The Basics: Lawn and Garden Tractors
A lawn tractor is a front-engine gas-powered riding mower that spins two or three horizontal blades to cut the grass at a specified height. The blades are enclosed in the mower deck located between the front and rear axles. On all lawn tractors, the engine is located at the front of the machine. (Riding mowers have the engine located in the rear.) Lawn tractors use vertical-shaft engines of about 17 to 21 horsepower (hp). A long belt, often made of Kevlar or some other reinforced material, transfers the engine power to the rear wheels. A second belt transfers power to the pulleys that turn the cutting blades. The mowing deck and the blades can be raised or lowered by the operator, typically in 1/2-inch increments between 1-1/2 and 4 inches above the ground. All but the least expensive models have anti-scalping wheels or rollers on the mowing deck to keep it level on uneven ground. Mowing decks discharge cut grass out the side of the deck. Most mowers have optional side chutes to deliver grass to a bagger at the rear of the tractor. Another popular option is a mulching kit that plugs the discharge chute to keep grass under the deck and replaces the blades with special mulching blades to shred grass. Operating controls, such as the throttle, choke, transmission gears, cutting height and power takeoff (PTO), which engages and disengages the cutting blades, are located near the driver. Most lawn tractors have an 18-inch radius for 180-degree turns.
A garden tractor is a lawn tractor with more power, more clearance and more options. Residential garden tractors can pull a tiller, cultivator, thatcher or other ground-engaging tool behind it, but to do so they need more power than typical lawn tractors. Garden tractors for residential use have gas engines rated between 22 and 28 hp; diesel models require about 20 percent less horsepower to do the same job. In addition, garden tractors need more height at the rear for connections to ground-engaging attachments. Rear tires on garden tractors are typically 23 inches high rather than 20 inches, which is the size found on most lawn tractors. Most garden tractors can turn around in a circle of 18 to 23 inches.
A yard tractor is classed in between a lawn and garden tractor. It may be a lawn tractor that can pull a large cart or a garden tractor with smaller wheels or a weaker engine. Our reviews treat yard tractors as either lawn or garden tractors depending on their power and what tasks they can do.
Warranties are relatively standard across the mower industry, the average being two years for residential use (shorter for commercial use). Some lawn and garden tractors come with three-year warranties for parts and service. If you decide to purchase any model that has a lower initial price than most models or a questionable service record, we recommend you purchase it from a dealer that offers on-site service. Fortunately, most lawn and garden tractors with regular service will do the job well for a decade or more.
We strongly recommend that, regardless of which mower you purchase, you carefully read the owner's manual. If your mower doesn't have one, contact the manufacturer or their online website for a copy. Lawn and garden mowers require more care than walk-behind mowers -- especially lubrication and belt adjustments -- that you can do yourself in order to keep your mower out of the shop. Most manuals also have troubleshooting charts to reduce unnecessary service calls.
Five Key Questions You Need Answered Before You Shop
1. What's your lawn like? Lawn and garden tractors can handle a little rougher terrain than riding mowers and zero-turn riders. The larger wheels on tractors can handle shallow grades more easily. For special needs, some tractor mowers have four-wheel drive while others have traction devices that allow tires to rotate independently and minimize tire spin. Most lawn and garden tractors require a wide turning radius and don't maneuver well around small objects, such as rose bushes.
2. What do you want to do with the grass? All lawn and garden mowers have side-discharge chutes that send the cut grass out the right side of the mowing deck to be deposited on the lawn. Some homeowners prefer to bag the clippings in an optional side-to-rear bagger for further recycling (as compost) or for disposal. Others install optional mulching kits that include a plug to cover the side chute and one or more mulching blades. Mulching allows the grass clippings to circulate under the mowing deck until they are cut to shreds and fall to the lawn to degrade and become fertilizer for the lawn. Most lawn experts agree that side-discharge models with sharp blades do a sufficient job of cutting most large home lawns.
3. How much of a job do you want to make of mowing? Walk-behind mowing is okay for the majority of smaller residential lawns, those up to about half of an acre (20,000 square feet). Beyond that the job becomes unwelcome work. Lawn and garden tractors are ideal mowers for large lawns of 1-1/2 to 3 acres (60,000 to 120,000 square feet) though they are also useful on smaller or larger lawns that are sloped or undulating.
4. What else besides mowing do you want your tractor mower to do? The answer to this question will tell you if you need a garden tractor over a lawn tractor. Both garden and most lawn tractors can pull a cart around the lawn or push leaf piles with a dozer blade. But garden tractors can also till or cultivate ground for a garden or flowerbed, and they can move bigger piles of leaves, snow or dirt. They can cut the grass that grows on uneven ground as well. They have more power and more options. Just make sure that the connection on your new tractor fits the attachments that you plan to buy. Simpler models offer one-point connections, such as a hitch, while advanced models offer more complex attachments that require a three-point connection, such as a backhoe.
5. What is your yard equipment budget? Lawn tractors typically range in retail price from $1100 to $4500 with the most popular models sitting between $1500 and $2500 (before sale prices). Garden tractors, obviously, are a little more expensive and range from $2100 to more than $9000 -- most models are in the $2500 to $3500 price range. Remember to factor in the cost of options and attachments in your budget. A mulching kit can be purchased for many models for less than $100, a rear-bagger runs $300 or more, and ground implements can cost as much as $1000 depending on which one you buy.
How to Shop
The best place to start shopping for your lawn or garden tractor is within these reviews. Consider all of the models, even those above or below your budget. Think how you will use this equipment and decide how much it is worth to you. Is there a required attachment for which you must spend more? If so, will the model you are considering accept such an attachment?
Consider as well how long you will have to spend on your tractor when mowing and whether optimal rider comfort is a vital feature for you. Also think about how long you expect to own your tractor. Does it need to serve you for more than a decade? Perhaps even two decades? Are you planning to expand your lawn or garden? These are all things to consider that will help you decide what you need and want in your tractor mower.
Where should you shop for a lawn or garden tractor? If you know what you want and don't need a lot of service, consider the big chain stores with the lower prices. However, if you're concerned about service after the sale, a lawn equipment specialist may be a better place to buy. They can sometimes match or come close to matching the box-store prices. It's worth asking.
The best time to shop for a lawn or garden tractor is early in the lawn year where you live, though March-May is the national lawn equipment sales season. Alternately, shopping late in the year just before retailers put their mowers in long-term storage can save you a few hundred dollars. If you know what you want, contact a few retailers about their sale schedules. Clerks often don't know when sales are coming, but department or store managers typically do. If you know exactly what model you want, a store manager may be able to advise you on the best time to purchase. Smart shopping can save you 10 to 20 percent!
Lawn and garden tractors have come down in price and gone up in features over the past decade. With some smart shopping you can find the right model at an acceptable price -- then you can go have some fun with your new toy.
