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Best lawn tractor overall
Pros: excellent performance, maneuverability and comfort, sturdy build, engine reliability, four-year warranty
Cons: expensive, not CARB-certified, mixed reviews for customer service
not avail.
Lawn tractor
3.5
Yes
Yes
42
15
32
2
N/A
Rustproof JDLoy polymer
Side-discharge
*Est. $90
*Est. $485
N/A
Kawasaki, made to John Deere specifications
V-Twin OHV, air-cooled
18
603 cc
Full-pressure
Cast iron
Not standard; California model available with 42-inch deck (*Est. $3,900) or 48-inch (*Est. $3,940)
2-pedal hydrostatic
4-wheel steering
Yes
5.5 mph
4 mph
No
15
Yes
4
Rotary dial on dashboard
Foot pedal
Optional
15
20
Yes
Yes
3.5
Yes
Open highback
7
Electric
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tool holder, foot mats, on-board deck leveling gauge
Snow blower, blade, thatcher, fan, sprayer, cart
30 days
48 months or 300 hours
N/A
X304
-
Best light-duty lawn tractor
Pros: easy to use, cuts well, moderate price, brand with good repair record
Cons: large turning radius, no cruise control, low-back seat, mulching requires blade change, not for heavy-duty attachments
not avail.
Lawn tractor
1.5
Yes
No
42
18
50
2
2
Rustproof JDLoy polymer
Side-discharge
*Est. $90
*Est. $340
Tool-free
Briggs & Stratton, made to John Deere specifications
1-cylinder OHV, air-cooled
19.5
502 cc
Full-pressure
Cast iron
No;
2-pedal hydrostatic
Steering wheel
No
5.5 mph
3.2 mph
Yes
9
No
4
Lever on fender
Fender-mounted
N/A
15
20
Yes
Yes
2.4
Yes
11-inch midback
5.5
Manual
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tool pocket
Snow blower, blade, thatcher, fan, sprayer, cart
30-day at-home trial
24 months or 120 hours
759936735820
BG20541
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Best riding mower
Pros: electric start, narrow, good cutting performance
Cons: only for small, flat lawns, not for slopes or heavy riders, no hitch, wide turning radius, complaints about quality, durability
Rear-end riding mower
0.5
No
No
26
31
62 or more
1
-
Steel
Side-discharge
Extra option
Twin bagger extra option (*Est. $200)
Requires blade change
Briggs & Stratton
1-cylinder OHV
1
190 cc
Splash
Steel
Separate models CARB-certified
Manual three-speed
Steering wheel
Yes
3.8 mph
1 mph
No
N/A
No
4
Fender-mounted
No
No
10
13
N/A
No
0.3
No
Highback
N/A
No
Yes
No
No
Lift handle raises discharge chute for passing through garden gates
Bag, mulching kit
N/A
2 years
085388585202
X304
-
Best zero-turn mower
Pros: electronic height control, cast-iron front axles, bags well, can tow a cart, cARB-certified, made in U.S.
Cons: not for steep slopes, low maximum deck clearance, low maximum speed, mixed reviews for ease of blade changing
not avail.
Zero-turn mower
2
Yes
Yes
42
zero
zero
1
2 front, 2 rear
Steel
Side-discharge
*Est. $120
*Est. $465
Blade change to switch to mulching
Briggs & Stratton
Single-cylinder OHV Pro
21
540 cc
Full-pressure spin-on
Pivoting, Cast iron
Yes
Hydraulic
Two-lever, adjustable position
No
5.5 mph
3 mph
No
NA
No
3.75 in.
1.5 in.
Yes
Electric
11 in. (smooth to protect lawn)
18 in.
Single-lever with throttle
Optional
3
NA
15-inch with armrests
NA
NA
Yes
Yes
No
Separate parking brake
Twin bagger, Mulch kit, 10 cu. ft. dump cart, Front bumper
NA
Two years
N/A
ZT2142