How to Buy a Lawn Tractor

The best lawn tractor? It depends on your lawn and budget

Experts say the main considerations in selecting a lawn tractor are your lawn's size and slope and the obstacles you need to mow around. Keep in mind that although the names are similar, there's a big distinction between small lawn tractors and heavy-duty garden tractors -- the latter have sturdier construction for using attachments.

The first step is to calculate your lawn size in acres. Remember, there are 43,580 square feet per acre. Your lawn size is probably much smaller than the total area of your lot.

• Small lawns with few obstacles (0.5 to 1 acre): An inexpensive riding mower or manual-transmission lawn tractor with a single-cylinder engine of at least 14.5 horsepower works fine, though pedal-operated automatic transmissions can further speed mowing. (Note that walk-behind lawn mowers are recommended for lawns smaller than half an acre. Robotic lawn mowers might also do the trick. See our separate reports on these.)

• Medium-sized lawns with few obstacles (1 or 2 acres): A lawn tractor with an automatic transmission, cruise control and a twin-cylinder engine of 17 horsepower or more will be the most convenient.

• Lawns with lots of obstacles: If your lawn is flat, a zero-turn mower is fastest and most convenient, but reviews say they tend to slide on slopes. For hills, a lawn tractor with a wider deck, large tires and an automatic transmission will be safer and faster.

• Large lawns or garden plowing (3 or more acres): A garden tractor with an 18- to 24-horsepower twin-cylinder engine and a 46- to 54-inch mowing deck will be more durable than a lawn tractor. Garden tractors cost more, but experts say that when they're well maintained, they'll outlast lawn tractors by years. (For that reason, a secondhand garden tractor might be a better buy than a new lawn tractor.)

In considering time savings, remember to take trimming into account. After mowing, you may need a walk-behind lawn mower to get into tight spaces, and you'll almost certainly need a string trimmer to trim along walls and fences and around shrubs. Some lawn tractors and riding mowers minimize trimming, so it's the total lawn care time that counts, not just mowing time. Many lawn and garden tractors offer a choice of cutting-deck size -- the swath the mower will cut in one pass. For lawns smaller than 3 acres, reviews say a 42-inch cutting deck is ideal; the two blades give an even cut and are easier to maintain than wider three-bladed decks. However, if you need to mow slopes, reviews recommend a 54-inch deck for more stability. For small lawns, a 38-inch deck is fine, and those with lawns larger than three acres should consider a 54-inch deck to save time.

Lawn tractor and riding mower brands

Brands such as John Deere usually rank higher in reviews for performance, and they have better repair records. Another company, American Yard Products, which is owned by Husqvarna, makes Husqvarna, Poulan and the middle-range Yard Tractor (YT) lawn tractors branded as Craftsman; these models usually rank at about the middle. (All Craftsman models are built to Craftsman specifications, though, just as John Deere engines -- though made by other companies -- are built to Deere specifications.)

MTD brands generally fare the worst for reliability; these include Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, White, Yard-Man and Yard Machines. MTD now makes the LT series of lawn tractors for Craftsman, and Toro outsources its residential lawn tractors to MTD. ConsumerReports.org doesn't evaluate Ariens for brand reliability, but it earns high marks as a brand from Paul Sikemma at TodaysMower.com -- a site where we found the best current coverage of "who makes what." He warns, though, that some Ariens models sold at HomeDepot.com seem like repainted 2010 Craftsman models made by Husqvarna.

On Internet forums, some comment that John Deere lawn tractors sold in big-box stores are not as well-made as the same models sold at independent Deere dealers. However, John Deere and Home Depot representatives say tractors with the same model number are identical, no matter where they're bought. The only difference might be that a dealer registers the warranty with John Deere. If you buy a John Deere tractor at a big-box store, you might have to register the warranty yourself. Keep in mind, however, that building a positive relationship with an independent dealer may help later when you need parts or repairs.

Lawn tractors vary in handling clippings

Few lawn tractors handle clippings well in all three modes (side-discharging, mulching or bagging). Your best bet is to choose a lawn tractor that handles clippings in the mode you intend to use most often. With rare exceptions, most lawn tractors side-discharge clippings, and they mow more slowly when set up to mulch or bag. Although bags are often included with walk-behind lawn mowers, bagging kits are a fairly expensive option on lawn tractors, and not every lawn tractor can use them.

Mulching kits usually cost about $100 more, and they work well only on dry grass. However, lawn experts don't recommend mowing wet grass, and lawn tractor expert Michael MacCaskey says side-discharge mowing "can throw rocks like bullets." He recommends using a mulching deck, which also fertilizes the lawn. Experts say mulching reduces fertilizer needs by about a third.

If you want to switch among modes, be sure to pick a lawn tractor that makes this easy. One of the most common complaints from owners is that attaching a bag or changing to mulching mode takes far longer than they'd like.

Lawn tractor engines

Experts note that gasoline engine manufacturers measure horsepower in different ways. The horsepower specifications can be useful in comparing engines from the same manufacturer, but aren't much use when it comes to comparing different brands. An overhead-valve (OHV) V-twin (two-cylinder) does outperform a single-cylinder engine, but the latter may be fine for light-duty use.

Electric lawn tractors and riding mowers aren't new, but the few residential models currently on the market haven't established much of a track record yet. So far, the jury is still out on their performance, ease of use and durability. Their high initial price is partly offset by lower running costs, as well as lower anticipated maintenance and repair costs. For instance, electric lawn tractors and mowers have no carburetors to maintain and repair. Of course, you can't really put a price on air quality, and gasoline spills are hazardous to soil and water too. Keep in mind, though, that after a few years the lead-acid batteries in an electric model will need replacing, and replacement battery kits aren't cheap.

