade. If you have a snow blade for your old green or red Craftsman it will fit on these new ones.
John Barclay Photography
Pulled the trigger on the 20390 using your link. I too am an affiliate for software companies for my Photography business, so I understand the benefit and happy to help support what you do. Thank you for making an overwhelming decision so easy! Will suggest your blog to all who have interest. The machine will arrive on Saturday just in time for my next mowing. Is it weird to be excited about mowing? 🙂