Lawn Tractors

This review compares nine zero-turn mowers and 22 lawn tractors, including several that compete with zero-turn mowers by making extra-tight turns. Based on objective tests over weeks of mowing, the review… rates each lawn tractor in handling grass clippings (side-discharging, mulching or bagging), evenness of cut, overall handling and ease of use. The tests show that horsepower and price don't determine performance; some inexpensive lawn tractors perform better than more expensive models from the same brand. Editors say that mowing slopes of more than 10 degrees can be quite dangerous, especially with a zero-turn mower. The report also includes brand repair records culled from reader surveys but doesn't deal with environmental issues. Earlier Consumer Reports lawn tractor ratings from 2008 include several models still available but not covered in the 2009 tests -- including three of the Cub Cadet zero-turn tractors (now called the ZTT series). The 2007 issue covers more Toro models. These ratings aren't available online but may be found in the May issues of Consumer Reports.

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This review compares five lawn tractors, all of which meet stringent new European Union requirements for low emissions, based on tests on a four-acre lawn. In addition to pros and cons for each lawn… tractor, the review rates each one for performance, convenience and value. It's the first review we've found that also evaluates each model for its "green credentials." Although three of the brands (Toro, Cub Cadet and John Deere) are also available in the United States, only one model, the John Deere X304, is available in the U.S.. The review says this lawn tractor meets "the latest worldwide noise and emission regulations" and its tractor hoods are made from recycled materials.

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This comparison review is rather outdated; we'd rank it higher if it were more recent. The review compares five garden tractors, all more powerful than ordinary lawn tractors and thus capable of a wider… range of tasks. All five are rated on cutting grass, hauling firewood, grading, dethatching and aerating a lawn, using four different attachments. The review also gives an overview of what you can expect from lawn and garden tractors in four basic engine and price ranges. An earlier comparison review from March 2005 tests nine lawn tractors, rating them for noise level and ease of starting as well as for performance on hills, in circles and in reverse.

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Sears publishes owner-written ratings and reviews of the Craftsman and Husqvarna lawn tractors sold here, along with several brands of zero-turn lawn mowers. Quite a few models have enough reviews to be… quite credible. It's interesting to see that some of the more expensive models get lower ratings. One owner says manual transmission is better for climbing hills, and two of the six-speed manual lawn tractors are among the models that earn top ratings here.

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Written by a former landscape professional, this blog devoted to Sears Craftsman mowers reviews the new Craftsman Revolution 28933 zero-turn lawn tractor. Though the summary is based partly on owner-written… reviews available at Sears.com, the author adds some useful expertise. Other Craftsman lawn tractors also get detailed reviews here, including some reports of test drives. The reviewer makes the distinctions among models much easier to understand than does the Sears website. He also picks what he considers the best buys for 2009.

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This anonymous review is basically a guide to buying a used garden tractor, but it has clear implications for selecting new models, too. This reviewer says that horsepower isn't nearly as important for… performance as other factors. The review covers features and average second-hand prices for seven different older series of John Deere garden tractors, and it includes tips on evaluating a used lawn tractor. This is a genuinely useful article if you're considering a used tractor, and several are evaluated.

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This brief review of the Cub Cadet i1050 zero-turn lawn tractor makes special mention of its steering wheel, which makes it easier to steer than the dual-lever steering on most zero-turn mowers. The review… says that a smaller Cub Cadet model, the i1046 with a 46-inch deck, costs $500 less but uses the same "intuitive controls." No testing or use is reported in this review -- it's all based on features. More than two dozen readers report their experiences with this series - including defects and breakdowns.

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This extensive, well-organized site is geared more toward larger garden tractors, but it includes owner-written reviews of some popular lawn tractors too. It's a good site for discovering patterns in what… goes wrong with a specific model. The site organizes reviews by type and brand, and it includes a message board, industry news and charts of most-viewed reviews and top-rated equipment. Not all the models are reviewed, and many reviews cover discontinued tractors -- but this is useful for shopping for a used model.

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