Propane lawn tractors are available and are considered safer, with lower emissions than gasoline engines. So far, though, they're priced more for lawn professionals than for homeowners.

Important lawn tractor features

Here's what experts say to look for when shopping for a riding mower, lawn tractor, garden tractor or zero-turn mower:

• Look for 2011 models. Even if the model isn't CARB-certified, a true 2011 model has to meet EPA emissions limits -- stricter than on 2010 models. Dealers still have plenty of 2010 models mixed in with the newer, less polluting 2011 lawn tractors and riding mowers.

• Check the hour meter on your new purchase. Sometimes owners report that after taking delivery of a lawn tractor they bought as new, they noticed quite a few hours on the hour meter. This indicates that the tractor has been used for demonstrations or has had a previous owner.

• Don't buy more mower than you need. Experts suggest using a lawn tractor only for lawns larger than half an acre. If your lawn is smaller, you can accomplish the job just as well -- at lower cost -- with a walk-behind mower. Lawn tractors and garden tractors offer bigger engines and useful attachments, but they cost more and require greater storage space. Even if you need a lawn tractor, you're still likely to need a walk-behind mower for trimming.

• The engine makes a difference, but don't judge it by horsepower. Experts at Popular Mechanics and ConsumerReports.org don't find much difference in mowing performance based on horsepower. Single-cylinder engines are fine for mowing lawns smaller than an acre, and twin-cylinder engines are better for larger areas or for use with a snow thrower. Michael MacCaskey says manufacturers sometimes add higher horsepower engines to tractors without increasing the strength of the frame or other parts. This can make a lawn tractor with a higher horsepower engine weaker in the long run than a similar model with a smaller engine. Higher horsepower does improve performance with heavy-duty attachments like tillers, plows and grading blades, however.

• A larger deck isn't always better. For mowing up to about 2 acres, reviews say a 38-inch to 42-inch two-bladed deck makes for the smoothest, most even cutting. A wider deck can add stability on slopes, however, and shorten mowing time when you have 3 acres or more to mow.

• Anti-scalping wheels help cut more evenly. These wheels help keep the mower level on uneven ground.

• The turning radius affects maneuverability and speed. Zero-turn mowers pivot, but most other lawn tractors leave a circle of uncut grass when they turn. You have to go back and cut this on another pass. This circle is usually smallest on four-wheel-steering lawn tractors. If you have a lot of obstacles to mow around, getting a zero-turn mower (for flat land) or a lawn tractor with a small turning radius speeds up mowing.

• Automatic hydrostatic transmission with cruise control is most convenient. But reviews also say a tractor with gear-drive transmission is fine if you're mowing a fairly flat lawn with few obstacles because you won't need to change gears often anyway.

• Pedals make driving easier. With pedals, driving the tractor is a lot like driving a car, but reviewers say some pedals are harder to reach than others. Controlling a zero-turn mower with levers is trickier, though users say it often only takes less than an hour to learn.

• Consider the setup and repair services available. Often, the price is the same from a big-box store as it is from a local dealer, but the dealer usually makes sure the battery is fully charged (extremely important), assembles the tractor and lets you test-drive it. Customer service might also be better. If you do buy from a big-box store, be sure to register the warranty with the manufacturer.

• Attachments are usually extra. Even mulching and bagging kits are extra options on lawn tractors.

Lawn tractor safety

• Use hearing protection. All lawn tractors are noisy enough to require protection for your ears.

• Mulching or bagging is safer than side-discharge mowing. That's because objects like rocks can be propelled.

• Cutting in reverse can be dangerous because you can't see rear obstructions. But cutting in reverse can also be convenient. Most lawn tractors permit cutting in reverse, but require a safety override of some kind. ZTR mowers usually cut in reverse without an override.

• Blades should stop turning when you leave the seat. The seat shut-off switch is a safety factor built into most lawn tractors. Quite a few users say they find it annoying, but it can save limbs and lives, especially if kids are around.

• Step-through designs are safer. If there's not much space for getting on and off the lawn tractor, you might accidentally knock it into gear. Most lawn tractors now advertise step-through designs that make it easy to get off in a hurry.

• Traction can be an important safety consideration, especially on hilly ground. Some lawn tractors have significantly better traction than others.

• Front-end lift is a serious safety concern, especially when using a bagging kit that adds weight in the rear. For some models, including John Deere models, you can buy front weights to increase traction and safety. (Rear-end weight kits are also available to balance front attachments such as blades and buckets.) Lighter men and women might also want to consider adding weights for increased stability.

• Seatbelts and a roll bar are available for some lawn and garden tractors to protect you in case the tractor turns over.

• A fire extinguisher is good to keep on board. Most safety recalls involve fire hazards such as leaking fuel, mufflers that catch grass on fire or faulty wiring. Experts recommend keeping a fire extinguisher handy.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), noting an average of 95 deaths a year from riding mowers and lawn tractor accidents, has published a useful guide to riding mower safety. You can also find recall information on this website:

Experts say it's important to register your purchase with the manufacturer so you'll be informed of any recalls for repair. The fall of 2010 and spring of 2011 have seen more recalls than usual; the CPSC site provides details on the models, specific problem found, the serial numbers affected and the steps to take.