Whether you’re cutting your home lawn or working in the lawn care industry, a good mower is one of the most important outdoor tools. You’ll use it all growing season to keep the lawn looking good.
When you live or work on a large property, a riding mower helps make lawnmowing go much faster than it would with a walk-behind mower. A quality riding mower will keep the lawn looking good and make it easy to keep the grass cut.
If you’re asking, “What’s the best riding mower?” the answer depends on several factors. Different types of riding mowers fit different tasks. The best mower for you will depend on the size of your yard, if you need to transport the mower, obstacles in the yard, and a variety of other factors.
Types of Riding Mowers
The type of riding mower you need is determined by the features of the yard(s) you’re cutting and personal preference.
Stand-on
Stand-on riding mowers don’t have a seat. The operator stands on a small platform at the rear of the mower. The mowers have a smaller footprint than other riding mowers, making it easier to fit them on an equipment trailer (a big help for lawn care professionals!). They’re typically very maneuverable, and since you’re standing it’s easy to see and avoid obstacles. They’re also better than other zero-turn mowers at handling hilly terrain (though they’re still unsafe on steep hills). The only real downside is that standing to use them is more tiring than sitting if you’re mowing large lawns.
Zero-turn
Zero-turn mowers are fast and highly maneuverable. If you’re mowing a large, flat, open lawn there’s no better tool for the job. They’re just not good for hilly or sloped yards since there’s a danger of the mower rolling over. This is the type of lawnmower used by many lawn care professionals for commercial properties like golf courses or residential areas with flat yards.
Lawn tractors
Lawn tractors are much slower and less maneuverable than zero turns, but they do have some advantages. They’re typically better on hills than zero-turn mowers (though a walk-behind is still the best option for steep hills). You can also get attachments for them, such as a snowplow blade or work cart. This is the type of mower my parents use to cut their hilly 5.5-acre yard and pull a wagon for hauling garden weeds and firewood.
Gasoline or Battery Power
Early battery-powered riding mowers had some serious limitations, but several modern ones provide good lawn mowing performance. For top battery-powered mower brands like EGO, the mowers can cut 2 to 3 acres on a single charge. This makes them a great choice for homeowners with small to mid-size yards. The run-time limitations mean they won’t work as well for commercial applications, though, since charging between lawns isn’t always feasible. You can get battery-powered lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. The battery-powered motors are very quiet and easy to maintain.
Gasoline-powered riding mowers are more widely available and are still the standard choice for riding mowers. Gasoline mowers are also available in a wide price range for different budgets. They’re powerful and easy to refuel on the go, making it easier to cut large yards or multiple yards if you’re working in commercial lawn care. Though not as environmentally friendly as battery-powered mowers, modern gasoline-powered lawnmowers are more efficient and have lower emissions than older models. A gasoline-powered engine does require more extensive maintenance than a battery-powered motor, though.
Cutting Deck Size
The available cutting deck sizes for riding lawnmowers vary widely. Wide deck sizes mean that you can cut large lawns more quickly, but it also means that the mower isn’t as maneuverable. You’ll need to choose the deck size based on the type of yard you’re cutting. If you have a large lawn with big flat open spaces a large deck will make cutting faster. But if you have a smaller yard or one with a lot of obstacles, a smaller deck size is more maneuverable and easier to use.
For commercial lawn care, you’ll also have to think about the size of the cutting deck in relation to how much room you have on your equipment trailer. Wider cutting decks will make the work go faster but they also take up a lot more room.
Features and Options to Look For
When you’re shopping for riding mowers, durability is one of the main features to look for. Make sure the engine (for a gasoline-powered mower) is produced by a reliable manufacturer such as Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, or Kohler. Also, check the cutting deck construction. Stamped decks are lightweight and good for general use, but fabricated decks are sturdier for longer wear and commercial use.
You’ll also want to check out how comfortable the seat or standing platform is. Antivibration systems can make a standing platform easier to use for longer periods of time. For riding zero-turn mowers and lawn tractors, you’ll want to look for antivibration systems as well as a comfortable, ergonomic seat.
Read about the features of each mower you’re considering. Some features will likely be more appealing and useful to you than others. Here are just a few examples:
- A wash-out port on the mower deck, which lets you connect a garden hose, will make it easier to clean the mower.
- A mulching deck will cut the grass fine enough that you won’t need to bag or rake clippings. This is also healthier for the yard since decomposing clippings return water and nutrients to the soil.
- Headlamps are another useful feature, particularly if you work late into the day.
Best Brands to Check Out
Once you have an idea of what type of riding mower you want, visiting a local dealer is a great next step. By going to a dealer, you can see many popular models and sit in the seat or stand on the operator’s platform to make sure it’s a comfortable mower. And if you have questions about the different brands and models, you can get help from knowledgeable staff who have experience working with the mowers.
Here at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower, we carry homeowner and commercial riding mowers from top brands including Scag, Toro, eXmark, and EGO. Our expert technicians are trained and certified to work on these mowers, and they can answer questions you have about performance, durability, and more. Come visit us to learn more and check out your mower options in person!
