Troy-Bilt Horse XP

Bottom Line

The Troy-Bilt Horse XP is a solid choice for a riding mower costing less than $1,500. Experts and users agree that it delivers a great cut and is a master at mulching. Most owners say it handles well and is durable, but several report mechanical problems. The Horse XP is best for users who need a basic mower.

Performance

Predictable cutting. "The Horse XP is Troy-Bilt's largest, most powerful riding mower," says Paul Sikkema at TodaysMower.com. He calls it a "great value" due to its low price, powerful 22-horsepower Kohler engine and solid 46-inch mowing deck.

Users like the engine, saying it's powerful enough to disperse grass well, although a few find that it slings the grass a bit too far. One Lowes.com customer says the Horse XP's "cutting is predictable and smooth." Experts say it's very good at spreading out clippings while mowing and mulching, but it doesn't perform as well when bagging. The Troy-Bilt Horse XP can cover more ground than the Craftsman 28885 (Est. $1,300) , managing as much as 3 acres.

Ease Of Use

Awkward controls. The Horse XP gets plenty of praise for its handling; users at Lowes.com say it maneuvers well and drives smoothly. The auto-shift hydrostatic transmission uses a lever mounted on the fender that Sikkema finds easy to use.

Without electric power takeoff, the Troy-Bilt uses a lever on the fender to engage the two cutting blades, which experts say can be easier to use than a foot pedal. Many owners find the controls to be accessible and straightforward, but blogger/reviewer Jennah Watters says the speed control is awkward on the left-hand side.

The high-back seat is "much more comfortable than the low-back seats on the other Troy-Bilt riders," says a Lowes.com reviewer. The Horse XP also features headlights, a reverse mowing option, cruise control and a 2-gallon gas tank. As a light-duty mower, the Horse XP can handle a bagger, mulcher, lightweight yard cart and even a snow blade, but experts don't advise using larger attachments.

While most owners at Lowes.com recommend this mower, it gets more mixed feedback on durability than our other top models. Most complaints relate to the transmission. According to a study from a leading consumer organization, the Troy-Bilt brand is more likely to need repair or have serious problems than John Deere or Craftsman. The Horse XP has a two-year warranty.

Safety

Sensitive features. Experts don't discuss safety features in their reviews, and Troy-Bilt doesn't say whether this riding mower follows American National Standards Institute safety guidelines.

A few owners call the Horse XP's multi-step process to shift into reverse mowing cumbersome. "It's challenging to disengage the blade every time reverse is used," says one at Lowes.com. Another finds the safety switch in the seat oversensitive, saying, "Every time I shifted my weight in the seat to adjust the speed or lower the blades, the contact on the seat was broken and the machine stalled."

Noise

Not quiet. The Troy-Bilt is powered by a one-cylinder engine, a design that experts say is typically louder and vibrates more than a two-cylinder motor. No expert reviewers or owners comment on how loud the Horse XP is, although safety experts caution to always wear hearing protection when operating a riding mower.