Lawn care is hard work no matter how you do it, but it’s a little bit easier when you’re able to sit down on the job. A riding mower lets you do just that, without losing a moment of productivity. The best riding lawn mowers will save your back, your legs, your arms, and anything else that normally hurts after you’ve pushed a lawn mower over an acre of grass. The Husqvarna Z254 (available at Amazon) is a great choice with zero-turn steering, air-induction mowing, and a powerful engine.
Like with any category of tool, there are a ton of different options available for riding mowers. The first decision to make is where it gets its power. Many mowers run on traditional gasoline, but as battery power improves, more electric options are coming onto the market.
An electric mower runs quieter and emits no fumes, unlike gasoline-powered riding lawn mowers. However, gasoline mowers will run for as long as you have a can of gas handy to refill the tank, while battery-powered options can take hours to recharge.
The next choice is the size of the mower deck. The larger the deck, the faster you’ll finish cutting. But large decks are also harder to get into tight spaces, or through gates. If you plan on driving in and around a lot of obstacles or on narrow paths, then a smaller deck might be worth sacrificing mowing speed for.
Also, smaller decks tend to be more affordable than larger ones. Alongside the size of the deck is the size of the engine that powers it, generally measured in horsepower (HP). The more horsepower, the more powerful the machine.
Finally, consider the accessories that come with the mower. Some are exactly as advertised—dedicated lawn mowers that can’t serve any other functions. That said, many companies offer a wide variety of attachments, including bagging systems, dump carts, lawn aeration trailers, and even snowblowers. A good tractor can be an entire landscaping system, if you need it to be.
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